There is a vast chasm between science and art. My career is in the former but my stereo is based on the latter. For me, it is the only way to go but it takes a lot of effort, thought, and understanding to get a grasp on any form of art. Many people don't want to go to all that trouble and instead settle for the much easier route of using formulas to achieve their goal. Unfortunately, the scientific road is littered with pot holes since formulas are inherently based on a simplified version of our world.
Measurements are descriptions of this scientific road. However, they cannot tell the whole story since we are always dealing with an infinite number of variables - which includes the human ones. As a result, they only offer a view of trees and not of the forest. This can lead to severe misunderstandings that all originate from the oversimplified formulaic basis. During my years of engineering research, I have run into lots of people who are blinded by the numbers. Our world is more complex than we know, and to feel that measurements tell all is to fall prey to an ego trip.
I have thought of making my own amps and speakers before but have decided there are other people who have devoted their life to the cause and thus are surely way ahead of me in terms of greater understanding. Human experience is the only way to learn beyond simple formulas.
Buying the equipment is much more expensive than DIY but anything "great" never comes cheap - whether in terms of money or time. Besides, finding just the right components for my room and ears is a sufficient artistic endeavor for me to feel fulfilled for a long time to come.
Arthur
Measurements are descriptions of this scientific road. However, they cannot tell the whole story since we are always dealing with an infinite number of variables - which includes the human ones. As a result, they only offer a view of trees and not of the forest. This can lead to severe misunderstandings that all originate from the oversimplified formulaic basis. During my years of engineering research, I have run into lots of people who are blinded by the numbers. Our world is more complex than we know, and to feel that measurements tell all is to fall prey to an ego trip.
I have thought of making my own amps and speakers before but have decided there are other people who have devoted their life to the cause and thus are surely way ahead of me in terms of greater understanding. Human experience is the only way to learn beyond simple formulas.
Buying the equipment is much more expensive than DIY but anything "great" never comes cheap - whether in terms of money or time. Besides, finding just the right components for my room and ears is a sufficient artistic endeavor for me to feel fulfilled for a long time to come.
Arthur