different people may hear the same sound differently...

Great book...

"How do our brains create meaning from the sounds around us? That is the question at the heart of a new book from neuroscientist Nina Kraus, called Of Sound Mind."

KRAUS: So I think it's a really compelling point that each one of us hears the world differently. And here is a biological example of how this is the case.

So much for the theory that we all interpret what we hear in the same way. "No accounting for taste" is proven again to be true...

@nonoise

One would hope but there are clearly many who don’t. Or they haven't kept current with modern research.

@djones51 

I agree that this should be universally understood. To me, it’s why I look for electronic components that measure beyond human audibility and speakers with a flat FR in anechoic chamber since they would be easier to "tune" to my tastes.

Makes perfect sense.

@cd318 

Exactly what I have been saying though by some of the responses you would think I suggesting eating babies.

@gs5556 

Indeed. Yet the claims and forum wars continue.

@jonwolfpell


Agreed. The eye uses the same CPU as the ear, why should it be any different?

@teo_audio 

There is abundant research available indicating that there is indeed variation in both individual physiology and in individual psychology that results in differences in not only in interpretation of sound but also in differences in preference perceptions.

All one needs to do is look at the vast differences in successful audio products for proof that people have varying preferences/tastes.

Audio equipment is designed by most engineers to do one thing: reproduce an input signal as accurately as possible (at a cost point). Measurements are used by all designers in analyzing the success of their efforts. It is an indispensable tool. Some audio engineers make efforts to tailor the sound of their equipment to appeal to certain people who like/prefer certain kinds of distortion, or use certain kinds of distortion to cover other kinds of distortion in band aid like fashion, while others seek to drive distortion of all types below audibility. People that like certain kinds of distortion call amps without "clinical", "cold", etc. People who don't want distortion call amps with "warm", "inaccurate", "syrupy", etc.

Some want the signal delivered as purely as possible, others want an instrument. Some want to add tubes to their class d to get this added distortion, some like to use cables as "tone" controls. What is clear is that people don't agree.

What people should agree on is that ultimately, due to these differences in physiology and psychology, we all have different tastes and preferences and thus, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy recorded music. There is no "best" anything- there is only what is best for us each individually. "Class d sucks", "tubes suck", "digital sucks", "vinyl sucks", and on and on, is nothing but meaningless babble. We must listen and decide for ourselves- the personal opinions of others are can't be relied on, trusted, or assumed to be "truth" for people other than themselves. I laugh at how people get so worked up over this statement. When it comes to subjective matters of taste, we should all heed the adage "to thine own self be true".

One will save a great deal of time and money by ignoring those trying to tell you that this or that amp sounds "best" or that this or that amp is "junk", that they can improve your amp with their mods and take it to an "11". That only "true" audiophiles have tubes and vinyl. That cheaper components can't possible sound "better" than less expensive ones, and on and on. Listening for one's self is the only way to find the truth. The rest is all hot air.

Once your system reaches a certain level, there is no “better”, just different

I have said this here dozens of times yet there are those here who will still try to preach differently. Most often though they are those trying to sell something. Sad.