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Is there a Peter Principle of Audio…


A Peter Principle as it applies to audiophiles and their quest to continually upgrade?

We all have different levels of abilities to perceive and appreciate differences in audio equipment and music. In some cases it is due to physical limitations with hearing or just a lack of musical appreciation or the ability to “listen” to music and perceive subtle differences. While the Peter Principle is about people rising to their level of incompetence in their work, that word is not be the best word to use in an audio context. But the principle still  applies where one reaches a level where they can no longer perceive any incremental audio benefit from upgrading.

There is a lot of information about the “best” equipment, interconnects, room treatments etc. but rarely do I ever read an honest discussion about individual limitations to perceive differences at the higher levels of audio equipment. I think there should be more awareness on this subject because it IS important in making individual system decisions.

128x1281extreme

Showing 2 responses by 1extreme

1extreme's avatar
1extreme OP
161 posts
 
"We all have good ears.."

Um, no we don't all have good ears. And lots of "audiophiles" put their time and focus on gear rather than music. They are gear-ophiles rather than audiophiles.


1extreme's avatar
1extreme OP
161 posts
 
Ejr, Bingo! You hit the nail on the head! I was beginning to think that no one was getting what I was trying to say.

You are an audiophile if you are capable of connecting with music on an emotional level. It is what I call the "E" factor and it is the most important "component" of a great system because it is within you. If you have the E factor you can listen to an old, poorly recorded but great piece of music on even a low-fi system and have to sit down because your knees get weak.
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