So how much do you think the placebo effect impacts our listening preferences?

cd318 wrote:
"When it comes to headphones (cables, amps, cd players etc) the sonic differences between them can indeed be shockingly small"


They can also be "shockingly large". Just saying...

That is true for the majority of today's equipment and headphones, but when you get to hear the good stuff you can immediately tell the difference and you will hear things like i have never heard that before and i have listened to that over 100 times.

The problem isn’t that the placebo effect wears off (just like hypnotic suggestion eventually does if not constantly repeated and reinforced) it’s that the consumer/customer in their desperation might move onto the next placebo once it does.

My mother for example has been looking for the magic pill that will cure all of her ailments for over 50 years. She still seems to think her doctors are somehow conspiring to hide it from her.

Nowadays we get bombarded by adverts for all kinds of wonderful health restoration products, and some might feel, at least for a while, that they work.

It’s not unreasonable to question whether some audiophiles might be doing the same thing, is it?

Now I have to confess that since cutting down on my sugar/carb intake I feel a lot better physically (at least that’s what my lungs/legs tell me after a run) but I don’t believe this is a placebo effect because this feeling is growing stronger and not weaker in time.

Of course initially it was no joke going without sugar in my tea or cutting back on cake etc but it’s definitely something I’d suggest everyone to try regardless of their current blood sugar levels.

Besides that way you may enjoy the occasional dip into sugar all the more. Or even better, you may even find yourself going off sugar for good.

And that can only be a good thing, can’t it?

russ69

If there is a placebo effect and I have doubts about that, it is only temporary and will disappear after enough critical evaluation. You can only fool yourself for so long, then reality sets in.

Exactly. The placebo effect won't cure cancer, either.

Here's an ethical reason that I worry about the placebo effect. I'm not saying others should look at it this way. This is just my way.

Let's say that I have $2k to spend on headphones. Let's say I feel like I could also give some of that to the local food bank or to a local museum or another group that needs a donation. Let's also assume that I love my luxury sound so much that I would spend the $2k on headphones if I could hear a difference.

Ok, so now I test out two pairs of headphones. Let's say they are $1000 different in price -- $2000 and $1000. If I honestly cannot hear a difference, I get great headphones and create a huge benefit for people who really need some help. If I don't try to hear a difference, I'm not being honest with myself when I think, I really want to help people who need it.

*That's* the reason debunking the placebo effect might matter for me.

People who really care about sound — whatever that % is — won’t fall for the placebo effect because they use their ears to judge sound, not their eyes. As for the rest, it’s the same as everything else — a fool and his money...

I’ve got around 7/8 pairs of well respected headphones but the ones I use the most are the Sennheiser PX100s (indoors) and the ultra budget JVC Flats (outdoors). They not only sound virtually as good as their far more costly counterparts but are considerably more comfortable too. If I want the best sound quality/comfort ratio I’ll use my Porta Pros.

Ha! “Well respected” by who? Creative Aurvana? PSB? Really??? My man, you need to get out more. The PX100s and Porta Pros are mere toys compared to what’s out there these days, and if you don’t know that then you haven’t heard a truly good pair of headphones (or maybe you just use a crap source of music). Then again, if comfort/weight overrule sound quality I can see why you’re happy — whatever blows your skirt as they say. But don’t come on here and say that your little comfy plastic toys sound “virtually as good” as far more costly headphones because that’s just ignorant silly talk that belongs on Reddit, not here.

If there is a placebo effect and I have doubts about that, it is only temporary and will disappear after enough critical evaluation. You can only fool yourself for so long, then reality sets in.  

 Could be.  Try it and see. 

@mikedangelo,

Perhaps it’s the 3% that are getting their knickers knotted over sound quality?

For most folks these so called night and day differences are entirely placebo.

There’s a reason why the AT50s and MDR7506 have been around for decades and decades.

When it comes to headphones (cables, amps, cd players etc) the sonic differences between them can indeed be shockingly small.

I’ve got around 7/8 pairs of well respected headphones but the ones I use the most are the Sennheiser PX100s (indoors) and the ultra budget JVC Flats (outdoors).

They not only sound virtually as good as their far more costly counterparts but are considerably more comfortable too.

If I want the best sound quality/comfort ratio I’ll use my Porta Pros.

Sadly I hardly ever bother with my Creative Aurvana or PSB models. Far too heavy and too uncomfortable, and too impractical. Even the Bose set I was given as a present have hardly been used.

I really ought to sell them on as they’ve hardly been used...

I want headphones that not only sound great but those I can also forget I’m wearing.

My hypothesis is that for ~%97 of us, the more a headphone costs the more we will enjoy the headphone.

From my experience here in Agon 97% of us is way out of your reality.

My ultimate hypothesis is that build quality and price are the two most important factors in determining if people will enjoy a set of headphones.

Glad you limit the list only on headphones.

“Who exactly is this "our" who is such a lousy listener they are swayed by such nonsense? This is what psychologists call "projection": when YOU feel a certain way and so you project YOUR frame of mind onto others.”

WARNING...WARNING...Irony Reactor Overload...WARNING...WARNING

Who exactly is this "our" who is such a lousy listener they are swayed by such nonsense? This is what psychologists call "projection": when YOU feel a certain way and so you project YOUR frame of mind onto others.

This is a cop out. If you can't hear just say so. No shame. Component evaluation is after all a skill that can be learned and constantly improved. So work on that, and nevermind about the other guy. If this "our" can't evaluate and assess, still in the end he gets the system he wants. What do you care?

Your inference is 97% of people on ANYTHING couldn't tell the difference. I think you like A/B testing too, don't believe that a fuse can change the sound of a piece of gear, cables don't matter and what else?

Are you just here to tell people they are SUCKERS? AND why spend THEIR money on what they like? I can see this one going a little wiggy pretty quick..