Good read: why comparing specifications is pointless


 

“ … Bitrates, sampling rates, bit sizes, wattages, amplifier classes…. as an audio enthusiast, there are countless specifications to compare. But it is – virtually – all meaningless. Why? Because the specifications that matter are not reported ánd because every manufacturer measures differently. let’s explain that...”

 

 

128x128akg_ca

Half of this debate is actually user preferences versus accuracy.  'Musical' to me may mean elevated bass relative the male vocal frequencies.  To the next person it may mean elevated mid range and lower high and low frequencies (i.e., 'highlighting the vocals').  One way to achieve user musical preferences is by years of mixing/ matching components, which may or may not get you where you want to be before you go bankrupt.  Another way is to assemble a system that is as accurate as possible, and then dial in variances in the frequency response.  Of course the room has to be dealt with as well.

@blacktalon , welcome to the forum. I agree that preferences are going to vary and if you don't deal with the room the rest of the specs really won't matter.

Most of us can agree that some parameters are vital, how many watts, impedance, speaker sensitivity etc in selecting hifi components. Unfortunately we are bombarded with measurements many of which are really meaningless in predicting how that component will sound. Saying that a THD of 0.005% reading means a product will sound better than one with 0.009% is absolutely ridiculous, you cannot hear such a difference, your speakers THD will be 10 times that maybe a 100. Ranking products on these measurements, or choosing them on such a basis is illogical. The measurement bears no relationship to how they will sound or interact with your system and less to what you will hear and nothing to do with what you will like.

@amir_asr 

You can't fix stupid.


"Good read: why comparing specifications is pointless"

This could just as easily be titled "Why comparing subjective opinions is pointless"...