44 replies to this topic

[MADTRAV]

Rob, on Mar 22 2006, 05:59 AM, said:

i use my laptop speakers and listen to polka.

John Candy's band does some great Polka.

I could go on and name some crazy unrealistic home system, but to be honest my reference is the customers cars i work daily. None are ever the same and you can learn quite alot about what does and doesn't work through other peoples setups. For reference CD i'd chose RHCP Blood Sugar Sex Magik anyday.

[muzzy66]

My reference used to be my Senheisser headphones, but now that ive heard a few more systems, and been to more live performances my reference is the 'image' i have in my head.

Theres something in my imagination that just tells me "this is how sound should sound". I don't know what's going to give me that sound, but when I hear it ... I'll know.

Current speakers have come the closest so far.

Looking to build a nice hi-fi system in future which may become my reference.

[Music Pirate]

Hmmmm I don't know how people can use Sen's (Senheisser's) as reference, they just sound rubbish compared to other Headphone brands such as Alessandro, Beyerdynamic and Audio Technica to name a few.

I am yet to be blown away by a full on Home HiFi setup, so for now my refernece is my headphones (Allessandro MS Pros) which are AMAZING!

I know headphones don't produce the bass and so fourth of a speaker, but the clarity, crispness and accuracy is amazing!

I now have my car system up and going and i now find it as enjoyable! The overall balance, staging and so fourth come together to make an enjoyable experience

[cpitts]

I think the thing is Music Pirate, that most people only compare what they have access to as a reference.

As with all topics, there are products that are more accessible than others. Stereo equipment is especially like this. You can typically achieve 80% (even 90% some times) of the result for 10-20% of the cost of the top end stuff.

I agree that there are much better things out there than Sennheiser gear, but for the price (relatively high compared to most domestic products) they do deliver excellent performance, esp when teamed with a quality headphone amp. But yes, there are better out there at much higer prices.

[HISPL]

I think the best thing that I have to be able to use as a referance is Tuneman's Commodore, reason being that it hasn't changed in years and years.

The best parts about his system is that it is extremely detailed and accurate and plays just about every genre very very well.

I have the nasty habit of changing or upgrading something on an all too frequent basis. I think I had 7 installs in the space of 2 years!

[Music Pirate]

cpitts, on Oct 8 2006, 05:55 PM, said:

I think the thing is Music Pirate, that most people only compare what they have access to as a reference.

As with all topics, there are products that are more accessible than others. Stereo equipment is especially like this. You can typically achieve 80% (even 90% some times) of the result for 10-20% of the cost of the top end stuff.

I agree that there are much better things out there than Sennheiser gear, but for the price (relatively high compared to most domestic products) they do deliver excellent performance, esp when teamed with a quality headphone amp. But yes, there are better out there at much higer prices.

Well said, well said

[muzzy66]

Correct.

I've only gotten into audio in the last couple of years, so back when I just started out I had nothing else really to compare with, and hadn't yet gone to any concerts / performances

[Amfibius]

Those of you who are into home audio should check out CAA's sister website Planet Audio also run by Marc. That's where all the 2 channel home audio nutters hang out.

My reference used to be live performances, but i'm with one of the posters before - most live performances have absolutely awful sonics. Certain frequencies / instruments simply project better than others so your experience of the performance will vary depending on where you sit. Right now, my reference is my home audio setup, which is rather kickarse My car audio system doesn't have a hope in hell of coming close to the resolution, staging, sweetness, and ease of the sound that comes from my home audio.

[Music Pirate]

Amfibius, on Oct 9 2006, 10:10 PM, said:

My reference used to be live performances, but i'm with one of the posters before - most live performances have absolutely awful sonics. Certain frequencies / instruments simply project better than others so your experience of the performance will vary depending on where you sit. Right now, my reference is my home audio setup, which is rather kickarse My car audio system doesn't have a hope in hell of coming close to the resolution, staging, sweetness, and ease of the sound that comes from my home audio.

I am going to a concert tonight so It should be good to see how well the bands sound


Unfortuantly the last concert I went to, the 'sound person' had the music at very high volumes, and listening to music and hurting my ears at the same is not something i prefer

[cpitts]

Actually guys, there was an interesting segment on a MLB health show on 9 last night (What's Good For You) where they sent a bunch o peeps to an audioligist to get their hearing checked for damage as a result of their listening styles (live bands, car audio and MP3 player).

They did dB readings of each (106dB, 108dB and 97dB respectively) and then the people's ears. Turns out Car Audio guy (age 19) had the most damage to his hearing and he though his ears were great.

I know we all think our hearing is perfect and we can hear over the 20KHz range but in reality there's a good chance that we've all got a bit of tinitis (that ringing in your ears) and some level of hearing damage.

This fact alone will colour our preferred sound setup and references as we'll no doubt be compensating for our deficient frequencies.

Edited by cpitts, 10 October 2006 - 11:44 AM.

[~thematt~]

I have to do aural tests for work, and my ears are fine

[cpitts]

~thematt~, on Oct 10 2006, 07:16 PM, said:

I have to do aural tests for work, and my ears are fine

WooHoo, free hearing tests at ~thematt~'s work!!!
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j/k

[Riley]

i havent got a solid reference when it comes to a system

i had in dans ute once and watched/listed to some pink floyd and that was quite impressive

i use what my system used to sound like to improve on it

for music i like to used phil collins/genesis....but mainly phil collins

[~thematt~]

cpitts, on Oct 11 2006, 06:36 AM, said:

WooHoo, free hearing tests at ~thematt~'s work!!!
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j/k

Haha!

Its a legal requirement for anyone wanting to work in Industry over in WA to have their ears tested to the Australian Standard before they begin, every five years after, and when they finish with that company. The amount of hearing loss is compared to an 'average' weighted loss scale, and if your hearing loss exceeds this, then an investigation ensues as to why. If it is found that being in the Industry caused it, you become entitled to financial compensation.

I dont know how much, but I do know of a few people who have been given it. It aint much, and IMO, it aint worth it.

[cpitts]

~thematt~, on Oct 11 2006, 07:04 PM, said:

The amount of hearing loss is compared to an 'average' weighted loss scale, and if your hearing loss exceeds this, then an investigation ensues as to why.

I think the above reason is more important than wether you get compensation for it (although I can understand the legal side of that debate). It's great to know where your hearing is at so you can at least get attention to fix any underlying issues. Or eliminate the source of the issue (hence initial post).