Poll: Do the Visual Aesthetics of Audio Gear Affect Perceptions of Sonics?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by ShockControl, Jan 2, 2018.

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  1. 62caddy

    62caddy Forum Resident

    Location:
    PA
    Gordon Gow once compared equipment aesthetics to being served by a waiter with dirty fingernails while dining in a 5 star restaurant. While the waiter's nails have no direct effect on the preparation or quality of the meal nor make any contact with the food, the entire experience will be marred by this off-putting factor.
     
  2. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    This is great. :laugh:
     
  3. F1nut

    F1nut Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Mars Hotel
    True, I've seen food that didn't look good, but tasted fantastic and food that looked good, but tasted poorly.

    One needs to learn from, with an open mind that which is presented to them. After years of experience it becomes easy to trust one's inner wisdom.

    For example, as you pointed out the observations of John Ledermann, which are true. I experience the same, but recognize it for what it is and deal with it from there.
     
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  4. That is possible but ultimately I assume we buy what we perceive as best for each of us. If that decision is influenced by our personal bias towards the importance of looks ( positively or negatively) aren’t we buying, in part, based on looks?
    I guess I’m of the opinion that visual aesthetics do affect perceptions of sound. I just think it can be manipulated both ways! Lol!
     
    Higlander likes this.
  5. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    Its all about what you want from uour hobby. I recently had a thread discussion on tone dials on amps. Ultimately, if you want to customize the experience to your tastes then thats a good thing to have indeed. But if you are like me and just rather have a faithful recreation of the records sound then you might as well go without it. Its about philosophies and principals.
     
    Shoalcove likes this.
  6. Steve G

    Steve G Senior Member

    Location:
    los angeles
    I haven't noticed any correlation at all between looks and sound. I have heard systems at all levels, including at audio shows, in showrooms, etc. I don't really notice the extra quality of $30,000 gear - I'm not trained enough to appreciate it in that kind of environment - I've frequently heard handmade or cannibalized gear that sounded as good as I am capable of hearing within the context of someone's room - I have never been in a position to sit in a great audio environment and compare two pieces of equipment with wildly different appearances so I have to say no on this one - or at least I've never been in a situation where it would come into play - my boss's office has a 5.1 system where I can hear it more accurately than I've ever heard in a showroom, as does one friend's living room - but neither is a particularly hi-fi amp, just the best placement and acoustics - it's all so random.... I have better amps than either of them do but I've had to manage my own space so I'm aware of every sonic flaw in a way I wouldn't be if I just walked in - but I don't automatically hear expensive gear as sounding better for sure - it's just never presented in a space where I would hear it that way, in my experience.
     
  7. russk

    russk Forum Resident

    Location:
    Syracuse NY
    But science can tell you what you're hearing. The problem comes from your perception of what you're hearing and that is where psychology comes into play.
     
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  8. F1nut

    F1nut Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Mars Hotel
    Sorry, science cannot tell anyone what they are hearing other than it's music or whatever else may be coming out of the speakers, if that is what you meant. What science can tell you is everyone hears differently.
     
  9. russk

    russk Forum Resident

    Location:
    Syracuse NY
    For that statement and the observations that support it to even be made is all the proof you need that the science of acoustics can most definitely tell you what you are hearing. It just can't tell you how you perceive it.
     
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  10. missan

    missan Forum Resident

    Location:
    Stockholm
    What I know Homo Sapiens hear the same, in principle.
     
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  11. F1nut

    F1nut Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Mars Hotel
    Ok, so we agree that all science can do is tell someone is what type of sound they are hearing, but not how it sounds to the individual.
     
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  12. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    Correct. That is not to say that everything sound completely different. As @missan states we mostly hear in the same way, unless we have some disability.
    We mostly "hear" the same way, but we can "perceive" it differently depending on a number of factors.
    Now what sounds one "likes" is more so individual, but even then we can draw similarities between people and probably make out what type of sounds they like in general.
     
    Robert C likes this.
  13. F1nut

    F1nut Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Mars Hotel
    Ok, but none of that changes my original statement that there seems to be many here that would kiss a pig with lipstick on based on the apparent fact they don't trust their own hearing over their eyes when it comes to judging audio gear.
     
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  14. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    I dont think its so much about not trusting at all as it is not trusting it completely. Like with Ledermann who you agreed with, his "hearing" varies but the music is the same. Similarly people might be skeptical of what they hear because of different factors, equipment aesthetics only being one.
     
  15. F1nut

    F1nut Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Mars Hotel
    For sure, one should be in their normal state when demoing gear wherever that may be. Also, listening with eyes closed helps one to focus on what is being presented.
     
    Leonthepro likes this.
  16. ralf11

    ralf11 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Earth

    need me some PHAAT cables !
     
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  17. Leonthepro

    Leonthepro Skeptically Optimistic

    Location:
    Sweden
    THICC

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Agitater

    Agitater Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto
    Huh. That sounds very much like blind listening tests or blind listening auditions. Not a bad idea, especially when someone else has done level matching and then randomly selects different competing products lined up for the audition.
     
  19. showtaper

    showtaper Concert Hoarding Bastard

    Dewar's is drinkable. It is a liquid. One might not like the taste........
     
  20. lonelysea

    lonelysea Ban Leaf Blowers

    Location:
    The Cascades
    One thing I know for sure; when I see a Dan D'Agostino amp, I just know it's gonna sound good!
     
    SandAndGlass likes this.
  21. Hipper

    Hipper Forum Resident

    Location:
    Herts., England
    Mind you, sex with an ugly girl......
     
  22. dcottrell6

    dcottrell6 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Eastampton, NJ
    I voted yes, but it depends on who you are asking.
    For me personally, not so much.
    My turntable looks great in my opinion.
    My original Bluesound node, not so much. But it sounds great so I don't care.
     
  23. Higlander

    Higlander Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Florida, Central
    As human beings, we are Gifted/burdened with inter related senses. Just how it works.
    Not a matter of trust, but a matter of realization of the complexities of how we receive numerous inputs and they all combine.

    Red sports car = Fast
     
    Leonthepro likes this.
  24. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.


    21 Poop deserts.
     
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  25. Jazzman53

    Jazzman53 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Savannah, GA
    reminds me: 'fat girls are like mopeds... fun to ride but you don't want your friends to see you doing it'
     
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