How to “critically” listen

[Ceko]

I don’t want to start a flamewar but I’m intrigued. How some people hear differences in their system when using for example usb reclockers, “silent” network switches and all that. I usually just enjoy music and can just barely hear the difference between a CD and the lossy Spotify streaming service.

And this is a serious question, what things can I listen to to notice changes to the system? Certain passages of songs perhaps? I.e. in situation a you can hear a triangle and in situation b you can’t? Or do certain instruments sound fake in some instances?

Do things sound noisier with or without device x? Stuff like that.

 

[2010*zuma]

There is no one more crackers than an audiophile... I'm sure I can prescribe you something for between your ears

 

[Sonofsun]

I don’t want to start a flamewar but I’m intrigued. How some people hear differences in their system when using for example usb reclockers, “silent” network switches and all that. I usually just enjoy music and can just barely hear the difference between a CD and the lossy Spotify streaming service.

And this is a serious question, what things can I listen to to notice changes to the system? Certain passages of songs perhaps? I.e. in situation a you can hear a triangle and in situation b you can’t? Or do certain instruments sound fake in some instances?

Do things sound noisier with or without device x? Stuff like that.

I think you are doing it right by just enjoying the music and your system.

Critical listening just doesn't sound enjoyable to me, pour yourself a glass of your favourite poison, sit back in a comfy chair ...... and let those expensively generated soundwaves wash over you.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

^^^^

 

[tackleberry]

I'm getting to the point of just trusting the system. Just enjoying music, though I feel it's been a long journey!

 

[TheFlash]

It's a great question and should be welcomed; anyone starting a flamewar will be dealt with appropriately, I'm sure.

Critical listening and listening for pleasure are two different processes in my opinion and experience. The vital factor though and one which, if missed, can lead to an expensive merry-go-round of hifi purchases and sales, is forgetting that the first is purely a route to finding satisfaction in the second. Critical listening is brain-led, listening for pleasure is heart-led (this is not biologically accurate).

Some don't do critical listening and some do, but the ultimate purpose of a hifi system in a domestic setting is to provide personal (and/or collective) listening pleasure. It's where measurements simply have to lead (what on earth is the real world point of having something which "measures well" if it brings no listening pleasure to those who hear it?) and it is where all critical listening should lead.

It can take many of us years to start to truly understand how to audition against not what is impressive but what moves us. I've made big mistakes here. Whether it's the brush of a cymbal, the pluck of a double bass or the boomph (yes, that is now officially a word) of a bass drum, there is a danger we can confuse initial impressiveness with long term enjoyment.

Once you have a system you feel you are genuinely happy with, this is where the reclockers and network switches and other peripheral (not in the computer sense, folks) devices can (they might not in your system) make a genuine contribution. Their difference is usually relatively subtle compared with say changing your amp or speakers, so analytical listening struggles, but live with one in your system for a week and then remove it and sometimes something just doesn't feel right - a sense of ease or of excitement or whatever is missing.

A reclocker in my system was at the subtler end: hard to pin down the "why?" but I definitely didn't enjoy the system as much without it so it stayed: that sense of just being right.
The network switch was, surprisingly, more impactful; I invested £30 on a punt, knowing I could get at least £15 back. It wasn't going anywhere once I'd heard it; greater clarity, more kick in the bass, lots to like and nothing to dislike. I simply didn't see that coming.

As I say, the vital point is to understand what connects our analytical/critical listening with our listening for pleasure. The first is simply a means to an end, but we do have to educate our brains to appreciate what our hearts desire!

 

[DUVET]

I think Nigel has given you a very expanded response and a good one . For me to critically listen I have to know the system and not just for a short period of time . Any change can be then be assessed . Multiple changes at the same time are a car crash waiting to happen . To me the tell tale sign of a good change but not necessarily a better one is where I just start listening and stop assessing .

 

[TIU]

Reviewers should learn to listen for subtle nuances and it is something you can practice and improve on.

Take the shaker sound in Hotel California. Ahh it's all black, pitch black (goes to take meds).

 

[Lawrence001]

Please not the shaker again

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

To me the tell tale sign of a good change but not necessarily a better one is where I just start listening and stop assessing .

I think that's right, to a point. I remember going to Walrus Systems to buy an amplifier. I took several LPs each containing a good example of the kind of music I enjoyed listening to. We put the same LPs on the turntable and auditioned various amplifiers. There was one that made me grin, with one LP. Listened to the other LPs with it (to make sure), then decided that was it. The one that made me grin.

EDIT: The other thing is being able to hear what you know ought to be there because you've heard it on other systems, not necessarily "out front" parts, maybe bits of rhythm guitar, bass fills, or nuances in the vocals.

 

[Andy Stephenson]

The only thing that matters is 'Do you enjoy what you are hearing?'

Andy

 

[old Guy]

Why were audiophiles for years telling us for example to keep the signal path as short as possible for example to avoid tone controls keep the signal path clear . what have we here Relockers and Network switches

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

Ive just glanced at the dictionary definitions of the word 'critical' and there are many, some not relevant. (There was a social philosophical school of thinkers called the Frankfurt School and they were considered 'Critical Thinkers' (my emphasis).

In our context it means to judge or appraise, or express a considered opinion (both positive and negative) arrived at by methodical and rational means. (For example at Baggawire's bake off we used the same side of the same LP virtually all day to assess various bits of equipment and compare them. The 'panel' arriving at their (differing sometimes) judgements when called upon by someone acting as chair. This for me and the others was 'fun' and informative - to others? well, I'll leave you to provide some adjective or other to describe this behaviour.)

If you are cooking or reading, and have a record (or CD) playing without paying full attention then that's not critical, its casual.

If late at night you've got an inspired session going with maybe some refreshment on hand, or a spliff, and you are playing the good stuff, that's critical listening at the same time as wollowing in the music and the excellence of your hifi purchases and systembuilding skills.

Usually there's more than one thing going on at once and they are only logically separable.
I just listen late at night now, unless I have a guest, and I want to be taken to another place - but if there is a spit or a fuzzy moment I'm up there in a trice with the old stylus cleaning pad, worrying about the recording quality, or the state of the vinyl.

Its not a phrase I use I hasten to add - its a bit 'wordy' (and that's just not me at all..)

Jack NSM

 

[Jezzer]

Yes, the distortion on ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ on the Diana Krall Live in Paris cd/stream drives me mad. (during the piano interlude towards the end of the track)

 

[sktn77a]

What... nobody's "humming-along-to-the-tune"???

 

[newlash09]

Sometimes my friends borrow a box or a cable, then want my verdict if it is worth buying. I really hate those invites. As I find it taxing and counter productive, to force myself to listen critically for the subtle changes. If I really have to concentrate to make out a subtle change, then iam definitely not buying it. So I only listen critically when forced to.

Every peice of kit that I presently have, has been a marked improvement on the previous kit, within the first 5 mins of listening. Thus, once introduced into the chain, I just relax and listen casually. I will only force myself to listen critically if iam getting paid

 

[maddog_007]

I think you are doing it right by just enjoying the music and your system.

Critical listening just doesn't sound enjoyable to me, pour yourself a glass of your favourite poison, sit back in a comfy chair ...... and let those expensively generated soundwaves wash over you.

Music is most enjoyable when the expensive hardware disappears...then the magic starts

 

[tuga]

In my view there are three types of listening, each serving a distinct purpose:

Casual listening – background music

Focused listening – music gets undivided attention

Critical listening – assessing equipment or system sound / performance (can also be used for "dissecting" music)

Anyone who cares about sound (99.9% of forum members) will be performing some form of critical listening on a regular basis. Most of us will do it very often. That is the audiophile way.

 

[Fourlegs]

In my view there are three types of listening, each serving a distinct purpose:

Casual listening – background music

Focused listening – music gets undivided attention

Critical listening – assessing equipment or system sound / performance (can also be used for "dissecting" music)

Anyone who cares about sound (99.9% of forum members) will be performing some form of critical listening on a regular basis. Most of us will do it very often. That is the audiophile way.

Do not dismiss Casual Listening as being valuable for assessing system / components? I find it can be invaluable. Sometimes I might say be reading a book with the music on the background having recently made a change to the system and then after a while I get up muttering, “I can’t stand this any longer” and turn the system off. Other times I will look up from my book as a particular passage in the music grabs my attention and a recent change to the system is validated.

 

[tuga]

Do not dismiss Casual Listening as being valuable for assessing system / components? I find it can be invaluable. Sometimes I might say be reading a book with the music on the background having recently made a change to the system and then after a while I get up muttering, “I can’t stand this any longer” and turn the system off. Other times I will look up from my book as a particular passage in the music grabs my attention and a recent change to the system is validated.

That makes sense. I would probably turn the music off if I wanted to concentrate on the reading or if I didn't like the music.

I tend not to play background music, even at work unless I am performing a mechanical task, although I do occasionally put on the headphones when I am cooking.