Biggest myths in audio that tick you off/General things in audio that tick you off. - Page 2

Biggest myth is that people want to give some advice then criticize people for their choices.

The horrible dynamic range compression inflicted on far too many recordings over the past 20 years.

The idea that swapping DACs, without level-matching (properly) to confirm, makes a huge sonic improvement.

The idea that cables and power cords have a greater effect on sound quality than room treatments and properly implemented EQ. (Actually, the idea that cables and power cords--that are not damaged or of too thin gauge for their length with very long runs--have any audible effect is rather silly.)

Sales people who have no idea what they are talking about (applies outside audio as well, of course).

The hypocrisy of condemning some companies for using their 2 channel power rating (20-20,000HZ) numbers as misleading vs. their 5 or 7 channel ratings while praising other companies for using their 5 channel power ratings (20-20,000HZ) and letting reviewers/consumers "discover" their 2 channel ratings are higher. It's just a different spin on the same thing. Each type of advertising is less than transparent.

That "internet direct" and "Made in China" always means best quality and best price which always means highest value.

I could sell snow to some of these Eskimos by telling them it was Made in China and that there's no middle man.

Or people with low post counts that counter with that criticism but don't know they are talking about.

I hate this, and cringe for the poor folk who come here for advice and are treated that way. Even worse, the announcement that they will be unhappy with what they have.

Bose is a prime example. Which do you think works better?

Q: "How should I place my new Bose speakers?"

A: "Bose sucks @$$, throw them away"
or
A: "You might want to consider upgrading to another line of speakers, but until you do here is the link to Dolby 5.1 speaker layout"

Each and every piece of advice from the so called "experts" should be caveated with "enjoy what you have". People want to be happy, not criticized. Essentially, we have no right.

OK, off the soapbox.

The biggest myth in audio is that you get what you pay for. This is an absolute lie! One of the toughest things about this hobby is weeding through all the voodoo and snake oil and finding a product that truly performs well for the money. A higher cost does not mean better performance, which is frustrating.

P.S. Everyone knows Bose is the best!

THX is BEST & THX Certified this & THX Certified that..... I'm not saying there is anything wrong with THX but just because an AVR or speakers/subs have a THX certification on them doesn't mean that they are better than everything else out there.... THX specs say that a sub needs to hit at least 20hz @ -6db and a speaker needs to hit 20khz @ -6db..... My AVR and TV are THX certified but that's not why I bought them and my speakers and subs are not and subs are rated to 18hz -2db and speakers rated to 23khz -3db.

Ha! Well said!

I love hearing people say.. I'm loving the sound of my new speakers,they are getting more open by the hour.. Or after 100 hours of break in they just magically sound incredible..

Haha - exactly. You know, because "break in" always reflects in the speakers being better. Too funny!

Magnepans measurably break in.

Too many generalizations thrown around by too many people used to justify their positions/decisions and belittle others bothers me.

But has there been a proven audible difference under objective terms?

The bass response has been measured new and after 100 hours. After 100 hours, the speakers have more output at lower hz - measurably and definitely audibly.

Nice replies coming from forum members that must have the best of everything. You never had a learning curve. Some of the so called experts on here also recommend Behringer amps but on the world of live sound we would never use them. To each his own. We do not criticize you guys on what you have. We do not make comments on how much you spend or what you use. Sorry my post count is low and I do not have a clue. That is what I thought this forum was for to get help. Sorry I was wrong.

Sorry I did not spend thousands but found something I enjoy and sounds good to me.

Every time I read a review of high buck cables or interconnects and the reviewer comes up with that old saw "like a veil was lifted"...

Biggest myths in audio that tick you off/General things in audio that tick you off.

Axioms pseudo science approach to speaker design.

- No need for proper cabinet bracing

- Comb filtering is a good thing

- Don't need high quality Xover components

- midrange break up is ok (M60)

- off axis response isn't important (VP150)

- Axiom only knows how to perform a DBT

- A $1500 speaker is as good as it gets any thing more is just similarily good.

+1 I'll add to that the fact that when I read these reviews I feel like some sort of Neanderthal. I've never heard of, nor listen to 98% of the music that is used to help "reveal intricacies in the speaker." And I listen to a very wide range of music. Doesn't anyone test speakers with music people may know so they know what the hell the reviewer is talking about? They only make themselves sound like pompous dickholes because they can find the most obscure and unrelatable ever created. Though I'll never really know because my ears haven't "been trained."

Links?

Actually.....I agree with you. This may be getting carried away. I think this thread was meant to be funny but it is turning into a "we know everything" thread.....and I was guilty as well......

Audio people talking great specifics and making fun of people who are not as knowledgeable in the field is about as cool as the clap..... Some of us here needs to get out of the basement every now and then and see the rest of the world!!

And all those components are null and void because you just put it all in your non-THX certified room.

Sorry. Don't have a link handy nor the time to go searching. You can call Magnepan though and ask them about it. I've owned many pairs of Mags over the years and have spent a lot of time on forums discussing Mags and have seen measurements so I know they are out there. I can personally attest to the bass difference after break in.

Lmao you make a great point. And THX certified just means the company paid THX to see if their piece of equipment meets their specs, so if it does, they slap their logo on it and the price goes up. THX certified seems gimicky to me. There's plenty of gear that would exceed their specs but don't get certified simply because the company didn't pay THX to put the product through their paces.

Yes, this thread seems to be going sour - Our love of audio and video
should be the main thing. If someone is having fun and joy from their
system, then that is cool. I am man enough to admit, that I for one do
not know everything - however, I am happy if I can help a few people.

The biggest myths for me and was annoying >
1. put quarters on the top corners of your speakers
2. put tissue paper under your speaker
3. Bose 201, equals live concert sound

Yep..... Exactly my point.

Especially when playing Elvis live!!