Audiophiles are the stupidest fucking people in the world
434 replies, posted
[QUOTE=bobste;26260594]i like skullcandy[/QUOTE]
That's ok because you are a blundering ninny.
[QUOTE=evilking1;26277128]well then you were quite stupid, as you took the one with worse price-to-gain ratio when it comes to pure power and performance[/QUOTE] For your information, Gmod works really damn well on the mac, aside from random crashing. Thus your argument is invalid.
[QUOTE=tier56;26277959]For your information, Gmod works really damn well on the mac, aside from random crashing. Thus your argument is invalid.[/QUOTE]
well, if you enjoy your overpriced hardware (from performance pov) that crashes your software, be happy...
[QUOTE=Strongbad;26271440]What OP wants us to think he's saying:
What he's actually saying:[/QUOTE]
go play in traffic son
[QUOTE=evilking1;26278081]well, if you enjoy your overpriced hardware (from performance pov) that crashes your software, be happy...[/QUOTE]Your saying it like I crash every damn time, but it's rare to me for that to happen.
Also, change your damn avatar, it's really, really hard to take people serious with the standard one.
I spent $125 on a pair of $300 Beyerdynamic DT 880s. I got them used.
I spent $40 on building a tube amp to drive them. (Owned most of the components previously)
I built a DAC for $30.
<$200 and I have a rig that will have me set for a LONG time.
People who drop ridiculous sums of money on things like in the OP are victim of the placebo effect. Plain and simple.
[b]A NOTE ABOUT POWER CORDS AND POWER SHIT[/b]
They CAN make a difference if the construction of the amplifier or if your wall power is weird. Ground loop hum is a nightmare, so that can change what you hear, but you don't need any kind of $1000 cable to do that. That is purely construction knowledge.
[QUOTE=Pocket Rocket;26268945]I don't like the semi-religious 'audiophiles' who proclaim they're able to hear major differences in cables, power cords, A/V stands and other weird doo-hickeys either. Then again people sometimes associate that audiophile stereotype with everyone into audio, and I think it sucks. I'm quite sure many people stereotyping audiophiles are ready to say that they don't hear a difference between $50 and $150 headphones just out of spite, and that they think the whole concept of 'higher quality' sound is somehow stupid. I don't find it distracting per se, but some people have the habit of smearing that opinion on other peoples faces and I'm not ashamed to admit it's genuinely a bit irritating, and just another end of the holier-than-thou spectrum.
That being said I appreciate my DAC, headphone amplifier, headphones, active speakers and subwoofer that I've chosen from many candidates because they sounded the best to my own liking, because they make the recordings I like sound even better than normally :3: Audio stuff is awesome and makes gaming, music and movies way more interesting when I have yet another aspect in them to appreciate.
And just because some other people too like to mention their equipment, I'll go too. FiiO E7 DAC, Indeed G2 hybrid amplifier with RCA Black Plate tube, AKG K 272 HD and Sony XB-500 headphones, Sennheiser CX-300 II earbuds and Audio Pro Addon One active speakers with Tanget EVO E8 active subwoofer. I don't think I'll ever need an upgrade, they're plenty.
[media]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2666/mg3983.jpg[/media][/QUOTE]
Hey! You! You're on Head-fi aren't you!
I've seen your rig in the "Post your computer listening rigs" thread :v:
I use a $20 Radioshack headset. I compress my music to 128kbps. It all sounds perfectly fine to me.
it's funny because digital isn't modified nor degraded by cables
[QUOTE=Kazumi;26264156][img_thumb]http://u.snelhest.org/i/2010/11/24_2999.jpg[/img_thumb]
My headphones. They completely surround your ear, pressing at your skull. A proper tight fit not letting a lot of noise neither in nor out.[/QUOTE]
Those bitches are fucking amazing. I hate the carpeting style bullshit, but they're almost as good as other sets of cans I use in higher price ranges and the isolation is amazing. They're my go-to headphones when I'm playing anything with frets now.
[QUOTE=thisispain;26281012]it's funny because digital isn't modified nor degraded by cables[/QUOTE]
I don't think there is any concern about digital distortion because that is very unlikely to occur unless you're running cables great lengths. It is all about analog distortion which is pretty common. Most of it is not noticeable on the outputs because the noise to sound ratio is quite drastic. Where it is most noticeable is on inputs. Computers are very noisy, so much so that a lot of people experience a lot of noise and crosstalk when recording from their built in computer inputs. This is why most recording interfaces have a breakout box, it is to get away from all of that noise. Once the signal is converted to digital, there is no chance of it getting distorted.
Speaking a little bit about cables, they do make a difference at a certain level. Crappy 5 dollar cables don't sound very good. You're likely to lose some high frequencies and the signal may get dulled out. A decent medium grade cable will sound much better. As far as I'm aware, the sound difference between high grade and medium grade cables isn't enough to justify getting the high grade cable, although it's understandable for big recording studios to go for the best. There are a decent number of factors that determine the quality of a cable, a big one is length (shorter cables will have less noise), but they don't make that big of a difference. Most of this is just me going off on a tangent.
[QUOTE=Dr.C;26260663]I still haven't bothered to buy a soundcard. Sounds just fine the way it is[/QUOTE]
You don't need to be an audiophile to notice the difference between onboard and dedicated sound.
[QUOTE=BlueFlash;26280290]I use a $20 Radioshack headset. I compress my music to 128kbps. It all sounds perfectly fine to me.[/QUOTE]
Good for you, but it wouldn't be good enough for me mainly because I do a lot of music production. I need an accurate depiction of the music. If I were to make a mix with some low quality headphones, it is going to sound terrible on other people's computers because I'm mixing it according to all the imperfections of that particular headphone. The skullcandy headphones for example have way too much treble. If I were to make a mix with these, most people listening would find that it lacked a lot of highs and think it has too much bass. It would probably sound very crappy with all the masking.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;26282483]You don't need to be an audiophile to notice the difference between onboard and dedicated sound.[/QUOTE]
I can agree pretty easily on this. At first when I got my sound card I was like "woah, this sounds so much better". After a while I got used to it and it doesn't sound good, it just sounds normal. Lower quality sound cards just sound really bad now that I'm used to the higher quality.
[QUOTE=MrOwn1;26277366]:frog:
also im definitely not poor in any sense of the word[/QUOTE]
translation:
[quote]I'm poor so I veil it behind a thin guise of not caring and another failed troll attempt.[/quote]
[QUOTE=Anteep2;26277543]are you assuming i live in the same country as you ?
fucking ignorant[/QUOTE]
You know it still applies where ever you live, unless you live in multiple countries.
[QUOTE=Strongbad;26271440]What OP wants us to think he's saying:
What he's actually saying:[/QUOTE]
P. sure no one's laughing [I]at[/I] me besides you. And you're pretty blatantly trolling, so...
They're pumping money into the system why do you care
I think sound cards are useless if you use headphones. Besides, I don't care if I can use 6 speakers on CS:S. What's the point of that? I can still hear where people are on my headphones.
[QUOTE=Pepin;26282411]I don't think there is any concern about digital distortion because that is very unlikely to occur unless you're running cables great lengths. It is all about analog distortion which is pretty common. Most of it is not noticeable on the outputs because the noise to sound ratio is quite drastic. Where it is most noticeable is on inputs. Computers are very noisy, so much so that a lot of people experience a lot of noise and crosstalk when recording from their built in computer inputs. This is why most recording interfaces have a breakout box, it is to get away from all of that noise. Once the signal is converted to digital, there is no chance of it getting distorted.
Speaking a little bit about cables, they do make a difference at a certain level. Crappy 5 dollar cables don't sound very good. You're likely to lose some high frequencies and the signal may get dulled out. A decent medium grade cable will sound much better. As far as I'm aware, the sound difference between high grade and medium grade cables isn't enough to justify getting the high grade cable, although it's understandable for big recording studios to go for the best. There are a decent number of factors that determine the quality of a cable, a big one is length (shorter cables will have less noise), but they don't make that big of a difference. Most of this is just me going off on a tangent.[/QUOTE]
The second part is still the placebo effect.
Length can make a difference in ridiculously high quality tests (Measured by instruments, not people), but isn't audible if you're doing headphone listening tests (to the point where it is practical)
There have been numerous double blind tests conducted on listeners where they have switched $1000 speaker cables with heating element coils from electric ovens, and people couldn't tell the difference. They have done the same with headphone cables.
The only reason there is any science behind cables is because of their durability construction and balance/grounding. That's all there is to it.
I guess I'm an "audiophile", but I barely spend any money on trying to make sounds/music/ambiance sound better, I just like things the way they are.
I worked in a neuroscience lab that focused on music and the audio cortex and oh my god, the things I learned (and tested) would [b]ruin[/b] the audiophile industry.
Cochlear degeneration, anybody?
I'm a musician and a producer so I have some decent equipment (KRK RP-5s and an EMU-1616M), but that's more for being able to make music and not worry too much about colored sound.
[QUOTE=nubscaper;26283033]The second part is still the placebo effect.
Length can make a difference in ridiculously high quality tests (Measured by instruments, not people), but isn't audible if you're doing headphone listening tests (to the point where it is practical)
There have been numerous double blind tests conducted on listeners where they have switched $1000 speaker cables with heating element coils from electric ovens, and people couldn't tell the difference. They have done the same with headphone cables.
The only reason there is any science behind cables is because of their durability construction and balance/grounding. That's all there is to it.[/QUOTE]
An issue with your argument is you are talking about outputs. I'm talking about inputs where generally the signal level is quite low and is being amplified. There is a big difference there. With an output, the signal level is so high that added noise does not matter. So to make it clear, I'm talking about inputs.
Take a 5 ft guitar cable. Hook it up to an amp and put the amp up to the max volume. It won't sound too bad. Now take a 35ft cable and do the same. You're going to hear a lot more noise. Also, there will be less highs in the in longer cable. Is it enough to make that big of a difference, no. Is it noticeable, yes. Alright, let's take it at step further. Take the longest cable you can find at Walmart. Now take a medium grade 5 ft long cable. See the difference. There is going to be a difference. Why? Because you're input is going to be at a pretty low level, there is going to be a lot more noise affecting the signal, and because you are amplifying the noise with the overall signal.
For some reason you are jumping to this medium grade vs. very high grade argument which I'm not arguing against, I'm more just saying that cheap crappy cables will affect your sound badly.
Just as an example, I've did this with three different cables and recorded the noise off of them hooked up to my guitar with all the same variables. I upped their level by 18db. You can guess as to what cables give the most noise and why.
[url]http://filebox.me/view/kjefpa2n2[/url]
Now you may say "you increased the noise by 18db, that's a lot, and why does that matter anyway because the actual instrument is going to be a lot louder". It matters because when you are recording, you want the lowest amount of noise possible. There is a good chance you won't hear the noise at the level you record at, but if there is a lot of noise on the signal and you have to boost it (which is very common), you'll also be boosting that noise which will result in some audible noise which you can't get rid of. This is why most people suggest recording at the highest possible volume without clipping. There was actual an issue with noise on Stairway to Heaven because it was recorded at a low level, required a boost, and some added noise was the result. It is something you can't fix. Also add in the issue with a compressor.
Dude
Worth it
[QUOTE=Pepin;26283797]An issue with your argument is you are talking about outputs. I'm talking about inputs where generally the signal level is quite low and is being amplified. There is a big difference there.
Take a 5 ft guitar cable. Hook it up to an amp and put the amp up to the max volume. It won't sound too bad. Now take a 35ft cable and do the same. You're going to hear a lot more noise. Also, there will be less highs in the in longer cable. Is it enough to make that big of a difference, no. Is it noticeable, yes. Alright, let's take it at step further. Take the longest cable you can find at Walmart. Now take a medium grade 5 ft long cable. See the difference. There is going to be a difference. Why? Because you're input is going to be at a pretty low level, there is going to be a lot more noise affecting the signal, and because you are amplifying the noise with the overall signal.
For some reason you are jumping to this medium grade vs. very high grade argument which I'm not arguing against, I'm more just saying that cheap crappy cables will affect your sound badly.
Just as an example, I've did this with three different cables and recorded the noise off of them hooked up to my guitar with all the same variables. I upped their level by 18db. You can guess as to what cables give the most noise and why.
[url]http://filebox.me/view/kjefpa2n2[/url]
Now you may say "you increased the noise by 18db, that's a lot, and why does that matter anyway because the actual instrument is going to be a lot louder". It matters because when you are recording, you want the lowest amount of noise possible. There is a good chance you won't hear the noise at the level you record at, but if there is a lot of noise on the signal and you have to boost it (which is very common), you'll also be boosting that noise which will result in some audible noise which you can't get rid of. This is why most people suggest recording at the highest possible volume without clipping. There was actual an issue with noise on Stairway to Heaven because it was recorded at a low level, required a boost, and some added noise was the result. It is something you can't fix.[/QUOTE]
Ok well you resolved that entire thing.
I was referring to outputs, and you to inputs.
Problem solved. Lets be friends now.
[QUOTE=Mane;26283593]I worked in a neuroscience lab that focused on music and the audio cortex and oh my god, the things I learned (and tested) would [b]ruin[/b] the audiophile industry.
Cochlear degeneration, anybody?
I'm a musician and a producer so I have some decent equipment (KRK RP-5s and an EMU-1616M), but that's more for being able to make music and not worry too much about colored sound.[/QUOTE]
I worked in an audio engineering and cognitive psychology lab this summer as a paid intern, and I'm in the same boat. I produce stuff aswell :v:
[QUOTE=nubscaper;26278219]Hey! You! You're on Head-fi aren't you!
I've seen your rig in the "Post your computer listening rigs" thread :v:[/QUOTE]
Why yes, Facepunch and Head-Fi are the forums I browse the most, and I really like that circlejerking thread :3:
And what you said about ground loop hum, I agree with. It doesn't take a $1000 cable, rather just keep the amp/active components plugged in away from other power adapters like those for fluorescent light and use a power filter or a lightning surge protector or something. Dunno because I've never heard anything except a really low 50Hz hum on my subwoofer that doesn't distract me, and an annoying squeal when I plug one of those old fluorescent lights close to my speakers :v: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
[QUOTE=nubscaper;26283905]Ok well you resolved that entire thing.
I was referring to outputs, and you to inputs.
Problem solved. Lets be friends now.[/QUOTE]
No problem. The post was mostly for other people who may not understand the whole issue with "I'm talking about inputs" because they probably do not understand why there is a difference.
True audiophiles spend their money on high-quality headphones and amps, they don't need "CD quality increasers" but rather listen to Lossless FLAC recordings or other similar non-MP3 files. A real audiophile does their research and does not blow $900 on a shitty CD light. You found a group of people who are rediculously stupid, like the "Hard Core Gamers" who buy a $250 HDMI Cord, even though there is literally no difference (HDMI sends data in binary, 1s and 0s. There is no quality difference apart from maybe the chance of the cord physically breaking.)
[QUOTE=Mane;26283593]I worked in a neuroscience lab that focused on music and the audio cortex and oh my god, the things I learned (and tested) would [b]ruin[/b] the audiophile industry.
Cochlear degeneration, anybody?
I'm a musician and a producer so I have some decent equipment (KRK RP-5s and an EMU-1616M), but that's more for being able to make music and not worry too much about colored sound.[/QUOTE]
Tell us please what Cochlear degeneration means? There aren't many results on google.
[QUOTE=Pocket Rocket;26283986]Why yes, Facepunch and Head-Fi are the forums I browse the most, and I really like that circlejerking thread :3:
And what you said about ground loop hum, I agree with. It doesn't take a $1000 cable, rather just keep the amp/active components plugged in away from other power adapters like those for fluorescent light and use a power filter or a lightning surge protector or something. Dunno because I've never heard anything except a really low 50Hz hum on my subwoofer that doesn't distract me, and an annoying squeal when I plug one of those old fluorescent lights close to my speakers :v: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE[/QUOTE]
Haha I know exactly what you're talking about.
Sometimes ground loop hum can be caused by components in your amp or it's construction, but with higher quality stuff chances are you're fine.
I am interested in building a power filter. The electrician who wired my house did an ass-terrible job and I can hear it when my parents turn on a light the next room over, even though its on a separate circuit.
[QUOTE=MrOwn1;26277506]
i use a mac because there are some great applications for music making and video editing [b]that just don't have a good counterpart on the PC[/b]
they actually have some sort of use, i know, it may come as a surprise to some of you[/QUOTE]
Garage Band: PC Replacement: Mixcraft 5, Fruity Loops
Photoshop: You can get Photoshop on PC. If you don't want to pay, there are many open-source alternatives like Paint.NET and Gimp. I use Gimp with just as much efficiency as Photoshop, although Photoshop is seen as "more professional."
Anything else: Use google. Windows is 80% of the OS market, therefore, there IS an alternative. You'd have more trouble finding a MAC alternative for something on Windows.
[b]DON'T FUCKING TURN THIS INTO A MAC VS PC DEBATE I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL DRIVE THIS THREAD OFF A CLIFF[/b]
caps
[QUOTE=nubscaper;26284080]Haha I know exactly what you're talking about.
Sometimes ground loop hum can be caused by components in your amp or it's construction, but with higher quality stuff chances are you're fine.
I am interested in building a power filter. The electrician who wired my house did an ass-terrible job and I can hear it when my parents turn on a light the next room over, even though its on a separate circuit.[/QUOTE]
Luckily the wall sockets in my room are well built, I guess. Same can't be said about the lights in the ceiling though, because they go dimmer every time my little brother boots his SLI 8800GT i5 desktop :v:
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