Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

Think of all the different systems and music you get to “hear” and discuss. Flawed as they are they make this little world a better place to be and they have been vital in my journey towards better music at home.
They have played an important part in making me aware of things regarding replay of recorded music I would never have considered not listening to and evaluating them.

The clips are good practice as well. This thread has helped me improve a lot, although of course I still get caught out. The main thing I've learned is to pick which option I enjoy the most, not put pressure on myself to choose the 'correct' answer.

[beck]

Think of all the different systems and music you get to “hear” and discuss. Flawed as they are they make this little world a better place to be and they have been vital in my journey towards better music at home.
They have played an important part in making me aware of things regarding replay of recorded music I would never have considered not listening to and evaluating them.

The clips are good practice as well. This thread has helped me improve a lot, although of course I still get caught out. The main thing I've learned is to pick which option I enjoy the most, not put pressure on myself to choose the 'correct' answer.

👍👍👍

[Spannko]

Linn Kan stands vs Sound Organisation Kan wall brackets.

Speakers are levelled off and same distance from rear wall, or as best as I can since the wall is a bit wobbly.

Track 1
Stands: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdrb3x326dijh ... D.MOV?dl=0
Brackets: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c3fsbw7j3rux5 ... D.MOV?dl=0

Track 2
Stands: https://www.dropbox.com/s/busiqc6g9r2vy ... D.MOV?dl=0
Brackets: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v0437sx4y7o7u ... D.MOV?dl=0

I think both of the tracks sound fabulous when the Kans are on their stands. When they’re mounted on the wall the magic disappears for me.

[OscarH]

Think of all the different systems and music you get to “hear” and discuss. Flawed as they are they make this little world a better place to be and they have been vital in my journey towards better music at home.
They have played an important part in making me aware of things regarding replay of recorded music I would never have considered not listening to and evaluating them.

The clips are good practice as well. This thread has helped me improve a lot, although of course I still get caught out. The main thing I've learned is to pick which option I enjoy the most, not put pressure on myself to choose the 'correct' answer.

👍👍👍

These are very good points from both beck and Charlie1.

Practice, idea sharing, music sharing and at least being able to catch a glimpse of what other setups are like.

Edit: I realize people sometimes might choose “difficult” music for evaluation purposes. I just pick stuff I like. So far.

Edit 2: AA was the same way as A previously.

[beck]

I have always defended Bob Dylan against unfair and faulty accusations of being a bad singer.

:-)

Just a quick question: Is your equipment connected to a proper earth?

It does make a big difference.

[OscarH]

I have always defended Bob Dylan against unfair and faulty accusations of being a bad singer.

:-)

Just a quick question: Is your equipment connected to a proper earth?

It does make a big difference.

As good as it gets. It’s a power strip with ground connected with a grounded mains connector. At first I didn’t have the grounded connector on the power strip but later added a converter (shuko strip to danish 3-pin earth) and this made a big difference.

I say ‘as good as it gets’ because I don’t know and can’t do much about how the building mains is grounded.

[ThomasOK]

Things are moving a bit too fast for me in here, but I listened to the last set of clips and find that I prefer AA.

None of the comparisons have been particularly easy, though. The clips sound quite different to me, but I find them difficult to categorize into better and worse.

I'm having a bit of a hard time with these clips too. When I first listened I thought both were pretty good but BB might be better. Then I went back and listened in reverse order and felt that AA was better. So I prefer whichever clip I listen to second. :-)

After going back and forth a few times I think I am going with AA as being a little easier to follow and get into.

[tokenbrit]

...
Edit 2: AA was the same way as A previously.

Good because I preferred AA this time too, fractionally. I thought it'd be easier without the sub... Apparently not :)

[ThomasOK]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

[tokenbrit]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

Feels like we've moved a good few rows forward in the second, later clip, but too close to the speaker stack, maybe, whereas clip 1 is nearer the mixing desk, enjoying the music with a beer in hand...
Thinking it could be what we were discussing on the phone, which gives me an unfair advantage, so I wont go 'on record' with my guess :)

[ThomasOK]

And heres a bonus, just for the hell of it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5p71k13mdo72 ... m.mov?dl=0

[beck]

Great system, great music and great clips Thomas. :-)

My honest opinion as always! :-) is that the feel and flow of clip 1 is the one to go with. It feels natural and I am with the artist from the word go.

Clip 2 present to me a little more strained and “frozen” sound and flow compared to clip 1. I would not personally go in this direction but it is just my 2 cents.

[markiteight]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

I lean toward the second clip as I find it slightly easier to make sense of what the musicians are doing.

I'm going to hazard a guess and say that we're hearing a combination of Linn and Lejonklou supplied power cords in one clip and all Lejonklou in t'other.

It's really interesting watching the reflections off the Quads in your clips. Those panels really move! Are you ever concerned about over driving them and blowing holes in the diaphragms?

[markiteight]

And heres a bonus, just for the hell of it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5p71k13mdo72 ... m.mov?dl=0

Not my most favorite of Pat's work (probably because it's been so over-played by the radio stations over the years), this is a track I would usually just skip past. But your clip drew me into the music and gave me an understanding that I've never before appreciated with this song. This is a phenomenon I've encountered more and more as I dial in my own system. I find myself enjoying music I would have otherwise rejected because apparently it didn't make sense to me. This is precisely what I was missing, and seeking, when I discovered and adopted the Tune Method.

[V.A.MKD]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

I prefer Clip 2.
Both are musical ... but Clip 2 have earthy, solid, full-body sound, particularly in low register, but as well in the other part of specter ...
Clip 1 sounds slightly thinner because of possible 2 reasons: 1.- mixed power cords (linn & l); 2.- some where in system polarity is changed on 1 channel ... but there are 1.000 other reasons for difference ... :-)
Oh sorry, 3rd, maybe most real reason is watering of the flower behind one of the speakers ... ;-)
And donate record to ... kids ... organization ... and infect them with this beauty ...

[Charlie1]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 1 for me. Clip 2 sounds better, but I just find clip 1 a bit more coherent. My ideal would be to have the best of both.

[Defender]

clip 2 sounds more tight and cleaner to me - I can better hear through the end of the song - one Entity vs. two mmh I still see the arm cable connected to the Singularity‘s
maybe switch to 230V?

[lejonklou]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

I have no idea what you're comparing here, Thomas, but OH BOY how good it sounds! I was really annoyed when the song abruptly ended.

Clip 1 has a better flow to my ears. I feel there's more emotional tension in the playing.

Clip 2 appears more exact, the sounds seem sharper and more distinct. I smell a trap - one of those I encounter again and again when tuning a product: Sounds appear more distinguishable, which makes you as a listener impressed. But if it communicates less musically, it's worse.

[lejonklou]

And heres a bonus, just for the hell of it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5p71k13mdo72 ... m.mov?dl=0

Not my most favorite of Pat's work (probably because it's been so over-played by the radio stations over the years), this is a track I would usually just skip past. But your clip drew me into the music and gave me an understanding that I've never before appreciated with this song. This is a phenomenon I've encountered more and more as I dial in my own system. I find myself enjoying music I would have otherwise rejected because apparently it didn't make sense to me. This is precisely what I was missing, and seeking, when I discovered and adopted the Tune Method.

I couldn't agree more.

First thought was "Oh no, not that one". And then I found myself listening to the end. And it felt like I was transported back in time and suddenly understood the, well, perhaps not the point or the meaning, but maybe the aestetics of that particular type of pop-rock.

[OscarH]

This is a phenomenon I've encountered more and more as I dial in my own system. I find myself enjoying music I would have otherwise rejected because apparently it didn't make sense to me. This is precisely what I was missing, and seeking, when I discovered and adopted the Tune Method.

This is spot on! I find exactly the same thing - I simply appreciate more music the more musical the Hi-Fi system becomes. (As opposed to the conventional audiophile cop out that ‘this system really shows the flaws in bad recordings’)

No clue what ThomasOK has changed between the first two clips (Vlado may well be onto something with the plant haha) - suspect you’re just showing off. That’s one magnificent sounding system!

Like others, I also found myself listening to the entire Pat Benatar clip...

[V.A.MKD]

OK, let's try something else - with a little rock for El Mero Mero, and for me as I listen to it quite a bit too.

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm3ayokmgx0qo ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lgtic0awijzw ... m.mov?dl=0

If anybody can guess what changed they get a free record (postage and handling charges not included). :-)

I smell a trap - one of those I encounter again and again when tuning a product: Sounds appear more distinguishable, which makes you as a listener impressed. But if it communicates less musically, it's worse.

Excellent point.
Thank you

[beck]

Oh, and my guess is that you changed polarity by swiching a plug around somewhere. :-)

[OscarH]

Volume while recording clips or doing setup comparisons at home - how do you choose?

While most components of the Hi-Fi hopefully behave largely the same over a range of volumes, I guess most find that speakers don’t entirely and rooms most certainly don’t.

Can an A-B comparison give different results depending on which volume is used for the comparison?

[beck]

Volume while recording clips or doing setup comparisons at home - how do you choose?

While most components of the Hi-Fi hopefully behave largely the same over a range of volumes, I guess most find that speakers don’t entirely and rooms most certainly don’t.

Can an A-B comparison give different results depending on which volume is used for the comparison?

The most important thing is to keep the volume level between the two clips. Just choose a volume that sounds good to you in the room.

I would answer no to your last question as long as you are using a volume that does not drive your hifi system out of it’s comfort zone.

[El Mero Mero]

Unless the speaker is at the same height not sure if it's totally valid test.

If comparing stands vs wall mounts then yes.

I prefer the stands in both clips. Charlie did you get the distance to the back wall right? The Kans sound a bit "punchy" to me on the wall brackets.