Playground for practical listening exercises

[John]

This one was frustrating for me: last night initial pass on laptop speakers suggested the first link was better, but the laptop doesn't go loud, so I switched to headphones then thought the second was better... Then, this morning, I tried again on the desktop but that was choppy. All of these were listening streamed, so I gave in and downloaded the clips - now it's clearer & I agree with Charlie1 & beck. Not sure if that's just because I'd read that others preferred 1 vs 2 - struggling to work out if my ears are influencing my brain, or vice versa :/ At least I can hear a clear difference, after downloading, which is more than could be said from streaming ;)

I'm sure I am influenced by others when uncertain. I try to avoid seeing what others have written before listening and posting.

I also find the difference clearer when listening to the downloaded file.

There was a year or so when folks were allowed to post short needledrops on PFM forum and many times the thread contained a poll that allowed the listeners to vote their preference. I often wondered how the results would have turned out if comments and voting tabulations were kept silent until the poll ended a few days later.

[Charlie1]

There was a year or so when folks were allowed to post short needledrops on PFM forum and many times the thread contained a poll that allowed the listeners to vote their preference. I often wondered how the results would have turned out if comments and voting tabulations were kept silent until the poll ended a few days later.

The power of the mind :)

What was the difference between your two files btw?

[John]

There was a year or so when folks were allowed to post short needledrops on PFM forum and many times the thread contained a poll that allowed the listeners to vote their preference. I often wondered how the results would have turned out if comments and voting tabulations were kept silent until the poll ended a few days later.

The power of the mind :)

What was the difference between your two files btw?

I wonder if I would have divulged the exact particulars of each file, we would have seen more opinions by now.

No trickery here, two recordings made from one source, two recordings from another.



http://www.mediafire.com/download/1recx ... u_-_9_.wav

http://www.mediafire.com/download/5zeg0 ... _-_10_.wav

http://www.mediafire.com/download/5sik2 ... C_-_11.wav

http://www.mediafire.com/download/2oscd ... C_-_12.wav

[u252agz]

Here are a couple more system videos. Hopefully they are a bit more organized in terms of overlap and volume level. Let me know what you think!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/m6wuh3hsjzp22 ... M.mov?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1o6i8cy3wj5n0 ... M.mov?dl=0

Definitely prefer the first one here.

[kallesprätt]

I'm trying different power supplies for my switch. Which one do you guys prefer?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k48hwyoo2j4np ... 0.MTS?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpxk3lwkz15pb ... 1.MTS?dl=0

/kallesprätt

[beck]

The last clip is more in tune so I would go with that one.

[ThomasOK]

I agree that the second one on the switch power supplies is significantly more in tune. Quite a bit better.

As to my recent videos, it looks like I have to get a better handle on doing these properly. Now that I listen to these two on a system in the store it is obvious that it doesn't represent what I heard in the room at all. And it was really bad one time I tried playing directly instead of downloading the files first. I think before I do more of these I am going to have to rig up a tripod so I can keep them more consistent. You might have noticed that on the second one the image moved around a lot in the beginning? This is because I remembered that when I made the earlier video I was holding the phone with both hands and realized this time I was only holding it with one so I corrected it. That kind of change plus the fact that holding the phone in some manners can mess up the microphone means I have to get this consistent. Sorry about that. Better videos soon when I work this out.

[u252agz]

I'm trying different power supplies for my switch. Which one do you guys prefer?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k48hwyoo2j4np ... 0.MTS?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpxk3lwkz15pb ... 1.MTS?dl=0

/kallesprätt

I agree - second one definitely quite a bit better.

Do you mean the network switch?

If so, i found the NETGEAR FS108 completely killed the music in my system compared to the GS 105/ GS 108 using the power supplies that came with these switches.

[kallesprätt]

I agree - second one definitely quite a bit better.

Do you mean the network switch?

If so, i found the NETGEAR FS108 completely killed the music in my system compared to the GS 105/ GS 108 using the power supplies that came with these switches.

This is a Netgear GS108T using the original power supply and a power supply from a newer GS108 with powerswitch on the cable.

When listening at home a definitely prefer the GS108 power supply it brings out more emtions and pace and timing is better than the GS108T power supply, but when listening to these clips i prefer the second one which is the GS108T power supply. Funny isn't it...

[Music at Home]

Two very different speakers. Two different price points, two different manufacturers, two different strengths and weaknesses

Speaker A:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z1vntl9lhro87 ... 2.mp3?dl=0

Speakers B:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2eokgaikvkcee ... 2.mp3?dl=0

Speaker A = Naim Allaes. Speaker B = Majik 109s, brand new, just a few hours playing time before making this recording. Will make a further recording after, say, a couple of hundred playing hours

[Music at Home]

Another track, speakers as above

Speaker A
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjpv6vcynq6vd ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Speaker B
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtn36i8y230om ... 1.mp3?dl=0

[Efraim roots]

I used to own Majik 109 and loved them, sold just because they didn't really feel safe with the spiked stands and everything with a 1 year old child around. I got Naim Allae instead, but this was a huge mistake and I haven't recovered since. Coming from 109, I didn't like Allae at all and took out my Kan I with mk II stands from the closet instead, Allaes sold ASAP. I lived with Kans for a couple of years after that but now I have Naim IBL which I prefer over Kan. Majik 109 is another story tho, and really hard to beat. I prefer them on your recordings as well.

[Charlie1]

Another track, speakers as above

Speaker A
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjpv6vcynq6vd ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Speaker B
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtn36i8y230om ... 1.mp3?dl=0

The Naim's are clearer sounding for sure. Listening to the first track I was favouring them - I think I could hear the melody more clearly. However, listening to the Wings track I began to realise that the Naim's replayed the various instruments in a more disjointed fashion. The band sounds more together on the 109s. Returning to the first track again and I can now tell that the 109s are easier to follow. Interesting I couldn't tell that initially. I think I need to be a little more careful before making my decisions.

[Charlie1]

I'm trying different power supplies for my switch. Which one do you guys prefer?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k48hwyoo2j4np ... 0.MTS?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpxk3lwkz15pb ... 1.MTS?dl=0

/kallesprätt

Unlike everyone else I found the difference quite subtle but I also prefer the second one after comparing several times.

[Music at Home]

Thanks for the feedback re. Allae's vs 109's. The Allae's clearly have had a lot of thought and engineering put into their design and construction but I'm not sure that my sparce, echoey room does them any favours. It's very obvious how much more detailed and dynamic Allae's are compared to 109's, which in direct comparison sound a bit muffled. However, the Alleas sound a bit disjointed and 'clattery' and can become fatiguing over time. The 109's (I've also owned a previous pair in the past), can't compete against the Allae's strengths but they are simply more tuneful and comfortable, which I think is reflected in the recordings.

[u252agz]

Another track, speakers as above

Speaker A
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjpv6vcynq6vd ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Speaker B
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtn36i8y230om ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Both tracks - I much prefer the Makik 109s

[ThomasOK]

Another track, speakers as above

Speaker A
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjpv6vcynq6vd ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Speaker B
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtn36i8y230om ... 1.mp3?dl=0

Both tracks - I much prefer the Makik 109s

+1 (Except I liked the Majik 109s) ;-)
Listened to the first two yesterday and the other two today and I really didn't care for the Allaes at all.

[lejonklou]

Two very different speakers. Two different price points, two different manufacturers, two different strengths and weaknesses

Speaker A:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z1vntl9lhro87 ... 2.mp3?dl=0

Speakers B:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2eokgaikvkcee ... 2.mp3?dl=0

Speaker A = Naim Allaes. Speaker B = Majik 109s, brand new, just a few hours playing time before making this recording. Will make a further recording after, say, a couple of hundred playing hours

I found A confused and hard to follow. B is easier and just makes more sense.

[lejonklou]

I'm trying different power supplies for my switch. Which one do you guys prefer?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k48hwyoo2j4np ... 0.MTS?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpxk3lwkz15pb ... 1.MTS?dl=0

/kallesprätt

I think the first is better. The second one has a restless element in it that annoys me. The guitar is a bit rushed already from the very first chords.

[beck]

I have jumped the gun with the last couple of clips making my judgement only listening for the best relation between the notes. When not knowing the system well I have to take more elements into account! I can also hear what you are saying about these clips.
So I cannot make a clear call with these clips.

[u252agz]

I'm trying different power supplies for my switch. Which one do you guys prefer?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k48hwyoo2j4np ... 0.MTS?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpxk3lwkz15pb ... 1.MTS?dl=0

/kallesprätt

I think the first is better. The second one has a restless element in it that annoys me. The guitar is a bit rushed already from the very first chords.

This is one is very interesting.

Kallespratt prefers the first set up at home - so therefore it must be the more musical one.

I and others ( including the author) however prefer the second recording - but Fredrik prefers the first recording.


I will have another listen and do more than my usual, which is once only and approx 10-15 seconds, each recording.


I do wonder what is going on with the recordings - I assume there is some distortion in the original recording ( no matter how good) and then some in the playback system ( no matter how good this may be).

Then there is the distortion added in the recording made for the Forum and further added distortion on the members playback system ( ie iphone/ ipad etc)

We are assuming that as the latter is constant - if one clip sounds more musical, it must mean that the authors system at home is also more musical?

[lejonklou]

I should mention that I do very quick comparisons with these clips. Just 5-10 seconds, once or twice. Then I post my opinion.

Therefore I can easily be wrong. This is not a perfect tool (as u252agz mentions there's a lot of distortion added), but an extremely fast and convenient one. And perfect for easily getting help from others. Also: Far more reliable than one would expect!

When developing products, I make sure I make the right choice, as mistakes are costly and time consuming to search, find and correct later on. I have used recorded clips for years, but take them for what they are: Sometimes invaluable, but never to be trusted 100%.

[u252agz]

I have had a listen again - on I phone 6 this time viA the downloaded app. I think I used an I pad last time - no app.

This time I prefer the first one!

Even though this fits with kallespratts home system - I am frustrated that I have changed my mind.

[Ozzzy189]

Surely that just proves you have to actually BE there?

[beck]

To me this is not so much about being right or wrong. I have discovered people here that listen for the same things that I do. Before I could never know for sure. I now know that they want their system to perform the same way as I do.

I do not think my cup is always filled up to the top or empty. Normally it is half full so some things can be heard and sometimes it can guide a person sitting in front his system at home in the right direction.

To answer your question:

I should mention that I do very quick comparisons with these clips. Just 5-10 seconds, once or twice. Then I post my opinion.

Therefore I can easily be wrong. This is not a perfect tool (as u252agz mentions there's a lot of distortion added), but an extremely fast and convenient one. And perfect for easily getting help from others. Also: Far more reliable than one would expect!

When developing products, I make sure I make the right choice, as mistakes are costly and time consuming to search, find and correct later on. I have used recorded clips for years, but take them for what they are: Sometimes invaluable, but never to be trusted 100%.

This is a playground. We are playing. You are welcome to join us.