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Thoughts on Why Audio Gear is in Decline - Honest Audiophile Impressions

Writer's picture: dbstechtalkdbstechtalk
Feb 108 min read

 I typically don't create reaction pieces to content from other channels, but I'm making an exception this time. I recently discovered an article on headphonesty.com that I found to be insightful and thought-provoking.

Why the Obsession With Measurements Is Leading to Worse-Sounding Gear


From the start of my YouTube channel, I've emphasized that I don't concentrate on measurements, graphs, terminology, or technical specifications. Instead, I focus on the subjective elements of audio reproduction and trust my ears above all else.


Cringe video alert; Introduction to the Honest Audiophile aka DBS Tech Talk


I have encouraged the audience of my channel, as well as those of other channels, to familiarize themselves with the reviewers in various aspects, such as their preferences, terminology, definitions, review methods, favorite music genres, reasons, and processes, among others.

Playlist: Get to Know the Honest Audiophile


Over the years on my channel and website, I've created numerous videos and posts about my beliefs, reasoning, and processes. I've explored topics in depth, ranging from my favorite music, terms and definitions, gear rankings, listening volume, to my review process. In each of these cases, my emphasis has consistently been on enjoying the music and ensuring the gear accurately reproduces it.


Over the past five years, I've observed significant advancements in gear. Components have improved in ways that seemed unimaginable a decade ago, particularly with budget gear making notable progress in quality. However, simultaneously, there has been a decline in many aspects, particularly concerning sound engagement in reproduction.


I'm not suggesting that measurements, graphs, and specifications aren't significant in the broader context of audiophilia, because they certainly are. However, when it comes to actually listening and enjoying, these metrics don't provide the complete picture. We all have one tool that does: our ears. Unfortunately, it appears that many in the audio community have either forgotten about their ears or have relegated them to being an afterthought.


I'm not proposing that we entirely do away with measurements. They are still valuable for revealing flaws and setting fundamental standards. We must evaluate frequency response, distortion, output power, impedance, and other factors while taking into account their effect on real listening experiences. However, there are crucial aspects of sound that remain beyond the reach of measurement. Aspects such as soundstage width, depth, layering, musical coherence, tone, and timbre are not captured by measurement techniques. These elements greatly affect our enjoyment of music.


Relying solely on numbers and measurements to dictate what you hear is misguided.

In the manufacturing and production aspects of audio, there's a purpose for using measurements, graphs, and in-depth analysis of specifications. Even in manufacturing and production, listening tests lead to modifications and adjustments.

Additionally, there are numerous manufacturing standards that typical listeners are neither familiar with nor trained to comprehend. The measurement rigs used by consumer listeners can vary significantly from manufacturing standards and even from one another. These variables will persist without an unified, standardized manufacturing measurement rig used by all. Thus, relying only on measurements and graphs to form an opinion is quite difficult and unreliable.


In recent years, manufacturers have shifted their focus to specifications and measurements, which has significantly altered sound quality and capabilities. In some ways, this is beneficial because the ability to retrieve details, resolution, tone, and timbre has improved. However, it has also negatively affected presentation, as products that prioritize specs and measurements have lost the emotional connection with the music.

I firmly believe that neutrality and naturalism are intertwined. An accurate neutral representation requires naturalism, and a precise natural presentation must be neutral.


Neutral - Reproduced sound that is free of coloration that is not natural; uncolored.


Natural - Realism; reproduced sound that matches every day, real life audio


DACs, amplifiers, and music management software such as JRiver, Roon, and Audirvana introduce additional factors to consider. The tonal characteristics contributed by different chips, op-Amps, and tubes are countless. When you also consider output impedance, voltage, power supplies, and more, do you really have a neutral foundation for making your decision? Certainly, a measurement or graph can guide a listener towards making a purchase. However, how can you be sure that it's genuinely neutral and won't alter the sound of the other equipment you use with it?


Each person has unique ears, varying in shape, size, age, and more. Given these differences, how can we presume that everyone hears in the same manner? There are numerous factors that complicate reaching a unanimous opinion.


I have different musical tastes compared to someone else. I favor one genre over another. This is another factor that influences perceptions.


These were the issues I pondered when I began my channel. I repeatedly reflected and questioned. My focus wasn't on the how, but rather on the what and why. What was I hearing, and why did I believe it sounded like that?


First, I needed to comprehend the meanings of neutral and natural. I returned to my origins, the foundation of my critical listening and eventual journey as an audiophile. I immersed myself in live music and voices, paying close attention to the various depths, layers, details, resolution and focusing on the tones and timbre.


Secondly, I listened critically, comparing what I heard in live performances to the sound of my equipment at home. Over time, I made careful decisions, discarding gear that lacked accuracy and replacing it with equipment that was neutral and natural. I was patient and meticulous, repeatedly testing. I discovered music tracks that exemplified what I was seeking. Every piece of equipment was evaluated against my live performance experiences: my wife playing piano, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and violin at home, operating the soundboard at my local church, attending concerts, and listening to the everyday sounds around town.


Thirdly, comprehending what I was hearing and researching helped to solidify and confirm my opinions. My confidence in my listening skills grew. I understood the terms and definitions https://www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/the-honest-audiophile-s-terms-and-definitions-guide and how they connected to what I was hearing. I would listen to the product first, then look at a graph and understand why something sounded a certain way. However, there were numerous occasions when the graph showed a dip or rise, but my ears disagreed. I concluded that our ears are the final judge.


Over the past five years, I've observed a troubling trend in reviews: prioritizing measurements over listening. Over the years, as both a reviewer and listener, I've come to understand that aiming for perfection doesn't result in achieving it. DACs and amplifiers with ideal numbers, according to so-called experts, often don't sound natural or accurate. Eliminating all background noise, extending ranges to extremes, and ensuring all numbers align with a specific standard isn't how music or voice is meant to be experienced. Whether at home, in church, at a store, on a walk, at a concert, or anywhere else, there's background noise, natural warmth, depth, and layering. If you eliminate all of this for a perfectly silent background and enhance details as some equipment does, you're missing the most crucial element: naturalism.


Certainly, adjustments and modifications are necessary in product manufacturing, as well as in studio production and engineering, where specifications, measurements, and graphs are valuable. However, when it comes to listening, these tools should not dominate your experience; instead, they should serve as a background aid to enhance your understanding of what you hear. As I've mentioned before and will reiterate, measurements, graphs, and specifications don't convey the complete picture—only your ears can truly reveal what you are hearing.


Many reviewers rely heavily on measurement graphs to determine what they hear, exhibiting measurement confirmation bias, rather than trusting their natural ability to listen. What I find even more troubling is that reviewers primarily rely on the measurements of IEM, headphone, or speaker rather than the DAC or amplifier. It is common for reviewers to claim that the differences in DACs and amplifiers are too minor or inaudible to affect the overall sound experience, with tube amplifiers being the exception.

Why does this argument exist? If measurements are as informative and definitively accurate as claimed, why can't they perceive the differences in DACs and amplifiers, or why do they deny that such differences exist or make an audible difference? Cables are another product frequently overlooked as having no impact because measurements indicate this.

Claims of hearing a difference are often dismissed as snake oil or placebo. Those who focus on measurements, graphs, and specifications tend to inundate others with argumentative documentation, frequently refusing to acknowledge the scientific reality and life experiences of various factors such as the uniqueness of human hearing, brain function, age, mood, room acoustics, time of day, source equipment, music genres, training, listening skills and more cause us all to hear differently.


Audio experiences are subjective, yet many people have overlooked this, favoring objectivity instead. To fully appreciate and comprehend an audiophile's pursuit, a balance between subjectivity and objectivity is essential.

Manufacturers and sound engineers who understand the harmony between neutrality and naturalism also acknowledge the balance between objectivity and subjectivity, and their products reflect this understanding.


Listeners, I encourage you to prioritize using your ears. While it may seem obvious and something you do instinctively, truly listen to your environment. Focus on what you hear, paying attention to details and differences. Apply this experience and knowledge when listening to your favorite music on your audio equipment. Compare your findings with your listening experience and make adjustments and purchases until your ears consistently confirm the sound. Trust your ears, and use measurements and specifications as guides rather than absolute proof.


I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. Don't forget to enjoy the music and that honesty is the BEST policy!


I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research.  I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear.  I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.

Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.


Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs



Recommended Gear:

Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: http://www.rossonaudiodesign.com/

Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)

Massdrop THX AAA 789: 


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