Audio Myths I'll hear no more Adam, Jamie I'm calling you out!!!

[Mark_IDT]

I'm starting this thread so we can make a list of Audio Myths that keep coming about and maybe they will get settled once and for all!!! Please no flame wars this isn't a thread to debate these myths. Please just topics only and an explanation of what the controversy is about and if need be how they would go about proving it one way or another.

EX: Does Bi-wiring speakers from a single output on an amp improve anything?

It can be solved by these methods:

Plug 2 sets of cables into one speaker output on an amp and measure each to determine if the frecquency range, wattage, ohms, voltage, ect differs.

Run the same tests on the output stage of the passive crossover to see if there is a difference between using two sets of wires or one set with the bridges in place.


So lets hear them what are some other myths and how could they be proven if they can be proven. If the only way to come to a conclusion is double blind testing then you might as well hold your breath because we're never going to make a conclusion about what type/brand of speakers or amps sound better.

Do I think we'll really see this stuff on Mythbusters probably not it wouldn't be very entertaining to the general public but maybe at least one of the great unsolved myths will air. Besides topics like this is what we come here for right?

[kexodusc]

(strolls into room...takes the vacant seat in the front row, sits down and starts munchin some peanuts...)

[GMichael]

(strolls into room...takes the vacant seat in the front row, sits down and starts munchin some peanuts...)

(sits down a few feet from Kex, starts drinking a brew from the 6 pack he brought, holds an extra brew up while eying the peanut jar.)

[markw]

(sits down a few feet from Kex, starts drinking a brew from the 6 pack he brought, holds an extra brew up while eying the peanut jar.)

(reaches into pocket and extricates a funny looking cigarette. .looks around furtively, lights it up, takes a few puffs and passes it to the left...)

[GMichael]

(reaches into pocket and extricates a funny looking cigarette. .looks around furtively, lights it up, takes a few puffs and passes it to the left...)

(eyes light up, looks around quickly, smiles and cups the funny ciggy in his right hand, takes another look around, puffs & passes) (hands mark a brew)

[Bernd]

Enters the smoke filled room and places himself to GMichaels left and gets led astray by being passed a herbal cigarette. Opens his bag and takes out a bottle of Jamesons Irish.
Can't see Kex anywhere. No one on my left so will pass the cigarette back to my right.

Wowy

Bernd

[Resident Loser]

I'm starting this thread so we can make a list of Audio Myths that keep coming about and maybe they will get settled once and for all!!!

...young pup, dream on...

EEs and ardent hobbyists have debated these issues since companies like Monster first put hype to the printed page...

Some, but not all of the issues (in no particular order) are:

1. High-priced name-brand speaker wire and ICs vs. generic/OEM inclusions

2. Tube (or valve, if you speak that variant of the language) vs. SS

3. After-market power cords

4. Digital vs. analog

5. Bose

And while the last topic isn't a debate per se...it seems to get an inordinate amount of verbiage as a specific troll topic and even from those regulars who can't resist the occasional, off-hand bit of Bose-bashing...

jimHJJ(...soooo, have at it...)

[Feanor]

...

EX: Does Bi-wiring speakers from a single output on an amp improve anything?

It can be solved by these methods:

Plug 2 sets of cables into one speaker output on an amp and measure each to determine if the frecquency range, wattage, ohms, voltage, ect differs.

Run the same tests on the output stage of the passive crossover to see if there is a difference between using two sets of wires or one set with the bridges in place.

...

In the example you give, there will be measurable differences between the single and bi-wire results. That's because there will be changes in the resistance, inductance, and capacitance of one vs. two wires. On the other hand, the result coming out of the passive cross over will generall be very small. The issue becomes, can you hear these differences? What then? DBT? Where DBT is concerned, my personal hypothesis is that there are really, audible differences that cannot be statistically demonstrated using conventional, ABX-type DBT designs.

We are a long way from objective measurements that correlate exactly with perceived results. So not many myths are going to be busted to everyone's satisfaction.

[audio_dude]

(stumbles in, hitting walls and bumping into things, vomits onto flo. takes out hip flask, takes a swig and offers it around. 20 seconds later, passed out.)

[Florian]

(stumbles in, hitting walls and bumping into things, vomits onto flo. takes out hip flask, takes a swig and offers it around. 20 seconds later, passed out.)

While passed out, Flo beats the living **** out of him. Steals his flask, takes a zip and passes out too

[musicoverall]

While passed out, Flo beats the living **** out of him. Steals his flask, takes a zip and passes out too

(stumbles around with scotch in hand, watches fight, looks up to see Florian's 8 foot tall, 1300 hundred pound friend, runs madly from room screaming "Godzirra, Godzirra" at top of lungs, runs into Bernd, Irish Whiskey and Scotch go flying and merge, whereupon we market new drink with ads that go "Hey, you got your whiskey in my scotch!" and the retort "Hey, you got your scotch in my whiskey!". But not until after Markw ties us up with Audioquest cables and beats the crap out of both of us for befouling his last remaining funny cigarette.)

[Resident Loser]

...silly me...and I always thought it took two to tango...but now I see in the audio realm it only takes one POV to have an argument...

They must do it in their spare time...existential entertainment at it's best...

jimHJJ(...leans back...shakes head and chuckles quietly...recalls the good 'ol days of baggies containing various cultivated herbs, liters of Old #7 and takes a sip of sweet iced tea...)

[GMichael]

While passed out, Flo beats the living **** out of him. Steals his flask, takes a zip and passes out too

While these two are out cold, everyone helps put them into compromising positions, and then take pictures.

[JohnMichael]

While these two are out cold, everyone helps put them into compromising positions, and then take pictures.

I will choreograph the poses after I get my snacks. Uh what direction is the lobby?

[GMichael]

I will choreograph the poses after I get my snacks. Uh what direction is the lobby?

Follow the pink & purple lights along the floor.

[audio_dude]

SLowly wakes up

massive pounding headache, tries to get up to find some aspirin, just sort of stumbles in to the wall and passes out again.

[GMichael]

Runs back into the room full of energy. Turns on the lights as bright as they'll go. Skips over to the stereo. Throws on Ted Nugent's Double live Gonzo and cranks it up as loud as it will go. Starts handing out OJ & coffee. Bagels are coming

[markw]

Runs back into the room full of energy. Turns on the lights as bright as they'll go. Skips over to the stereo. Throws on Ted Nugent's Double live Gonzo and cranks it up as loud as it will go.

The other sleeping denizens jump to their feet, blink and look around, wrap GMichael in a blanket, tie it closed, toss him in the trunk of the '68 Caddy DeVille in the front yard, slam it shut, stumble back inside, turn off the stereo and the lights, and go back to sleep.

[GMichael]

The other sleeping denizens jump to their feet, blink and look around, wrap GMichael in a blanket, tie it closed, toss him in the trunk of the '68 Caddy DeVille in the front yard, slam it shut, stumble back inside, turn off the stereo and the lights, and go back to sleep.

Dances back into the room with the blanket slung over his shoulder. It's filled up like Santa's red bag on X-mas eve. Everyone turns to him with hatred in their eyes. He tosses the blanket & leafy contents into the fireplace which is burning bright. Once it starts to smoke real good he closes the flu. The room begins to fill with smoke again. Everyone seems to calm down. All is good in Tinsel Town once again.

[L.J.]

.... grabs his favorite drink, a nice snack, sits back and enjoys the show!







You guys are waaaay toooo funny!!

[JohnMichael]

Wakes up, shields eyes and reaches for coffee. Makes rude gesture to GMichael for being so perky.

[GMichael]

Wakes up, shields eyes and reaches for coffee. Makes rude gesture to GMichael for being so perky.

Oh, thank you John. You're number one with me too.

(brings in an old tube driven Fender Twin Reverb amp and two guitars. looks around to see who else wants to jam)

[bobsticks]

Snatches a guitar and fingerpicks a dainty mazurka to add ambience to the already surreal scenery. Notes absence of malted beverages and markw's very considerable point and stares longingly at the door...

[E-Stat]

Sets down dram of Laphroaig, then looks to find the doobie. Oh, there it is.

Then hooks up projector to show Mythbuster video.

Breakin' glass

rw

[musicoverall]

Sets down dram of Laphroaig, then looks to find the doobie. Oh, there it is.

Then hooks up projector to show Mythbuster video.

Breakin' glass

rw

Notices the Laphroaig, sets down bottle of Lagavulin, noting to self that he had never tried the peatier malt. Picks up bottle while E-stat is hooking up projector, sips and pronounces it good. Chugs half the bottle, passes out and has nightmares of being forced into recompense by repositioning ungodly large electrostats with a hangover, with a very irritated E-Stat holding empty Laphroaig bottle and a buggy whip....