I'm done chasing the illusion

[grindfix]

Its so funny I was just about to post a question about chasing a sound from my first and best stereo. I bought it when I was 18 and sold it when I was 20. Now I’m 62 and am chasing that sound and I am wondering if it’s just a ghost in my memory that I will never find? Anyway it looks by all these posts that we all are chasing something which is funny in a way and depressing at the same time. Happy trails everyone I hope we all find what we are looking for !

Accepting reality and realizing that hearing is not what we remember music sound like when we first heard it many years ago - is the key.
Another thing that helped me is to stick with one setup for a while without changing anything. After awhile, you start enjoying what you hear. Then try something different.

 

[RT Fan]

Want to start a fight on AK? Just mention that the OP's frustration all began when he installed an EQ....LOL. The OP is just one of many on this site that seems to have this issue, always fiddling and tweaking, never really just relaxing and enjoying the music for it is. I also believe the system and the OP's listening might not be the issue, it's the unconscious mental exhaustion of tinnitus.

If we wanted a fight we could just revive one of a hundred threads on either speaker wire, inter connects, lamp cord, Monster cable, tubes vs solid state, vinyl vs cd, streaming, horn loaded speakers, or a myriad of other subjects. How about we just allow our fellow member to decide what is best for him at this particular time. It sounds like he has gone through the ringer regarding various equipment and is looking for a basic solution to his needs. The music remains all that matters.

 

[toddalin]

As i stated, its not like i can run over to someone else's to hear their rig and compare.

Maybe not run, (unless you do marathons), but you could drive over here. I'm in North Tustin. And there are others of us around.

 

[CraigVMN]

I've spent a good deal of time thinking over this matter. I tried to nail down what is the crux of the whole mess, and I realized it was never about getting "better" gear, but rather finding that on piece of the puzzle that would ameliorate my hearing problems, namely the tinnitus and slight loss of hearing in my right ear.

There's also a fair of amount of resentment towards my wife, as I believe she is partially to blame for the tinnitus. Years ago she won tickets to see The Cranberries play in a small venue in Minneapolis. We were standing in line waiting to get in when I said "why don't we sell the tickets, and go have a nice dinner somewhere", but she insisted on seeing the show. At one point someone by the mixing board decided to see what would happen if he turned up the volume all the way. Immediately everyone was doubled over, clenching the hands over their ears in pain. That's when it started, and has never let up. Of course I can not reasonably blame her, but...

So, I now have to decide how I am going to live with it. I still enjoy having music playing, and I will always have music playing, at work and in my car. I just have to make up my mind what constitutes "good enough" for my system at work.
One thing I have considered is changing where I sit, in relation to the speakers, so I'm not sitting so close. It's a small square shape, and with a built in desk area, I don't have too many options, but worth exploring none the less.

 

[musichal]

If it were that simple, this thread wouldn't exist. In my car, passive listening is easy, because I'm focused on driving. Right now, I have a pair of speakers on top of cabinets that are above my desk, so the sound is emanating from an "undefined" location. The moment the speakers are placed in a conventional space, my brain switches on the analytics. NOTHING I do can simply "switch it off".

I can't drink, smoke, or otherwise because I'm at work. Ever sine I bought my first real audio gear back in the 80's, this has been my curse, I am always critical listening. I don't know how I can make it any more clear. The advice is great, but it doesn't work.

So you claim to be incapable of change, at least in this matter (I don't mean in general) - you've made it clear. Perhaps you're pursuing the wrong hobby... if this one is a curse to you.

 

[CraigVMN]

So you claim to be incapable of change, at least in this matter (I don't mean in general) - you've made it clear. Perhaps you're pursuing the wrong hobby... if this one is a curse to you.

Did you read my last post, #125?

 

[HiFi in WYO]

There's also a fair of amount of resentment towards my wife, as I believe she is partially to blame for the tinnitus. Years ago she won tickets to see The Cranberries play in a small venue in Minneapolis. We were standing in line waiting to get in when I said "why don't we sell the tickets, and go have a nice dinner somewhere", but she insisted on seeing the show. At one point someone by the mixing board decided to see what would happen if he turned up the volume all the way. Immediately everyone was doubled over, clenching the hands over their ears in pain. That's when it started, and has never let up. Of course I can not reasonably blame her, but...

I hope that's in jest - however, I can see where her forcing you to see the Cranberries at any volume could result in a wee bit of resentment.

Maybe it's a matter of looking for a competent set of computer speakers for the work space. I have a very small office and my vintage setup does tend to overwhelm the space even at low volumes. Mostly I'll just listen to music on my computer speakers (H/Ks) and call it good. Not sure if your work cares, but as long as we're not watching porn or plotting to overthrow the government, my work doesn't care if we have music on through our work computers.

 

[playittwice]

I’m just going to throw this out there. Your work setting must be different than most if you find yourself critically listening to music. If I’m critically listening I can’t have any distractions, not even surfing on my phone. I do surf on my phone at times, but then soon realize the music becomes background sound. Then I may as well have a Bluetooth speaker, but that’s me.

 

[CraigVMN]

I’m just going to throw this out there. Your work setting must be different than most if you find yourself critically listening to music. If I’m critically listening I can’t have any distractions, not even surfing on my phone. I do surf on my phone at times, but then soon realize the music becomes background sound. Then I may as well have a Bluetooth speaker, but that’s me.

The critical listening bit came in as I was trying (in vain) to see if the setup was somehow overcoming the deficiencies in my hearing. I believe what I need to do now is accept my hearing as is, and move on from there. I also have to alter my expectations.

 

[Metamodern]

Lol @CraigVMN 's entire post history is just whining about a problem, and then not listening to any of the advice. Just wants attention obviously.

 

[gbroot]

I went through a period where the Mrs. just about left me cause I was constantly changing out gear..receivers, integrated amps, separates, etc and many sets of speakers. Many of them I would flip to fund new ones. Bottom line...once I got real with myself as to the why??? and figured out that my motive was pretty simplistic and had nothing to do with my personal enjoyment or gear preferences it all ended. It was simply a need for affirmation from my best buds and those who might hear the equipment. I am quite content with my Phase Tech PC2's, Phase Tech Sub and a Yamaha surround receiver.

 

[musichal]

Did you read my last post, #125?

No, missed it, but have read it now and wish you only well in your efforts to enjoy music.

 

[Ohighway]

I've been in the game since the 70's and I just don't think I can do it anymore. Countless pieces of gear, hours spent piecing together and dollars spent - and I'm never satisfied. I though switching from SS to tubes was the answer, but to no avail. I could spend the rest of my days changing things and never be satisfied. Between tinnitus and the constant "need" inside my head for critical listening, picking apart what my system is and isn't doing...It's a never ending cycle of disappointment & disillusionment.

I need to have music, but at this point I want to sell everything and just get a simple bluetooth speaker and call it a day. Eff me

I'm in about the same spot as you. Only difference is I'll likely just back down to my oldest system (which I'm keeping for nostalgia reasons anyway)

I've just no desire to chase down perfection. And that tinnitus is a killer , especially after a listening session.

 

[GChief]

I also have to alter my expectations.

This is what I have gleaned from this thread and some others you have commented in. That was the reason for my % there post.

 

[peterp1]

One thing I have considered is changing where I sit, in relation to the speakers, so I'm not sitting so close. It's a small square shape, and with a built in desk area, I don't have too many options, but worth exploring none the less.

Regarding good sound in your current speaker location, you might want to consider trying Allison 6 speakers. They are a true "bookshelf" speaker in that they are literally designed to have sound optimized when they placed directly against the wall at bookshelf height. The are a 10 1/2" cube with 8" woofers pointed directly up (towards the ceiling) and a forward-facing tweeter. They are amazing sounding speakers and are probably one of the few that actually are designed for your exact speaker placement (if I recall it correctly). I'm using that exact placement with my Allison 6's in the garage and they sound great. I don't now whether the indirect sound from the woofers being pointed at the ceiling would have any benefit for Tinnitus (I know nothing about tinnitus).

The other thing to try (not sure if it's been covered elsewhere) is an equalizer to see if you can find the settings that work to counter hearing loss and tinnitus issues. Whatever concerns people voice in a normal equalizer thread may not be relevant to your situation -- definitely seems worth a try at least. If you have a modern AVR anywhere in the house, you might be able to use the built-in digital EQ to try it out to see whether there is a benefit.

Can you describe more specifically how the tinnitus affects you (e.g. does it accentuate certain frequencies, high frequencies, low frequencies, ringing, etc)? That might help us provide better feedback (especially for those of us who don't really have any feel for how tinnitus manifests itself when listening to audio).

 

[CraigVMN]

Can you describe more specifically how the tinnitus affects you (e.g. does it accentuate certain frequencies, high frequencies, low frequencies, ringing, etc)? That might help us provide better feedback (especially for those of us who don't really have any feel for how tinnitus manifests itself when listening to audio).

After I realized the ringing wasn't going away, I went in for testing, and discovered an attenuation in the rance of about 4khz. Right now I can sense the ringing, and as my music i playing, if a song comes on with a strong treble presence,is exacerbates the sensation.

Too much high pitched sounds, loud bangs, tension in my neck or head (I sometimes grind my teeth in my sleep) can all be triggers.

 

[ZR9B]

I do the same thing...$$ spent, and I'm a low budget guy, then I go to neighbors and they brag about there bose blue tooth ( it is cool and all) i just go home and enjoy. I have been the same way with cars,mini bikes,snowmobiles and so on...we have a screw loose!

 

[toddalin]

After I realized the ringing wasn't going away, I went in for testing, and discovered an attenuation in the rance of about 4khz. Right now I can sense the ringing, and as my music i playing, if a song comes on with a strong treble presence,is exacerbates the sensation.

Too much high pitched sounds, loud bangs, tension in my neck or head (I sometimes grind my teeth in my sleep) can all be triggers.

This calls for an eq unit to reduce these frequencies a bit and you will reduce your fatigue.

When working on the crossovers for the Mermans, I felt like they were excerbating my tinnitus (just in left ear) some, so I took out (rolled off) the top end of the midrange a bit more where it overlaps the Heil (~3500 Hz) and this helps.

 

[peterp1]

After I realized the ringing wasn't going away, I went in for testing, and discovered an attenuation in the rance of about 4khz. Right now I can sense the ringing, and as my music i playing, if a song comes on with a strong treble presence,is exacerbates the sensation.

Too much high pitched sounds, loud bangs, tension in my neck or head (I sometimes grind my teeth in my sleep) can all be triggers.

This seems like it's begging for an equalizer with as many bands as you can get. Whatever settings work for your situation will probably sound awful for anyone else, but that doesn't sound like an issue in your office environment.

All of the good equipment you are frustrated about chasing is bringing you closer to flatter and flatter sound, which is probably the opposite of what will work in your situation.

I used to use the Pioneer SG-9500 back in the day -- never noticed anything negative about having it in the circuit as a teenager -- I might have a different view on transparency today since I know a lot more now -- but I think in your case it would be impossible for it not to be a net positive. Analog EQ's are cheap now since they are remain largely out of fashion to many.

 

[CraigVMN]

This seems like it's begging for an equalizer with as many bands as you can get. Whatever settings work for your situation will probably sound awful for anyone else, but that doesn't sound like an issue in your office environment.

All of the good equipment you are frustrated about chasing is bringing you closer to flatter and flatter sound, which is probably the opposite of what will work in your situation.

I used to use the Pioneer SG-9500 back in the day -- never noticed anything negative about having it in the circuit as a teenager -- I might have a different view on transparency today since I know a lot more now -- but I think in your case it would be impossible for it not to be a net positive. Analog EQ's are cheap now since they are remain largely out of fashion to many.

The app on my computer that I use to play back music has a built in EQ that works pretty well, I just use it.