More expensive hi-fi products really do sound better?
Tom Martin -- Mon, 01/21/2008 - 21:18
The Economist reports that scientists at Cal Tech found that, using functional MRI, people test tasting wine "showed that the activity of the medial orbitofrontal cortices of the volunteers increased in line with the price of the wine." This brain activity was a function of what they were told the price was, not the actual price.
The Economist suggests that the tasters really did enjoy the "expensive" wine more.
Could this also work in reverse? If you perceive that "value" is a rational choice, does the sense of high value impact your perception positively?
In general terms, MOST higher priced gear sounds better. What I look (listen) for is the musicality of the gear. I'm a percussionist and know what instruments sound like. Whatever gear gets the gestalt of live music, gets my vote. There is also this thing called "synergy" in a system, that, when achieved, sounds better than it should. :D
chili
Personally, it does. Perhaps it is that I adjust my focus to enjoy what I hear from an admittedly "value-priced" system. I'll make no bones about being unable to afford expensive gear, but I've found long term enjoyment listening to what I could afford at home and upgrading as possible. And it's not the least expensive system out there, just not anything priced in the stratosphere. Plus, I've been able to score some deals along the way - primarily in the front end equipment, so "value" for me may even be perceived more highly as some of my equipment is stuff that would normally be out of my price range. And knowing that allows me to listen to what I have with great enjoyment, even after hearing far superior - and pricier - equipment.
Once the gear is completely out of my financial league, however, I find myself strictly interested in what I perceive to be the best sounding equipment based on some experience with live music and with recording music. I find that soundstage capabilities is a critical factor for me. An example: while auditioning Magneplanar MG-20s on a system of Ayre electronics, I found myself thinking "this is very, very good. Top to bottom, good. Gets the recording right." or somesuch. I was listening to a CD of Johnny Cash's first American Recordings album. Turning to the other end of the room, and adminttedly talked into it by the salesman because I was already listening far beyond my financial means, I listened to a set of the Pipedreams with the 4 subwoofer setup on the same electronics with the same CD. My reactions were two-fold: "that's Johnny-friggin'-Cash sitting there on that subwoofer singing to me" followed by, "how much could I get for a kidney on the open market?"
Only later did I read of the Pipedreams and learn their price.
Don't know if that gets to the question or not, but it's one person's experience.
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