The Attitude of Listening

(Part One of a Two-part series)

The idea of perfection is supposed to be absolute. Something is empirically flawless. Ten out of ten, no notes.?

But perfection is actually highly subjective. Your definition will vary according to personal experience, knowledge, and an infinite variety of highly individual preferences.

So, it may come as no surprise that there are many definitions of perfection when we talk about audio. We’ve all been in situations where opinions vary drastically, even when the variables are the same. You can all be in the same room, listening to the same music on the same system, and the biggest difference will be how everyone is actually hearing the sound.

That’s why science is a big part of professional audio. We need to conduct measurements to quantify the invisible art of transmitting sound waves across varying distances in any kind of indoor or outdoor setting.?

But here’s where we see the most significant difference in the idea of sonic perfection. Pro audio experts see perfection in a precisely calibrated blend of metrics and human perception. We like it when there is proof that the laws of physics are behaving the way they should and sound is moving through space in a way that pleases audiences.

At the same time, there is a different definition of sonic perfection that is shared by another group of highly knowledgeable and opinionated audio experts. I’m talking about audiophiles. They have their own list of principles that determine what sounds good.?

I would argue that audiophiles place more empirical weight on pure listening, without measurements. The idea of the “golden ear” in the audiophile world is the highest form of appreciation. If you know good sound, you know it. You don’t have to measure it.?

But I want to ask those audiophiles, what are your benchmarks? What makes something sound perfect to you?

I posed this question to a friend and client, Ellis Yee, Vice President of GrandLife Hotels. He is a passionate audiophile. And he had an interesting take on what truly sounds good from a pure listening standpoint:

“What sounds good to me, from an audiophile's point of view, is clear, balanced, and natural sound. Every detail should come through with no frequency overpowering the others, and everything should be smooth and easy on the ears. I love it when the soundstage feels wide and immersive, with instruments placed just right. The music should have warmth and presence, making it feel like the artists are right there with you. Most importantly, it should evoke emotion and help you connect with the performance.”?

That’s an ideal we share from an audiophile and pro audio standpoint – delivering sound that’s evocative, that connects on an emotional level.?

I’ve worked with Ellis on many projects at his hotels over the past few decades, and we’ve always had a good dialogue about how to continually improve the sound systems as tastes change and the mood of different hotel spaces evolves. So, I had to ask Ellis what his priorities are when it comes to the equipment itself. How can the technology deliver the purest sound from an audiophile standpoint?

“High-quality audio equipment delivers the purest listening experience by faithfully reproducing the music as it was meant to be heard. It minimizes distortion and interference, so you hear every detail clearly. The sound is balanced across all frequencies, making it natural and smooth without listener fatigue. This gear reveals nuances in the music, creating an immersive experience where you can enjoy every element of the performance with precision and comfort.

Ellis made an essential point. You need high-quality equipment to deliver the best possible sound. And here too, is another distinction between pro audio practitioners and audiophiles — actually is it a distinction or do we have this in common? We can all get a little too caught up in specifications. Measurement of sound is one thing, but if we get distracted by the numbers, we lose sight of what is evocative in music.?

That’s how I developed my “Attitude of Listening” theory. It’s all in your personal attitude, both metaphorically, in terms of your perspective and expectations, and literally, in terms of where you are physically positioned in a room.?

Related to this, to find out more about the elusive “sweet spot” in listening, I asked another audiophile friend, who happens to be acquainted with Ellis, to describe his ideal attitude of listening. This is what Jack Eng had to say:

“The perfect ‘Attitude of Listening’ is about fully immersing yourself in the music, creating a technically precise and emotionally engaging environment. It means having high-quality sound, a room set up with the right acoustics, and carefully chosen equipment that lets you hear the music exactly as the artist and engineers intended. The key is to listen without distractions, allowing the sound to resonate emotionally, creating a deep connection to the music.”?

There’s the idea of emotion again. Jack describes that moment of bliss when everything sounds so good that you forget where you are — you’re transported to another sensory plane. But as a person who designs these experiences for my clients, I had to ask Jack what he thinks is required for the purest sound:

“To get the purest sound, you need high-quality music, like lossless formats, well-mastered recordings, and clear, accurate audio gear. A well-treated room, clean power, high-end audio cables, and proper vibration isolation are also key. It's important to avoid over-processing the sound so it stays true to the original recording. And, of course, you need someone who truly appreciates the experience of hearing that pure sound.”

Ah hah, the expertise factor. Someone who knows and appreciates pure sound. Ultimately, certain things are best left to human experience. The feeling you get when everything sounds right.?

Watch for Part Two of the Attitude of Listening. In it, I reveal Jonathan Weiss of Oswalds Mill Audio's opinions on audiophiles and high-end audio and the conclusion to this article.

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