Virtual Salon

Did You Hear That?

In search of the fabled "golden ears" you can wander through hostile territory.

I'm a firm believer that there are "Different Levels of Listening Awareness."  I found this term, in a FANTASTIC article that Scott Naylor had pointed out a few months ago (Thanks Scott!).

When I first encountered a Virtual Dynamics cable, I was serving as a music pastor for a church Rick Schultz frequented, and had been blissfully unaware of the realm of audiophile cables.  Rick wanted to show off what a Master Power cable was capable of, and volunteered to demo it on my current weapon of choice: a Bose L1 Portable Line Array.  I was apprehensive, I didn't think I would hear a difference, but I also didn't want to disappoint this guy who was obviously excited about his product.

I played some music through the system, and we did some comparisons.  I didn't hear it.  Then we tried a different approach.  My wife held a sustained note on her keyboard, a single note.  We listened with the PC, without, then with again.  Now it become obvious to my untrained ears; in my limited audiophile vocabulary I described how that one note, when powered by the Master PC, "filled the room."  It was significant enough that I did NOT want to go back to my stock power cable! However, it wasn't enough that to make me write an email to Virtual Dynamics marveling at what a bargain this power cable was for $2000.  No, the people who write us these emails have a much higher level of listening awareness than I did.

Since then, I have been climbing the ladder, I'm at a different level of listening awareness, I'm starting to  learn what to listen for. By no means have I developed "golden ears," but being in this industry I have definitely made some friends that do.  There are people in this industry that have developed incredible listening awareness.

The article lists some of the aspects that define our listening awareness; sensitivity to detail, sensitivity to phase, and sensitivity to tone.  The article also highlights the downside of our sensory adaptation abilities: defensive listening. 

After briefly suggesting a few methods and tactics to increase your listening awareness, the author goes on to recommend, "The Listening Book" by Walter Mathieu.  It is on my list to read, and you can find the link to an Amazon description in our Amazon "Recommended Reading" widget on the left.  Again, read the article, then read the book.  If you've already read the book, please post your thoughts below!

-Jeff

Book Recommendation: Sound Bites: 50 Years of Hi-Fi News

Do you know where the Pink Triangle turntable found its name?  Want to hear "Foink, Foink" used in a sentence?

You need to find a copy of "Sound Bites: 50 Years of Hi-Fi News" by Ken Kessler and Steve Harris if you want to satisfy these curiosities.  This is not a book review, I have not yet read this book.  But fear not, John Marks of Stereophile has written a fantastic review of the book here, where it earned "highly recommended" status. 

The book marks the 50th Anniversary of the British Journal "Hi-Fi News", and systematically chronicles the history of this hobby we share.  I fear that an updated version is necessary, as far as I know it does not yet report on Virtual Dynamics role.  (Yes, I am being facetious.)

If you've had the opportunity to read this book already, please post your thoughts in the comment section!

-Jeff

The Upgrade You Already Own

What is the one of the cheapest way to improve your sound?  Even cheaper than the Virtual Dynamics Basic Power cable?  Loudspeaker placement. 

Most audiophiles are familiar with the name Robert Harley, he's the Editor-in-Chief of The Absolute Sound   , and author of the "audio bible", which is actually called, "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio".  Robert Harley has a new book called, "Introductory Guide to High-Performance Audio Systems" where he shows you how to buy, setup, and enjoy high-performance audio equipment in clear, non-technical language.  I haven't read the new one, but read his first, and highly recommend it.  If you can't handle this massive book from cover-to-cover, it makes a great reference book.

Robert Harley has released a section from his new book, "The Six Rules of Loudspeaker Placement" on his blog, for free.  Loudspeaker placement plays a critical role in the sound of your system, and here's a great refresher course.  The sales guys here at Virtual are going to be playing around with some of his recommendations during the next week.

The free article on Loudspeaker placement is available on his blog here, and you can buy any of his books here.

A useful tool that's in Rick's arsenal is a laser level and measuring device.  When we set up a system at a show, he'll use this tool, then dial it in by ear.

-Jeff