CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Non-Audio Stuff => Random Thoughts => Topic started by: lm4der on July 11, 2015, 10:43:09 PM

Title: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: lm4der on July 11, 2015, 10:43:09 PM: Seems like an important topic to consider. Balmer peak FTW?
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Mrip on July 11, 2015, 10:45:00 PM: Nice bourbon will take care of that etched treble right quick.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: NightFlight on July 11, 2015, 11:12:39 PM: I find the volume get past regrettable levels in direct proportion to alcohol consumed. A good clean rig should shows detail without uncalled for edge. If you need to drink to enjoy your rig, then changes are likely in order.

I think mood an setting which are random, lend a lot more weight. Focus as well. If your reading it detracts focus. My best HP experiences have been laying down, tired enough for sleep and focusing on the space. Kept awake by the experience.

After many years of listening for pleasure, I've come to the conclusion that a little bit of [insert vice here] helps and a lot is detrimental. Use moderation, just like everything else.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: NightFlight on July 11, 2015, 11:20:56 PM: I just read the bit about the Ballmer Peak. I would say yes. Interesting that the Urban Dictionary mentions darts as I can't play to my peak without a couple beer. 3 is fine. 4 in less than a couple hours and my night is shot.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Ringingears on July 11, 2015, 11:47:25 PM: Well, it looks like we were right back in the 70's. headbang. Just think of all the tech breakthroughs that occurred during that time period. And how huge an impact they have had on the world. Good thing they wrote it all down so they could remember it later. :)p13

As to the first question. A little may help. Too much and the volpot goes up and up. Not good. I also notice that early morning is a good time to listen. While the world is still quiet and so is my mind.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: SeaBupter on July 12, 2015, 12:19:20 AM: Time of day is what counts for me. I'm in the mood for music (and other, less family-oriented things) pretty much exclusively in the evening.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: DrForBin on July 12, 2015, 04:05:10 AM: hello,

it's only after everyone else has crashed that i have any time for tunes (at least with the open K7XX.)

Mrs. Forbin starts work crazy early and leaves the house around 0430. the children are on a strict sleep schedule and are lights out at 2100.

i drink more than anyone should (and do so in the evening), so its a glass and the Asgard 2 starting around 2100 as well.

i am very cognizant of the volume knob, i have already lost too much of my hearing to be a reliable source for sound impressions.

the cat is on an eight hour medication regimen so i need to stay up later than anyone else.

but then in my youth i could pull all-nighters. (sigh)
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Anaxilus on July 12, 2015, 04:05:20 AM: Depends if you listen to headphones while driving.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: x838nwy on July 12, 2015, 04:57:50 AM: The better question is how important is sobriety for anything, really.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Anaxilus on July 12, 2015, 05:53:13 AM: Quote from: x838nwy on July 12, 2015, 04:57:50 AM
The better question is how important is sobriety for anything, really.

Including marriage.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: CCS on July 12, 2015, 06:02:11 AM: Woah. Hold on. Are we talking getting engaged while drunk, or the actual wedding? Might be different for some people.

IMO, engagement, sober all the way. But having a few drinks is more than acceptable on the wedding day.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Anaxilus on July 12, 2015, 06:18:14 AM: You mean necessary?
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: CCS on July 12, 2015, 06:21:49 AM: I believe so.

Ask again when I'm sober.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: kothganesh on July 12, 2015, 08:21:00 AM: Simple answer: I got engaged and married while sober both times. Avoid hangovers, stay drunk. Now what goes this have to do with headphones? :)p13
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Arnotts on July 12, 2015, 08:56:15 AM: Mary Jane is an excellent way to enhance listening pleasure. Psychedelics in general can give you a different, usually enhanced perspective on music.

In terms of how IMPORTANT it is to be sober while listening... I'd say whatever floats your boat. It's good to be able to actively listen and be immersed into the music while sober, for sure.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: keanex on July 12, 2015, 01:23:41 PM: The only reason I don't get drunk or high anymore is to save money and lose weight. I'll still do the occasional here and there, but not 1/4th as much as I used to. Marijuana beats alcohol for music enjoyment every time when listening at home, alcohol is much better for dancing though.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Deep Funk on July 12, 2015, 04:07:50 PM: A glass of red wine is enough to for my foot to tap more. The second glass puts me in controlled head banger mode.

Thing is the power of emotion and imagination does much more. The first time I listened to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" I must have been in the wrong mood because I did not get it. Once after a long day of dealing with situations I was tired and had to listen to music to relax. I picked a random album and it was that Pink Floyd album. I was floored and finally understood.

When I play that album I have to be ready to sit down and listen. That album is like King Crimson's "In The Court Of The Crimson King" and when it gets to you a musical world opens up.

Do not get me started on the pure coffee high...
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: lm4der on July 12, 2015, 04:14:09 PM: Oh, I know - maybe Purr1n's DAC chart of awesome should include a drink recommendation for d/s dacs. Like whoa, this one has a Sabre, try 2 shots of Tequila.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: aufmerksam on July 12, 2015, 06:02:02 PM: ...pretty sure tequila will only make the sabre worse. sabre+tequila = instahurl. you need rum or bourbon.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Hands on July 12, 2015, 06:28:40 PM: Even just a little bit of alcohol makes it much harder for me to focus on music and enjoy it. Like everything just becomes a mess in my head. Granted, with background music over speakers, perfectly fine and quite enjoyable. Just not so good with headphones.

Now, other substances, as some have mentioned above, are perfectly fine and at times enhance the listening experience. When I am doing critical A/B comparisons, I like to be sober.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Deep Funk on July 12, 2015, 07:08:50 PM: A fresh cup of coffee is quite beneficial for critical listening in my personal experience.

Everything else simply depends...
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: anetode on July 12, 2015, 09:56:52 PM: Heroin must be pretty good with music, judging by the number of rockstars in the 27 Club.

And Lou Reed.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: aufmerksam on July 13, 2015, 04:04:19 AM: Quote from: anetode on July 12, 2015, 09:56:52 PM
Heroin must be pretty good with music, judging by the number of rockstars in the 27 Club.

And Lou Reed.

I dunno, I would like to think that listening to music would be better with Lou Reed, but I am guessing the smell would get to me pretty quickly.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: anetode on July 13, 2015, 04:31:01 AM: Quote from: aufmerksam on July 13, 2015, 04:04:19 AM
I dunno, I would like to think that listening to music would be better with Lou Reed, but I am guessing the smell would get to me pretty quickly.

True, you don't really want to inhale Lou Reed. I suggest mainlining to get the full effect.
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: IceUul on July 13, 2015, 11:49:17 AM: From my personal experience little booze can do good if you are mood of listening, it will turn your mood more up and you can enjoy music little more.
Lot of booze and bad mood does lot of bad. More drunk you get, more up volume you will turn and it will affect sound quality, also damages your ears and makes your gorgeous rig sound like poo

Mostly depends if you are in mood of listening or not, just putting something to play on background will not make good result.

I have no experience with other substances!
Title: Re: How important is sobriety, or the lack thereof, when headphone listening?
Post by: Priidik on July 13, 2015, 12:12:51 PM: For me resolution is the first attribute to take a hit.
If tonal balance goes then it's good idea to stop both.