MP3 Insider Lounge: audio quality vs. audio features
audio quality vs. audio features
by Jerry A - 9/18/08 11:48 AMJasmine & Donald,
I was wondering if you guys could make more of a distinction between audio quality and audio features in your reviews. For example, you might say that a product scores high on audio quality because it offers customizable eq or some other set of audio enhancement features, but in my experience there is nothing “quality” about low end consumer grade digital eq. I would chalk that up as a feature, but not necessarily points for audio quality. You’re ipod classic review says “iPod Classic's sound quality still sounds just middle-of-the-road” but it was subsequently ranked 3rd on your “audiophile mp3 player” list after the Creative players. My personal preference when it comes to consumer level digital audio gear is to listen to lossless audio with as little digital processing as possible. For audio concerns, I think focus should be on quality DAC and amplification instead of the bells and whistles. I get decent results from my ipod with eq not enabled and my westone um-2’s, but I am always seeking improvement...but direction on audio quality from your write-ups is a bit confusing. I understand that “color” when it comes to audio is very subjective, but accuracy should be pretty clinical and should probably be the first consideration in audio quality.
Just my $0.02, I really love your show and listen every week.
There are so many variables...
by fbbbb - 9/21/08 4:46 PM In reply to: audio quality vs. audio features by Jerry A... that the slightly nebulous way in which the MP3 insider team present it is probably unavoidable. Many players, some iPods included, even behave differently with phones of different impedances - so to be authoritative about it you've got to do a crapload of measurements for starters.
I get the impression that at least one of the MP3 Insider team regularly falls victim to the more 'consumer' tuning of some players, but that's not necessarily a bad thing if you consider their target demographic - the fact is, that if you for example stack up a flat-EQ'd iPod up against a Cowon with the default 'enhancements' (bleargh) applied, many people will think the Cowon is better.
If you want to really squeeze out that quality, Creative's Zen range (both X-Fi and not) are worth considering - as they behave well with low-impedance loads and have high quality to boot. But the iPod is usually - there are some model exceptions - not a bad choice at all for audiophiles who listen with everything turned off in any case.
I for one don't see quality alone as the deciding factor especially if all we're talking about for example is a <2db deviation at 30hz from a flat response with a 32ohm load, minimal deviation in distortion in the most noticeable frequencies and a couple of db's of SNR inferiority. The above deficits might mean some so-called audiophiles frothing at the mouth at the 'terrible' sound quality... but for me, usability is just as paramount. And that's why I keep coming back to the iPod.
Just to clarify...
by Jasmineflower
- 10/8/08 2:02 PM
In reply to: audio quality vs. audio features by Jerry A
...when we actually test for rating purposes and performance evaluation in the reviews, we always listen on FLAT or with no EQ engaged. Further discussion of audio EQ tweaking in the performance section is meant to offer some insight into those features and what they can do in terms of "individualizing" the sound, but the actual rating on quality is always based on listening tests performed with no enhancements. However, a player might earn points in features for having a lot of enhancement options.
In some of my reviews, I do specify using a flat setting, but our "how we test" page here -- http://reviews.cnet.com/Labs/4520-6603_7-5108371-1.html -- should actually have specific text about this procedure. I just now realized that it does not, so I will update it accordingly.
That said, it is essentially impossible to be completely objective with human listening tests, which is why we will continue to do features like the audiophile story in order to show 100% objective, machine-based results.
I hope this helps! Feel free to direct any more questions to the forum or, for a speedier response, to mp3insider@cnet.com.
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