Audio Myths Workshop video

2/10/2010 11:06 AM EST

For convenient reference I've listed the various topics (below) along with the times they occur in the video:

(If you have problems viewing the above video, it can be viewed at YouTube here.)

Starting Time/Topic:
0:00 - Introduction by Ethan Winer
1:06 - James "JJ" Johnston on the human perceptual system (auditory) and auditory testing
5:20 - Poppy Crum on how "we are programmed to hear speech and programmed to make expectations about what sounds should be"; includes example of "Stairway to Heaven" played backwards
9:40 - Ethan Winer on human auditory memory and a review of a variety of placebo tweaks like ac power cords, LP Demagnetizer, "Brilliant Pebbles," "Quantum Clip" etc.

Part 2: Ethan Winer video presentation
16:50 - Comb filtering and how it may be one explanation for many so-called sound differences reported by audiophiles from "placebo" tweaks
19:00 - Loudspeaker distortion and variations in bass response in most listening environments are much worse than those produced by electronic gear
20:15 - Specifications and anti-science bias by those who believe they don't matter
21:35 - The four audio parameters that define everything needed to assess high-quality audio reproduction (frequency response, distortion, noise, and time-based errors)
22:48 - Euphonic distortion
23:13 - Specs provide all that's needed to assess transparency as long as complete data is presented
24:09 - Masking Effect and artifact audibility
25:20 - Proper listening test methods
28:30 - The Stacking Myth
30:45 - Proper Terminology (the uselessness of subjective terms etc.)

Part 3 - Audio Examples (Ethan Winer)
32:00 - Artifact Audibility
34:30 - Dither
41:15 - Sound Cards
45:05 - Analog vs. Digital
45:50 - Bit Reduction
47:45 - Phase Shift
53:40 - The Null Test

Comments, questions or suggestions? Email me at rich.pell@verizon.net.

Related links:
Audio myth: Vinyl better than CD?
Vinyl vs. CD myths refuse to die
Audio coding artifacts: What to listen for
Audio illusions that will fool your ear (and brain)