Topics that always end in a pissing contest

Digi-G · « **on:** 24 May 2006, 03:51 pm »

I was just reading a thread under MultiChannel/Digital about whether burn-in / break-in is real and it got me to thinking. There are certainly some topics in audio that always cause debate. I was trying to think of some of the other ones. Here's what I came up with

1. Is burn-in / break-in real or psychological?
2. Digital vs Analog
3. SACD vs DVD-Audio
4. Hi-rez formats vs good Rdbook CD's.

And the grandaddy of them all (I think).... (drum roll please)

5. DBT - Double Blind Test method

These topics almost always end up with someone going 'postal'. Any other ones I'm missing? (I'm sure there's many).

eric the red · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 May 2006, 04:33 pm »

Scott Mayo

mca · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 May 2006, 05:19 pm »

Cables and power cords

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 May 2006, 05:23 pm »

cryo'ing

Steve · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 May 2006, 05:58 pm »

Quote from: eric the red

Scott Mayo

I think Scott has some friends.

___________

digi G,

What is the definition of a p contest? When does someone go past that definition?

Soundbitten · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 May 2006, 06:20 pm »

Quote

Topics that always end in a pissing contest

Lotsa beer makes me piss , so I'll say any topic while drinkin' lotsa beer .

doorman · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 May 2006, 06:30 pm »

How 'bout "tubes or SS", or anything concerning "vibration control"

Don

sts9fan · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 May 2006, 06:33 pm »

This topic is pissing me off

Digi-G · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 May 2006, 06:37 pm »

Ah, yes. Measurements. Tubes vs SS. (and beer). That's what I'm talking about. Actually I didn't read the entire 8+ pages of the thread I mentioned so I'm not quite sure if it actually evolved into a P-contest.

I'm not sure of Websters definition of a pissing contest, but it's usually emotionally heated and gets personal. The arguments are usually very polarized without much room for middle ground or comprimise. Questions or statements tend to get repeated and the discussion is no longer moving forward and is no longer constructive.

Btw, I'm not necessarily accusing anyone of this - like I said, I didn't even read the entire thread I sited. I just think it's interesting that a topic like audio can get people so emotional.

R_burke · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 May 2006, 07:56 pm »

"What sounds better" or any other post that elicits opinions, because as we all know opinions are like assholes, we all have one

James Romeyn · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 May 2006, 08:34 pm »

Class D: good or bad?

OR

Class D vs. tubes, or vs. anything not Class D......

Dan Banquer has certainly stirred the pot lately. What does Lynn(e?) Olsen think about it?

jermmd · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 May 2006, 09:07 pm »

Any discussion involving Wilson speakers. Not so much on Audiocircle but definitely on other Forums.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2006, 09:26 pm »

2nd that......Over the years since the first WP, my reactions have gone from the first one: "Why do guys want to make love to these things?".....

To the most recent (at least till the 8's arrive June 1) Wpuppy's, which sounded darn good in San Francisco a few months ago, driven by dCS Elgar, VTL circa $12k pre & $8k monoblocs. Still too analytical & sterile, but tolerable, & way overpriced vs. two small no-advertising brands here at AC. But considered against the other big-time full-marketing-hype brands like Usher (D'Appolito), the Wison's are competitive. But I'd still take the LATEST $15k Usher BE10 Dancer over the circa $25k WP's. And the WP's still sounded tipped up around the mid-treble. I wonder why Wilson, who previously did no spile ads (I think he had long back orders), is now spending huge bucks w/ multiple full pages every issue.

It was fun hearing "stories" about Dave's kids & the nanny when my daughter was his school mate...Dave has always been incredibly nice to me, & seems to work his butt off.

MaxCast · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 May 2006, 12:56 pm »

Posts about writing your name in the snow.

JohnR · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 May 2006, 01:06 pm »

Discussions with five-year olds concerning the need to "aim."

Gordy · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 May 2006, 02:51 pm »

Here you go John

.... http://www.webehave.com/ttTargets.htm

PhilNYC · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 May 2006, 03:03 pm »

Tastes great vs. Less filling

Occam · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 May 2006, 03:10 pm »

Quote from: Gordy

Here you go John .... http://www.webehave.com/ttTargets.htm

Quote

Improve aim and coordination
Increase vocabulary and language skills

Vocabulary and language skills?????

"Junior, note the parabolic arc....."

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 May 2006, 03:15 pm »

> There are certainly some topics in audio that always cause debate. <

Yes, this happens whenever there's no audible difference but people think there is. This is the "next frontier" in audio research - understanding why people think they hear a change even when none could possibly exist. One reason is the shortness of auditory memory. If it takes 15 minutes to swap out a pair of speaker cables, it's difficult to know if the sound really changed. Another is comb filtering that causes the frequency response to change even an inch or two away. This is very real! So something really has caused the sound to change, but it's not what the person thinks.

> These topics almost always end up with someone going 'postal'. <

Yes, this too is very common. When someone is unable to present a logical and coherent argument, all that's left is name-calling.

--Ethan

pacifico · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 May 2006, 03:19 pm »

If you pee on the third rail in the NYC subway..will it kill you? This is one of the more daring pissing contests.