[Tyson]

Head, Heart, Gut - a theory of audiophiles

OK, its already a cliche that "we all hear differently" as a means of explaining why we have different preferences

in sound.  I don't think that's enough, just to say we hear differently or that we have different preferences.  I'd

like to dive a little deeper into preferences and how basic orientations influence our perceptions of audio gear (and music).

Where do you "Hear"
One of the most interesting theories I've heard in a while is specific to music and why certain music appeals to certain people and not to others.  The basic idea is that we each have different centers, and based on those centers, we react differently to different music.

For example, a "Gut" person prefers music that is primal, rhythmically driven, and something that is felt "in the gut". 

A "Heart" person is someone that really connects with the emotional, heart-on-the-sleeve aspect of some music.

Finally, a "Head" person is someone who not only hears music, but stives to understand the meaning and theory behind it.


One interesting aspect is that these are not hard and fast rules, as people will vascilate between each of the 3.  So, I know that I am more of a head person than anything else, but I veer frequently into the gut area, and rarely into the heart aspect.  This influences my choices in music to a large extent.

Applying the Head-Heart-Gut theory to Audiophilia
I would put forward that this is also applicable to our audio preferences.  I think "heart" people are more likely to love tubed equipment, with it's euphonic presentation and (ahem) emotional truth.  For gut people, it's equipment like krell - larger than life, driven, technicolor.  For "Head" people, it's Spectron - clear, articulate, transparent, super-detailed. 

Of course, like with music, there's no single hard and fast rule, and audiophiles vascilate between the various types.  I remain a Head-Gut person in this area. 

So, that's my theory, I'd love to hear what you think you are and why!

[hvlee]

Interesting to hear this from someone else.  I had always told my son that I preferred "Blood & Guts" music in classical, opera or jazz.  This allowed me to understand going through a Heavy Metal phase along with him when he was in a metal band.

I don't aspire to high-end equipment, but your theory explains my preference for solid-state amps.  I haven't had a tube power amp in a long time and lately I've been afraid to spend the  money just to be possibly disappointed.  From what I've read about the differences between solid-state and tube amps, it seems that I'm already where I belong.  I'm happy with my early Van Alstine MOS-FET 150 fed by a Dynaco PAS-3X.  I can't complain about the punch and precision of the tubes in the PAS.

Harry
Maryville, Tennessee

[TheChairGuy]

Interesting Tyson - hadn't thought of it quite that way 

John

[Tyson]

Surprised there's not more interest in this topic.

[Tyson]

No one finds this an interesting paradigm?

[TONEPUB]

Read "This is your brain on Music" by Dr. Daniel Levithin

It pretty much outlines all of his work on this topic.
Good book, good for laughs too....

[woodsyi]

In my case, I would place heart, gut then head in that order.  I always listen for something that will touch me emotionally which more often then not is sad female voice with sultry mids and clean upper register -- can't stand sopranos with scratchy highs.  I also listen for tight rhythmic bass line to get my blood flowing.  I always appreciate airy treble -- metallic tinge on reeds or strings is a deal breaker for me.  If Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending screeches, I ain't having it.  In all, I am definitely critically aware of tones and rhythm but I don't pay as much attention to sound stage, unless it's really collapsed.

I guess I am generally attributing tone with emotion, rhythm with gut and special cues with head. 

[K.C.]

Of course, like with music, there's no single hard and fast rule, and audiophiles vascilate between the various types. 

Variety of music is what keeps it all enjoyable for me.

I switch between different components in my system periodically just to reintroduce myself to the influence they have on the music. The differences renew my response to the music on all the levels you suggest.

[Wayner]

I think I tend to listen to music that matches my mood for the particular moment. Usually on Sunday mornings, I like the quiet solitude and some quiet classical music fits best. On Friday night when I'm sick of work, there is some rock and roll gonna go on, that's for sure. Then, there is everything in between. I don't know if that's head, heart or gut. I think it's a blend of all three.

Wayner 

[funkmonkey]

I'll throw in my two cents... 
Head - definitely
Heart - yes
Gut - dominant

There could be another added to the list of three...  one that sits a bit lower than the gut, and if you follow the theory out, even more primal and bass-ic.  Not sure if this should reside in the booty, or the toes, but in the immortal word of George Clinton: "Free your mind, and your ass will follow!"
 

[drphoto]

I think your theory makes sense, and it maybe why people are dissapointed when they buy products that are out side their 'type'. I'm probably mostly 'heart', followed by gut, yet the last speakers I bought were Merlin TSM-M, which is a fairly analytical speaker. While I like them, I probably should have gone w/ my first choice of ProAc 2.5 or old school Spendors, which are more euphonic. (I'm sure there are better speakers for the money like the Salk Songtowers or one of Danny R's designs, but I'm familiar w/ these British brands)

[JackD201]

I definitely vacillate between the three given my mood. Sometimes I just want to bust out so I reach for Rock or Dance LPs. Sometimes I'm in the mood for escapism so I reach for light fare. Sometimes I'm in the mood to dissect aspects of virtuosity in which case I can reach for anything in my collection that pops in my head.

Perhaps this is why my system is full range and adequately powered for wild swings in dynamics. I seldom listen above 85dB peaks to preserve my hearing but once in a while.............

Come to think of it this might explain why my system is chock full of hybrid topologies. Hybrid pre, hybrid poweramps and even ribbon/cone hybrid loudspeakers. No system is perfect and the idea of an absolute sound will I think remain elusive until the end of time. Satisfaction however, is a different matter altogether being a state of mind rather than a state of gear. Over the last 2 decades all I've tried to do is remove distractions brought forth by my room acoustics and my equipment so I can reach a point where only the music and I are left. I'm not there yet but seem to be a whole lot less distracted these days. Overall that makes me more satisfied too.

Great thread. Great forum. I like this place!

[Niteshade]

Listening to music is my job. That makes things allot different for me. I'm always trying to pick things apart to find system weaknesses. It does take the fun out of it sometimes. Other times, the joy of hearing a newly designed amp/preamp/etc.. perform is the the most enjoyable part of my day.

What goes on in back of the music is very interesting. For example- listening for movement, foot tapping, plungers being depressed and various other 'noises'. It's also fun to put on an old recording just to see how much can be extracted from it. Detail is what I've always looked for. This could be called analytical listening. Other times, if not on the job, listening from the heart takes over. If a good song is playing, it doesn't matter to me if it's emanating from a pocket radio.