Critical listening

[Alrainbow]

when we perform and intense observation do we close our eyes or leave them open? For me I close my eyes until I have figured out the change. Oddly it's not just staging that I do this. I also do this for sound changes other than staging. Note weight , low level details , predication and the over tones that each instruments have.
Hiw do others feel about this.

[Rob]

if my eyes are closed i'm falling asleep (seriously) i guess i'm an eyes wide open kinda listener. I stopped dissecting the parts like checking off boxes (treble, bass, staging, air, decay, etc, etc). I'm only concerned with the gestalt, a change in one or more areas can be just that, a change but not really an improvement. the big picture matters way more to me than the small one (focused on small insignificant attributes at the expense of everything else).

[Alrainbow]

A view I wish I could have. Truly wish.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I might close my eyes for a very meaningful song or two (at most), but that's about as far as it goes. As Rob mentioned I'm really only concerned with the big picture and don't let the music itself get in the way of too much thinking about certain aspects of the production or sound quality. If I'm comparing one pressing to another, then yes...

[Steve Lefkowicz]

In my old dedicated room, there were no windows, so I would just either dim the lights really low or or turn them off altogether. We are so visually oriented that removing vision from the listening experience really does help you hear better.

[Joe Pittman]

I believe it is a fact that vision takes more brain power than hearing. And so closing your eyes or turning the lights out will allow you hear better/focus better. The real issue I think is listening analytically versus listening for enjoyment.

When I listen to equipment and make comparison for my audio business, I am frequently in evaluation mode and listening analytically. I focus on things like bass performance, quality, price/performance and a whole lot of other parameters while listening. Although it is usually enjoyable, it is not the same thing as just pure enjoyment and engagement.

When I listen for enjoyment and fun, the system simply gets a pass/fail grade. It's either wonderful or it isn't. And it's really depends on context. I can listen to great music on an AM radio and enjoy the hell out of it. I am an optimistic listener and don't really focus on the negatives. My glass is always half full.

It's like left brain verses right brain thinking. The key to enjoying one's hi-fi is to not be analytical.

[Alrainbow]

And since I am mentally inpared it's even more important
my small brain can only do so much
thanks for the input

[allenh]

if my eyes are closed i'm falling asleep (seriously) i guess i'm an eyes wide open kinda listener. I stopped dissecting the parts like checking off boxes (treble, bass, staging, air, decay, etc, etc). I'm only concerned with the gestalt, a change in one or more areas can be just that, a change but not really an improvement. the big picture matters way more to me than the small one (focused on small insignificant attributes at the expense of everything else).

You're probably in a good place with your system, Rob. Like you, I've stopped dissecting my system and am just enjoying it. If my eyes are closed, I'm really just digging the music to the max.

[Rob]

falling asleep in front of my system is a good sign it's doing its job its purpose is to destress me as much as anything else.

[dcc]

I just dim the lights. I wish I could dim the freaking blue LEDs on my Krells as well.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I love the Blue lights on my KI Pearl.....

I know...crappy pic, but still.

[rockitman]

I listen in very low light. If I need to concentrate on a passage for whatever reason, closing my eyes does help to focus. I think removing visual distraction helps concentration.

[Alrainbow]

Lights out shades down. But mostly not as I a wondering around doing things. My 8 wide desk is right behind my listening couch. About 20 feet back couch is at 18!or so

[Alrainbow]

I love the Blue lights on my KI Pearl.....

I know...crappy pic, but still.

Wow nice looking stuff. Your speakers are very nice too.
I never had pride of ownership except for my wife and kids. If I ever make it to therapy wow is there plenty to say
hahaha. Afraid to say most of what I think lol

[Rust]

To me the term critical listening implies listening for something rather than to something. When just enjoying the music itself I just call it listening. To often (IMO) the inability to separate listening to equipment vice listening to music detracts from the ability to enjoy the music.

Ideally when listening to a preferred selection, one enters a meditative state. The mind empties of extraneous garbage (including judging the sound of the equipment) and just allows itself to submerge in the music.

I believe that the purpose of music is to communicate. I won't speculate on "what" music is supposed to communicate, every piece of music is unique in that regard reflecting the composer at the time of composition. Every listener is unique and experiences the music differently. Ideally I feel music can convey both a thought and feeling with emphasis in feeling. If conveying thought was the primary consideration then mere words would suffice.

And sometimes I think the forest is missed for the distraction of the trees.

[cpp]

Yes eyes open