There is lots of expensive audio equipment and high-tech accessories
out there. We know -- we have some in our audio systems! Audio magazines
and web sites try to do their best to get you to spend money to
support their affiliates and advertisers. However, some of the best
tweaks are either absolutely free or very minimal cost. And many
sound so ridiculously simple, one doubts their efficacy.
Here they are for loudspeaker and comfortable-volume live-instrument
or concert listening:
- Take off all eye glasses or sunglasses
- Remove all hats or caps
- If your hair is long, move it back and and away from your ears
- If your heating/air-conditioning system has a loud blower motor,
turn it off while doing critical listening
For any type of critical listening -- including headphone:
- Be sure you're well-rested (i.e. have gotten plenty of sleep)
- Be sure you're in good health and physical condition. This includes
good nutrition, regular exercise, not being overweight, stable
blood sugar and insulin. Low carbohydrate meals are a good option.
In addition, low-calorie, high-nutrition dietary regimens sharpen
senses and mental acuity. Invest a little bit in yourself
before pouring money into high-priced audio gear. Unlike
audio technology and electronics, good listening skills and health-conscious
habits will never become out-of-date.
- Senses are most acute well away from meals (on empty stomach)
- If you've been outside in cold, warm up for at least 1/2 hour
- Clean your ear canals (gently, with a water flush and/or wax-removal
kit; if you feel uncomfortable, talk to you physician about a
professional cleaning)
- Always wear ear protection in loud environments (when mowing
lawn; using small-engine equipment like chainsaws, lawn trimmers,
etc.; at noisy concerts or sporting events)
- Unless you're listening through your computer's audio system,
turn it off. The same goes for tv's and monitors. Fast-switching
power supplies inside these devices can introduce all types of
garbage into the electricity, which ends up in your audio system.
- Keep audio cables and power cables separate from one another.
When audio and/or speaker cables must cross, cross them perpendicularly:
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Accuracy of Your Audio-Playback System
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