This is the way I understood it... please explain if this is wrong
If the SPL is really low, humans can't hear the sonic difference between low power/high power amps with SAME ratings (S/N ratio, frequency response etc...) except power output. It would be akin to getting a hearing test and using two different manufactured test tone generators and trying to tell which is which by listening for perceived differences in how the test tone signals differ even though they are the same frequency (coloring???)
The human ear is far from flat in frequency response. We have a greater sensitivity to frequencies between 2KHz–5KHz and this is due to a resonance phenomenon in part of the ear called the auditory canal. This evolutionary boosted presence response gives us a better resolution to hearing speech, not bass
Two Bell lab engineers, Fletcher and Munson, came up with a graph in 1933 that was based upon people’s perception of loudness at that time. These were made by asking people to judge when pure tones of two different frequencies were the same loudness. Although it is not strictly accurate by today’s standards, it has become a cornerstone in the foundation of understanding human hearing, this was later refined in 1956 by Robinson & Dadson
We are basically deaf to bass. We would need to produce huge amounts of energy to actually go deaf from low frequencies. The reason is that our ears are tiny compared to the size of bass sound waves. This is an acoustical mismatch, just like a single small loudspeaker cannot produce any significant levels of bass
To be honest Lee, I could not tell the difference between the POS Sony in the garage and the WOPL at very low listening levels. When you raise SPL, then you will definitely hear the difference
I think it would be an interesting to hear (pardon the pun) others sentiments on the subject
In a nutshell, the basics of what you're saying is true, but I can see so many tangents to the whole philosophy, that can and do, make exceptions to the rule.
Now unfortunately, there are so many things running through my head right now, I'm having difficulty putting pen to paper.
Wot does keep going through my mind right now, is the comparison of a tap coming out of your kitchen, and a tap at the bottom of Hoover Dam. Both taps are capable of filling a bucket, but when you stand back and look at your kitchen tap, it's just a tap. BUT if u were to stand back and look at the Hoover tap, and look up, then it's not just a tap. There is so much awe and might behind that tap, that even your brain looses the plot. A WOPL is Hoover Dam. Even tho' I've never heard one, I know already how I would perceive it. And knowing that, then you hear it different. Your adrenalin starts to pump in anticipation of wot it can do, and that is before it's even doing it.
I hear wot ur saying about not being able hear the difference between your Sony and the WOPL when at equal terms, and in your case, you happen to have a nice amp that pro'ly really does sound similar, with your speakers. U are lucky. It doesn't always work that way.
I'm forever playing mix n' match with my setups, and every time my mood changes, it's back to the drawing board... some days, nothing sounds right.
Anyway.... I forgot wot I was going to say now..... and if ur still looking for a point to wot I just said, if u find it, let me know.
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I think I'll go the shop.... that always makes me feel better.