A Prologue to ‘The brain, you and your audio experience’, that may someday become a series of posts on the subject.

I said this year I would start some research into how the brain can affect how you hear changes in your audio equipment set up. Well, I have (sort of) started, but it’s been one of those periods where everything has gone really slowly, so unsurprisingly (to me at least) I haven’t got very far.

One interesting snippet, although unrelated, was something I learnt from Professor Sophie Scott’s book – The Brain, 10 things you should know. In a passage on ‘taste’ the Professor tells us that the receptors for taste (that live on our tongues) do not register the taste of chilli as it is an irritant. The chilli ‘heat’ is actually detected by pain detectors in the mouth!

You see how complicated this subject is – and also how easily I can be distracted by off-topic trivia. It might be (another) long journey.

Anyway, a short series of non events has led me to consider an experiment to gather some useful data for this research project.

A while back I ordered some new racks for the demo room. Expecting about a two week turnaround I disconnected all the equipment. About eight weeks later after deciding to make some minor decorating mods, and then to redecorate the entire room, the racks arrived, but the room is not finished. This unplanned break from my usual listening environment, and time with a second system in the office, reminded me of something I read many years ago.

A manufacturer based in the USA suggested occasionally unplugging all of your equipment and reconnecting it again. I can’t remember the exact reason for doing this, something to do with connections and time perhaps, but that’s not what it made me think of.

I have found that when I return home from an extended break, maybe a holiday or an audio show (same thing in my case) it takes a while for me (or my brain…) to re-adjust to my ‘home sound’.

So here’s the thing. We are rapidly approaching the season of good will and spending time with the family, or at least some people are. So, there is an obvious opportunity to take a break from your audio system and do some research. Even if, like me, you won’t be celebrating or, still like me, you are a bit of a ‘black hat Santa’ you can still take a break and read some books or watch the 39 Steps (again).

If you decide to join in then it would be great to hear your experiences, via email please.

Just let me know the duration of the break and any differences you heard after reconnecting. No change is also valid data and don’t worry about choosing the right words to explain what changes you heard  – just say it how you feel.

Now I realise that what I am suggesting might be construed as an experiment to disprove that audible improvements from changing equipment, accessories or tweaks is all in the mind. Far from it, but I know from my own experience that when I change something there comes a time when everything seems normalised again after that original ‘improvement’. Some reviewers have suggested that it’s only when you remove something that you again notice a difference. Maybe it’s the same thing?

Now before I am accused of lighting multiple audio touch papers and I get a visit from some old men in classic cars, remember it’s just a bit of fun. However all data can be useful and you never know, it may help us understand how the brain works a little more.

It would be great if you decide to join in and therefore, to wrap this up…

“I will quote from the last words of Cleopatra to Mark Antony – If you liked it tell your friends. Saluté“

The late and great Frankie Howerd.