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How to Compare the Honest Audiophile Way!

  • Writer: dbstechtalk
    dbstechtalk
  • Apr 26, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jan 10

Comparing audio products is one of the most challenging and misunderstood aspects of this hobby. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on how comparisons should be done. Some insist on strict volume matching, blind A/B/X switching, identical source chains, identical rooms, identical moods — even identical weather conditions.

These approaches have their place, but they do not reflect how most people actually listen to music. More importantly, they are not required to hear meaningful differences between audio products.


This article explains exactly how I compare gear, how I review gear, and why my process is built the way it is.


It is the same method I have used since I began reviewing audio products in 2018, and it reflects the core philosophy behind The Honest Audiophile.


Before We Begin: A Note About My Background


I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or acoustician. I do not perform laboratory‑grade measurements or scientific testing. My impressions come from:

  • years of listening and comparing

  • hands‑on experience with a wide range of gear

  • research and reading

  • real‑world work as an amateur sound‑booth technician in various churches


Everything I share is based on honest listening, consistent methodology, and a commitment to accuracy and transparency. Audio is subjective, so take these thoughts with an open mind, even if your perspective differs.


The Foundation: Quality In, Quality Out


“Garbage in, garbage out” was a common phrase in my household growing up. It applies perfectly to audio. If the recording is compromised, everything downstream will be compromised too.

Two elements form the foundation of my review process:


1. Quality Recordings


The recording, mixing, and mastering determine how resolving, dynamic, and lifelike a track can sound. A poorly mastered track will sound poor on any playback gear — and brutally poor on accurate reference gear. A well‑crafted recording will sound good on anything and exceptional on neutral, revealing equipment.

2. Neutral, Natural, Accurate Sources


To evaluate gear honestly, the playback chain must be as transparent as possible. That is why I use:

  • Audirvana Studio in bit‑perfect mode

  • No DSP, no enhancements, no resampling

  • A listening level between 65–75 dB

  • A reference chain built around neutrality


Reference DAC

  • Mytek Liberty DAC II


Reference Amplifier

  • Mytek Liberty THX HPA


Reference Headphones

  • Audeze LCD‑5

  • MrSpeakers Ether C

  • Sennheiser HD660S2

  • Austrian Audio Hi‑X60


Reference IEMs

  • CTM Da Vinci X

  • Westone Mach 60

  • Softears RSV Mk2

  • ThieAudio Oracle Mk3


Reference Speakers

  • Wharfedale D310


These are not chosen for flavor. They are chosen for truth.


Understanding Natural Sound


To judge accuracy, you must know how instruments and voices sound in real life. That is why I rely heavily on:

  • orchestral recordings

  • jazz ensembles

  • acoustic performances


These genres reveal tone, timbre, staging, imaging, and micro‑detail with unmatched clarity. Attending live performances gives you reference points you can recall when evaluating playback gear.


If a product can accurately portray a natural acoustic recording, it can portray anything accurately.


My Complete Review Process

This is the backbone of every review I publish. Honest Audiophile Review Process


Stage 1: Independent Listening

Before comparing anything, I spend time with the product alone. I listen until I understand:

  • its tonal balance

  • its technical strengths and weaknesses

  • its staging and imaging

  • its dynamics and detail retrieval

  • its overall personality


Only after I have a clear sense of the product’s identity do I begin comparing it to others.


Stage 2: Broad, Real‑World Comparison


Once I understand the product, I compare it to others of similar price, driver configuration, and intended use. This stage is intentionally natural and unforced.


Key characteristics of this phase:

  • Full songs, not short clips


    I listen to complete tracks and often entire albums.


  • Comfort‑level listening, not strict volume matching


    I listen at my natural comfort level for each product.


  • No rapid‑fire swapping


    I allow each product to “settle” on my ears.


  • Multiple sources


    I test the product with all applicable DACs, amps, dongles, and DAPs.


  • Varied music selection


    Sometimes I stay within a genre; sometimes I mix genres.


  • Flexible timing


    I listen whenever time allows — morning, afternoon, or night.

During this stage, I take informal notes — quick impressions, reactions, and observations.

Over time, I narrow the comparison field to the two products that provide the most meaningful contrast for the review.


Stage 3: Focused Analytical Comparison

Once the comparison products are selected, I shift into a more structured evaluation.


This stage includes:

  • Specific songs and specific segments


    I revisit passages that reveal tone, timbre, staging, imaging, and dynamics.


  • Detailed note‑taking


    I document differences with precision.


  • Reference tracks


    I use a curated list of tracks I know intimately and that reliably expose strengths and weaknesses.


This stage is more analytical, but it is built on the foundation of natural listening established earlier.


Why I Don’t Use Strict A/B/X Testing


Blind A/B/X testing and strict volume matching have value in certain contexts, but they are not required to hear differences between audio products. They also do not reflect how most listeners experience music.


Meaningful comparisons require:

  • your ears

  • quality sources

  • quality music

  • an open mind


Some differences are obvious. Some are subtle. Some products sound nearly identical.

All of these outcomes are valid — and all are part of the enjoyment and discovery that make this hobby rewarding.


The Honest Audiophile Way


My comparison method is not about scientific perfection. It is about consistency, realism, and honesty.


It is about evaluating gear the way people actually use it — not the way a laboratory might test it.


It is about letting the music speak, letting the gear show its character, and letting your ears decide what matters.


Comparisons can be time‑consuming and occasionally frustrating, but they are also revealing, rewarding, and deeply satisfying.


This is how I compare audio products. This is how I review audio products. This is the Honest Audiophile way.


I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. Don't forget to enjoy the music and that honesty is the BEST policy!


If you want more honest, no-hype audiophile videos every week, head over to YouTube, hit that Subscribe button and ring the notification bell so you don't miss the next one.

Also, hit the thumbs up if you enjoyed this


I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research.  I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear.  I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.

Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.


Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs


About Me:

Reference Music:

Ranking Tier List: 


Recommended Gear:

Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)


If you like the content of this channel and want to see more like this in the future, please consider donating. All funds donated to the channel will be used to purchase headphones and audio gear for  the channel.

Venmo: @David-Sylvia-6 YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgMj7xJ1SDxGqqxZ5l3g_jg/join

If you would like to contact the channel please send an email to: dbstechtalk@gmail.com


Affiliate links:

ADV-Sound: https://adv-sound.com/?mct=8ENJK5lB promo code: DavidS10

or thumbs down if you didn’t.


 
 
 

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