13 Most Common Audiophile Myths, Debunked

Stop drinking snake oil!

Audiophile communities often buzz with popular claims that don’t always hold up under scrutiny. These come from a mix of marketing tricks, personal experiences, and the placebo effect that lead to widespread myths.

By debunking these myths, we can better understand what really matters and avoid wasting money on things that don’t make a difference.

Read on as we set the record straight on the ten most popular audiophile myths.

Myth #1: Analog Is Better Than Digital (Or Vice Versa)

This age-old debate has audiophiles firmly divided. But the truth is, neither format reigns supreme.

Analog fans like the warmth and natural sound from vinyl and tapes, with continuous waveforms and harmonic distortion that appeals to many. The tactile experience it brings also deepens the emotional connection to the music

However, analog media can degrade over time, which can introduce noise and distortion. And, playback inconsistencies can also happen because of equipment quality and environmental factors.

On the other hand, digital audio offers clarity, precision, a broader frequency range, higher dynamic range, and durability without degradation.

Critics, however, argue that digital audio can sound sterile or harsh. This is often due to poor mastering or low-bitrate formats rather than the digital nature itself.

At the end of the day, the preference between analog and digital comes down to personal taste. The best choice is the one that brings the most enjoyment to the listener.

Myth #2: Higher-Priced Cables Deliver Better Sound

The idea that more expensive audio cables give better sound quality has no scientific proof.

You’ll often hear experiments like those using coat hangers, showing how people cannot tell the difference in audio quality in blind tests. But, while those may be exaggerated, they give a good idea of how the supposed benefits may be more in your psychological than real.

That’s not to say all cables are the same. Bad shielding, flimsy wires, and low-quality connections can negatively affect sound.

So, yes, it’s important to avoid badly made cables. Just don’t expect a big improvement in sound quality from spending a lot on “audiophile-grade” cables.

These cables, which are often more about marketing and looks, are more like jewelry than actual sound improvements.

The real question isn’t whether expensive cables make sound quality better. It’s whether the visual and personal satisfaction they give can justify their cost.

Myth #3: Headphones Improve With Burn-in Time

Many audiophiles believe that headphones must go through a “burn-in” process to reach their best sound quality.

This idea suggests that using headphones continuously for a long time (around 40-50 hours) changes their acoustic properties and makes them sound better.

Supporters argue that the diaphragm in the headphones, which is a thin, semi-rigid membrane, becomes more flexible over time, supposedly improving audio performance.

However, there’s no reliable scientific evidence to support this claim. Perceived changes after burn-in are more likely the listener getting used to the headphones’ sound signature than any physical changes in the headphones.

Brain burn-in, not gear burn-in, is what really happens.

If burn-in meaningfully changed the sound, manufacturers would do this process at the factory to make sure the sound is consistent. Who would want headphones that keep changing in sound quality over time?

Myth #4: Larger Drivers Always Win

A lot of new audiophiles believe that larger drivers can move more air. This makes them supposedly better at producing lower frequencies with less distortion.

But, in the real world, large drivers are not always practical nor necessary, especially in headphones where space and weight matter.

The belief that larger drivers equal better bass applies more to speakers than headphones. For headphones and IEMs, the drivers being close to your ears means even small diaphragms can also produce powerful bass.

Larger drivers are also more prone to less accurate higher frequencies. This happens because large drivers can have ‘driver breakup’, where different parts of the diaphragm move out of sync with each other.

It’s really more about the overall design and tuning, not just size.

Myth #5: Less Is Less, More Is Best

Headphones with multiple drivers are often advertised as having better sound. But more drivers can actually cause issues that make the sound more complicated without a clear benefit.

Proper tuning and crossover design are much more important than the number of drivers.

Headphones with multiple drivers use electronic and acoustic filters to make sure each driver only handles its specific frequency range. Yet, these filters can change a driver’s character, potentially affecting the overall sound quality in a bad way.

Interference can also happen when many drivers are playing at the same time across the frequency spectrum. This is especially true if the crossover— the electronic circuit that splits the signal among the drivers—is not designed in the best way.

Basically, the “driver count wars” are often more about marketing than real improvement.

Myth #6: A Wider Frequency Range Equals Better Sound

Some headphones advertise incredibly wide frequency response ranges, like 5Hz to 50kHz, as a sign of being better.

But the human hearing range is around 20Hz to 20kHz, and most sound detail is within this range. So, anything beyond that is something we can’t hear.

Specifications claiming a broader range can be misleading as they do not guarantee better sound quality.

What matters more is how evenly headphones can reproduce sounds across the audible spectrum. Deviations from neutral sound, like peaks and dips, have a bigger impact on sound than theoretical extension.

Myth #7: The Newer, the Better

While it’s tempting to think newer means better, this isn’t always true for audio equipment. Many older models still hold their own against modern designs.

For instance, audiophiles have loved the Sennheiser HD600 for nearly three decades. Appreciating them isn’t just nostalgia – they compete with modern offerings at their price point.

Advances in audio technology also often focus on compatibility with modern systems and user-friendly features rather than better sound quality. While newer devices offer features like Bluetooth, these conveniences don’t always mean better sound.

Myth #8: Loud Music Can Damage Headphones

Some worry that turning up the volume will destroy their headphones. But most headphones can actually handle far higher volumes than human ears can safely tolerate.

The real risk of damage often comes from how they are powered.

Instead of the volume, an amplifier that delivers too much power can harm your headphones. These can cause the headphones to distort or even fail if the power is more than what they are built to handle.

This typically happens when the amplifier’s output is higher than the headphones’ maximum power capacity, leading to potential mechanical and electrical failures.

So, while headphones can handle loud volumes, they are vulnerable when paired with an amplifier that outputs power beyond their capacity.

Long exposure to high volumes can cause permanent hearing loss. So, it’s likely that your headphones sounding worse isn’t because they are damaged due to high volume. But because your hearing is worse.

Myth #9: True Audiophiles Avoid Mainstream Audio Gear

Some audiophiles look down on mainstream products, like Bluetooth headphones. To them, only the most high-end equipment will do.

But different gear fits different needs and situations. Convenience matters, and sometimes “good enough” is perfect.

Understanding different uses for audio equipment is important. Neither high-end nor consumer headphones are inherently “bad”; they simply serve different purposes.

For example, wireless earbuds like AirPods, while not “audiophile” level, are ideal for on-the-go use. Their ease of use makes them invaluable to many.

Even the most passionate audiophiles use a range of gear. Not every listening session must be a critical one. There’s a time and place for everything.

Myth #10: One Driver Type Is Superior to Others

Many think planar magnetic drivers are better than dynamic; and electrostatic is better than planer. But, the truth is, each driver type has its own pros and cons:

• Dynamic drivers are affordable and offer strong bass, but they can distort at high volumes.
• Planar magnetic drivers provide low distortion but are more expensive and require powerful amplifiers.
• Electrostatic drivers deliver great clarity but need special amplifiers, costly, and less durable.

The myth that one driver type is superior often arises from personal preferences and marketing hype.

In reality, no single driver type is inherently better. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, making the best choice dependent on individual needs, priorities, and use cases.

Myth #11: Higher Sampling Rates and Bit Depths Lead to Better Sound

Higher specifications like sampling rates of 192 kHz and bit depths of 24-bit or 32-bit may seem impressive on paper. But, they don’t always translate to a significantly better listening experience.

The healthy human ear can typically hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

However, according to the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, a sampling rate of at least twice the highest frequency is required to accurately capture and reproduce those sounds.

This means CD quality audio, with its 44.1 kHz sampling rate, already exceeds this requirement, covering frequencies up to 22.05 kHz.

Similarly, the 16-bit depth of CDs offers a dynamic range of 96 dB, which is more than sufficient for most listening environments. That is, if the background noise or equipment limitations do not mask any potential benefits of higher bit depths.

Myth #12: Gold-Plated Connectors Improve Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, the impact of gold-plated connectors is negligible for most audio applications.

In fact, high-quality copper or silver connectors can perform just as well since they have better electrical conductivity.

Any perceived improvement in sound quality with gold-plated connectors is often due to the placebo effect, where the belief that gold is better influences the listener’s perception.

So, why do people prefer gold-plated connectors?

It’s not about the sound quality but the durability.

Gold has excellent properties for connectors, such as high resistance to corrosion and oxidation. This means gold connectors maintain a clean, reliable connection over time, which is crucial for consistent performance.

It can withstand frequent plugging and unplugging and extend its lifespan.

Myth #13: More Power Always Means Better Sound

It’s true that amplifiers need sufficient power to drive speakers effectively. But excessive power can cause more harm than good.

What you should take note of isn’t the amount of power but the relationship between your amplifier and your speakers/headphones.

An amplifier must match the power handling capacity of the speakers it’s driving. Going over this limit can lead to distortion and potentially damage the speakers. Impedance mismatches between the amplifier and speakers can also result in inefficiency and poor sound quality.

So, higher power does not inherently mean a better listening experience. Quality over quantity matters more.

Factors such as Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) are also critical for clear sound. High-power amplifiers can introduce more distortion if not designed properly, and a good SNR ensures low noise levels, which is more important than sheer power.