Hi-Fi Audio and Artificial Intelligence: Don’t get us wrong, AI is awesome—it’s changing how we find info, make decisions, and live our lives. But here’s the thing: are we leaning on it too much?
Like, are we forgetting how to trust our own instincts. our own senses? Let’s talk about why trusting you—your ears, your taste—still matters, especially when it comes to things like music, art and picking out Hi-Fi gear.
First we need to recognise that we’re all using AI, right? Whether it’s asking Siri for a restaurant recommendation or ChatGPT for what the concept of absolute zero is. And it’s super helpful for quick facts or ideas, let’s say, concepts that are very objective.
But when it comes to audio gear—where how it sounds to YOU is what matters—Artificial Intelligence can sometimes steer you wrong. Here are a couple of stories from our showroom that will really drive this home.
Hi-Fi Audio and Artificial Intelligence: The Curious case of the Centre Channel
We had a customer a few weeks ago who wanted to upgrade his Home Theatre Centre Channel. We recommended something based on his overall setup, even loaned him a couple of our centre speakers on display for him to try at home.
He loved how it sounded—crisp, detailed, exactly what he was after. But then he asked AI about this choice, and it said it wasn’t a good match. So, he returned and passed on it, even though HIS EARS were telling him otherwise. Can you believe it?
Hi-Fi Audio and Artificial Intelligence: The wright cartridge that was wrong, but it was actually wright!
Sounds like a tongue twister, but it is not, this other time we sold a client a Rega Ania cartridge for his new turntable setup. We installed and calibrated the cartridge into his brand new turntable, he took it home and immediately started playing records, needles to say that He was very happy, and so were we!
But after asking another AI, he wanted to return it. Why? The AI said the turntable needed a moving coil cartridge and that the Ania was not the right choice because it was “Moving Magnet”, and somehow got it wrong—the Ania is a moving coil!
Point is, AI’s great, but it’s not actually smart, AI’s just pulling from data what exist online, it does not really think, and even less reason, for an adequate response. And this is for factual statements like the cartridge actually being moving coil, it becomes way worst for more subjective matters like speaker sound signature or differences between stereo setups.
In this case is taking from what others wrote online in the form of reviews, but at the end is the compilation of other reviewers, other sets of ears that are not yours, and like in the first example, it suggested that the centre channel was the wrong choice, even though the customer was delighted with the sound. We need to understand that, for Hi-Fi matters, AI it’s not sitting in your living room, listening to your setup; it is actually you!
The Solution
This is not not about ditching AI—not at all, it is still very useful. Please use it to get ideas, narrow down options, or learn the basics about different concepts. But when it comes to audio, or music, wine, or even food—things you feel, things you taste, things you feel—ALWAYS trust yourself first.
Take that audio gear home, plug it in, play your favorite track, and listen. Does it make you smile? Does it hit you in the soul? That’s what matters.
AI’s like a friend giving advice—it’s a starting point, not the final word. We understand that it is getting better every day, but it’s still just crunching other people’s opinions most of the time. Your taste? That’s yours alone and that it what matters most!
What do you think? Ever had a moment where AI gave you some weird advice, but you went with your gut instead? Or maybe you’ve got a story about picking gear that just felt right, no matter what the internet said. Drop it in the comments—We’d love to hear about it!
Regards,
The Team at Len Wallis Audio
