Is there a way for me to tell if the music someone has on their computer is high quality? Is it easy as looking at the file format? Looking to tell the difference from a track that was downloaded appropriately vs something ripped off of YouTube.

I’m reaching out because I’m dealing with a strange issue related to my hearing, and I’d love some insights or advice from this community.

https://preview.redd.it/f06oe50qwp3e1.jpg?width=1599&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4eb67debfcfa01a937385d736929315ff3fb34c

The Issue: For some time now, I’ve noticed that my right ear feels more sensitive when listening to music, particularly at moderate or slightly higher volumes. High-pitched sounds (like cymbals, violins, or treble-heavy vocals) feel harsh or sharp, and this makes listening uncomfortable. Oddly enough, my left ear is completely fine, so this seems to be a one-sided sensitivity issue.

Professional Audiogram Results: I recently had a professional audiogram done, and the results were completely normal for both ears across all tested frequencies (125 Hz to 8 kHz). The test didn’t show any signs of hearing loss. However, the test was conducted in a non-soundproof room with occasional background noise from nearby rooms, so I’m wondering if my hearing might actually be better than the test suggests.

At the same time, I’ve done hearing tests using apps, and they showed a slight dip in high frequencies (4–8 kHz). I’m now confused about whether:

1. My audiogram is truly perfect and suitable for fully enjoying hi-res audio, or
2. I might have a slight hearing issue, especially for high frequencies, that could be affecting my listening experience.

The Sensitivity in My Right Ear: This sensitivity is most noticeable when I use my Hi-Fi setup, which includes high-end headphones and a DAC. I love music and listen to a lot of hi-res audio, but this issue makes me wonder if I’m not hearing all the details properly or if this is just a sensitivity problem unrelated to hearing thresholds.

What I’ve Tried:

• Adjusting EQ settings to reduce high frequencies, which helps slightly but doesn’t eliminate the issue.
• Lowering the volume for the right channel, which makes it more tolerable but doesn’t completely fix it.

Questions for the Community:

1. Does my normal audiogram mean my hearing is perfect for enjoying hi-res music, or could I be slightly missing out on some details in the treble range?
2. Has anyone else experienced this kind of one-sided sensitivity (right ear in my case)?
3. Could this be something like hyperacusis, or is it just personal sensitivity to sound on one side?
4. Are there any tools, adjustments, or medical insights you’d recommend for improving this experience?

Here's a random Spotify find that made me smile: Julie Abbé - Take Me Away

It's french folk/jazz. The whole album is good, but this particular track just slaps. Beautiful mastering.

What in interesting LP - Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett - just released it seems.

https://preview.redd.it/uw1a0tel2z2e1.jpg?width=3600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f64087ca34043ab40ecd247690de1875783b2a08

Found this on Tidal while looking for "demo material". Lots of music to test resolution, depth, atmosphere, midrange purity etc. with introductions.

Freya Ridings - Lost Without You

Gyongi Erodi - Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor BWV 1011 "Discordable": Prelude

Markusphilippe Plus bischi - When did you leave heaven

Qobuz introduced DSD, and Im just wondering if paying extra for DSD flac instead of 24-Bit 192kHz wav is worthbit. The only songs with DSD I bought is MJ Thriller and Billy Squire's The Stroke (2010 Remaster)

Playing it through a Hiby R3 Pro Saber

I’ve grown so fond of certain tracks that contain ambient breathing; it makes for a very nice haunting effect in my opinion. 

Examples I’m thinking of are:

- Stalking Insanity by the Capcom Sound Team (from the Haunting Ground OST)

- Hunted and Alone by Martin Stig Andersen (from the Inside OST)

- Memories of Hq by Consumer Softproducts (from the Cruelty Squad OST)

I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations that are similar! If you have tracks in mind with other like sound effects, feel free to share. For example, The Ascension by Miro Haverinen (from the Fear and Hunger OST) has very breathy vocals.

Do you know of any high quality electronic atmospheric albums like Schiller - Epic Kiasmos - II Tycho - Awake

Having read the article attached to yesterday’s post about recommendations for tuning, this came up in the article as a test album so I thought I’d give it a try. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s worth a listen if you just want to experience a top quality recording.

https://tidal.com/track/191712819?u

I recently found this band. Lovely recording as well. The way the cymbal sounds at 2.20 is just heaven for me! It’s also nice and dynamic.

#jazzy #world

From the title itself. Looking for recommendation on what you guys listen to when trying to tune high end audio systems in cars.

Here is mine. Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

https://music.apple.com/ph/playlist/testing/pl.u-KVXBDYWCLyAakM

1933-2024: I don't know what track to put here so I here's the great track of his I've been listening to often this month Groovy Gravy

https://tidal.com/track/2066500?u

https://open.spotify.com/track/6MhdiXHfMteOvZWipPWcA6?si=s78YcLzSQp2G97q4BcHl7w&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Ajones%2Bgro