Is Audio Subjective?

Is audio subjective? At Prestige Audio, we believe that a high-performance home cinema or Hi-Fi system isn’t just about the equipment—it’s about the experience. While many people are familiar with the process of setting up and operating new devices, few truly understand how to appreciate high-performance audio. Our goal is to teach you how to listen and recognize the nuances of world-class sound, transforming your enjoyment and experience..

Is Audio Subjective?

One common question we encounter at Prestige Audio is, Is audio subjective? The answer is both yes and no. While individual preferences play a partial role in how we perceive sound (some people like more bass, others like lessw bass for example), however, certain elements of audio quality are universally recognized as markers of high-performance systems. Understanding these elements can enhance your listening experience and help you truly appreciate the difference a bespoke home cinema or Hi-Fi system can make.

Why Does It Matter?

When people purchase high-performance products, such as luxury cars or boats, they typically receive instructions on how to operate and fully enjoy their new possessions. The same philosophy applies to home cinema and Hi-Fi systems. While we make sure our systems are easy to use, we also believe in unlocking the full potential of the human ear to appreciate high-quality sound.

Humans are inherently equipped to identify and appreciate fine details in sound; it’s part of our evolutionary process. Our team at Prestige Audio, with decades of experience, has refined techniques to assist clients on how to focus on specific audio aspects and use their innate ability to detect sound nuances. We work closely with our clients to guide them through this process, turning them from passive listeners into highly educated audiophiles.

What Makes Audio High-Performance?

At Prestige Audio, we use a comprehensive framework to assess the performance of every home cinema or Hi-Fi system we design. This framework helps us identify the key areas that need improvement and ensure every system is tuned to deliver the best possible audio experience.

Our team uses a table of key audio “focus areas” to refine each system, ensuring it meets the client’s personal preferences. The table includes categories such as Noise, Tonality, Realism, Staging, and Imaging, each with a set of factors that contribute to the overall quality of the audio.

Example Focus Areas:

This table is an essential part of our training process, and we use it not only to judge the quality of the system but also to involve the client in the decision-making process. Each focus area is explained in simple terms, and with the client’s feedback, we weight the scores to reflect what is most important to them.

Client Involvement and Education

What sets Prestige Audio apart is our collaborative approach. Once the focus areas are identified and prioritized, we get to work on designing the system based on the client’s preferences. Unlike mass-produced products that come off an assembly line with a one-size-fits-all approach, we offer bespoke solutions tailored to each client’s needs and desires.

Once the system is installed, the process isn’t over. We work closely with clients to calibrate and fine-tune the system, making adjustments based on their feedback. This is where the magic happens—clients begin to understand how different tonalities, imaging, and staging affect the overall experience. With our guidance, they start to develop a refined understanding of what makes a high-performance system stand out.

At this stage, clients become empowered. They gain the ability to recognize what is right and wrong for them in their home cinema or Hi-Fi system. They start listening to music and movies with a heightened awareness of how sound is delivered and processed, appreciating the finer details that most would overlook.