5 Audio Myths That Need to Die (But Probably Won’t)

Listen With Your Ears, Not Your Wallet

The audio world can be a strange place. Forums, subreddits, and YouTube comment sections are battlegrounds where opinions masquerade as facts, pseudoscience runs rampant, and everyone’s an expert. There’s so much noise out there that finding clarity can feel impossible.

At HiFi Buys, we’ve heard it all. While we certainly have our own opinions (strong ones, in fact), we also recognize that ultimately, you’ll be the judge of what sounds best to your ears. So, let’s cut through some of the most persistent audio myths and see where the truth might actually lie.

#1: Spend More, Get Better Sound

The idea that more expensive equals better sound is perhaps audio’s oldest trap. Is there truth to it? Sometimes. Will dropping an extra grand on that surround receiver transform your listening experience? Maybe, depending on a host of factors. More likely, you may not notice. 

Within the same manufacturer’s line, higher prices often bring more features rather than significantly better sound. That $3,000 AV receiver might sound virtually identical to the $1,500 model, but with four more HDMI ports you’ll never use and more surround settings than you’ll ever figure out what they’re for. 

Even more insidious is the brand tax. Some manufacturers are charging you 40% more for essentially the same technology with a fancier logo. Now, some brands excel at some things more than others, like amplifiers. But is their streaming DAC among the best of the breed? Perhaps not, but they need to offer one in their line, and you may pay a brand premium for it. 

So what’s the message here? Focus on what you need, not what costs more. And maybe—radical idea here—talk to actual humans (like us) who can help match equipment to your specific situation instead of trusting random forum posts from “AudioWizard69.” No offense to AudioWizard69 if they indeed do exist. 

#2: The Analog vs. Digital Holy War

Few things get audio enthusiasts more fired up than the analog versus digital debate. Vinyl zealots insist that anything digital sounds “cold” and “lifeless.” Digital defenders counter that analog lovers are just enjoying distortion and surface noise while calling it “warmth.”

Here’s the inconvenient truth: neither side is universally right. Some albums sound incredible on vinyl, while their digital counterparts fall flat. Others shine in high-resolution digital but sound compressed and lifeless on vinyl. It varies wildly depending on mastering, pressing quality, and a dozen other factors.

The smart play is a system that handles both formats well. Don’t limit your musical experiences because you’ve pledged allegiance to one format over another. That’s like only eating either pizza or tacos for the rest of your life—why should that be a choice?

#3: Hi-Res Digital Audio Cures All Aural Ills

The marketing around hi-res audio would have you believe that higher resolution files automatically sound better. 24-bit/192kHz must be superior to 16-bit/44.1kHz, right? Not necessarily.

Higher resolution files only offer the potential for better sound. The uncomfortable reality is that many modern “high-resolution” remasters actually sound worse than their lower-resolution predecessors. They’re often victims of the loudness war—compressed to within an inch of their dynamic life, regardless of their technical specifications.

We’ve heard 16-bit/44.1kHz masterings that sound as good or even better than their 24-bit/192kHz counterparts because they were lovingly mixed and mastered rather than slammed through digital limiters. Resolution isn’t a magic bullet; mastering quality trumps bit depth every time. Now, most of today’s quality equipment can handle the higher bit depths. The real issue is, do you have to buy (or rebuy) all hi-res tracks (OK, you can stream on some services) to get to audio nirvana? We say—not necessarily. 

#4: Cables Are Audio Snake Oil—Buy Cheap Ones

Another debate almost as polarizing as modern politics is cables. One side says cables make zero difference; the other insists you need to remortgage your house for proper wire.

Our take? Cables absolutely matter (you knew we’d say this), but with rapidly diminishing returns as prices climb. We’ve heard the differences, and so have our customers. But we’re not going to say $10,000 speaker cables transform $2,000 speakers into sonic nirvana. There’s a balance here.  

That’s why we offer a generous loan program. You can take cables home, test them in your system, and decide for yourself whether that upgrade is worth it. There are no hovering salespeople, no pressure—just your ears making the call.

#5: Soundbars Aren’t Great for Music

OK, so this one is true. Did we get you? This one isn’t even a myth—it’s just physics. When you cram multiple speakers into a slim bar and expect it to recreate the spaciousness of music, you’re asking the impossible.

Yes, some soundbars are better than others. Yes, they have their place for background music or casual listening. However, no amount of DSP trickery can overcome the fundamental limitations of their design.

You’ll never find a soundbar—even a very expensive one—that can match two quality speakers properly positioned (and amplified)  for music reproduction. If you care about music, separate speakers are the way forward. No amount of marketing can change the laws of physics.

Confused about what’s right for your audio system? Visit Atlanta’s friendliest, most laid-back hi-fi showroom. We promise straight talk, no audiophile snobbery, and absolutely zero pressure to buy cables made from material mined on the dark side of the moon.