On ears - how the shape of ears effects what you hear

Thanks for posting the article, Mango. Just goes to show the importance of speakers positioning and tweaking.

As i have perfect ears and taste in music it does not affect me at all.

Live long and prosper. 

"How the shape of ears affects what you hear"

It's an interesting title for the article, one I find misleading. The study found that prosthetically altering the shape of the outer ear temporarily reduced a person's ability to determine the directionality of sounds, but after time the brain compensated. It told me nothing about how the shape of ears affects what I hear. Of what practical use are the study's findings? It was a simple behavioral experiment that had more to do with the brain's ability to adapt.

I found the embedded article Inside The Brain's Music Room far more interesting.

I have one slightly pointy ear and one slightly rounded, not that I am a half Vulcan or elf, I might add.

Doesn’t seem to affect what I hear but that may be down to my brain compensating for the differential...

Perfect my hearing is.

G

if you are interested I suggest you research head-related transfer functions (HRTFs).

Yes. Thank you, I have been suspecting this for ages. Some folk just don't have the appendage to enjoy fully the fruits of upgrading.

I don't know ... those ears could be the anatomical equivalent of room treatment.

I once saw a show on the Science Channel about bioengineers using 3-D printers with living tissue extracted from rats and cattle to construct replacement ears for humans. These were intended for children with congenital deformities and accident or cancer victims.  Insatiable audiophiles weren't mentioned as possible recipients.

I like to sit with my hands cupped behind my ears: possibly the equivalence of a black box upgrade for free.

Minh -

It’s easier going hands free.