Here's my take on age and hearing: The difference I hear in sound, even when focusing on barely perceptual differences, is in detail. At one time I sold stereo gear and hence, taught myself how to listen for differences in presentation between speakers, amps, etc.. I am also a life-long musician.
I don't think my hearing was necesarily any better than average but I do know I was able to differentiate small, subtle differences in sound. Now, I am still able to hear the differences but really need to concentrate to hear those differences. Also, the high-end of frequencies, as most folks, is greatly diminished. Perhaps what I can barely hear now, compared to what was easy when younger, is the harmonics.
I'm not an audiologist so lack the vocabulary to convey exactly what I'm hearing/not hearing but for lack of better words, I'd call it shaded or somewhat muffled, or absent of detail.
Quote Originally Posted by GM View Post
I'm curious as to in what way you perceive it different/better? WRT 'deaf', how 'deaf'? I mean I'm trying to get a 'feel' for how us older folks into HE HIFI/HT perceive subtleties. The few folks I know around my age either are satisfied with whatever comes out of their stereo TVs, car radios, phones and/or wear hearing aids, so no help there.

My comparison of the two was only at the time the 846B first arrived at the distributor, so obviously had much younger ears and it was enough of an improvement in controlling the woofer at high power that it convinced me ducted port was the way to go when practical. The first 500 Hz 'clones' I built were owned by a Ga.Tech student and I remember them filling an outdoor frat party with a far more balanced, smoother, bass line than their EQ'd A7s.

GM