Think seeing what you're listening to doesn't influence how it sounds?
 

Watch this video. Then try to tell yourself we don't hear with our eyes:


YouTube - The McGurk Effect - Horizon Is Seeing Believing?

OH! So that's how $1000 per foot cables make the music sound better. The owner looks at the shiny new cable, and perceives a sound difference!
(You would think I'm being sarcastic, but I'm not)

Gives a new meaning to the concept of double-blind audio testing...close both eyes!

That is amazing! I wouldn't have believed it without seeing it! Well, now we know one well-kept secret that politicians regularly use on us!

It is not just seeing, it is the placebo effect. Well know, used and recognized.
But then, music quality is largely in the ear of the beholder, so if you think it sounds better, is it not better? It just depends on how much you have to spend....
Of course the placebo effect is difficult to sustain....

I don't think I understand the role of the placebo effect on this, could you explain what you mean?

That should be required viewing/listening for anyone wishing to become a member here. It might cut down the arguing a bit...

Cool, or what?

w

faaa, faaa, flack sheep

Totally amazing! When it appears he is saying vaa, if you lower your head so you can't see him, the sound actually changes from a vaa to a baa.

This might explain why I say one thing and my wife hears something else.:D

This is an excellent example of the complexity of perception and the interpolations our brain makes. Even though the sound is "baa", we see and therefore believe that it is "vaa" so that is what we hear.
If we are convinced enough to believe a pill (or something) will do a certain thing, we are quite likely to perceive it that way.
I see these as similar, not different.

and fah humfug.