Which can you hear?

I voted for 'Laurel' as that's what I could first hear. But then I was spooked when I listened to it again a while later. I thought I must have been listening to a different version as I could hear 'Yanni'.

If I start the video first by expecting to hear Yanni, that's what I'll hear, but by the end I can get it morphed in my head to Laurel.



I find this fascinating because of the relationship with many things in life, including trading. Sometimes we are all so sure that our sensory perception is right we don't even question how the same external stimulus could be seen, heard or interpreted by someone else.

I first heard "Yanny" every time.

But:

I also had a temptation to run the sound file through different sound output devices. I normally route my PC sound through my stereo system. I thought I might unplug the stereo and plug some headphones into the sound jack:

1. With an OK but not great Logitech PC-type headset, I got something kind of like "Yally" or "Yowlly" -- I would vote that as a "Yanny," but not that clearly so.

2. With an extremely good pair of Sennheiser earphones, it was clearly and undoubtedly "Laurel" every time. (Made me think I need to either upgrade my stereo speakers or fiddle with the equalizer settings )

I think frequency response is what makes the difference.

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Here are some things I found on the internet on the subject. Your own ears' frequency response is mentioned frequently as a factor, as well as purely psychological factors like your prior expectations. After my headphone test, I am inclined to think it is all about frequency response, your own or your equipment's (or both.)

They do show how adding additional frequencies to the voice recording can switch the perceived sound from Laurel to Yanny. Also how shifting the pitch up or down can change what you hear.

I hear a deep man's voice saying "Laurel" in my good headphones, which I think have a better full-frequency range; in this case, it would include better bass.)

Check these out:

Part way through this video, they show how shifting the pitch can make you hear Yanny or Laurel. (At least, it did for me. Who knows about anyone else? Which I think is a point you can get from all this....)

This vidwo also has suggestions about initial expectations (which I don't fine too convincing) and frequencies your ears can hear and/or your sound system/speakers/headphones can play.

Supposedly, "Laurel" is what was originally recorded, with some higher frequencies added to mess with us.

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Also (some similar info, but different detail):

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Also (most science-packed):

https://www.popsci.com/yanny-laurel-scientific-evidence

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I stopped caring after this, but I'm sure there is more out there.

Bob.

bobwest 

I hear a deep man's voice saying "Laurel" in my good headphones, which I think have a better full-frequency range; in this case, it would include better bass.)

In fact, the intriguing thing for me is that when I am able to distinguish both, 'Laurel' is clearly pronounced by a man with a deep voice, while 'Yanni' is being pronounced by someone with a not-so-deep voice.

As you said, it's a combination of factors, environmental-based and also bias-based.


There's also another YT video where they slow the audio file down incrementally and then speed it up and invariably you can hear both names.



Another couple of similar ones



and



In the last one, if you focus on the woman on the left they all turn clockwise, but if you focus on the one on the right they all turn anticlockwise.

xplorer 

Another couple of similar ones

Yes, when I try these two visual ones, I can change them very easily.

Minds and perceptions are funny things.

Bob.

PS, I just saw the poll you set up.

I think you should add a third option: "Both" or "It depends" -- at this point I don't know which of the two I should click on, and it doesn't allow both.



Bob.

bobwest 

PS, I just saw the poll you set up. I think you should add a third option: "Both" or "It depends" -- at this point I don't know which of the two I should click on, and it doesn't allow both. Bob.

There does not seem to be an option to amend the poll when I edit the post. How do I do that?

xplorer 

There does not seem to be an option to amend the poll when I edit the post. How do I do that?

No idea. I think I remember that Mike had the same problem for a poll he set up once. I guess you can't change it.

Unless you decide to just add another one, which would be kind of messy.

Bob.

When you cut the treble it tends to lean more to Laurel, but when you cut the bass it tends to lean more towards Yanny.

So depending on the speakers....

Another one