I got so used to listening to #podcasts at 1.5× the speed, and occasionally 2× (except for [Rob Wiblin](https://80000hours.org/podcast/) and [Tyler Cowen](https://conversationswithtyler.com/)!) that when I play a segment at normal speed for whatever reason I'm amazed that people usually speak
_sooo veeeeeeryyy sloooooowlyyyyyy_…
Yes, it's delicate balance between quantity (of episodes listened to) and quality (of understanding)…
I wish I could understand content well at 2× or 3× the speed, as some people apparently do (!), but I miss too much above 1.5×.
(Come to think about it, it's a matter of language too: I think I absorb 2× Spanish well, actually. But English being a foreign language to me adds a bit of extra difficulty and I need more attention.)
@tripu I've switched back to listening to 1x speed. I find I comprehend the conversation better at that speed; I usually listen to podcasts when I do cook, clean, or walk; so normal speed is fine.