I think your right Carnut427, I'm not sure my hearing is sensitve enough to tell the difference though (I wear hearings aids in BOTH ears).
What I CAN say for sure is how the compression ratio makes a HUGE difference in engine sound, even one I can appreciate.
When my motor was 12.5 to 1 the sound could be likened to a "Funny Car", deafening (with the sidepipes removed and open headers). Truly unbelievable earth shaking move away from the car 'cause DAM, it was loud! I was also running a VERY radical cam, which could have also enhanced the sound. Changing to 9.8 to 1 and a milder cam it now sounds quite tame in comparison, even with open pipes it is considerably quieter. I run iron high riser heads (1964 from a T-Bolt car).
I suspect the original FE 427's sound was different than we typically hear today. The original motors were generally well over 10 to 1, with 11 or 12 being common.