This is Why Audiophiles Are Weird

[@tomdavis6371]

My first exposure to "hi-fi" was listening to the neighbors console stereo as a six or seven year old when The Beatles were still a band and I was blown away. It was another decade before I was able to begin purchasing my own gear. I see you appreciate KEF. I have been a KEF guy since the 70's and owned many over the decades, including the 104.2 and 105.2. I've become primarily a headphone guy the past couple of decades due to having an autistic child, a wife who appreciates video more than audio, and downsize limitations. I simply ran out of room for all of it. If I could offer a word it would be this: when you find yourself listening to the same limited music over and over and over again while swapping out your gear over and over and over again it's time to find a way to acquire some new music. In other words, learn to settle a bit if the budget mandates it. I became happiest in this journey once I started listening more to the music than just the gear.

[@mikecampbell5856]

Yes audiophiles are a little weird, but that's what makes the hobby so interesting. There's something for everybody. What I don't like about our hobby is that so many people are so judgemental about other people's systems.

[@amb3cog]

No one is weird. We're just all different. What I don't understand is our natural inclination to feel this way, or think this way. That, and why more people can't wrap their head around the fact that this is exactly what makes our world so interesting. And it also makes for strength in almost any situation. In other words. Having different people who enjoy working on different part of a project, or just being able to learn from our different experiences in life. I could go on all day, but I think the real problem is that we as a people have a weird way of looking at things. We tend to see the world only through our own lenses. And don't give much thought to how other's see it. And not just other humans, but animals too. We lack tolerance, and empathy in general unfortunately. ✌️

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

One of the best comments ever!

[@amb3cog]

@@TheBoomerConsumer Wow thank you so much. ✌️

[@CurlyHoward928]

You are really missing the point why this hobby is so WEIRD. I have a few other hobbies but been into high end audio since the begining around mid1960. This is the only hobby that thrives on paranoia, insecurity and never being satisfied. End of story.

[@rolandd5397]

I think all hobbies are continues pursuit of satisfaction but will.never happen

[@amb3cog]

I don't agree at all. First we're not all that way. I'm not. And 2nd as the gentleman above me pointed out. I've seen the same thing in most hobbies actually. It's more of a personality thing IMHO. Than a hobby specific thing. ✌️

[@CurlyHoward928]

Not a personality thing for me. I sail big boats and ski race and I am satisfied at the end of the day everytime. BTY You are lucky to have experienced "most hobbies"@@amb3cog

[@budsmoker4201120]

I agree, some people get to caught up in gear. I love music and play many instruments. Audiophiles seem to be like junkies looking for a fix.

[@Birdlives247]

​​​@@budsmoker4201120 Are these people referring to audio equipment enthusiasts or record collectors. How would an audiophile be in any way be compared to a junkie, who needs a fix everyday. If they are talking about record collectors, they miss the point of collecting. It's not a maniacal pursuit. It's the pleasure of looking through records with the occasional material reward. It's a cheap thrill. Plus you get the music. (There is something going on with these detractors. I'm not sure what it is but....)

[@quant2011]

Speakers as good sounding as Wilson or Magico can be DIY for about 2.5 grand. if you know really what you are doing and why. but some audiophile spend $100-$300k on speakers. too much fake money in USA

[@amb3cog]

Where do people like yourself get such crazy ideas from? Have you ever seen the retail price of the drive units in those speakers? Or the parts on the crossover? Ever tried to build cabinets that are as inert, as strong, and that sound as good as they do? Don't bother answering that question. As I, and anyone else who does know what they cost. Know that the answer is a firm no. Because otherwise you wouldn't be making such absolutely ludicrous statements. Just so you're aware. The average speakers contains parts that amount to 25% of the retail cost. The rest goes into labor, overhead, consumable materials (sandpaper, and wood glue are not free. And neither are tools), shipping, packaging materials, distribution, sales, and marketing. Amongst other things. But what this basically means is that if you see a speaker that's $100,000. Than you're likely to spend about $25,000 on the parts alone. And than obviously more on all the stuff to put it together, electricity, tools, and such. Plus your time. Which is not free for most people. And what you're completely forgetting about too is that to get to that level. You need to learn how to do it. And you need expensive testing equipment. Do you have a Klippel near field scanner? Or an anechoic chamber? No. Well good frikkin luck getting to their level. It ain’t happening! Oh, and one more thing before I go. You say they can be DIY for this cost. Well if that’s true. Than how come I’ve never seen anyone do this? Despite hearing this nonsense every time a discussion like this comes up? Because talk is cheap. Just like people who say things like this are. If this were possible. Wouldn’t every body, and their mother be building them, and selling them to us crazy audiophiles? All these types of statements do is let everyone know exactly what type of person you are. And trust me. It’s not a good luck. Not at all! ✌️

[@amb3cog]

And the part about the USA! Oh that one. That’s the worst part of it all. You couldn’t be more misguided if you tried. We don’t spend anywhere near the amount as the Asians do. They have whole entire malls that are only for high end audio there. And there’s bars and restaurants that feature high end stereo gear as the entertainment. They’re called HiFi bars. They are absolutely infatuated with it over there. Not to mention. What makes you think that we’re the only country in the world where people have too much money? That’s a whole other story right there. And what about Europe where every piece has 27% VAT tax added? Ever seen how many high end manufacturers there are over there? Much more than here friend. There’s small towns in Sweden that have two high end shops in them. You’re lucky to find that here in a big city. Man you haven’t a clue as to what it is you’re speaking about at all. 🤦🏻

[@budsmoker4201120]

Agreed, tax the rich. But anyone that drops 300k on speakers has some serious mental and self esteem issues. Buy an instrument you will get more out of it. Lol

[@spinningrooves839]

I totally agree its worth to invest in what makes you happy you only live once! 🎵

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

It really is!

[@starg47]

the thing I hate the most about audiophiles is the stupid arguments we always have, like if expensive cables make a difference, there are more important things in the world to care about. If you can't afford to waste your money on an expensive cable to see if it will be better or not than don't worry about it. There are two types of audiophiles, ones that are satisfied with their system, and those that will keep spending money until they end up homeless.

[@allenbrixey1122]

Some of the records I've purchased at Walmart, have been awful. The pressing are on colored vinyl. Some people think a crappy sound bar is great. Nothing is nicer than a great two channel system.

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

Not a fan of colored vinyl myself. It’s just a gimmick

[@MrBonger88]

@@TheBoomerConsumersame. I’m not saying that there isn’t any good coloured vinyl. I’m just saying that I have yet to hear good sounding coloured vinyl

[@calvinnapier9977]

I love to listen to well recorded and mastered audio. But I got tired of the rabbit hole 💰 I was in with vinyl records and have got away from it. I've moved back to cd's and it's not nearly as finicky.

[@Birdlives247]

I was hoping this would happen. I've been buying used records for over 50 years. The vinyl resurgence has been somewhat of a hindrance to me. (Fortunately I buy 45s & 78s. The newbies can't be bothered). Tell your friends. Let's promote this disaffection.

[@aranc23]

Excellent overview!

[@WindomRettes]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Bruce!

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

Thank you kindly

[@shakitboss]

I Totally agree with you about getting the most out of life while we can. But, unfortunately, pursuing a relatively expensive hobby like ours can bring out naysayers quicker than you can flip a record. Family and friends love the sound but shake their heads in quiet (when they’re being polite) disbelief at the obvious investment. Wives throw threatening glares at gleeful husbands who want to know how we did it. Turncoats blab out our hidden expenditures to deflect their own transgressions. Not many like the look of a do-nothing, recumbent in his listening chair “wasting” hours and hours of time when “we could be out doing something”. Everyday I reach for my rig, if only for a few minutes. I play whatever source I can, though I prefer my vinyl. But I don’t like to rush that process, so it’s often a CD or streaming if I’m down to just minutes. It’s when I’m alone, with everyone gone, that I can really stretch-out and thrive with the wonderful experience this hobby brings about. I feel so sorry for people who are deaf to it.

[@platterjockey]

Major misconception: not all audiophiles are into vinyl.

[@insaf6093]

sansui 11000 integrated amplifier reviews

[@carlsitler9071]

How many subs do you use with your bookshelf speakers?

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

Just one

[@EvanCasteel-th2qs]

You remind me of the late actor Jack Palance.

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

That’s new

[@isobutylquinoline]

Confidence is very sexy....don't you think?

[@mat.b.]

I disagree with you about streaming and how you say if you stream you cant have a personal catalog, that it's just a playlist.....thats just false. My entire digital music library is very much a meticulous, hand picked catalog of full albums. And more importantly it's comprehensive, unlike my record collection (gotta cut costs somewhere!)

[@carlsitler9071]

I only use my integrated amplifier as a amp to power my quad 15 inch woofers. The volume knob was set once to dial it in to the MTMs.

[@LuxAudio389]

I'm not listening to you. I'm gawking at your gear. Lol 😉

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

😁

[@joergwittenberg2178]

Thank you sir.

[@TheBoomerConsumer]

Any time

[@elmenomaronido6653]

100 % agree !

[@GarryBurgess]

I no longer have the ears to hear frequencies beyond my iMac, so there's no point to it for me.

[@budsmoker4201120]

But I feeling alot of HI fi audio including prices will die with the boomers. No offense but the boomer generation is the worst American generation and most greedy and entitled. But anyways keep'em spinning

[@Birdlives247]

But anyway, have a nice day.