Opening a few eyes to Audio

still-one

still-one

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Last evening we hosted about 40 people for the dessert portion of our subdivision progressive dinner. Since it was the last stop the sweets and drinks kept everyone in our home for about three hours. During that time several of the guests ended up in my two channel room trying to figure out what all the separate boxes were for.

After getting past the "how loud will it go" questions I was able to demonstrate how sitting in the right area makes the speakers disappear while simultaneously creating that magical image between the speakers. This opened a few eyes to the magic of high end audio.
 
still-one said:
Last evening we hosted about 40 people for the dessert portion of our subdivision progressive dinner. Since it was the last stop the sweets and drinks kept everyone in our home for about three hours. During that time several of the guests ended up in my two channel room trying to figure out what all the separate boxes were for.

After getting past the "how loud will it go" questions I was able to demonstrate how sitting in the right area makes the speakers disappear while simultaneously creating that magical image between the speakers. This opened a few eyes to the magic of high end audio.
Click to expand...

its funny how that happens, it then becomes evident to all why I sit and listen to music. the usual questions I get are "why do you sit [pointing there] and listen to your music?"
 
still-one said:
After getting past the "how loud will it go" questions I was able to demonstrate how sitting in the right area makes the speakers disappear while simultaneously creating that magical image between the speakers. This opened a few eyes to the magic of high end audio.
Click to expand...

One time I had a friend and colleague of mine from work listen and upon hearing the center image she asked if the stack of tubetraps in the middle of the front wall were speakers...she loved the sound.
 
My favorite anecdotes are some of my friends who spend a literal fortune for a theater, which is not my thing but I am gracious and congratulate them on their man cave, but, when I try to tell them how amazing my two channel stereo sounds they claim "oh you can't tell the difference". Those who are ONLY into their theaters usually don't believe in the merits of a high end two channel system so I don't even bother UNTIL they sit and listen. We once had visitors here and the husband who is into nothing didn't bother but his wife, with hearing aids, looked at me with a quizzical look saying "why did you destroy a nice room like this". I told her to sit in my chair and lo and behold an hour later she was stunned and didn't want to leave and finally understood.
 
CPP said:
I get the same odd questions about my camera gear.. Like won't a smartphone do the same thing, or how much does it cost,
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Couldn't agree more. I will be the first to admit I can't take a good picture to save my life, but love photography and have been shooting with a FujiFilm GFX50S system for more than a year. Unfortunately, my shooting has been severely hampered because of my hip, now fixed and I can't wait to get back in the game. We have some wetlands here that are spectacular to shoot, plan on going there either this afternoon or next and my wife is already hounding me about why do we need to schlep that big camera when we have iPhones. I just shake my head and put up with it because she never questions my absurd purchases of either cameras or stereo. I figure the trade-off is worth it. Of course the other side of the equation is that I NEVER tell her how much any of it really costs because the divorce would be a much higher price tag than any stereo or camera.
 
First question I get and usually not subtle from colleagues and some friends is “How much does that cost?”

Without fail it’s all about the money. Yet most of them have expensive hobbies that I wouldn’t spend money on. Needless to say, I keep quiet now.
 
joeinid said:
First question I get and usually not subtle from colleagues and some friends is “How much does that cost?”

Without fail it’s all about the money. Yet most of them have expensive hobbies that I wouldn’t spend money on. Needless to say, I keep quiet now.
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Couldn't agree more. The human animal never ceases to amaze me. During my craziness for cars, I would have some of my friends shake their head at me in disbelief at the "expense" of some of my automobiles with some wise cracks about it must be nice ..........., however, without fail, these same people would be spending a small fortune on a boat that to them was money well spent.

I think the best perspective on spending came from a surgeon friend of mine. His favorite line was, "I spent all my money on women, booze, boats and cars and the rest I squandered". He is still working into his late 70s. LOL.
 
I found out people in general will spend a considerable amount that suits their budgets on their hobby or hobbies to ensure its an enjoyable experience for them or their loved ones or even their friends.
 
still-one said:
... I was able to demonstrate how sitting in the right area makes the speakers disappear while simultaneously creating that magical image between the speakers. This opened a few eyes to the magic of high end audio.
Click to expand...

That´s the way to get new audiophiles!


In my case, when i have the visit of some non audiophiles, most of them ask: “the voice comes from the speaker in the center, right?” And when i say “no, the speaker in the center is off”, they always go to check, putting the ear next to the speaker…
And then they express their surprise and understand what this hobby is all about ..
 
Priaptor said:
.....
I think the best perspective on spending came from a surgeon friend of mine. His favorite line was, "I spent all my money on women, booze, boats and cars and the rest I squandered". He is still working into his late 70s. LOL.
Click to expand...

There are more than one doctor in the same predicament. I think I know at least a couple like that! [emoji23]
 
I have a neighbor that lives behind me. He loves live music. Last year I invited him over and he was blown away by my system. When he came over I playing Saxophonist Ernie Watts and my friend walked in and asked where was the Sax player. When I told him it was a computer file his jaw dropped. I now invite him over when I get together with some of my local audio friends.
 
I have a routine at my place where I do a "15 minute" introduction to audio. This takes place when guests arrive for an evening while my wife goes to fix the snacks and I am getting everyone drinks.

I started this after reading a neat little article by Roger Skoff on Positive Feedback some time back (which I can't find now). The background story was of an audio store owner who gave a young client a one page typed article called "Developing Critical Listening Skills". I sometimes print it and give it to my guests to read while I play some music. The old typewriter document adds to the charm of the experience.

Attached Article: View attachment Critical Listening.pdf
 
A guy came by yesterday. I had a center channel speaker for sale and he came to see/hear it. I set it up in the big system with the amp just driving it alone. He was fascinated with my line sources and I had to try and describe the difference between ribbon tweeters and what he is familiar with. He has a pair of old EPI speakers. I once owned a pair back in the 1970's so that was our common ground.
 
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