Your spouse or family, Whose opinion impacts your audio purchase decision?

Paul

Paul

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
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Toronto,Ontario
"Happy wife, Happy Life" - I do understand that but how much does your wife/family member's opinion affect you are making an audio purchase decision? If your wife said "No" then you going to give up on your dream gear? So far never happened to me ( lucky I guess ) but how about you?
 
I buy what I want without giving explanations to my wife or my daughters. I love them and everything I do is with respect. (they understand that I have pacion for the music)
 
Mine...

When my wife and I started going together 38 years ago, she let me drill holes through her carpet and hardwood floor so I could run Fulton Gold speaker cable from the entry closet she let me have as the system's electronics rack to my cobbled-together DIY speakers in her living room. (That's not why I asked her to marry me, but if you've ever seen Fulton Gold, you know how big a "give" that was.)

When a local dealer closed up shop here a few years ago, I brought home a purchased pair of his demo Paradigm bookshelf speakers and mentioned that he had a pair of demo floorstanders available. "They look like these?" my wife asked. "Same finish, same width, but taller," I replied. "How much are they?" she said. I told her. "Then I'll pay half, Jim."

She'd never call herself "audiophile", but she has a good ear and an appreciation of good music. She may shake her head (sometimes vigorously) at the way I've "decorated" the walls of our bedroom and living-dining room with acoustic panels, but she hears the difference they--and power cords, interconnect and speaker cables, and DACs--make. So you're not the only one who's been lucky.

For the rest of you who are unattached--sorry, she doesn't have a sister.
 
My wife supports my audio addiction. She can't understand why I always save the boxes...we have a few throughout the house. She did take the time to call my dealer and ask what kind of cable I needed and ordered a new Transparent Ref IC and surprised me for Father's Day a couple years back. She's a keeper!!

Dave
 
Andik777 said:
I buy what I want without giving explanations to my wife or my daughters. I love them and everything I do is with respect. (they understand that I have pacion for the music)
Click to expand...

Same here. Iza Biza!


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My wife supports my audio addiction, I guess because it predates our 35 year marriage by about 10-15 years. She would never tell me not to buy something because she knows that I set my own reasonable limits on my stereo purchases. There are some pieces I'd love to own, but I'm just too cheap to part with that much money. :disbelief:
 
I discussed the purchase of my speakers and amps with my wife due to the cost. She didn't have an issue but doesn't understand how audio gear can cost do much. I had no answer for that. I can't get my head around it let alone explain it.
 
the single/divorced among us are smug in knowing we don't have to play those frivolous games "You bought new cables? then I'm buying a new pair of shoes!" tit for tat nonsense. WAF? eff that :)
 
puroagave said:
the single/divorced among us are smug in knowing we don't have to play those frivolous games "You bought new cables? then I'm buying a new pair of shoes!" tit for tat nonsense. WAF? eff that :)
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I'm glad that my wife has never displayed such nonsense and immaturity with me. When spouses begin keeping score, the marriage is doomed.
 
I moved my main rig into our living room years ago because I wanted to sit together while I listened to music (and now we live in an apartment and there ain't no other option). Since it goes in the living room, I try to take my wife's cosmetic issues into account. She doesn't tell me no, and I don't force anything on her that would make her uncomfortable.

I've never had an urge to own any of those big, brightly colored horn speakers anyway. Back in the day I really wanted some Duntech Sovereigns, but never bought them. I had big Magnepans for a while.
 
My wife is always 100% supportive of my audio addiction. She may not understand why, but she knows that this has been my joy for many years.
She even endures 2-3 shows annually!
 
I just have to manage my time in all sectors to keep the peace, and no questions on what I do, no matter what I do - the family has zero interest.




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Marlene never had any issues with my audio obsessions. What she did do was nod her head in a yes gesture and say "Sure, Dan" each time I said I'm done. Quite insightful.
 
A lot of this sounds familiar, the boxes, no one else in the fam having interest, and my wife generally lets me be with my purchases. My youngest daughter does come down sometimes and talks me into playing stuff she likes.

I did sort of give into my wife one time early in our marriage. We only had the one living room for my music and the TV, and the room the front door led into. I really wanted to buy a set of Electro-Voice Pro 15" 2-way monitors, well, they were pretty big. The sticking point though seemed to be the carpet veneer. Although in an attractive black, she just couldn't be convinced road carpet was an acceptable décor. So I opted for my 2nd choice which was a set of Infinity Kappa 7's.
 
Andik777 said:
I buy what I want without giving explanations to my wife or my daughters. I love them and everything I do is with respect. (they understand that I have pacion for the music)
Click to expand...

I tried that ONCE. I bought a pair of Kef speakers, didn't tell the wife, she went out and bought a Lexus. I now tell her everything I buy after all we are both retired so large purchases are an impact to the old retirement funds and daily living,.
Now she is really into my classic car hobby and photography and kayaking which she participates in, but audio, she has no real interest at all. It's in the best interest to just discus any large purchase, that makes life so much easier.. The kids are all grown up and have their own life.
 
We have a good life, and we will be good through retirement (assuming the world doesn't turn upside down) but big expenditures take a little working on my part and then my sweet wife eventually gives the go ahead. She’s been a commercial banker for 30+ years and I respect her sensibilities. The big expenses like speakers are where it takes a little work on my part, as in a full edit of the backyard landscape. Then she compares what we’ve saved vs. hiring that shit out and the new Diesis Roma speakers will be mine! Bwahaha, bwahaha!!! (I always have a plan.)
 
None, my room, my gear and with that being said my wife thinks we are all nuts. Having met quite a few audiofools over the years I'd say she is correct .............
 
As with a bunch of folks here (good to hear), my wife supports this obsession 100%. Actually, she instigates purchases at times and has better ears than mine. The last fact is particularly helpful when seeking out an opinion on a potential new item from someone I trust. I found out long ago that if I involve her with everything and get here excited about the hobby, she not only allows this disease, but also feeds and promotes it.

No drama. No quid pro quo. No BS. Just total support. While she will comment on the aesthetics of an item at times, that has never stopped her from supporting a purchase.

As for prices for some of this stuff, we both shake our heads at times.

I could not ask for anything else from her and am very much appreciative of her unwavering support.
 
My wonderful Cheryal always says that I can do what I want with my system because she knows it is important to me. She also knows that I am very conscious of making sure that we can afford something and in the big picture will not "hurt" us.

She also knows that whenever she mentions she wants something I immediately try to figure out how to get it for her. New sewing machine sure hunni... etc... Lets stop and look at that car I saw the other day... (Thx hunni as she is driving home her new Benz... yes that actually happened). She wanted a new computer I ordered new Falcon's the next day...

However, I also respect and appreciate her and her opinions. She does not understand how audio gear costs so much (neither do I, I think it is ridiculous and completely without any reasonable explanation), and does not understand how I can "sit" and listen, etc., but she understands it is important to me. With all of that said I would never purchase an expensive piece without speaking to her. We are partners and we do not keep these types of things from each other. And yes there are times she might say, oh hunni, I bought this or that yesterday... but if it was a big items we always discuss it first...

In my view, that is the way it should be. It is called respect and appreciation of each other, their likes and desires, etc.
 
My wife lets me do my thing no questions asked. (And if she does ask, I lie about the prices LOL.)
She totally digs the system and has had friends over before and presented how awesome it is to them.
 
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