Is the Audiophile Dying Out?

[panteragstk]

I must be a lucky guy.

Britannica, my missus, has nationalized the HT/living room and loves showing off the Focal 1027Be's to her gal pals and is waiting to appropriate my KEF LS50's for her office.

The people I'm referring to are customers that have not every had any sort of system before and then just sort of spring the idea on their spouse. Not usually a way to get things done. You have to understand the context of when these guys are trying to get their spouse to buy in. No warning, in front of a salesman. Not a smart way to do it.

I've had speakers and surround/2ch setups most of my life. Wifey knew full well that was always going to be something in our lives and is fine with it. All she cares about is if it looks nice or not.

I went with an all in-ceiling setup in my living room because our décor just wasn't going to properly accommodate floor speakers. Not sad, my office has a full 5.1 with all towers except the center. It sounds and looks pretty good. It fits the room better.

Then there's the theater. Once I put one together in our old house, she's right there with me in saying we won't ever have a house without one again.

 

[Alex2507]

I went with an all in-ceiling setup in my living room

Ban him.

 

[winnoch]

where does one even go to experience HiFi? Especially if you don't know it exists?

For many, it's accidentally hearing high quality sound somewhere. 2 examples (neither got me into hifi- that was my brother's doing, but I have read of others who stumbled into audiophylia via these routes).

Example 1; a shop/cafe has a 'proper' hifi playing. It happens. My local FOPP (HMV owned music store) uses B&W speakers and I instantly notice the quality over nearby stores with their JBL PA speakers shreaking out distorted boom 'n' tizz 'beats'. As it happens I collared a sales assistant and got them to remove the speaker covers so I could see the model number; I then went on ebay and bought those speakers myself a short time later, I liked the sound so much.

I've also been into cafe's and even an independent clothes store using Linn equipment and Sonos; not quite Linn, but still a significant cut above the usual midi systems or generic ceiling speakers found in clothes shops.

Example 2; Night clubs with decent sound systems; the main example would be Ministry of Sound, which of course is very famous for having bespoke, very high-end audiophile grade equipment; yes in a nightclub!

I think if you've got properly working ears, there's a high chance that if you stumble upon that perfect storm of accidentally hearing high quality sound playing music you like and you're mind is free enough of distractions to notice, you may well have a 'eureka' moment and wonder how you can get your hands on something that can make your own music sound this good.

 

[killdozzer]

Bringing this from another group:

Yes, it's an audiophile router. Tellin' ya, there doing just fine!

 

[highfigh]

So I guess I know ONE old fart that has a 5.1 system.

It's up to us to show as many people as possible what good sound is. Then they can get the bug to.

Would you call your dad an old fart, to his face?

Let's give them the bug- it's a helluva lot better than some addictions.

 

[panteragstk]

Would you call your dad an old fart, to his face?

Let's give them the bug- it's a helluva lot better than some addictions.

Yep. If he's old, he's an old fart. Or an old fu#k like George Carlin puts it.

Nothing wrong with it either. The old folks have earned their titles and should wear them as a badge of honor. I know I will. I'll also laugh at all the young people that think they know things. As is custom.

 

[highfigh]

Yep. If he's old, he's an old fart. Or an old fu#k like George Carlin puts it.

Nothing wrong with it either. The old folks have earned their titles and should wear them as a badge of honor. I know I will. I'll also laugh at all the young people that think they know things. As is custom.

I watched a comedian on TV who was talking about what it might be like when we get old- quietly singing 'My Generation' as he walks through the room where the grandkids are sitting, The kids ask "Who's that, Grampa?" and he looks fiercely and says "That's The Who and they're wicked awesome!".

Maybe they could go on a packaged tour with Clapton, The Stones, and other bands whose members are over 70 years old and call it 'Old Farts Road Trip'. Sponsored by Geritol.

 

[Trebdp83]

Might be hard to get insurance coverage for a whole tour. Maybe one last big show in a warm climate. How bout' "Still Alive at Red Rocks." They can open the show with "Start Me Up" while projecting a Viagra ad.

 

[highfigh]

Might be hard to get insurance coverage for a whole tour. Maybe one last big show in a warm climate. How bout' "Still Alive at Red Rocks." They can open the show with "Start Me Up" while projecting a Viagra ad.

Ever see the Simpson's episode where Lisa was in college and she & her British boyfriend were sitting in her dorm room with music playing? On the wall was a poster with 'Rolling Stones Steel Wheelchairs Tour'.

 

[panteragstk]

I watched a comedian on TV who was talking about what it might be like when we get old- quietly singing 'My Generation' as he walks through the room where the grandkids are sitting, The kids ask "Who's that, Grampa?" and he looks fiercely and says "That's The Who and they're wicked awesome!".

Maybe they could go on a packaged tour with Clapton, The Stones, and other bands whose members are over 70 years old and call it 'Old Farts Road Trip'. Sponsored by Geritol.

I'd watch that.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Here's the crap they are selling as a speaker system to youngsters...

HomePod mini

HomePod mini. A smart speaker with room-filling sound. An intelligent assistant that helps you control your smart home. 100% private and secure.

www.apple.com

 

[MrBoat]

My mother was always inflicting some kind of culture on us. A lot of interactive art, books, and we always had a portable record player and a heap of 45s. What came from the record player was, having control of music in our personal spaces. It got to be kind of a way of life. I thought everyone must also have music like that.

The other day, I asked my youngest son, who is 28, if he ever played a vinyl record before. He had not. I showed him the cleaning ritual, and let him work the turntable. The look on his face when the music started was of surprise. He looked at it, looked at me, looked at it, and was kind of taken by it, and the analog/physical quality of the whole thing. The idea of it taking a bit of a good eye and a steady hand to dare to pick a song from the middle of the record and have it land, just so. I expect he will revisit it. Oddly enough, he likes '40s swing music and jazz, along with most of the classic rock I listen to. That swing music is best captured on vinyl. Maybe I pick up some of those records and see what he does with it from there.

Anyway, there is hope for him, and I made him promise that my beloved gear won't end up on ebay or traded for some lame video game, or weed. After I am gone, I am betting these will be the things that keep him connected to his old man.

 

[Trebdp83]

Enjoyed the story, but did you really wait until he was 28? You didn't want him to touchin' the stuff when he was 8, did you?

 

[MrBoat]

Enjoyed the story, but did you really wait until he was 28? You didn't want him to touchin' the stuff when he was 8, did you?

I didn't take my vinyl back out until about a year ago or so. Meanwhile, it's the girls that have had his full attention. I gave him my old speakers and a hybrid tube amp that he plugs his phone into.

Baby steps.

 

[diskreet]

My dad just gave me all his old records that he saved. Not many, but a good smattering of classic rock and 70's pop. Had him over for dinner yesterday and I put on a few albums by the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. It definitely felt special for him sharing the music with his son and grandkids.

 

[Auditor55]

Well it was only matter of time and that's a good. In my opinion there's a tremendous amount of waste in the hobby. For example, no one needs to spend 3K on turntable or CD player to get high quality sound anymore, streaming audio is quite good these days. The sheer arrogance, smugness and decadence of the so-called audiophile, it was only a matter of time. The new generation are tech savvy, sophisticated and smart enough not spend thousands of dollars useless crap like speaker wires. That kind of crap doomed the audiophile world. For better or worse, it's obsolete, a bygone era. Most people don't listen to two channel music in front two tower speakers, save for few romantics who are holding on to bygone era.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yikes, I better get the ol' Denon out and start a poppin' corn and enjoy the responses.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Well it was only matter of time and that's a good. In my opinion there's a tremendous amount of waste in the hobby. For example, no one needs to spend 3K on turntable or CD player to get high quality sound anymore, streaming audio is quite good these days. The sheer arrogance, smugness and decadence of the so-called audiophile, it was only a matter of time. The new generation are tech savvy, sophisticated and smart enough not spend thousands of dollars useless crap like speaker wires. That kind of crap doomed the audiophile world. For better or worse, it's obsolete, a bygone era. Most people don't listen to two channel music in front two tower speakers, save for few romantics who are holding on to bygone era.

Two channel Stereo is still the best way to get the ultimate in definition....
Don't kid yourself.

 

[Trebdp83]

Damn, I forgot to butter the popcorn, I'll be back.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Yep. If he's old, he's an old fart. Or an old fu#k like George Carlin puts it.

Nothing wrong with it either. The old folks have earned their titles and should wear them as a badge of honor. I know I will. I'll also laugh at all the young people that think they know things. As is custom.

Yep. This right here. My kids call me old fart. And I damn well earned it too! I also enjoy reminding them that they don’t know shitt from shinola!!! I have an 18yo and two 13yo. It’s not easay... lol