Spending big bucks on HiFi Audio

[kemmler3D]

What are the penalties society inflicts on the person who spent too much on a home stereo?

I think the idea is that someone spending $20K on a motorcycle is considered normal, but someone spending $20K on audio would be considered crazy. In reality, I think it's us ASR readers that see certain subjectivists spending $20K on snake oil as crazy, and we imagine we're lumped in with them, but the general public doesn't actually care either way.

What I do think is true: Most people don't have trouble understanding why a motorcycle might cost $20K. But most people have no idea why a stereo system might cost that much. They lack a frame of reference. That doesn't mean they judge the expenditure more harshly than any other expensive hobby, though.

 

[Multicore]

I am not convinced whether society does not accept hifi gear. It is just an assumption.

It's new to me. I wonder if it isn't a neurotic persecution fantasy.

 

[mhardy6647]

I saw all that in the marketing page, and i still don't like them, specially the eq and the app. So many younger people are down right paranoid about being tracked, being controlled, and are anti corporations, yet they love Apple and stuff like this. Sure lock me in, so I have to use your app and your eq methodology, and I can basically only add your products to the system....

This feels like a good time to quote Emerson.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.

From Self-Reliance (one of my very favorite essays, at least when I was in high school).

 

[Multicore]

I think there idea is that someone spending $20K on a motorcycle is considered normal, but someone spending $20K on audio would be considered crazy. In reality, I think it's us ASR readers that see certain subjectivists spending $20K on snake oil as crazy, and we imagine we're lumped in with them, but the general public doesn't actually care either way.

What I do think is true: Most people don't have trouble understanding why a motorcycle might cost $20K. But most people have no idea why a stereo system might cost that much. They lack a frame of reference. That doesn't mean they judge the expenditure more harshly than any other expensive hobby, though.

It's a specialism. Do you know what a Heckel basson costs? I don't. (I'm just glad good guitars cost a lot less.)

What those outside the specialism think when certain arbitrary data points about costs are revealed is not something to worry about and isn't evidence of social unacceptability.

 

[amper42]

And yet, giant speakers filling multiple rooms of a house along with perhaps a touch of significantly reduced bank account balances can cause marital friction. I can't imagine how an audio addiction could be a problem?

 

[darrellc]

I think any hobby or product category where there are well known mainstream "premium" options and where marginal gains in the high end come at high cost would probably be considered wasteful by most. Not unique to stereo. I get the same reactions in photography etc.

 

[Robin L]

Point of reference, $25,000.00:

Neumann M49b from Compass Point Studios | Reverb

Neumann M49b Danmarks Radio Ann. Mic from Compass Point StudiosThis is a Neumann M49b Danmarks Radio Ann from Compass Point Studios. Compass Point Studios, situated in Nassau, Bahamas, attracted a diverse array of prominent artists from various genres. It became a legendary recording destination ...

reverb.com

 

[JimBean]

I mean, if it's your money and you can afford it, go for it. I have spent a little more than I should have since getting into this hobby (disorder?) Although currently my Blu-Ray player (Oppo BDP-105) is currently the most expensive part of my system. My speakers I bought new during a black Friday sale for over 50% off the regular price. And right now is a great time for affordable quality amps and DACs. Also IEMs that sound great for little money. And buying used is a great way to get a good deal when other people spend big money to upgrade their stuff and sell off their old equipment.

Electric guitar is another hobby where people can spend huge amounts of money for little sound difference. Effects pedal prices can get pretty insane, although that's more of a collectable thing in alot of cases, I think

 

[Sal1950]

This feels like a good time to quote Emerson.

I had no idea that Keith Emerson ever said that ?

Point of reference, $25,000.00:

Wow, I'd be terrified to spend that kind of cash on a such a delicate item like a used mic.

 

[Robin L]

Wow, I'd be terrified to spend that kind of cash on a such a delicate item like a used mic.

But big-time recording studios have to have such electronic unobtanium around for bragging rights, if nothing else.

Of course, they'll charge exorbitant rates if someone rents them.

 

[kemmler3D]

What those outside the specialism think when certain arbitrary data points about costs are revealed is not something to worry about and isn't evidence of social unacceptability.

Right. And I don't think any of us happen to know that expensive audio is judged any differently than other expensive stuff. This thread is on 6 pages and I've yet to even read an anecdote of someone being judged harshly for spending money on audio.

If your friends happen to know what your audio gear costs, you become the friend who is "into speakers", but you don't become "an idiot" or "insane" or "wasteful" in the bargain.

If someone has a $15,000 bicycle, all I know is they're really into biycyling. If someone has a $2000 chef's knife, I don't judge them morally, I just know they're really into cooking and I'd be a little confused. Same goes for lawnmowers or jewelry or baseball cards or anything else. I think audio is the same way.

The only way you're getting judged is if you're spending so much compared to your income that it's unreasonable on its face.

 

[Multicore]

Right. And I don't think any of us happen to know that expensive audio is judged any differently than other expensive stuff. This thread is on 6 pages and I've yet to even read an anecdote of someone being judged harshly for spending money on audio.

Exactly. So what on earth drives this? Hence my previous speculation of a neurotic persecution fantasy. Or maybe it's displacement of a guilty conscience? Or the latter leads to the former.

 

[kemmler3D]

neurotic persecution fantasy / guilty conscience? Or the latter leads to the former.

Not sure. We do spend a lot of energy here criticizing other audiophiles' purchases (snake oil), sometimes even to the extent of characterizing it as a moral failing. So perhaps there's an assumption that others would do the same to us. I feel like "neurotic persecution fantasy" might be too strong a term, though.

 

[AaronJ]

In what way is it socially unacceptable? I mean, in what way does society not accept it? How does this manifest?

It's not dealt with by criminal or civil courts and doesn't prevent you form getting employment or a bank account. Does it get you mean looks at church? or make it hard to find a marriage partner? Lose friends, followers and likes on social media? What are the penalties society inflicts on the person who spent too much on a home stereo?

It's tolerated in the sense that people won't give mean looks at church, but most of society does not consider it to actually be acceptable behavior. Yes, in fact this sort of behavior can indeed make it more difficult to find a marriage partner. Can't say my efforts at vanity were ever successful when I was dating.

 

[Doodski]

It's acceptable in the sense that people won't give mean looks at church, but most of society does not consider it to be rational behavior. Yes, in fact this sort of behavior can indeed make it more difficult to find a marriage partner. Can't say my efforts at vanity were ever successful when I was dating.

My 2nd wife saw my big KEF towers and was kinda disgusted. Then after she became used to the sound she appreciated them and asked if we could listen to them. So there is hope...LoL.

 

[kemmler3D]

most of society does not consider it to actually be acceptable behavior.

To be clear I live in the US and have lived in big cities for most of my adult life, so maybe my perspective is warped... it could easily be that other cultures have very different opinions about this. But I honestly don't see it. Where and when are people being judged poorly for spending a lot of money on hobbies / luxuries?

I know people don't like hearing about niche hobbies they have no interest in. Nobody wants to be told everything about why a speaker costs $10,000 except another audiophile. But the price alone doesn't seem to be socially unacceptable to me - unless you need to tell someone "no, can't afford the other thing you want" as a result.

 

[Sal1950]

If your friends happen to know what your audio gear costs, you become the friend who is "into speakers", but you don't become "an idiot" or "insane" or "wasteful" in the bargain.

I'm not so sure I'd agree with that.
Over the decades I'd bet more than a few have left my house saying,
He must be nuts spending that kind of money on Hi Fi when he could have gotten X, Y, or Z.

I've heard that from my family, and others family about our motorcycles many times for sure.
Or as they love to call them "murdercycles". KMA

 

[amper42]

What is reasonable for one family to spend on audio gear, hobbies, travel or any discretionary purchase is going to be different than another family. Income, savings, assets all come into play. Nobody really cares what you spend except your spouse and maybe the kids if you are really rich. ;-)

I was reading about workers that quit their jobs and move on to other companies on average make twice as much as those who stay for the long term and another article about how the S&P is at record highs and 5% CDs were finally available again - yet 50% of voters complain they are doing worse. It's another example of how the rich get richer and the poor are worse off.

Housing prices have gone absolutely crazy. And while food prices are up too, if you didn't buy a house before 2012 your out-of-pocket for housing is getting difficult to afford. It's gotten to the point where us older families are doing fine but younger Americans have a lot more stress to make more and save more than baby boomers ever did. We can only hope that housing levels out or dips. If not, the youth in America are in for financial difficulty.

 

[kemmler3D]

I'm not so sure I's agree with that.
Over the decades I'd bet more than a few have left my house saying,
He must be nuts spending that kind of money on Hi Fi when he could have gotten X, Y, or Z.

I've heard that from my family, and others family about our motorcycles many times for sure.
Or as they love to call them "murdercycles". KMA

I mean, probably. I'd even say the same thing if another audiophile spent $X on speakers I don't consider worth the money. But it's not a big enough deal to say it to our faces, apparently. And I don't think anyone seriously thinks we're bad people because of the hobby spending. At least, no more or less than anyone else that spends on luxuries.

They might be a little jealous and they might have other priorities personally. But it's not like you're getting cancelled on Twitter and losing your job because you bought something from Vivid Audio. Nobody's trying to put you in a psych ward. It won't help you date, but I'd be surprised if you got dumped over it, either.

Case in point, your motorcycles are apparently judged the same way as your hi-fi.

 

[Doodski]

I'm not so sure I's agree with that.
Over the decades I'd bet more than a few have left my house saying,
He must be nuts spending that kind of money on Hi Fi when he could have gotten X, Y, or Z.

I've heard that from my family, and others family about our motorcycles many times for sure.
Or as they love to call them "murdercycles". KMA

Hahaha. I as you know hung out with a family that owned a outdoor equipment sales and service shop and I actually lived with them for 8 months when I was about 13 years old. They would joke with me that they are the devil because they sell expendable income luxuries... Motorcycles, snowmobiles, outboard engines, chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors, weed eaters etc etc. LoL. I love me my 2 stroke MX rides and big thumper enduro rides. That's where I got them from. It's a sport... and sports cost money.