A real "wake up call" available to most....High End Audio vs. Mainstream......


Obviously you are familiar with AudiogoN and, likely, have a decent system.  I have known this, but a great visual on what most people use for sound reproduction is a Craigslist in you area.  If you have one or more market Craigslist available,  check out what is for sale for "sound reproduction" on those sites.   I thought I knew how bad it was, but it was beyond my imagination.  But I guess that is the way it is with many things Americans buy to make noise, drive or eat at.  Locally it is all under "electronics".  ebay is somewhat better, but still a great deal more items you would not want vs.  those you would. 

In music, electronics, cars and so much more....."the road less traveled" is the best path.  The poem is actually "the road not taken". 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken

Thanks to AudiogoN and its members for existing.  






whatjd
In many, many cases it simply comes down to priorities. I have friends that without saying it I can tell don’t understand why I spend what I do on my audio system (implying a wonder of how someone has the money to do what I do). Meanwhile, they literally have thousands of dollars monthly sunk into expensive pickup trucks and Audis that these days barely leave the garage, $2k drones that collect dust and a walk-in safe of handguns and rifles. I literally listen to music every day. For me, I feel that it is money much better spent than sinking $3,000 on a used titanium mountain bike when I have a great road bike that I ride pretty often, but certainly not every day. It often all comes down to what hooks us in life and redirects our focus due to the pleasure we experience or at least think we get from it. How much is truly self determination versus marketing manipulation is a whole different philosophical discussion that would churn endlessly:). Happy listening!
I view this a little differently. IMHO, most people listen to music as a backdrop to whatever they are doing. They like it, however it is really just background noise. If that is the case, any old music reproduction equipment will do. 
To audiophiles, music is much more than that. For me personally, music is IS an activity. Sure, I listen to music as a backdrop sometimes. But when I am really listening to music, I do just that. It becomes a visceral, emotional experience that just isn’t the same as listening to a single Sonos speaker or a Walmart boom box. 
If you just use your tools for small home improvement,a Ryobi saw is fine. But if you’re a craftsman and take pride in your work, you use a Festool saw. 
Your argument could be applied to clothes, but if you're interested in high fashion, you're not really going to be interested in what clothes people are selling on Craigslist or eBay for analysis of the lowest common denominator.  You're going to be interested in good design, and maybe search the used market for bargains.  I don't really give a rip about what bad clothes or audio systems the average person owns.
This is a serious question:  Decades ago, when I first discovered high end audio, I auditioned Rotel and did not care for it.  Recently, I decided to give a good listen to a Rotel preamp and CD player.  It was truly horrible sounding, akin to my first pre-amp, a Crown IC150, IC being proudly in the model number for it's non-discreet electronics.  Akin, as really electronic sounding!   Why would this crap be made?  It was about $4-5000 for the pair.  What gives? Are people deaf?
I guess I am in the minority here as usually I am doing something else while the stereo is on - reading or watching sports without an announcer,  doing a puzzle, whatever. Sometimes I'll just sit back and really listen, but then inevitably I'll think about something else and forget to focus on the music. The enjoyment comes most often when I'm surprised by hearing something that I hadn't noticed before or hearing it sound clearer, more detailed or with more depth or a more emotional sounding  vocal. I wonder what % of audiogoners have dedicated audio rooms.

And yes we are lucky to have the time and money to pursue the optimal sound. I once knew a guy who said he doesn't have time for records. I felt sorry for him.