High End Audio Equipment, Status Symbol?

For whatever reasons I don't think hi-fi does equate as a status symbol-it simply does not feature in populist terms.
If you look at lifestyle type magazines the hi-fi stuff that is featured is picked for it's design or it's minimilist trendy styling and they are nearly always systems not seperates.
Other items such as cars,watches,clothes etc. do equate because they feature status -wise in a much more easily identifiable way--i.e the herd identifies with it.
Consider this a classic retro-style car could/would be seen as cool-can you imagine a Linn Sondek with a tube amp and Quad speakers being seen as cool?
Only to a very select few.
Don't get me wrong,an awful lot of hi-fi was and still is both aesthetically pleasing and wonderfully designed but it is too esoteric for the masses.
Again that's not to say the look of our equipment doesn't play a major part for audiophiles-consciously or sub-consciously.
Nor does it say that some audiophiles haven't compromised "quality" for practicality or looks.

Not to be a spelling snob, but:

Dachati should be Ducati
Northrup Grummann should be Northrop Grumman

Now, sign me up for the Bentley 75' plasma. I will put it in our cul-de-sac and charge admission.

Steve

Ben makes a good point. Most non-audiophiles think Bose and Bang Olufsen represent high and audio, and wouldn't have a clue as to what any of the gear in my rack is. Well...sometimes I don't either!

There is a certain inherent snob factor in our hobby just because of the high cost relative to what other people spend. But without the cache and instant brand recognition you get with Ferrari or Rolex, high end audio doesn't quite get there.

Now excuse me, I have to go order my full titanium Grand Prix Audio racks finished in SR71 pebbled Stealth paint.

Oh, come on. The high-end has it's status symbol name brands. And we know it!!

We just don't dare mention the name brands for fear of being attacked by the hounds of hell.

-IMO

there are a lot of people on this board that think the more money you spend the better system you have. case in point, i know a couple of people that advertise their system on this board and they indicate that their speakers cost $8000-$9000 when I know that they paid half of that, or other pieces they purchased for 1/4 of what they indicate on this board. WHY? I think they like people looking at their system and say: WOW, this guy spent $30,000 on his system when in reality it cost $10k at most.