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Kids during audition - aaaaagh!!

It used to bother me a lot when I would try to demo my system for someone and all they wanted to do was talk during the music. I get it - not everyone is an auditory person. But I still found it off putting and a bit depressing. Like if you took them for a ride on a windy mountain road in your Ferrari and all they noticed was the nice leather.

But FAR WORSE than that is when you're trying to demo your system for someone and they bring their kids. It happened to me last summer, and again tonight. In both cases it could not be helped but it totally destroys the listening experience to have a 6 year dancing around in front of the speakers while the 2 year old sings along with Rebecca Pidgeon.  The listener is denied the chance of the listening experience that we all know and love. I found it actually painful, emotionally. A lost opportunity for a new person to be swept away by the musical experience that comes from a high end system. I guess this time it's like they strapped their screaming kids into child car seats in the Ferrari and only let you drive in the small parking lot. Why bother? And no, I don't have a Ferrari. But yes, with no local audiophile friends to appreciate it, I do yearn to at least share the experience with someone who's never heard good sound.

One other note. Isn't it funny that non-audiophiles often assume that you're going to blast their head off by playing Metallica with the volume set to 11?
bob5560g
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noromance's avatar
noromance
9,825 posts
 
Well, I'm under the impression that the listeners are interested in the first place. Take it from there and not from trying to make a disinterested party listen.
rksweet
38 posts
 
Lots of people don't understand a $50 bottle of wine either. Just stop expecting other people to understand your appreciation of your system.
burndonesinkchair's avatar
burndonesinkchair
17 posts
 
I can understand the disappointment. I worked in a hi-fi shop, selling. In my free time, I took stuff home from the store to personally audition as I had (by far) the best audio system amongst my co-workers. I wasn’t really cut out for selling hi-fi, as I couldn’t understand why someone needed persuasion to want what was on offer. Meridian, McIntosh, Mangepan, or a Magnavox home theater in a box. The customers were able to comfortably afford the good stuff, but were almost never moved by quality as much as they were moved by price. They had nice things that were good for showing up the Jones's, but audio required too much effort to show off.
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
In my house, it's more of a social event than a "listening session".  I think it's hard to get people into critical listening as a first step.  In my room, there's a listening area with a selection of albums, and nearby is a pool table, fireplace and bar area.  The music is in the background, although usually loud enough to make you talk a little louder.  

In that context, I notice that people first are talking and chatting, and then there is a point where they tilt their head and start to listen a little closer.  Eventually a few will go have a seat in the listening area for a bit.  Over there, they will find a few magazines to entertain them while listening, as well as a book with the record listings, so they can choose the next title.  

Maybe it's the liquid sound enhancer, or maybe they are ready for a little break in the conversation, or they lost at the pool table.  But, I think it's mostly that they aren't "forced" to sit and listen when they really want to chat for a while.
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