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The color of audio and ambassadorship

Lately I've been trying to be an embassador of hi-end. I fear high quality music is a dying breed with the advent of MP3's and the like. So i try to sway those who can be swayed to begin their journeys into high end audio reproduction.

When speaking to friends about music I usually ask if they have ever heard their favorite music on a hi end system. To which almost all say no, and then ask why. A fair question. I usually say something on the order of "if you havnt heard your music on a high end system then you really havn't heard your music." This bait usually gets them over so they can hear what I'm talking about. And indeed to the uninitiated, even a simple system such as mine can be quite eye opening. It was for me 20 years ago when I heard a hi end system the first time! When they ask how much it costs however, well, that's another reaction altogether. Usually I get a WTF, or "its not that important to me!" And then they ask why is it so expensive?

This is where the audiophile has to try and explain what makes good sound and how the equipment contributes to the experience. I usually try to explain it terms of high resolution photography. I try to compare a low resolution photograph taken from a cheap camera. The picture will be blurry, the colors not as distinct, and the gradations not as varied when comparing the same photo taken with a professional camera. I say both pictures will give you an image you understand, but one will be closer to lifelike. Most people then get it.

If the conversation continues and they are more interested I my talk about system synergy. This is a little bit more difficult, but they way I try to explain this is I say what most try to achieve is some form of neutrality. To this end I say let's equate neutrality to gray. A perfect middle gray, a blend of 100% white and 100% black. Each component then is a shade of gray. In a perfect system each component is a perfect middle gray. However, we know that's not the case. Some might be lighter, some darker grays. Thus to achieve a perfect middle gray, one might have a dark gray speaker that needs a light gray amp. The more equipment, the harder it is to blend the colors and achive a perfect middle gray. Thus the audiophile sickness. These are analogies of course, and it can even be taken further when you bring in transparency and texture of music, but most people can be made to understand the concept, if not the madness that goes along with it.

How do you try to be an ambassador to hi end? Or do you even try
last_lemming
loomisjohnson
1,964 posts
 
interesting thread. I read about an eight-year study at Stanford University, where new students do critical listening to music from a variety of sources which includes formats that range from compressed MP3s to much higher quality cds and vinyl. According to this study, new students increasingly prefer MP3s.

The Standford tester believes the reason has more to do with psychology than audiology; i.e. kids are used to hearing MP3s, so it’s literally altering their perception of what sounds “good”. In effect, a preference for crappy sound is actually becoming learned behavior. You might infer that someone acclimated to listening to little computer speakers or earbuds would also come to genuinely prefer these to megabuck high end speakers.

All of which suggests the die hard audio prosletyzers are facing an uphill climb.
bighead63
53 posts
 
So I'm going to comment from my view of being a younger guy in this hobby.

When I first started out I had no where, I mean no where to go. I didn't know what stuff was or what difference it made. I was 23 fresh out of school and wanted to try to put together a HT system.

Never once did music on the HT sound right to me. I found a couple forums, read the crap that it doesn't make a difference, went to a few dealers and then started with 2 channel. Finally music started to sound more like music and things mattered.

Do I wish I could have someone "show me the way"? You bet, I still would like it if I could hear some other people's systems to see what differences it makes and what they enjoy for sound. But problem is I find a lot of people closed off to the idea of allowing a younger person into their home to listen to thier system.

Also dealers are not the most outgoing to the younger generation. Sorry but if you have to follow me around making sure I don't touch anything then I am not going to buy from you. Heck I had one laugh at me when I told him what I was looking to buy for new speakers and questioned why anyone my age would be into this hobby.

If no one is open to allowing others to expierence or hear for themselves what something sounds like how can you expect someone to want to drop 5K on an amp or 10K on a pair of speakers? This goes for dealers but others in the hobby.

Also its funny, I do go out of my way with friends to have them come over hear my stuff. I try to help out a lot of guys I know because even they want vinyl vs MP3 or discuss what a tube amp sounds like. They may not have a ton of money right now but when they are turned off by the way people act in the hobby of the "I'm better than you and only the rich can do this" kind, how can anyone expect them to come back and want to be in this?

If you show people how to start out, what different speakers, vinyl vs MP3 and CD vs MP3 can sound like, they will start to question as well.
realremo
460 posts
 
I have shown people the difference in sound quality between .mp3 and lossless on my system. Everyone accepts that lossless sounds better, but I have only convinced one person to start ripping lossless files instead of .mp3s. Most only hear the differences if I point them out, and even if they can hear them without my help, they don't really care. The trade-off of file-size to sound quality is not good enough. Also, the instantaneous gratification of online .mp3 purchases is huge, and no one wants to deal with the shiny metal discs once the music is ripped.

Almost everyone is surprised at how good my system sounds, compared to their typical listening experience. "It sounds so clear!" I get that a lot. But usually there is some random quality about my mid-fi system's sound that bothers them. It is too detailed, or there is not enough big-booty bass. Pretty much everyone agrees that the cost is not worth it. Most people's jaws drop. My own wife has no idea what the total cost is, and I really haven't spent that much, compared to most.

Another issue I have is convincing anyone to sit in front of a stereo system and just have a few drinks and listen to music. Those who do venture into the listening room usually get antsy and/or bored within 10-15 minutes, and most people won't even bother. A great big screen in front of the seating position is apparently too much of a feature to omit.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Bighead63, I can relate. I was ignored in those high-end stores until I went in with an audiophile friend who was a customer of theirs.
I wouldn't try to convert anyone into the world of HIFI, but if they show some interest, I'm more than happy to give advice as that friend of mine did for me.
donjr
1,335 posts
 
You need to be targeting the right demographic. The 38 year old with 3 Young's kids wont take the bait. Choose empty nesters or people without kids. Speaking of kids, try to turn them on to good music. I introduced my sons girlfriend to Frazey Ford and she thanks me every time she sees me.

I like the idea of trying to introduce people to a vintage set up. The idea of spending a thousand if not tens of thousands of dollars is probably a show stopper for most people regardless of their financial situation.

Ive always tried to introduce people to new music. There's a lot of good music out there and its not easy to find. Most people just don't have the time. In the end, for me, its the music. You wouldn't have hi fi without it.

My big push has always been trying to introduce pellet to new music.
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