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Why do Audiophiles feel the need...

Why do so many audiophiles feel the need to post opinions on gear they've never owned or had such limited experience with that their opinion is valueless to the OP? Not only here, but on other audio forums, at least 50% of the posts (and I think I'm being generous) start with: I've never heard the XYZ but...

When I was participating in an auto detailing forum, teaching myself the finer points of achieving an exquisite auto finish, if someone would ask about brand X polish, I would never see a post stating: "I've never used it, but..."

My opinion is that many people spend so much time dreaming about this stuff that they've convinced themselves they know what it actually sounds like. I know it's only a hobby, but I think a poster who asks about a specific piece of gear is better served by opinions of those with experience with that gear. Maybe it's just me. Sorry if I offended anyone.
chayro
metralla
945 posts
 
Sometimes there can be relevant information. For example, "I've never heard the XYZ but if you look at the abc measurements done by Stereophile on page ppp ..", but in most cases, it's just wanting to chat.

Also, if you have heard the specific piece of equipment under show conditions, but not owned it, it's hard not to add your 2 cents. We don't want to be left out of the dialogue.

It actually bugs me when a poster asks a very specific question about a piece of kit and prefaces it with "only those who have owned this should reply". You have to take the rough with the smooth.

Regards,
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Sort of like 3rd grade soccer where the kids don't understand yet the importance of position; everyone runs toward the ball. And sort of like behavior reflective of our times with corporate media blitzes, case in point being the current swine flu epidemic. From the pop media standpoint, we're often led to believe there is nothing else happening in the world of greater importance, that we should all run toward that issue, even though tens of thousands die each year in this country from "normal, boring old Type A influenza" every year.

We want to participate in communities that are meaningful to us, Audiogon is such a community. As in life it is important to contunally separate the wheat (opinion based on direct experience) from the chaff (opinion based on wishful thinking).
jeffb28451
129 posts
 
"...if you ain't heard it, you don't have an opinion..."

Didn't Gizmo say that?
chayro OP
3,050 posts
 
I don't think you necessarily have to own the gear to opine. When I was assembling my system, the dealer was using a certain brand of speakers I didn't own for demo purposes. I must have listened to them at least ten times and I would certainly feel competent to add something to a thread. With a really new piece, even a "show demo" might prove somewhat helpful, although the conditions are usually pretty bad.
prcinka
366 posts
 
Good point! I always wondered about that...also I would like to hear from the designers not the dealers in the replies...
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