2. misc-audio
  3. 1297183081

I Was at a Funeral of An Audiophile...

the other day, and the visitors were subjected to 70's rock music not only in the atrium but also in the chapel up until the moment the service began. The obituary read that the deceased was an audiophile and had a "state of the art" system. I had seen that rig; it was a "Brick and Mortar Special", with a Denon 7.1 surround receiver, nondescript front end and Klipsch lower end, package deal speakers. The surrounds were not placed well, solidly Mid-Fi.

But... the man loved his gear and the music. Completely deluded in terms of where he stood in the hobby, but had a passion for it. I'm guessing he bought the line, along with the equipment, from some salesman that he was getting a "state of the art" rig, and was very proud of it.

I have thought about having my Christian music favorites played at my funeral; I would want people to hear music which speaks of transcendent values. I would want them to hear the beauty in the message and the music, even if played on a wretched building PA system.

When the family found out that I also am an audiophile and understood terms like "calibration" of the system - the deceased calibrated his system often to get perfect sound - they were amazed that there are others in the world like him. I smiled and said I could relate to his desire for beautiful music, an attempt at capturing a feeling, experiencing perfection, if you will.

It's sort of like how we love our cars, and it won't make a bit of difference when we're gone how wonderful our ride was. We may observe another person's rig and wonder how it sounds, and we see some people with modest systems and others with outrageous rigs. There's no telling if that owner is truly satisfied and enjoying their time with it.

One thing came through at the funeral, however, and was very positive. As much as the family marveled at how much he loved his stereo, they knew he loved them much more. His rig brought him happiness, but he kept family as priority. You could say he died a fulfilled audiophile.
douglas_schroeder
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Mapman, the other day a young woman I know was partially run over by a SUV at night - albeit slowly, as she was walking in a parking lot after workout (perhaps the driver was distracted by texting, trying to get away with it in a slow moving vehicle?). The clearance of the SUV and very slow speed prevented her from being mangled and possibly killed or maimed for life.

Her pet, her job, her social life, her hobbies - not much of all that was too important at that moment. Perhaps as she lay under the vehicle screaming for the driver to back up the upcoming wedding with her fiance' was the most intense thought besides fearing for her life itself.

It's as she recovers and realizes she'll continue to live that these other things will return in seeming significance.

Part of my post was to recall that we will all face that moment. Then what will it matter if we were the super-audiophile or the dabbler?

Work hard, enjoy the music, but be ready to let it go.

I'm certainly not a fatalist, but your are absolutely correct; it puts things into perspective.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
This is a stupid thread.

IMO
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
I feel the OP merely stated a their own observation. It was the OBITUARY which read "the deceased was an Audiophile and had a state of the art system". The OP then described his personal feelings for the funeral "host". I think that was done rather well. An Audiophile would be anyone who likes music enough as to work on their system to get the most out of it, then enjoy the music, period. I can only imagine if we had all been in attendance, and went to a restaurant afterward, what our conversation would be. Hey, maybe the guy lost a bunch of money at the racetrack, and just TOLD his wife the system was ultra expensive. Ya' never know.....
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Hey I read all posts, and like you said "I just had the guts to say something", what is that only a one way street?
When you say something its considered brave, when I do not so mush........hmmm.
I dont think I am alone in this as witnessed by remarks from others, I didnt see any sign of apology so I dont feel any need on my part. Honesty is best and thats honestly how I feel. Cheers
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Chad, I knew that the OP would elicit strong feelings. No problem. :)
More to discover