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How to respond to those who say it's not a hobby?

I only recently started to get into audio and, although my system is definitely not in the high-end category, I like to think it's a lot better than the components that were replaced My better-half was quite accepting of the initial purchase of a new integrated amp (NAD C370), tuner (C420), speakers (KEF Q5) and interconnects (VDH D-102 III). She definitely heard an improvement over our previous gear.

However, she is now quite opposed to the upgrading of the CD player and the addition of a second amp (bi-amping). I've mentioned that it will likely make a great improvement to our listening enjoyment and hinted that this is a new hobby for me. Essentially, her response was that "spending hundreds of dollars on audio equipment does not qualify as a hobby", since I don't actually create/build/assemble any of it.

Any thoughts out there about how one might respond or convince the nay-sayer otherwise?
mghcanuck
viggen
838 posts
 
I don't understand how you must hand make things for it to qualify as a hobby. This statement is totally rediculous, unfounded, misleading, and, in an Orwellian kind of way, misconstrues the meaning of a word for one person or parties' selfish interest.

Words serve man kind, not the other way around. If I had a wife who told me my hobby isn't a hobby, I'd just agree with her and upgrade, say, the CD player anyways. I refuse to allow the definition of words or slanted logic to take away my LIBERTY to enjoy my HOBBY.

I think a hobby is whatever you enjoy doing. In other words, audio can be related to your profession, say a salesperson, but not a hobby. Or, you can enjoy audio, spend time and money buying and tweaking, and that is a hobby.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
It's your hobby, you needn't defend it to anyone. Short form answer to anyone who says otherwise: "F you and everyone who looks like you" ;)
sek
105 posts
 
I think there could be some semblance of a hobby in the adroit assembly of components for the reproduction of sounds, but much of this activity is often just luxury consumerism.

The most compelling part of this activity or hobby, to me, is the music itself. The gear is just a means to the end of getting closer to the music. So the audiophiles that I respect are very involved with music first and last. If they are not musicians, then they are at least uncommonly knowledgeable about the music, musicians, and cultures of the genres that they enjoy. They spend more of their time, if not their money, in deepening and expanding their musical knowledge and experiences.

Over the years, due to a limited budget and other priorities, I haven't frequently upgraded my audio system. But, when I have, it's been easy to justify to my wife because of my lifelong involvement with and enthusiasm for music. The last set of upgrades significantly increased her emotional involvement with the music as well.
tousana
16 posts
 
To me this is not a hobby, it's what I do for a living. I am an audio engineer. I usually try to include my better half by talking it over with her,and seeing what she has too say when I want to upgrade. Then I do what I want. We have a system, that sense we both work, I don't tell her how to spend her money and she dosn't tell me how to spend mine. As long as the bills are paid. I think it works to include her in the process. It seems to work very nice that way!!!
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Some good advice above. I especially liked Matt8268's recommendations-- and Rosstaman's humor;>)

My wife and I are not rich by any means, but we have separate checking accounts and this has undoubtedly prevented many wicked marital battles. Audio as a "hobby" doesn't have to justified as others have also suggested.

Unfortunately you may be SOL unless you can solve the money issue. I HIGHLY recommend separate checking accounts if the two of you can find a way to do it. Best of Luck. Craig
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