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What's more important; sound or brand name?

I have had several people leave comments about my inability to hear things with my system because of quality of one or more of the parts. They seem to think it's not good enough to reproduce whatever sound is being discussed on that particular thread. The issue I have is I think my system is pretty good inspite of the fact that some of the componants might not be a popular enough name.

Many of the comments were based on my choice of speakers. I cannot describe how happy I am with the sound quality of the Sony SS M9 speakers inspite of the name on the grill cloth. Yes I have heard many other 'Hi-end' speakers over the years. Some have sounded better than the Sony's, most have not.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not whining because someone else doesn't like my gear as much as I do. I just wonder if people care more about the name on the product than the sound of the product.

If Sansui made a great product I would consider it inspite of the fact that I consider their stuff to be mostly junk. Maybe Sansui is a bad example since I prefer to buy American but you get the gist...

Any opinions? Have you noticed this happening?
128x128nrchy
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Just stand up to the barrage Psychicanimal, and hold your ground!

I personally heard of a group of "real" audiophiles(not us) getting together and listening to a bunch of powercords, and The Absolute Power Cord did quite well. Quite well. To the point of the consensus(not everyone) preferring it to at least one which cost was at least an order of magnitude higher.

Sound should always be the number one goal. For example, the Music Hall turntables sound a lot better than most people would believe, but there is zero wow factor/pride of ownership in them.

However, I can see factoring brand into the equation. For example, you know you are going to get great customer service from a certain brand, and that is important. Track record also comes into the equation. I knock off price for a company who hasn't proven itself.

So, I apologize for looking like I feel strongly both ways, but in the end, it's the sound!
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Well spoken Psychicanimal and Trelja! Yes often we are tempted to be hypocrits, who wants to admit that he's been sold snake oil by "hype"-crits anyway......
ozfly
887 posts
 
Psychicanimal, please don't generalize. I have never given you grief for your choice of system components and I bet I'm not alone among those responding to this thread. No need to stereotype (pun intended).
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,541 posts
 
Psychic:

I still use the Absolutes, along with my Peter Belt Rainbow Foil treated Stat-Mat, but enough about the frigin 1200 - OK?

Even if it sounds wonderful it's still butt ugly, plus constantly resisting the urge to scratch cannot be good for your mental health in the long run.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Dekay - If I itch, I scratch...my 1200 has nothing to do with it. :-)

Psychic - The answer to your rhetorical question is: Almost as much flak as you've asked for... ;^)
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