what percentage of us really knows sound


Hi,been in audio preatty much all my live,play a few instruments myself, and it is chocking to me how many people in this hobbie, because they have a few Hi end gear
think that they can discern sonic diferences,or that their system sounds amazing, when 80% of time when I' listen to those fellows system, the sound is horrible, I'm talking about systems in the upper $50000, and this people come out, talking about soundstage, inner detail, and layers of sound cascading thru a huge soundscape, another thing is that, I'thought all this audiophile people where a group of well to do business people, that had money to speare,
when the truth is that most of audiophile people are broked
and dont' have their priorities toghether, been at many many, audiophile people's house, and it is sad, people with, high end systems, and no furniture,just bought a pair of speakers, $11000 retail and an Aiwa,component has more BASS THAN this speakers, affter spending more than $2500, on cables,think someone is taking advantage of the audiophile community
juancgenao
Pubul57,

very much doubt the merlins are -2 db @ 33 hz, if not , it would be far from bass shy .
when 80% of time when I' listen to those fellows system, the sound is horrible,

Maybe it's just the:

My system sounds "right" so if if doesn't sound like my system it must be "wrong"

syndrome.
I know every piece by its music, I listen only to the interpretations of the individual performer while seeing and hearing the music in my head. He said that when he needs to hear music, he plays it.

Interesting, Tbg. I've heard this before: that many fine musicians are NOT audiophiles precisely because they can hear the music in their heads.
Tng,

Virtually every musician I know (a small horde) has a crappy system. I'm sure that it's partly economic (musicians are not, for the most part, investment bankers), but I think it's also almost a badge of honor. I KNOW that they hear the difference, they just like to make the point that they don't care about that difference.

They swear that its the "idea" of the music - not the actual listening experience - that matters. I understand why that stakes out a sort of moral high ground, but I still find it kind of bewildering. I guess that I'll just take the low road and dig it.

Marty
I think this is straight forward question and answer IYO is what OP is asking for. Note that the ref is live acoustic music. If you have other priorities- sound stage, details, etc. it is okay.

Per Juancgenao, the percentage who really knows sound is 20% (80% sounds horrible to him).

I tend to agree with him (In fact I would even say it could be lower even) based on systems I have heard- at dealers and and at shows.

The gap between live performance and its reproduction might appear to be small but is actually very wide. Very few audio systems is able to bridge the gap or even come closer in reality.

Forget OP's other comments, don't take it personally and respond to the OP title question. What do YOU think the percentage is?

What characteristics makes live sound live? and how do you and how to discern it when you hear it? Well, never mind these questions, may be this deserves another thread