There are pretentious people in almost every category.
Church, cars, clothes, watches, property, interior/exterior design, engineering, science, etc. you name it, you won't get away from that 100%.
People are people, some like to rub into your face how what they have is better than what you have.
My definition of a snob is "a snob is a person that tells you what you like".
Walk into a high end watch store not dressed to kill and see how they treat you initially. Try to ask about high end pens. yes pens. If you don't know what you are talking about, they will laugh you out of the store.
most everything is a science.
Many audiophiles don't really discuss their systems with many others, because some people don't and won't try to understand and feel you are being elitist. However, they understand high end cars vs Toyotas.
Ask some Women about high end $2000 shoes vs pay for less. They know about high end clothes and shoes.
But for some reason they can't or won't understand high end audio. They listen as background music only and space, dimensionality, depth, tonal balance, etc. is a different language from a different plant to them.
The real test of whether you are a snob or not is your reaction to when they ask you about Bose products.
this really is a test they are putting you through and you're response is a clear indication to them about you.
enjoy