How do you explain audiophiles to your friends?

I do not. But I do let them hear my stereos, and if they have any interest at all, they figure it out. The hobby stands on its own, based on merit.

I just point them to some YouTube reviews and suggest they check out a few if they want to be amused by some serious geekism...  Nothing wrong with geekism, of course, I tend that way myself - I just can't talk about it as well as many of the YouTube guys... 

Everyone has hobbies.  When hobbies last for years they are addictions  I for one have the addition and an happy with it.  Just saying.  By the way the friend has their addiction or they have never explored life.  The saying around my house is “If not now then when”.  Enjoy life, do what works and spurge with those things that make you happy! 

That's interesting MC seeing is believing. I'm glad it's not a taste or smell thing..

I HEAR you.. :-)

I didn't quite get the EGGSHELL thing either. I thought that was a drop of yellow and green in a white base paint.. Eggshell!

I got the "CALL" my preamp is fixed, "They Think", boy that made me feel great. "They Think". I said keep it for a week and MAKE SURE!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone

Regards

to me audiophiles are music lovers who acquire and use high quality equipment to reproduce really good sounding music in their private spaces for an immersive experience (be it in their abodes, work spaces, even inside their heads)

that some audiophiles get in real deep, get obsessive, go over the top, etc etc. is incidental to what the basic, good-feeling pursuit is about - even though people here on this forum seem to pick on and accentuate that negative aspect (such as the op here)

as hobbies, passions, and addictions go, there are much worse in life, much more expensive, much more damaging, to self and those nearby, than this one centered around loving music and the gear that makes the music

merry xmas to all, everyone stay healthy and safe