Audio Friends Don't Let Audio Friends ...


Your fellow audiophile who always had a system you enjoyed

makes a significant change in gear. You find it to be a major

downgrade in SQ in one way or another.

 

You know the person does not have a trial period covering the new purchase. 

 

Question:

Do you tell them exactly how you feel about the change

or simply smile thinking- everyone hears differently so 

you should not provide a true statement of your feelings?

 

How have you treated this situation in the past?

 

 

chorus

Real friends tell it how it is.

You can roll a cat turd in sugar and tell me tastes great I am going to tell you it tastes like cat crap.

If it walks like a duck.

....it's probably just had a 'Depends Moment'....😏

If friend is a 'phile that you've 'experienced' his array multiple times AND been queried "What'ya think?" before (and not come to blows over it) is a place where a succinct analysis is expected.

If friend is not of the above....a little trepidation on your part on resorting to details of the ducks' walk may make for repeated sessions...or not.

I haven't been asked for an detailed opinion for nearly 2 decades now.
Currently, I seem to live in an area that lacks 'obvious 'philes' ( if such exists; there's a bit of 'pro audio' about, just as 'clannish' as 'philes in some ways...).

Nearest 'audio club' seems to be in Raleigh, a 4 hr. r/t...and doesn't answer emails when last attempted....I suppose they've all gone deaf or dead...*L*

Can someone answer this proposition?

Does room characteristics have a bigger impact on sound the louder it is played?

What if the owner wanted to show off the system by playing it much louder than usual and the end result was it sounded horrid?

Votped,

Yes louder will make effect or room more noticeable. 

If the owner is playing the system at levels above your

preference, reach into your pocket and insert your earplugs 

immediately. Then grab your coat and leave!!

Always begin a critique with as many Positives as you can come up with. Romance them. Then, when you smack them with one negative (phrased very carefully) the impact is not only softened but it carries more weight.