2. audio-clubs
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un-becoming an audiophile

Yes, the title is what is sounds like.

I remember long ago, as a boy, I used to be able to enjoy music without picking apart a track. is the bass tight? is the midrange clear and life-like? is the treble resolution spot on? What about imaging/sound stage?

Most people have this very same superpower - not being an audiophile. They can play a song from the worst earbuds, laptop speakers, or even computer speakers - and enjoy the music; even sing along. They aren’t thinking about "how it sounds" or scrutinizing the audio quality. Actually, they couldn’t care less. They can spend their time on other life pursuits and don’t feel a need to invest big money (or much money at all) in the hi-fi hobby.

Any psychologists or scientists in the building? (please no Amir @amir_asr ) since you are neither! ...despite the word "science" being in your domain name - audio science review.

Please, I beg you. Help me get away from this hobby.

Imagine - being able to enjoy all of your favourite music - while still achieving that dopamine rush, along with serotonin, and even oxytocin - the bonding hormone, which can be released while listening to songs with deep emotional messages, or love songs.

We’re very much like food critics or chefs in a sense. We want the best of something (in this case, audio) I’m sure michelin star chefs face the same thing in their own right...can’t enoy or even eat the food unless it’s up to a certain standard.

When we audiophiles want to listen to music, we often play it on a resolving system, so as to partake in a a "high-end" listening experience. We often pick apart music and fault the audio components in our system, cables etc. All of this takes away from the experience of enjoying music as a form of art/entertainment. It has been said that some famous artists don’t even own a high-end audio system.

I gained a great deal of wisdom of from the documentary - Greek Audiophile. In it, we have audiophiles from all walks of life. Their families think they’re crazy for spending all this money on audio. They say it sounds "nice" or "real" but still can’t justify it.

I think it’s all in the brain. If we can reset our brains (or me at least) I can still enjoy music without needing a great system for it.

- Jack

 

jackhifiguy
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,473 posts
 

I’ve heard the term "recovering audiophile" said in jest. How ’bout "audiophilia in remission"? There ain’t no cure for the audiophilia blues. ;-)

p05129
483 posts
 

Most people don’t get what is an audiophile. Most people think if you keep buying equipment, you are more enthusiastic about the equipment than about the music. Far from it!

I have many systems ranging from $300 to over 15x that amount and I enjoy listening music thru each 1 of them. But, if you want to hear more into the music, a better system gives you that capability. I hear things more distinct on the more expensive systems, I hear more detail, better resolution than on the cheaper systems. I can still toe tap in the car or listening to an apple HomePod speaker, but if I want to hear all of the music in the best way possible, I’ll listen to music in my dedicated audio room.

ezwind's avatar
ezwind
57 posts
 

@p05129

I don't know, sometimes I get the impression that being an audiophile isn't necessarily about buying equipment, it's about talking about your equipment. But then I'm not an audiophile so what do I know? 🙄

audiorusty
267 posts
 

I understand what you are saying. I love listening to music but I have a very difficult time listening to music that has poor SQ.

Fortunately there are tools available in the market place that can alleviate and possibly eliminate the issues that you have mentioned and allow you to once again sit back and relax and enjoy the music. Some are reasonably priced others can be expensive. If you want me to go into more detail feel free to send me a pm.

simonmoon's avatar
simonmoon
476 posts
 

Not this subject again! So frustrating to me.

I am an unapologetic audiophile, yet I have none of the issues the OP mentions.

I apologize in advance if anything I say sounds condescending, but the OP contains several flaws.

First of all, it seems to imply a ’no true Scotsman’ fallacy. As if, being an audiophile negates the ability to love music first, and foremost.

When I set down to listen to music, I am fully immersed in the music. I do not sit there taking about the track. I fully am sucked in to the listening experience, not the gear. I am transported by the music.

The OP also seems to imply a false dichotomy. As if, being a music lover excludes one from being an audiophile, or vis versa. What about those of us that are both?

For at least 90% of my listening time, I completely ignore my gear. All that matters is the music.

But every once in a while, maybe an hour or two a week, I will have listening sessions where all I do is care about the gear. I listen to ’audiophile’ approved recordings, and pay attention to only how it sounds. I make changes to my system, change speaker position, move my room treatments around a bit, change a piece of gear, etc.

And you know what? That is fun too. Not as much as the time I spend just listening to music, but still fun.

The two ways of listening, and enjoying audio systems are NOT mutually exclusive.

I am sorry the OP has a ’problem’ with how the audio hobby has influenced their listing experiences, but please don’t put everyone that identifies as an audiophile in the same position.

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