Why Don't More People Love Audio?


Can anyone explain why high end audio seems to be forever stuck as a cottage industry? Why do my rich friends who absolutely have to have the BEST of everything and wouldn't be caught dead without expensive clothes, watch, car, home, furniture etc. settle for cheap mass produced components stuck away in a closet somewhere? I can hardly afford to go out to dinner, but I wouldn't dream of spending any less on audio or music.
tuckermorleyfca6
Of all the musicians, music fanatics, and recording industry people I know, none of them are into high end audio. I'm involved in a couple music forums, and some of the people there will go to huge lengths to acquire hard to get recordings, insisting that they are in lossless format, but have very modest systems. Most of them use the stock audio card on their computer and run of the mill stereos or computer speakers. They are uninterested in my occasional hi-fi ramblings. Unconvinced at what a difference an outboard DAC (even a cheap one) will make. The same seems to be true of most of my musician friends.

This to me blows away the argument that if people really put a priority on music, they'd appreciate hi-fi. Although some audiophiles may be music fans, hi-fi often becomes a means unto itself. And the music fanatics probably understand what a good system will do, but are content in that they don't need one to enjoy their music.
Cause most people couldnt hear a difference between them unless the circumstances were extreme. I've been in the music industry for along time, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people can't hear music at all. Most wouldn't know clear from buzzy. Lossless from a low quality ripped mp3. And I won't even get into bright and warmth, and a smooth top to bottom speaker. This is from people who are in the recording/studio industry!!

If a person could tell the difference, they would spend the money. It's not a matter of rich vs poor IMO. Most people think Bose is still great, just because the marketing says so, and the fact there ears can't tell them otherwise.

Just my opinions
It is certainly puzzling, to say the least. I have a friend who I grew up with. We both love music in the recorded and live form. On a couple of occasions I have offered to do a demo at my house with a couple of speaker and amps types, but to no avail. He is fine plugging his iPod into his car stereo and listening to that. The same thing at home, Ipod into a tiny little planar speaker, and I mean tiny. We both started out on the same road in high school and college, with similar systems. Puzzling, especially as he is highly intelligent and makes exceptional money. I dunno, I just gave up. :)
'Why Don't More People Love Audio?'

Do you really have to ask? Just read this forum for a few days and then try to imagine what a newbie to audio would think.

A more precise question would be; why aren't more people obsessed with audio EQUIPMENT, TWEAKS and Accessories?
I love to watch sports, both in person and (mostly) on TV. But I could care less if it's on a big screen, Hi Def, etc. My friend has a big screen Hi Def surround system and now that I think of it he chides me because I have, and am perfectly happy with, my lo def 20" screen or whatever it is with the TV speakers. His super system really does nothing to enhance my experience.
Never really thought of it before, but I guess it's similar to what Dalecrommie describes about his friend (except for the highly intelligent and exceptional money parts).