Why Don't More People Love Audio?

Value,

If they can get the price down they can mass market it. But look how it is now. For the price of a high end computer Audiofites can't even buy one wire. The computer has 80% of the sound at 5% the price. If they said for double the price of the computer you could have ultimate sound. Somebody might go for it. But the way it is, double the price of a computer will barely by one component. And the Audiofites do not agree what that one component should be.

I suspect this sentiment has already been expressed, but as a neophyte audiophile (meaning, I am learning an audiophile appreciation for sound, but may or may not ever have the resources to support the hobby), high end audio is like a foreign language.

At the Capital Audio Fest last weekend, I had limited time, and didn't recognize enough names to even guess which rooms would be best to visit. And saying that, I've grown up with a Dad who is into vintage audio, so I understand some part of the audiophile world, but the names I recognize are often of companies that are no longer around, from a time when no one would have dreamed of spending thousands (or even hundreds) of dollars on cable.

My impression of newer audio is that it is very hard to access. The friends I know who are well off are all that way because they work hard, and they try to be knowledgable in their hobbies. The entry hurdle for even speaking the language of high-end audio is simple too esoteric to make it a good value equation for most people with lots of disposable income.

And music is a time-consuming hobby in and of itself. Collecting and keeping track of high-quality source material, plus then making the time to listen to it, especially time to listen without distractions, is almost unthinkable.

B&O exists because it succeeds in providing an upmarket product that is visually appealing, fits in with high-end decor, and sounds better than Bose--at least in in-store demos. It's also in place in the right kinds of shopping areas, that cater to other high-dollar shopping habits. It also takes very little time to understand, set up or enjoy.

At some point with wealth, convenience seems to be the trump card, and high-end audio is not convenient and certainly not quickly accessible.

Some people are afraid of feeling emotions because then they are not in control of themselves. Other people do not have an emotional response to music so it does nothing for them.

There is definitely a different type of emotional component from listening to music that does not happen with other activities, like bungee jumping for example.

what does music and emotion have to do with so-called 'high end' audio? A person can experience emotion from listening to music on a boom box or table radio. Or even just humming a tune to yourself.

one can analyze the question until the cows come in , but there is an obvious answer.

people have different tastes. some like boats, expensive cars, art objects, etc. . those who are passionate about a particular hobby, may have no interest in another.

time is also a consideration. if someone is involved in other pursuits, there may be no time left for another hobby which is time consuming

think of a persons's available leisure time as a pie. the pie is divided into slices. each slice may represent a desired activity. for some, audio is not a desirable activity because other interests will supersede it.

it's just a matter of priorities.