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Friends hi-fi system not very good, what do you do or say?

So you're going over to someones home and they give you a tour and they have a hi-fi system in a room. And while visiting of course they turn it on for you not knowing that you have a very nice system in your home and you notice immediately it's just not very good.  But then you're used to the very in you're listening experiences. So what do you do when they ask you what you think?

Do you say sounds really good?

Do you make suggestions?

Do you feel a desperate need to tell them about your system?

Personally, I try not to mention any details about my system. If I'm driving around in a Lamborghini I would prefer to be invisible so I don't get stared at when I get out of my car. If they had a really nice system with interesting components I would probably mention a few of the things I have and then we could bond with our common interests.   Ideally, it would be cool to be in the presence of someone who knew a lot more than I did and a real learning opportunity.

Audio systems tend to be private affairs I guess.  I don't necessarily want to hang out with someone and listen to tunes. Those wonderful College days where it made a lot of sense are long gone.

emergingsoul
ghdprentice
7,022 posts
 

I would say something complementary about it or having it and then mention that you you have a system and were able to improve the sound by doing X. The trick is to be tactful, interested, and helpful and offer some evidence of your knowledge and that big improvements are possible without being a Hilroy or being condescending or critical. Human nature is that someone coming in acting superior or condescending to you will ruffle your feathers and close off communication. It is all in the approach. But it offers a great opportunity to start discussing something your are passionate about and offer some assistance.

 

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,594 posts
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLTEpuhGURE&t=27s

 

DeKay

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,879 posts
 

Sounds good is what I'd say...   everyone perceives sound slightly differently.  Maybe they like it bright, dark, boomy... 

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,975 posts
 

I have a friend who is a rock star, and he's got more vinyl albums than many record shops, but his sound system is about on par with a 1970's Radio Shack setup. I tell him he should bring some of his records over to my place some time so he can hear what they really sound like, but he hasn't taken me up on it yet... 

freediver
1,212 posts
 

I just say.nice system..Most all gear looks great these days so it's not a lie & they might think it sounds great..As quickly as possible,I invite them to go listen to live music so the next time they sit down to listen to their "nice system"they might realize looking & sounding great are not the same...

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