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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
tkrtrb125
373 posts
 

Nothing. Just smile.

vetsc5
27 posts
 

Suggest that as a friend that is being hosted as a guest that you keep any references to their audio system positive.  Maybe a dialogue opener like, "Hey, I'm into audio also, let's get together at our place so you can check out our rig." If they ask you what you think of their rig/sound just keep it positive.  Sometimes little  "white lies" are ok to save feelings/friendships.  When you host them at your home you can share your rig and ask their opinions.  At that point your friends and you may start a dialogue about your rig/SQ.  It's a process that you should allow to develop.  Hope this is helpful/

emergingsoul OP
1,167 posts
 

And maybe you're extremely lucky to become friends with a supermodel who invites you back to her place and when you walk in you see the most amazing hi-fi system.  And of course you being a knowledgeable person about all hi-fi components, this is a really interesting Challenge to deal with.

you have already succeeded with a lifetime achievement and basically are assured that your night will only get better, and I mean a lot better.

But you're tempted to start talking about this beautiful girls audio system and maybe she knows absolutely nothing about audio systems.  So what do you do? Maybe she knows a hell of a lot more than you do.  Horrible situation? How incredibly stupid it would be to start talking about acoustical panels or amplifier power or what cables are being used.  Of course if you ignore the system she may have concerns that you're not as sophisticated as she thought and would actually expect you to make some comments.  So much to admire and you're being distracted by a really nice hi-fi system.

I'm sure many have had that happen to them and I'm curious to know what they have done.

rcm1203's avatar
rcm1203
98 posts
 

I never debut my system for others because I really don't want or need their input. I built it for me, to sound the way I wanted it to sound, and I'm perfectly happy with the result.

squared80's avatar
squared80
124 posts
 

Generally, sound is subjective. If you know that, the answer to your question is pretty simple. 

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