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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
testpilot
949 posts
 

I work out every day and eat really healthy and for some reason when I tell my friends that they look fat, ugly and out of shape….and that I can help them, it’s not taken well.  What’s wrong with them?  

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,882 posts
 

I mounted  two 75"  TVs for a friend this week.    His "stereo"  was a $260 sound bar / sub.  It sounded horrible....  what do you say to a friend?   Nothing.  "Way better than TV speakers"  is what I said.    For them it was great.   Such a small percentage of people place a high priority on SQ like members here do. 

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,441 posts
 

@testpilot ,

If you have ugly friends you can compliment them by telling them they have a face for radio...

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jji666
537 posts
 

I reference the brand of their gear and say "they make some really good stuff." 

I also say that "we're a dying breed...most people don't have any pride in their gear if they have any gear at all...glad to see you are enjoying it." 

That said, I have a relationship with a close friend where we are more direct and honest.  He told me my Focal BE tweeters were too bright once and I could never enjoy those speakers again. He insisted I fly down for his birthday and I said I wouldn't unless he ordered a separate DAC and preamp to assume 2-channel duties from his AVR and we'd install while I was there. Before we installed the gear he wanted me to compliment his speakers.  I said they had potential and just wait an hour. We got the new (used Parasound) amp and DAC/preamp installed and his jaw hit the floor.  But this was a long debate we'd had for years so it wasn't like he wasn't ready for the stipulation. 

vonharaland's avatar
vonharaland
56 posts
 

Have a heart and check out their albums, the sound ain't that bad.

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