Girlfriends and wifes, how do YOU cope?

I am lucky because my wife understands how important music and a quality audio system is to me. When I want to upgrade and finances permit she supports me all the way.

Play something they like and they're enthralled as well

I love my wife. I also love my music. Let me just say, it ain't easy.

It would be great if my wife liked most of the music I do. She doesn't.

It would be great if my wife tolerated the volume I like to listen to music at. She doesn't.

It would be great if my wife would understand how much I love my music and then just let me play it when I want as loud as I want. She doesn't.

I've played for her upgraded equipment to show her how much better it sounded. She agreed it sounded better. Nothing else changed.

I told her about the concept of "the wife factor", that millions of guys go through this, that she's being a cliche. She was not impressed.

I love my wife. I also love my music. Let me just say, it ain't easy.

Soulgoober, I understand completely. The answer for me was to change my working hours so they differ from hers. I still see her, but not as much, and I have more time with the music while she's at work. This may not work for everyone, but I'm happy. :)

Cheers,
John

I think I said this before, but the answer is
headphones, headphones, headphones. I know most folks don't
think they can substitute for speakers, and I didn't
believe it either, but they have their own special
charms that become addictive. This is especially true
with a high-quality source and top-notch (possibly tube)
amplification. You REALLY hear what
the components (and cables and everything upstream) are
doing, for better or worse, and you will gain a new appreciation of high end equipment.
The intimacy and detail can be astounding and truly satisfying, just in a different way from speakers.
And there is soundstaging, image separation, and
other spatial information associated with speakers.
Also, things have improved a lot in the last 10 years
or so. It's a nice adventure if you go down this path.
It is a true alternative to speakers, and maybe even preferable. (And no worrying about room acoustics.)
I'm just a long time headphone fan, and I have no
role in the audio business whatsoever, I'm just speaking from the heart here. (I'm also got a wife and have had to
adapt to making love and personal music harmonize.)