Hey, we don't get no respect

Just like anything in life it depends on what it's worth to you. Unfortunately when it comes to alot of our market there are alot of products that are way over priced like th pair of speaker cables the guy is claiming he's almost giving away at 5,500 bucks. That's about what my speakers cost. I think the cable industry is the worst but there's alot of people who think the price makes the product and actually get sales.

To me I feel my enjoyment of music is worth investing the several grand I have into it. It's a pretty safe hobby. Many of our children will appreciate music more than the next person which in my mind is a nice gift.

Sdcampbell,

You say that "I haven't decided if the majority of music listeners simply aren't very particular about audio quality, or if they just don't care." Do you think it could simply be that one person's "goosebumps" is another person's "rash"!?

Therefore, I submit that it's a matter of priorities. and not absolutes, in terms of what experiences provide an individual the most stimulation. Many people who appreciate music, and have experienced all kinds of live performance, have heard my system. And they DO go "Wow!". They bring they're friends over too. AND, some of them could easily afford wall-to-wall Goldmund if they desired. They just don't desire it, and would probably use it for background music, if they listened much at all. Simply put, they don't find themselves being transported, or deriving the kind of ongoing pleasure that we do, from achieving the (near perfect) replication of a real performance in our homes. When they do happen to hear a live performance, it's more often accidental than intentional.

And let's not forget budget Home Theater systems, more specifically, the ability of video to lend a greater perception of realism to audio.

And though I cringe when one of my friends says to me "Gosh, your stereo sounds soooo much better than the Bose & Olufsen so-and-so just bought!", I do get some satisfaction knowing that at least THEY won't be wasting THEIR money on a Bose & Olufsen any time soon :~))

SDCampbell,
Your right on both counts, they don't care and they aren't concerned. Music is just backround noise for 99% of them. I've been a audiophile for over 30 years and the true joy to me is to sit down and really listen to what the artist has said with the music. Doing so on a nice system only inhances the joy of the artists gift to me.
MJW55

High quality audio/music is an acquired taste, just like many of the finer things in life. Most people, first of all, have never been exposed to a truly exceptional hi-fi music system, or if they have, it has only been for a very short period of time, maybe just a few minutes. After seeing such a huge range of reactions from people experiencing the high-end music at my house, I've realized that some people get it and some people don't. More of them might get it if they could take the time to start to listen for the subtleties and details.

The second factor is that it actually takes discipline, training and practice to truly appreciate the enjoyment level that good music on a great system can provide. I am still discovering deeper levels of appreciation for good music, because I take the money, time and effort to do so. The same evolution is also happening with my appreciation of good wines; the more I learn about them and sample and discuss them with other aficionados then the more I enjoy and appreciate the subtleties and nuances, and the more I find out what I like and don't like. Both hobbies are fun, relaxing, and rewarding. And fortunately both hobbies complement and enhance the enjoyment of the other.

As for media coverage, don't get me started on the laziness, inaccuracy, and incompetence so prevalent now in that industry.

No time to worry too much about that stuff, gotta go sample that new CD and new bottle of Pinot that I picked up today on the way home.

Cheers!

$12,000??? Look at all of the recent ads. You can buy a pair of Nautilus 800 Signatures all day long for $2,000. Jeeeeesshh!!