An audiophile dilemma

There is no dilemma in an absolute sense; far more capable (and yes, far more expensive) speakers are abundant.

The dilemma may be fiscal, prompting a desire to believe that inexpensive or cross-application (these JBL's are for P.A. applications with plywood cabinet and Class D - I'm sure not too svelte - amps) speakers are every bit as good as elite products. :)

When a person moves into a hobby and the primary goal is preservation of their money - that is, they will not "invest" into the development of the hobby in their life in any serious way through travel, expense for education, equipment, etc. - the result is an under-developed hobbyist. For them beginner to Novice level is all they will attain, regardless of how advanced they think they are.

Anyone who has been in audio or any other itensive hobby knows that IT is a lot more involved, costs more time, and is FAR more gratifying than a beginning effort.

An example...
I used to visit a lady who as crazy for African Violets. She was quite involved in the African Violet Society! Her entire basement was converted into a greenhouse, with shop lights hung from the floor joists above and table after table of potted flowers - all African Violets. She manned booths at shows, sold them, and had them all over her house. She had variegated types and had come up with a couple of her own hybrids, I believe. She was REALLY into African Violets.

You, Rok2id, are not like that woman. You are like a person who goes to a gardening store, buys an African Violet and thinks they have a lot of experience with African Violets. :(

If I am badly mistaken with the following assessment, please forgive me. I am guessing that your audio system is your first serious effort (or very close) at making a high end rig. It would explain why you are so dogmatic about defending inexpensive gear. When I was younger with no disposable income to speak of, no experience, and a firmly established ceiling on component cost, I was just like you. I wanted desperately for it to be true that the inexpensive stuff was every bit as good, and if it wasn't every bit as good, it was close enough that I could laugh at those who spent so much...

It wasn't.

Thankfully, opinions change with experience and maturity. :)

Now, maybe you have spent twenty years flipping $500-1,000 gear. In that case you are not much further ahead than the other scenario. :(

This is to say nothing of the value of enjoyment of the music. It is a legitimate decision for lifestyle to preserve ones financial picture as opposed to injuring it with extravagant expenditures such as audio gear. If you have not the means to "go big" then it is great blessing to be content with whatever level you can achieve in your hobby!

But that in no way means it is the same experience as more serious enthusiasts have. :)

Rok2id, everyone makes assumptions, as you have. I will point out two things to put your awe, good or bad, into perspective:

1. It seems you had an "aquisition problem" which you needed to quit, as you say, "I was out of control." You are to be commended for reining in the impulsivity, which would not be easy. This would make perfect sense why you now own a modest rig and do not seek to hear every new/hot item. When one has to practice a forced contentment to combat impulses then an aggressive stance against the demon of desire is good!

But, did your acquisition fever switch to media? How big is your media collection? I find it interesting how some audiophiles have a "media bias," in that they think they are a bit better than gearheads. My media collection is quite small. I have very defined taste/criteria for my listening, as well as for its performance, so I have not spent tens of thousands on media (If the numbers are crunched it is scary how much can be spent in a lifetime on media!). The media I have is dearly loved and used; I don't have hundreds of pieces of media sitting around unused. But the media I play is exquisitely performed, just the way I like.

I'm actually quite pleased by this now that I can get the world online. I feel vindicated that I didn't spend tens of thousands on media but put the money on systems to play it back. I think that was a wise move long term. And look what I have to show for it - a nice audio system with variety to it rather than stacks and stacks of discs collecting dust and only one form of expression of the music. Some people justify spending $20-25 for an album which will sit along with dozens of others. All those $20-25 decisions I chose to put toward systems. I use all the stuff I buy, gear and media, so that could be a difference between us, perhaps.

Yes, I LOVE the equipment, which is why I focus on it rather than stacks of discs. Some people take pictures to proudly show off their media collection, but no one says, "How shallow! What a waste! Look at all the unnecessary money they spent..." Pursuit of variety in systems is every bit as legitimate a hobby in audiophilia as collecting media and having a more modest system. It may be that you have spent as much as I have when media and system is combined.

2. You misconstrue my agenda; I could have one fantastic speaker system, but have learned about myself that is not what brings me more satisfaction. I am trying to broaden the understanding in the community that a variety of technology at whatever level and price point is as compelling - I assert even more compelling - as having "the One," the supposed perfect speaker. A guy with a variety of three good $1K speakers may have far more fun and enjoyment than having one $5K speaker. This is not to be taken as endorsement of poorer quality, but of variety being a compelling element to enjoyment. Even though I point that out generally in my comments on the system, you seemed to have simply looked at the pics and drawn a hasty conclusion.

3. Lastly, I have spent 20 plus years of consistent annual budgeting and controlled spending on audio to attain a very high level. If you want to call that getting even for something, feel free. I call that sensible, successful and blessed long term planning and execution.

I am done with our discussion. Blessings to you. :)

BTW, you have excellent taste in affordable audio racks. :)