This is so weird, but no, absolutely no, audio equipment, speakers in general being the cause of mental illness? No. People obsess over many things, speakers and audio probably at a much lower rank than other obsessions. Automotive would probably rank higher. There isn't anything going on in the world of audio in regards to personalities, habits or behaviors that is unique to the world of audio. And if one can't fathom that possibility then I say get out more, be involved in other hobbies.
I think there are some privileged folks (or irresponsible) who have the means and desire to be on the constant chase for the best sound and I don't think they will ever attain it or even know when they have. There is no end in sight for them. Until you hear it, you don't really know what the "best" or "better" really sounds like, you can read volumes about it and never know how that really sounds to your ears.
Regarding unhappiness, I think that's just a function of the level of understanding some of us have when it comes to this hobby (if you want to call it that). I've seen and experienced some pricey setups which were less than ideally setup and performed as such. The brand and dollar amount simply won't save them. Some will have all sorts of reasons for not getting the basics right, and run straight for expensive gear. Too bad for them that they may never get it right. Can't help them. The rest, I don't think are running around buying tons of equipment on some endless chase. Some do it because they find it fun and still take the time to do things right simply for the experience. Some haven't found that right combination, that's understandable, there's a wide variety of gear out there.
If I had the funds and square footage, I'd have a play room or two or three to mess around with different setups. I'd want planars in one, open bafffle in another, and dynamic enclosed in another, and of course a dedicated home theater. (I'd also have a dedicated billiard room, I need that, badly.) Does my wanting to have different setups to be able to have different playback experiences make me mentally ill?
Some day a forum will exist where constructive conversation around the hobby can take place and be devoid of the constant questioning and criticism of the hobby.
I think there are some privileged folks (or irresponsible) who have the means and desire to be on the constant chase for the best sound and I don't think they will ever attain it or even know when they have. There is no end in sight for them. Until you hear it, you don't really know what the "best" or "better" really sounds like, you can read volumes about it and never know how that really sounds to your ears.
Regarding unhappiness, I think that's just a function of the level of understanding some of us have when it comes to this hobby (if you want to call it that). I've seen and experienced some pricey setups which were less than ideally setup and performed as such. The brand and dollar amount simply won't save them. Some will have all sorts of reasons for not getting the basics right, and run straight for expensive gear. Too bad for them that they may never get it right. Can't help them. The rest, I don't think are running around buying tons of equipment on some endless chase. Some do it because they find it fun and still take the time to do things right simply for the experience. Some haven't found that right combination, that's understandable, there's a wide variety of gear out there.
If I had the funds and square footage, I'd have a play room or two or three to mess around with different setups. I'd want planars in one, open bafffle in another, and dynamic enclosed in another, and of course a dedicated home theater. (I'd also have a dedicated billiard room, I need that, badly.) Does my wanting to have different setups to be able to have different playback experiences make me mentally ill?
Some day a forum will exist where constructive conversation around the hobby can take place and be devoid of the constant questioning and criticism of the hobby.