A neighbour once asked for advice re buying a hifi. He literally hyper ventilated over all three (perhaps 4) of my then systems he listened to. We went to several stores, I was well known at each of them. He listened very intently. He then choose the cheapest item at each store. The amp sounded bright, thin and tinny. The speakers were worse, the CD player was actually a DVD player although the system was for music only, but is was $50. All the items purchased were old stock, discontinued or damaged. The three together were a disaster. He was convinced it sounded as good as anything else he had heard. To my knowledge he still has it but shows no further interest in playing it or listening to anything else. To most people (99% of the population) saying you spent $500 on a pair of speakers would convince them you are crazy.
Do You Tell Others How Much You Have Invested in Your System?
Putting security and personal safety issues aside, do you share with others how much you have invested in your system?
I can see cases when we share with those who are generally interested what the "tariff" is for superb audio reproduction. Or, those who are already know how tall you have to be to ride the ride.
Can you think of any other reasons (accountants, lawyers, insurance, etc)? Afterall, when your spouses second cousin pulls in the driveway in their Minivan, bragging about fact that you have $10k invested in cables may not be the best way show common interests?
What say you?