My take …. A couple of things
(1) Understand your differing orbits before you compare them
There is likely a chasm between the respective party perspectives when a guest is considering expressing feedback or an opinion on the homeowner’s audio system capabilities.
Unless the homeowner is actually clearly asking for an unvarnished opinion (and can properly appreciate any constructive criticism on how they can improve it….) . Assess FIRST where the homeowner resides on the Yellow Brick Road to Audio OZ.
Mostly based on a homeowner’s resistance to opening up his budget, the guest critic’’s “not very good ..” is in constant tension with the homeowner’s position of “ ‘good enough”, with his cheerful acceptance of its present limitations, shortfalls, and warts ….fine but important distinction..
(2) Regrettably , most people can’t handle the truth …full stop.
@hilroy48 already alluded to this embedded in his witty sarcasm in his post above.
TAKEAWAY:
So choose your words wisely.
The one exception might be where you are first provoked and the proverbial gauntlet has been tossed in circumstances where the homeowner pontificates that his “race to the bottom” cheap-as-you-get it price budget system somehow meets or beats your high- end system.
We have saw these in YouTube as barkers and false prophets preaching to a very small cohort of misguided disciples.
Otherwise,,,@lanx0003 ….+1