2. amps-preamps
  3. 191926-150037

Friends hi-fi system not very good, what do you do or say?

So you're going over to someones home and they give you a tour and they have a hi-fi system in a room. And while visiting of course they turn it on for you not knowing that you have a very nice system in your home and you notice immediately it's just not very good.  But then you're used to the very in you're listening experiences. So what do you do when they ask you what you think?

Do you say sounds really good?

Do you make suggestions?

Do you feel a desperate need to tell them about your system?

Personally, I try not to mention any details about my system. If I'm driving around in a Lamborghini I would prefer to be invisible so I don't get stared at when I get out of my car. If they had a really nice system with interesting components I would probably mention a few of the things I have and then we could bond with our common interests.   Ideally, it would be cool to be in the presence of someone who knew a lot more than I did and a real learning opportunity.

Audio systems tend to be private affairs I guess.  I don't necessarily want to hang out with someone and listen to tunes. Those wonderful College days where it made a lot of sense are long gone.

emergingsoul
2psyop's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
2psyop
1,565 posts
 

What would you expect if someone came to your house and listened to your very nice sound system and they actually spent 1.5 million on a state of the art system of their own with a dedicated custom built room and that audiophile thought yours was not that great?

sls883
311 posts
 

If my friend was happy with their system, I would probably say something like "very nice". If asked what I thought could be improved, I'd probably make a suggestion. 

A couple of years ago, an audiophile friend made a comment about my vinyl setup being a little light in the upper frequencies.  He was right, but it cost me about $4500 to fix it.  Lol.

I would not want to encourage someone to spend a lot of money if they are happy with what they have. 

kmtang's avatar
kmtang
20 posts
 

I would simply say to my friend that he/she shall audition the audio system from his/her friends to realize what good sound should be.

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
144 posts
 

I say, what a nice journey you’re on. if they look at me like what do you mean I’ve reached my destination. That’s my clue to just smile and carry on. If it’s the other way, I know I found a kindred spirit, and we can talk about such things  that are very important in life. Such as does a grounding box really work?

wlutke
725 posts
 

I always respond “sounds good!”

That makes everyone’s day.

More to discover