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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
freediver
1,173 posts
 

I just say.nice system..Most all gear looks great these days so it's not a lie & they might think it sounds great..As quickly as possible,I invite them to go listen to live music so the next time they sit down to listen to their "nice system"they might realize looking & sounding great are not the same...

theophile's avatar
theophile
234 posts
 

If I'm listening to the worst system I ever heard, and I'm asked about it, I'll reply:

 

"I've never heard anything like it in my life"

 

Hoping they don't want more detail.

spenav
424 posts
 

The best thing you can do is to invite that friend to your house to listen to your system. Of course after you say something nice about his. Then play some music that he is familiar with and see his reaction. Offer advice only if asked for. Otherwise, don’t say anything. That same thing happened to me, except that I was the friend with the crappy system. 

samureyex's avatar
samureyex
144 posts
 

If you’re friends and he doesn’t know you have the same hobby. Are you really friends? I hardly doubt it.

If I met someone and they try to hide the fact that they also have a dedicated system of their own, that would probably be my last invitation.

I also find your comment about the Lambo pretentious.

I own a relatively "nice system" myself, running electrostats but I also enjoy my $70 Moondrop aria earphone. If one loves audio, well... idk but not like this.

 

If you find my direct post offensive, I apologize in advance.

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,036 posts
 

@hilroy48 

"I am an asshole that way, I don't mince words. I tell people what I think if they ask period. Not my fault if their feelings get hurt. Life's tough, wear a helmet."

Yes, I think you're right.

As they say. "Know thyself."

 

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