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

You're close to the third rail here....."Honey do I look fat in these jeans?"  The easy answer is a redirect.  Don't talk about your system or his but embrace the brotherhood of the hobby and invite him over to your room.

it's a great conversation starter if they ask what you think. Tell them about your journey, how much fun it is, how they can improve their system. You can be constructive without hurting their feelings. 

I always start with the extremes and put things in perspective. It's very possible that they are not hearing what we do. Their system may perform well for their criteria. Incremental changes are not one way but the best way to learn and appreciate this passion

Are you consciously going to change your friends life? If you start them down the path of your sickness will you someday be sorry? Think of the money you have spent. Then ask yourself can your "friend" bear the same burden. Oh woe is me. I am so glad I don't have any friends left for me to drag down this musical nightmare. That's the long version. Short version is "Yup, sounds good."

If we're only talking about audiophile friends, I've had long discussions with friends about every single aspect of audio, everything out in open and we don't have to agree on everything.

If there are constructive suggestions you could make about placement, set-up, I would not be afraid to offer those, but would not condescend. Do you really have a Lambo? I did, the last of the Diablos, a 6.0 built under Audi ownership circa 2001- gorgeous car but hardly under the radar- I had kids running on my blind side (most of the car is blind sided except looking forward) to take photos. That car attracted a lot of attention. Rosso Vik (candy apple red), snow corn white interior with red piping, carbon fibre dash. Tres exotic for the money when I had it. Long gone.