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 started this conversation with an idea that you know what a good system sounds like, and he does not. No offense but, what are the chances you are wrong? 

Another voice in cyberspace that says be nice. Maybe talk about toe in if pressed. KISS. If sincerely asked what they might do, that’s a different story. If they get the bug the rest might follow. 

Why do I get the feeling that the OP would think everybody’s system sounds bad except theirs?

 

@pkatsuleas 

I haven't heard anybody else's system for years so I have no idea what anybody elses system sounds like.  I just have my imagination to work with.

I'd like to think I have the best system in the world. But then I would be the most naïve person in the world.

What do you do when you visit a friend?  Tell them that their home is lovely or the food is delicious?  Or do you tell them that you have better leftovers in your fridge or your mansion is better than their home?  This is a question of basic decency.

It is the same thing with audio systems.