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
thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,361 posts
 

"I invited him and his dog, to my home to cook him a meal in return."

You invited him and his dog, but not his wife?! Interesting dynamic.

derfman66
13 posts
 

https://youtu.be/jsfhhpaq4yc?si=xqQmmBruqwypyBAY

retiredfarmer's avatar
retiredfarmer
342 posts
 

Get up and go in another room. Lol just like a hifi store walk out. Lol

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,040 posts
 

Irjones many times that’s what happen. Your friend is not that interested to learn on audio. At times  , their stereo are just there for display.iig happens to me. My friend invited me when Iam new with this hobby. Because i don’t understand the amazing and glorious musicality of his system. I end up also asking Him about their Persian rugs. Five years later I beg him to invite me because this time , Iam more interested and did appreciate his system.

livinon2wheels
46 posts
 

I tend to take the attitude that if they own it and seem to like it, my opinion is irrelevant. I have a friend who is fond of saying "good enough for who it's for" and we all draw the line in the sand that separates acceptable and non-acceptable in a different place. It seems most audiophiles are on the side of its never good enough...and I find it very hard to constantly be dissatisfied.

If asked questions about setup or what I think in general I will respond with polite answers until I am sure they can handle and really want the truth. Then I will offer my opinion. "more power for these speakers wouldnt hurt"  "a bit closer to the wall might help solidify bass response" Moving your listening position out of the bass null in the room will help make for a better listening experience and so on. Not openly critical but suggesting tweaks to make whats there work better. If they are good friends and you know they are open to this by working with them to improve it, you get the satisfaction of helping another person you like along their audio journey. And like the Grateful Dead said, "what a long strange trip its been"

More to discover