Should people who can't solder, build or test their speakers be considered audiophiles?



  So, if you bought that Porsche but can only drive it and not fix it do you really understand and appreciate what it is? I say no. The guy who can get in there and make it better, faster or prettier with his own hands has a superior ability to understand the final result and can appreciate what he has from a knowledge base and not just a look at what I bought base. I mean sure you can appreciate that car when you drive it but if all you do is take it back to the dealership for maintenance and repairs you just like the shape with no real understanding of what makes it the mechanical marvel it is.
  I find that is true with the audio world too. There are those who spend a ton of money on things and then spend a lot of time seeking peer approval and assurance their purchase was the right one and that people are suitably impressed. Of course those who are most impressed are those who also do not design, build, test or experiment.

  I propose that an audiophile must have more than a superficial knowledge about what he listens to and must technically understand what he is listening to. He knows why things work and what his end goal is and often makes his own components to achieve this. He knows how to use design software to make speakers that you can't buy and analyze the room they are in and set up the amplification with digital crossovers and DSP. He can take a plain jane system and tweak it and balance it to best suit the room it is in. He can make it sound far better than the guy who constantly buys new components based on his superficial knowledge who does not understand why what he keeps buying in vain never quite gets there.

  A true audiophile can define his goal and with hands on ability achieve what a mere buyer of shiny parts never will. So out comes the Diana Krall music and the buyer says see how good my system is? The audiophile says I have taken a great voice and played it through a system where all was matched and tweaked or even purposely built and sits right down next to Diana as she sings. The buyer wants prestigious signature sound and the audiophile will work to achieve an end result that is faithful true to life audio as though you were in the room with Diana as she sings. The true audiophile wants true to life and not tonally pure according to someones artificial standard.

 So are you a buyer or an audiophile and what do you think should make a person an audiophile?
mahlman

Showing 36 responses by isochronism

Cursing can be an effective emotional release, especially for anger and frustration  American Psychiatric Association
Why do the Brits' drink warm beer? Because their refrigerators are made by Lucas.
OP: "I came back to see just how much this thread has degraded" .... It began at the bottom of the barrel!
mahlman, I just now perused the thread (as I don't solder) to find that statement. Either way, it is an enjoyable thread. Perhaps not quite top drawer, but underwear drawer. 😷

Three types of responses here: #1 Sincere, honest, and meaningfully helpful. How much can be said? #2 Intendingly humorous by knuckleheads like me. #3 complaints of the obvious. #1 is probably played-out. #3 respondces give #2 responses reason to continue. 
geoff, You can't take what you dish out? You delete some of your posts after I deliver comeback zingers! HA  😝
Yea, I shouldn't contribute to the nonsense. But hey,... I don't solder. Tho I DO always enjoy the helpful posts and fellowship!
You used that one also? (Seinfeld) Other's jokes? No originality? I figured you'd recognize that one. That's a first for me, as I come-up with my own material.
True audiophiles know who they (he/she) are and don't need to convince anyone. Their music is at a high level of satisfaction BUT and AND it always can be better. Systems don't NEED a turntable or be SELF-soldered.

let's be absolutely real though. A turntable SHOULD be included! Records are KING!
glubson, your question can take a back seat to the original OP topic.. soldering.
glubson, I went back to re-read the beginning of original post and you're correct there. What cockamamie thread is this anyway?? I suppose an analogy would be if you go out for a drive in a nice Porsche, you may never know where you'll end up. In regard's to your question, in the true nature of Porsche, there should only be room for two. In the evolution of the mark anything is now permissible. I'd very very satisfied with an old air-cooled car.
Yes, you are as healthy as any highly evolved (read obsessive) audiophile can be expected. Meaning normal in this group 👍
Geoff' bad experience in schools came from him being forced to wear the pointy hat often, i.e.: Dunce Cap.

You use that fish in a barrel joke quite often. Perhaps it's time to replace your trusty joke book, the pages must be tattered by now anyway. Hey, how about trying monkey's in a barrel for a change. Nothing's more fun than, ... you know. 🐵
Geoff, Yesterday a post of mine was removed. Going by Agon's guidelines of the four offered reasons, in their email to me, abuse towards another member" had to be it. The only member it possibly be toward is you. Was I wrong? 😔
Geoff is the life of the asylum!! The stories he come's back with from his daily work program outing, has the other patients rolling in the padded room. He love's music so much, before they give him back his Walkman, they have him wear his special "audiophile jacket". They call it that, so he feel's good about himself. It is white and ties (his arms) in the back, so he won't hurt himself. Yeeeesss we all love geoffee. There there, they say.
mahlman, This may seem like an obscure question, but do you happen to wear a wristwatch, and maybe own a couple?
Robert, I tried to be clear that I DO understand the OP's intentions regarding this thread. I also enjoy it and all of the responses including your's. We are occupying the same playground and game. Fair play is always preferred, although not required in admittance. We can self-referee.
malhman, I asked about a wristwatch because I know many that like them VERY. much, but can't service their own at all. Btw, I have certainly been enjoying this thread and the many responses, kudos. roberttdid, if during your door experiment, the door you went through was an EXIT, I'm sure you missed the applause of all of those remaining inside. 😊 
CNC along with Computer Design is making great strides in Watchmaking. Good on you mahlman, in your career!
Jerry, You may not understand. Mine has a cute cartoon mouse on it. But the best part, and get this ...... his arms go around and ACTUALLY point to the numbers that tell the time! Honest Injun!!! You may not know this, but some men will pick a watch that they think will impress the ladies. Let me tell ya'... this one SURE does, and how!!!! 
briansjacobs is referring to snobbery, in which I fully agree with his perspective. I was (am) a watchmaker, hence I had answered to avsherry above. I can appreciate all levels that enthusiasts own. Btw, having a wristwatch isn't really about telling time 🙄 Brian's offer to "share mine with you" is much appreciated, although it best be an Eames or that not a chair acceptable for my derriere. 🙄
One look at your page, mahgister, tell's that you are serious about this stuff ...... and on a whole other level. 👍