First time I ever went over to my wife's house, she had Al DiMeola playing over a classic pair of JBLs. She had no reason to know that would impress me (on both counts). She's very interested in music, having taken up playing the guitar a couple years ago, but she keeps her distance from the electronics. I'm not sure why - if I ever get her to sit down and listen, she realizes it's awesome, but I suppose if she ever let on that she enjoyed it, she thinks it would just fuel the fire. She's always been okay with my expenditures, though I'm the wage earner so she probably doesn't think she can put the total kabosh on them. It's the only really expensive thing I do, so I don't see how she can have too much of a problem with it.
The partner or wife factor
Most of us don't live alone. We have to contend with the people, we share our living space with. This can be a huge asset to our hobby, sometimes a detriment. Sometimes, listening with a loved one can deepen our involvement with the music and shared hobbies are a source of joy through the years, sometimes the hobby can be a continual source of bickering and trigger resentment and,in a worst case setting, separation either from the system or from the partner. I personally, in my long life, have both met with intelligent support for, but also viscious resentment of my gear, as systems and partners changed.( Systems more than parners) The shortest episode, hilarious actually, was when a ladyfriend , led by me proudly to the listening area , shrieked "electrosmog....!!" You can rest assured, she didn't stay very long. What about your experiences? Joyful, painful, helpful, destructive, funny or amorous ones? Very curious....