What do you care about in this hobby?

@mapman - I won't call you shallow because there's nothing shallow about wanting things in your living environment that please you aesthetically... 

Sound quality is far and away the most important and fun aspect to listening to music.  I can listen to any genre ( well almost) so long as the sound quality, clarity and soundstage is there. Sound quality is my personal perception not something that is measurable, 
 

Everything else are tools to get there.

Hobby?

@mopsauce Many consider it  hobby!

listening to music as hobby - Search

Part of my point is of course subjective sound quality is the thing that matters most to anyone in this club.  The question then is what else of a more objective nature is important towards achieving that goal, if anything?   I’m sure many could care less about specs, measurements, build quality including quality of parts, etc.  Personally I am a technical person, an engineer by trade for almost 40 years now.   I hear very satisfying sound at all price points.  How do you decide?   To me quality of design and build is what helps assure good sound.   But what does that mean?  Quality design is a given.   How much in material parts are needed and what will it cost me?  If it sounds good to me but measures very poorly in comparison to other products that is a big red flag.