When someone listens to your system for the first time.

2 from the local “audio club” came by. They were “interested to hear” my system. Both are Naim snobs and devout forum status nooks so my feeling was they wanted to come and toss it. 
1 left after an hour and the other stayed 4 hours. My gear list doesn’t make many peoples mouths water but she’s got it where it counts.

Most people that come over and l invite them to listen to my Stereo system, l have to somehow convince them to not stand off to the side and actually please sit in my listening spot. When they do l can tell most are not really understanding what they are really listing to. Some get it, but not many unfortunately 

Mercy.. Little touchy are we?.. Better to sip not GULP.. :-)

dawgfish, that sounds lovely, I bet you would of loved to have Clapton in the next room, if that were true I imagine your guests would of been floored and they never would of left.

My wife and I hosted a dinner party for another couple a few weeks back, and I was spinning Eric Clapton "Unplugged" in the LR while we ate in the adjacent (mostly open) dining room.  The husband had been to our house a few times, but it was the wife's first visit.  Her comment, "But that system makes it sound like Clapton's in the next room!"  And that was from a distance...

Happy Listening!

It's no good bringing over people (non-audiophiles) to evaluate nothing because they have no experience to evaluate. Most regular people just want to turn it (your system) in to a juke box.

You did something wrong. "D" is for Distributed. Not Defecation.

Five subwoofers can also have an effect. We once had a couple over with a small child and the kid insisted on viewing one of the Jurassic Park movies we had. During one of the T-Rex chase scenes the entire room was rumbling and shaking and our furniture was rattling, and you just KNEW the damn T-Rex WAS IN THE ROOM about to EAT you! 😱😳😱

When the T-Rex finally let loose a ferociously loud roar (just before he actually DID eat someone on the big screen), the poor urchin literally sh#t his pants and began crying and shaking uncontrollably. Yep, five subwoofers can cause a small child to sh#t their pants while jumbling the guts and flapping the pant legs of the adults in the room 😱

...ahahaha..the gas fireplace center-channel trick!...and the mow-centric neighbor.  My neighbor with a large field vies for having "hand" on who nearby has most recently mowed...the John Deere often fires up just before my post work nap or some sweetspot time.  :)

It is endlessly interesting to me how visitors react to a good system.  My favorite immediate response from wife's friend was, "VISCERAL!"  Another is music lovers taking notes on the music being played.  And, yes, some simply don't react or find the room tuning more a curiosity than the music.  Ya takes your chances.  

Many years ago, a lovely young lady stopped by, waiting for her boyfriend to join us.  My sweetspot was then a futon and I watched from a distance.  Her entire body and face transformed as she melted into the music.  It was one of the sexiest things I'd ever witnessed without being lustful.

I've read that maybe 5% of the population shares our interest in hi fi, the vast majority male.  I have a nearby friend who equally shares my level of interest and passion.  Fortunately, he lives nearby and we have a grand time evaluating and improving our systems.  His space is VAST with a 30' ceiling and 26' side walls with an open backwall.  My space is the opposite.  We both have to adjust to each's environment before settling in.  What truly makes it great is we mostly share music flavors.  His recent upgrade to a Lampizator 7 Lite DAC running 300B tubes is a game changer.  Onwards!

More Peace, Pin

I am 49 with older brothers.  We grew up in the peak of the Bose era.  We all had at least a couple models.  This is where I feel my brother is confused.

He had a system many years ago while living in a cinder block room with a Carver receiver and some monitor speakers.  He had no rug nor any treatment whatsoever.

He has been in my house a few times and while my space is a bit unorthodox, it does have a nice soundstage with well defined vocals, instruments and somewhat of 3 dimensionality.  

All he had to say is that it sounds good but it isn't anything like his old system.  He could hear sounds coming from all over the room.  I tried to explain.....that isn't reaallllly what you want.  I had to just let it go.

My friends can’t tell difference between a  30K stereo or a jvc receiver with a pair of white van speakers. 

I've seen all over the spectrum.  some are like wow and just sit and listen and begin to understand why.  some seem to enjoy it, but start singing and become too busy singing to actually listen.  some could care less, but they generally don't listen to music.  

I had one friend who ask why i never listen to music in my truck - after listening to my system - understand why i don't bother unless it can sound like this.

They faint.....

First time Forums poster here. Hello everyone!
The shared knowledge here at Agon is incredible and hopefully I can offer something useful to its vast knowledge base. As far as different equipment speak goes I'm not very knowledgeable having a limited budget and experience.
This thread really gave me a good chuckle with some of you posting about friends not believing you were only running two speakers. I've had the same response regarding my center imaging running only two channel. I've also gotten similar responses when people hear the image width of certain CD's go beyond the outside of the speakers. Getting the "How is that possible!?!?" comments along with the sense of disappearing speakers.

As far as people not caring, there's the better half who can hear the differences, but has no interest in the hobby itself. When I started in it about 20 years back I couldn't distinguish much either, but thanks to experienced listeners I was instructed and taught exactly what to listen for. Thankfully with a lot of listening and comparing efforts it did pay off for me. When I first heard my best friend, a non-hobbyist, say "You really have the best sounding system I've ever heard" it gave me a lot of satisfaction knowing my efforts were not going unnoticed.
Currently running...
Classé DR-6 pre-amp
Perreaux PMF 1150b (waiting on its big brother the PMF 2150b)
Sony SCD-1 CD/SACD player
Unity Audio CLA 1 Fountainhead Signature speakers changed to custom maple cabinetry with slightly larger dimensions for better bass response
Grover Huffman Empress IC's and speaker cable
Black Sand Silver Reference Mark IV power cord (from Richard Gray RGPC 400S Mark II line conditioner to wall)
Black Sand Statement One power cord (from SCD-1 to Richard Gray)
Also have a Nakamichi BX-300 that requires some maintenance work before being apart of the chain

My best friend always says "Everything sounds so clear"......Yeah, I answer I'm working on improving it all the time....

I’ve put together a system to present acoustic music at its best, and I like it. But when my brother came over and wanted to hear The Rolling Stones, I knew he was about to be underwhelmed. “I want to feel a punch in my chest,” he says, something my Magnepan .7s just don’t do. To each his own. I want the timbre to be just right on orchestral instruments, what I hear at live performances. 

My friends always ask, "how is that possible".  Always because the room and the speakers disappear.   

A lot of my younger friends grew up listening to mp3's and music on YouTube with generic earbuds or computer speakers, etc. When they hear an actual stereo system they're very impressed. 

I had two people over the other day. As soon as I fired the system up they started laughing. I asked what was so funny and they said nothing. You see a good system can bring out the best in people.

@icudoc, That's it, I need a fireplace between my speakers. 

If I could convince one person there was a speaker on the bottom of my turntable motor (until they approached it for a closer listen),
I know someone will fall for the ole' "speaker in the fireplace"

Reactions I have had are:
Wow you don't have a subwoofer?
I hear everything! 
Never heard so much detail.
Your room is actually treated.
One didn't really compliment but stayed 4 hours none the less.
They ask me What are those speakers? They show a lot of interest in them. A few were not that impressed.
I'm 59 years old and this has been my main hobby for 40 years. I have slowly built a system that is the most I can absolutely afford. I know there's better equipment and better rooms but I'm happy. Below is my system for people that have asked the responders.

1.Marantz SA-10 SACD player.

Acoustic Signiture Final Tool TT modded with with a platter containing 24 brass and rubber silencers to negate the ringing of the aluminum platter. Two new motors enclosed in a quieter housing with a new type of belt. The tonearm is a Graham 2.2 with an interchangeable ceramic tone arm.

The cartridge is an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze re tipped by Soundsmith. I also have an Ortofon 2m Black, a Dynavector 20X2, and a Shure M97xe with a Jico SAS stylus.

2.Acoustech PH1 P phono preamp.

3.Bryston 17b 3 preamp.

4.Bryston 14b 3 amp.

Cassette decks.

5.Nakamichi Dragon.

6.Tandberg 3914a not shown

7. Nakamichi 700II not shown.

8. Sony WM D6C

8.JVC TD 711.

9.PS Audio P1000 power regenerater.

10.OHM Acoustics Walsh 5000 speakers.

Headphones--------

1. Grado PS 500 with upgraded pads with Ear Zonk premium 15 ft extension cable .

2. Grado SR 60 with modded pads and mahogany pucks on the outside.

3. Audio Technica ATH-M50X.

Cables-------

1. Kimber Kable silver phone cable.

2. Pangea interconnects.

3. Kimber 12tc 24 strand AWG 8 ga speaker cable.

4. PS Audio power cables.

Miscellaneous

1. Record Doctor vacuum record cleaner.

2. 19 Per Madsen record storage units and 8 stained apple crates.

3. 2 VPI Magic Bricks

4. Aircom fan on top of the amp.

5. Maple slabs under TT, SACD player and phone preamp.

6. Extra ductwork to cool the room.

7.Billy Bags tandom audio rack.

8. 4 ATX 24"x 48" acoustic dampers.

8. 3 ATX corner bass traps.

The first question is: ''what are those''? pointing to my speakers.
The second remark is : ''I have never heard such 'sound' before''. 

I listen to my system "like a first time" when I swap cartridges or tonearms, or both :))

I feel the same when I swap phono stages or amps, or switch between 2 pair of speakers.

@Builder, I think it’s mostly the 21KW exponential noise floor. It’ll handle a D7 Cat, not sure about the dog.

But the Quietrock 545 and the exact dimensions may help a little. For exact dimensions, down to the nearest inch, go to the the tables published by the School of Acoustics at the University of Salford.

Thanks for the posting a system instructions MC.

Listerners say, "Wow! So dark!"

Listeners say, "Wow!  So clear!" 

vinylshadow- Go to the very top of the page. Mouse over your name to make a drop-down menu appear. Click Profile. From the menu bar at the top of the page click Create System. 

It is a bit cumbersome. Don't forget to click Save!

Imaging. Many years ago before the screen there was a TV, with a thick blanket draped over it for music. A friend asked how many speakers? Two. No, really. How many? Two. 

What about the one in the middle? "That's a TV. The blanket is just to stop reflections."  https://theanalogdept.com/c_miller.htm

When I go to get the next thing to play he gets up, practically runs to the TV and looks under the blanket. What are you doing? "I was sure there was a speaker in there." 

"wow....that sounds really good".....end quote. 

you never really know what your car can do until you turn it over to Hurley Haywood…..impressing the kid next door, meh.

Find a sensei or two…….if you are lucky they won’t be a sunshine pump….

My Dad listened to “Take Five”
said a few choice words, then asked about the amazing centre speaker…
….which is a gas fireplace :)

@baylinor

I've looked all over to post my system but it seems like completing a Rubik's cube is easier than finding the link.

I am very lucky - my wife loves the hifi and I also have my own dedicated room that is sound proofed

baylinor, my system is listed.

pennpencil, you need 8 foot loudspeakers. That will always get them going especially the wife;-)

@rushfan71 good sum up 👍 it’s always the imaging that impresses people the most. Most expect it to be “all about the bass” but it’s actually the imaging - plus the fact that the vinyl doesn’t crackle.

"Is there a speaker in the middle, that I just can't see?"

I love it when I hear that comment.

"I thought I knew that album so well.  I have never heard some of that music before now"

Another favorite comment.

I wish that my wife cared about good hi-fi.  She typically leaves the room when I play my system.  What a shame, for both of us.

The old ear to ear grin.

My favorite reactions are:

"Where is the sound in the middle coming from?"

"Does sound come from the turntable too?"

"Wow it sounds they're in the room right in front of us "

And my personal favorite is when I play them Henry Mancini's theme from the Pink Panther at a decent volume and watch them jump out of their seat from the unexpected horn blast at 2:05.

A close second is queuing up The Fairfield Fours' These Bones from the first note sung by the bass singer, that usually gets them to jump and then mouths open as the rest of the quartet joins in.

Gets them every time

I love it when a plan comes together. 

terry91,553 posts07-24-2021 8:15amThe first comment comes before listening. It's about the quality of silence in the room.

What silencer are you currently running?
Will it destroy my neighbor's a) mower b) dog? Preferably anonymously, but not stuck on that. TIA

Similar experience to pennpencil with my wife not being impressed. As an experiment I placed an Amazon Echo (1st gen) between the speakers and on top of my credenza. Switched between the two channel system and the Echo for roughly half an hour.

She concluded there wasn’t too much of a difference…

Hell, maybe she’s right. Or maybe it was strategic. Candidly, I’d lie if I said I didn’t critically listen to the Echo for a week afterwards to try and understand.

The first comment comes before listening. It's about the quality of silence in the room.

Half of the people posting about their system on this page don't have their system listed. That always amazes me. Please share your systems, it's the only way to know you a little. The rest is just words.

I am amazed every time I turn on the system, the music comes out fluid, the entire wall behind the speakers seems not to be there, and the speakers they look like knick-knacks but despite this they allow me to recognize every single instrument placed in the space in front of me and the holographic image that comes out of it is amazing.The chain has many years behind it it has only been necessary to do more fine tuning over time.The few passionate people who have had the opportunity to listen were pleasantly surprised, they are honest people in their opinions.

What is your system?