How did we get to being audiophiles?

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

What is a audiophile? What criteria do audiophiles follow to be considered one? Do they always buy the most expensive, latest and greatest equipment? Are they tweak freaks?

It has been too many years since I started in audio. I have never understood the label of audiophile, because that could mean too many things. Record collectors, equipment collectors, great performance collectors??? I would like to see someone explain this.

[bturk667]

Read my reply to WmAx for my own definition of an Audiophile. Yes, I consider my self to be one.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Read my reply to WmAx for my own definition of an Audiophile. Yes, I consider my self to be one.

Your reply just gives me more questions. Since what is considered high fidelity varies from person to person, what makes you an audiophile and the next person not one? Their goal can be the same as yours, but they don't consider themselves audiophiles. Is this just a self important title one gives himself as a status symbol?

I like excellent quality sound, and do not mind spending my money on it, but the idea of calling myself an audiophile smacks of self important arrogance, as that title is used to seperate yourself from the mass market crowd. Just my opinion and am looking for others to offer their own defination.

[Lexmark3200]

Your reply just gives me more questions. Since what is considered high fidelity varies from person to person, what makes you an audiophile and the next person not one? Their goal can be the same as yours, but they don't consider themselves audiophiles. Is this just a self important title one gives himself as a status symbol?

I like excellent quality sound, and do not mind spending my money on it, but the idea of calling myself an audiophile smacks of self important arrogance, as that title is used to seperate yourself from the mass market crowd. Just my opinion and am looking for others to offer their own defination.

Well, Terrence, the way I saw it was that audiophiles were those who saw money as no object to buy the gear for this hobby----and those who scrutinize every aspect of the gear, the DVD viewing experience, or whatever it may be....the ones who spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on cables and interconnects alone....those who will not, under any circumstances, purchase products from brands like Onkyo, Panasonic, Sony, Pionner, JVC, Kenwood or, fill in your favorite mass market brand here.

The audio ENTHUSIAST, as I see it, is a different animal....I have always felt I fell into this category. These are the folks who are by no means anything like the average consumer, buying home theater in a box systems and the like, but also not getting as "involved" in the hobby as an audiophile....I LOVE music and home theater, and it has always been a hobby, and over the years, I have learned to stay away from certain retailers, brands and types of gear, thus enabling me to be labled as an ENTHUSIAST.....I will never buy another piece of equipment with the Kenwood label on it, or anything (save for perhaps a car stereo CD changer) from JVC....and now, I shop at audio outlets that offer the likes of Marantz and Sony ES. BUT, I had no problem shopping good deals and settling on an ONKYO receiver for my home theater system, not a multi-thousand dollar separates setup from NAD or Rotel or something....I believe an AUDIO ENTHUSIAST has not yet matched the level of passion an AUDIOPHILE has in the way that an enthusiast will not necessarily purchase gear from less-known high end brands...yet, an enthusiast WILL know more than the average consumer and make much more high-end decisions on system purchasing than an average consumer would.

[bturk667]

So you do not want to be considered an audiophile. Great, no big deal.

As for is being a status symbol. Now you make me laugh!!! Maybe you care about such trivial things, but I sure as hell do not. I'm middle class all the way; no status in that! None of my friends understand why I listen to so much music. None of them would never understand how I could spend as much as I did on my system. That fine with me. I could care less how much anybody spends on anything; it is their monet after all. I do not have a lot of money, and it has taken years to save and assemble my system.

Believe me whern I say: I COULD CARE LESS WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF MY SYSTEM OR MY LOVE FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC!!! Status symbol? I think not!

Everyone has their own definition of what an audiophile is. The problem is that there are many who act like audiophile is a four letter word! Be one or not, who cares! Just enjoy your system, status symbol or not, and keep on listening to music. Because in the end that is what is really important, well at least to me. A day without music is an incomplete one.

Have a great day!!!

[Lexmark3200]

So you do not want to be considered an audiophile. Great, no big deal.

As for is being a status symbol. Now you make me laugh!!! Maybe you care about such trivial things, but I sure as hell do not. I'm middle class all the way; no status in that! None of my friends understand why I listen to so much music. None of them would never understand how I could spend as much as I did on my system. That fine with me. I could care less how much anybody spends on anything; it is their monet after all. I do not have a lot of money, and it has taken years to save and assemble my system.

Believe me whern I say: I COULD CARE LESS WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF MY SYSTEM OR MY LOVE FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC!!! Status symbol? I think not!

Everyone has their own definition of what an audiophile is. The problem is that there are many who act like audiophile is a four letter word! Be one or not, who cares! Just enjoy your system, status symbol or not, and keep on listening to music. Because in the end that is what is really important, well at least to me. A day without music is an incomplete one.

Have a great day!!!

Are you referring to my post? If so, where did I say it was a status symbol?

[bturk667]

Not unless you and Sir Terrence the Terrible are the same person. On the top right of this page you will see "Thread Tools" and "Display Mode," click on either of these, then click on "Hybrid Mode." This might help you in the future.

[Lexmark3200]

Not unless you and Sir Terrence the Terrible are the same person. On the top right of this page you will see "Thread Tools" and "Display Mode," click on either of these, then click on "Hybrid Mode." This might help you in the future.

Sorry for my reply to you, then BTurk.

[oakley#36]

If your reading these threads on this forum & taking time to type a reply you might be an audiophile!

[Lexmark3200]

If your reading these threads on this forum & taking time to type a reply you might be an audiophile!

Very good point, Oakley! That is very true!

[oakley#36]

Very good point, Oakley! That is very true!

I love this forum because when I get on it and read I know I'm not alone in this universe! And when my wife and friends tell me that I'm crazy, or " have a serious problem with all this stereo stuff!" I simply reply, " Stereo is a listening mode you silly people, I have No problem!"

[Lexmark3200]

I love this forum because when I get on it and read I know I'm not alone in this universe! And when my wife and friends tell me that I'm crazy, or " have a serious problem with all this stereo stuff!" I simply reply, " Stereo is a listening mode you silly people, I have No problem!"

I think we are all, in here, at heart audiophiles because we share a passion for the gear, music and experience more than the average consumer, how relative this may sound.

Funny reference to stereo mode, though!