Why are Audiophiles so mean?

[paul_pci]

I'm relatively new to the discussion forums on this site, and as I was reading the posts, especially in the My System and Dream System galleries, I was struck by the prevalence of mean comments people posted about the tastes, arrangements, and ownership of audio equipment. Why is that? It seems to me that people, including myself, build their system according to their budget, interest, and knowledge of audio equipment. What is the point in deriding someone for their choice in equipment? Shouldn't we discuss and educate rather than mock?

So I ask all of you: why are many audiophiles so mean? What is really accomplished by being mean?

[Sealed]

I'm relatively new to the discussion forums on this site, and as I was reading the posts, especially in the My System and Dream System galleries, I was struck by the prevalence of mean comments people posted about the tastes, arrangements, and ownership of audio equipment. Why is that? It seems to me that people, including myself, build their system according to their budget, interest, and knowledge of audio equipment. What is the point in deriding someone for their choice in equipment? Shouldn't we discuss and educate rather than mock?

So I ask all of you: why are many audiophiles so mean? What is really accomplished by being mean?

Sadly, it's the insulation of the internet, and sheer rock-throwing snobbery. It's not just the audiophiles that are mean, it's some naysayers, and general trolls.

But I know just what you mean. I saw one thing in the gallery: Some kid around 12-13 posts a pic of a diy system. Some jerk posts a comment "Take down that picture and get a real set of speakers" or something vile to that effect.

It's a form of intolerance, that only goes away face-to-face in real life, when people realize insults may be held against them physically.

[92135011]

The internet has a way of changing people.
I remember a friend and I were playing some internet game.
He turned incredibly cocky even though he is usually quite the quiet guy.
Its the annonimity.
I realize that people like to listen to things that reassure them of certain beliefs.
If one thinks something as good, they will find reviews, articles or whatever to prove that it is good, rather than find things that say its bad.

By dissing a certain set of gear, many are trying to reassure that thier own gear is the way to go or something in thier mind that is the way to go. Realistically, however, not many people can afford "high-end" items. I wouldnt mind a $100000 system and I dont think ANYONE would, however, I have that limitation of money as do many around this world. Every system deserves some level of respect as long as it's enjoyed. You pay for what you get. If im in short of dough and buy some KLH, but I enjoy them, there is no difference with someone who has more money but gets some Sonus Fabers and enjoys them. It's all relative. If you happy and you know it, then its worth every penny.

To be honest, I havent gotten my system yet because I'm Mr. Cautious (Wanna get some used goods for good prices ^^). I used to talk to my friends about it and every time I do, I get excited, cuz I really cant wait (except that I'm Cautious). But they said that I'm wasting money and that I'm stupid for spending so much money on a large magnet in a box. I dont talk to them about it any more, but I learned that if a certain something is not that person's priority then they are likely to put down the idea. Some of my friends spend $100 on a pair of jeans and $50 a shirt. In a year, they spend as much money on clothing as I will on my system. I find myself questioning why they spend so much money on clothes!

The point is some audiophiles scour the world for the best of the best gear. Some stuff is tolerable to thier standards and some not. In that way, they praise what they think is acceptable but stone whatever isnt. Well, I guess its only human. I do it too, I admit. We all do. Look at those people who are analog fans vs digital (big debates!) or on the other sector lets look at tube vs solid state, which is even a bigger quarrel.

[Sealed]

The net can inject as much heat as light.

It took me almost 5 years to work up the courage and make the decision on which turntable to buy. The net both helped and hindered that.

I had to be satisfied, because:
It does not matter what you buy, *SOMEONE* will try to insult it or you.

This place was far worse back in the days or Norbert and no one was required to register.

You could get flamed, attacked, insulted for no reason at all.

The internet is also a haven for people to throw rocks, be "armchair experts" and place anything they want in print, and someone will believe it.

[wasch_24]

Another problem is that it is very easy to misinterpret the emotion being expressed by the author of a post. Sometimes the most innocent of remarks can come across as rude and invasive. A lot of the time it has to do with the reader’s mood and personality. You always have to take replies to the posts with a grain of salt. Sometimes I think that some folks forget that this is in no way an expert panel of audio gurus. It is supposed to be a forum to express and gather opinion. Not spread the gospel of audio. The fact that there are some rather aggressive remarks mixed in can be a good thing though because it gives you another point of view. Kind of' like what '92135011' said about people only reading the good reviews about their equipment. You have so take the good with the bad and use both to discern your answer.

[Bryan]

The net is both a blessing and a curse. It opens the door for people to buy gear they otherwise would either not know about nor be able to afford. It also gives people a way to bash a product soley because it is made somewhere else or goes against tradition.

I'd say don't take stuff personally and do research. Get something you will be happy with, be it new, used, or a DIY experiment. Pictures often don't do an item justice but they can reveal problems, such as location of gear, etc. But that is still no excuse for people not using etiquette and tact, two things tremendously lacking in todays society.

[bturk667]

I'm an "Audiophile," and I'm nice. Now shut the F@ck up you whinney b@stard!!!

Only kidding!!!

[thepogue]

I'm an "Audiophile," and I'm nice. Now shut the F@ck up you whinney b@stard!!!

Only kidding!!!

but oh sooo funny

to answer the question why are "they/we" mean? well cuz after you get outta school whos lunch money ya gonna take?...no place to pull ponytails?...come'on man...have a stiff upper lips...tell'em ta take a flyin ****e!!!

no worries laddy...

[dph1965]

c'mon - you still taking lunch money? Go for the good stuff nowdays like their MP3 players and cell phones, then you can sell 'em and increase your speaker budget! And quit pulling their ponytails! Those long haired hippie freaks can get tough sometimes!

[paul_pci]

Maybe we should start a new thread entitled: why are audiophiles so damn funny? and good looking.

But seriously, snapping bras gives you more bang for the buck than pulling ponytails.

[Woochifer]

Geez, if you think people on audio boards are mean, have you ever read political chat boards or for that matter, car audio or video game boards? As others have said, it's the nature of the internet. Some people treat others pretty much the same way in real life that they online, while others feel like they have to put on a front. I used to chat host on AOL, and got to meet a lot of the "regulars" in the room that I hosted, and it was always interesting to see how differently some people interact when they don't have the anonymity of the computer screen to protect them. In real life, we're not going to just spout off whatever's the first thing that comes to mind because there are potential consequences if people negatively react to them.

[skeptic]

Audiophiles are mean because they are basically insecure and dissatisfied. Almost every one of them is perpetually looking for "better equipment" than he already owns. Almost every one of them has at some time been sold a bill of goods only to realize later on that he's been had. Almost every one of them is looking to justify to himself why his last purchase was "the" right one and everybody elses was wrong. You will notice that almost all audiophiles are male. Very few women on a percentage basis worry over what speaker or which amplifier to buy. Despite the fact that most women hear better than most men, they are generally happy with whatever they own for far longer. One of the problems that plagues most audiophiles is a lack of basic electrical engineering knowledge. They become slaves to advertising copy and subjective reviews which are not always fully honest or unbiased and which they eat up and substitute for real knowledge. I think most of them are subconscously aware of all this and anything that confirms their deepest darkest suspicions makes them angry because it makes them feel inadequate. (Other men feel the same way about their cars.)

[Sealed]

This place, and AA were extremely bad in the late 90's. There was selective to no moderation at all. There would be senseless flame wars of the utmost vugarity. I don't mean disagreements spiralling out of control... I mean out of the blue personal attacks. And don't even try to have a real converasation on the audio review chat back then. There was no ignore or moderator/ops. Just as soon as you got some good tips or information, someone would troll and flood the place. It was horrible.

Want to see mean? rec.audio.opinion and other newsgroups are filled with blatently egomanical evil.

"You will never see a greater hive of scum and villainy..."

[bacchanal]

lol, this thread has been a great read. I spend way too much time on internet message boards...now I'm going to get up from this chair and go out into the world...

[bturk667]

Sorry skeptic, but your WRONG! I am not being skeptical!

[gonefishin]

Why are Audiophiles so mean?

Don't know why some people are mean, no matter if they're an audiophile, an enthusiast or if they fall into another category.

As far as gear goes...it's all goood. You just gotta find what suits ya the best


take care, take your time, and enjoy!