In Defense of Our Hobby

James Tanner - Bryston · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 12:42 PM

Hi Folks,

I had a Canada Day get together over the past weekend and a number of people asked me about the various sound systems I have set up around the house. Of course the inevitable question comes up – ‘how much does that cost?” When you say those speakers are $12,000 a pair they typically snicker - look at you cross-eyed - and head for the exits!

So I thought it might be interesting to get some input on how some of you as audiophiles try to support or explain why you spend the cost of a small car or a heart bypass on your audio gear.

I typically ask the question back and use an analogy – “OK what is your hobby?” Usually it will be photograph, golf, fishing, cars, motorbikes, art, guns/rifles etc. Then I say something like “ what is the most expensive gun you own, or what is the most expensive camera lens you own”? “Tell me why your camera cost thousands and I can buy a point and shot camera for $12.00?” Or how come your favorite shotgun is $5,000.00 when I can buy a shotgun at Wal-Mart for $59.95?” Or the fishing rod costs - WHAT! - I can buy a pole and some sting real cheap.

James

jdandy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:01 PM

James.......Your observations are so true. Ask your neighbor how much money he has tied up in that 23 foot Ranger bass boat, aluminum tilt trailer, with the 250 HP Mercury outboard motor hanging on the transom. That doesn't even count the safety equipment required, electronics, fishing tackle, custom rods and reels, etc, plus annual registration for the boat and trailer, fuel and maintenance. It is nothing to get $50K+ invested in just the bass boat and motor. He will tell you the price in a whisper, out of ear shot from his wife. That's when you get a turn to roll your eyes.

Vesuvius · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:13 PM

And that guy will only use the boat 3x a year... whereas our systems are daily drivers!

Volks · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:21 PM

I found this in another thread,but it smacks of truth for the "Average Joe"

While I certainly agree that there's some absurdly priced stuff out there, keep things in context. What average person wouldn't think any of the following are things only an idiot would buy -

A $2800 CD player - 'I can get a DVD player at Walmart for $50 that'll play CDs and DVDs' Why get a CD player when you can get an iPod?
A 100x2 Watt amp for $2650 -Average Joe= 'My JVC and or Sony receiver is 150x7 and it only cost $300'
A $2K pre-amp (remote costs extra and only has 4 buttons) - Average Joe='What's a pre-amp?'
A $2550 phono stage (without power supply)- Average Joe='Who the hell listens to records anymore? They sound like crap'
A $1500 turntable (not including the cartridge, isolation stuff, cleaning stuff, etc.) - See phono stage comments
A pair of $3200 speakers - Average Joe='My Samsung HTIB system has 7 speakers, a subwoofer, a 150x7 receiver, and a DVD player for $499'
$200/meter interconnects x however many - Average Joe='Its a wire.........are you nuts?'
$5/ foot speakers cables x however many feet - 'Its a wire-Are you nuts?'

The following are some of my favorites too -

'No iPod dock?'
'Bose is the best'
'For $5k it should be so loud it knocks the house down.'
'For $5k it should *&%$ my @#$%.' or any other sexual or house cleaning actions.
'My car's system has way better bass.'

My system (listed in my signature) is way too overpriced for most people out there. Most people look at me like I have 3 heads when I tell them I have a $3000 CD player. Not that I tell too many people. One of them is a high ranking engineer for Otis elevators who makes about $500k per year. I make 1/10 of that. Funny thing is, he's got the top of the line Bose surround system (if there's such a thing) in his basement that cost about what my entire system cost.

In some ways I envy people who have no idea that reproduced music could sound so good.

80B · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:32 PM

A lot of it comes down to what you want to put your discretionary income into, and how much of it you have. I'd reiterate the point about the a/v gear being used 'every day', making the cost per entertainment hour well below what you might think at first glance. That being said, if getting in your boat 3x year is more to your taste, all power to you.

jdandy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:32 PM

When I have someone in my home who askes what my gear costs I usually respond, "It costs so much I'm embarrassed to tell you." That usually ends the conversation about price, and in general their wildest imagination doesn't even hit the 25% mark.

Still-One · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:52 PM

I would not feel comfortable telling anyone what I have invested in my system. The nephew I gave my JL sub thinks he has an idea but even he is probably low by quite a bit.

I use my system for many hour each day and is surely worth every cent to me. I am not sure if I would be comfortable making the significant investment required to attain the incremental improvements I "might" get by replacing some of the gear.

Jim

Masterlu · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdandy

When I have someone in my home who askes what my gear costs I usually respond, "It costs so much I'm embarrassed to tell you." That usually ends the conversation about price, and in general their wildest imagination doesn't even hit the 25% mark.

Geez Dan... what should I tell them?

two dot · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 01:59 PM

IMHO...

Trying to explain your investment in this hobby to anyone is completely pointless.

schaefer11 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 02:22 PM

My system is far more modest than most on this forum, but if someone asks I tell them. If they ask how it can be worth it, I tell them that for 99% of the people, it can't be. But it is my hobby and I enjoy it and appreciate it more than 99% of the people.

I don't think less of anyone who doesn't understand. In fact I have helped many of them put together much less expensive (some very inexpensive) systems that they appreciate as much as I appreciate mine. The fact that they ask me for help after hearing my system gives me a great deal of satisfaction and I am happy to help them.

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