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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2018 12:54:46 GMT
So this is a question that I thought I would ask, my son is now 6 months old, so certainly too young to have his first system.
But when is a good age to begin?, I think I was about 10 or 11 when I first got interested in Hifi and by about 13 I had my first system which was a mash up of old components my Dad had and things I got as Christmas/Birthday presents.
I am guessing there comes a point when they appreciate it, until then not so much.
Obviously, Leo listens to my system downstairs, but this is more about when I introduce his first own system.
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2018 13:21:45 GMT
I think much more important Paul is to teach a love of music and good sound reproduction from an early age. Just by listening to your system Leo will gradually begin to appreciate what it's all about - unless you play Bog'n'Groan man of course ...   I'd highly recommend thinking about starting him learning a musical instrument from the age of 5 to 6. My son is 12 now and is already way beyond GCSE music level - the discipline required to get to that level is also really useful to help them focus and concentrate on school work as well. He's not really interested in my system although he's heard it plenty, and understands very well what sound quality is about - he does love my new Superlux cans.  He goes to classical concerts sometimes with me and I've also started him on rock concerts. |
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Post by Stratmangler on Feb 28, 2018 13:25:49 GMT
My advice would just be more of what Jules said.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 28, 2018 13:48:23 GMT
Music first. Lots of music. Random selection of albums is good for the spread of music types. Stockpile any bits of kit that come along free or stupidly cheap for his first system too |
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Post by ant on Feb 28, 2018 15:11:33 GMT
Just play the music. And get something reasonable when they ask. Which they will.
My daughter asked for a little system for her bedroom last Christmas, she was ten. I picked up a little (30cm midi sized) 80s marantz reciever and Philips cd160 (i pinched it to play around with) and some Sony speakers for 20 quid.
She now has the system I use to test balanced passive pre's, a samson servo 260 studio amp, a tascam cd450 with the balanced out board and some mission speakers.
Plays seth lakeman, Tom petty, foo fighters and abit of floyd on it:-)
And she cant stand all the crap her friends like :-)
I asked for a system when I was about 10 ish, ended up with a good Un, fondly remembered thses days. A technics sl-ps50, nad 3020i, and gale minimonitors.
Tbh, i wish I still had the technics.....
My daughter has 3 guitars and played in public for the first time in November,
I cant play a note tbh so am not responsible for her guitar playing, but couldn't get her off the stage!
Have to love the music first
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2018 15:43:14 GMT
I have no kids, but I was interested in music and then hifi from a very early age. No real great interest in hifi from family members to lead me there.
Age 2-3 I recall listening to records on the radiogram and asking my mother to put a stack on for me. I remember being fascinated with the mechanics of it.
Age 5 I bought my first single and then 2 albums. Bowie's Star Man, Space Oddity and Aladdin Sane.
Age 6 I asked for an electric guitar and amp for Christmas. I was crap and soon decided listing was more fun that making music.
Age 8-9 I shared a bedroom with an older brother who had his own separates. I enjoyed the sound but not his musical tastes.
Age 11-12 I had my own separates and recorded collection.
Age 18 I upgraded
Age 20 I had my own place and the hifi has come and gone regularly ever since.
I'm not sure therefore, whether it matters when and if you share your hifi leanings with children. They will probably find their way if it's for them.
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Post by dvh on Feb 28, 2018 16:16:51 GMT
I have two daughters; neither has had even the slightest interest in hifi, though both like music. I think interest (in anything, not just hifi and music) has to come of its own accord, and cannot be forced.
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Post by Chris on Feb 28, 2018 18:35:28 GMT
Don't just start him on music either. Let him learn to listen to spoken word - plenty kids stories relevant broadcasts etc and sit with him and listen. I think that learning to sit at peace will benefit him immensely.
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 28, 2018 18:53:48 GMT
Great idea for a thread!
Lots of good advice given above too.
Our daughter was grooving along to music (kind of dancing) while sitting on my knee even before she could walk. As they get a little older, it's fun to learn an instrument with them (and then watch them overtake you in ability!)
Emily had a little system in her room when she was about 6 or 7, but she was using our gear long before that, with a little supervision to begin with. I allowed her to cue her first record with my Koetsu at about age 12. She got a good system for her 16th birthday and a turntable for her 17th. For Christmas and birthdays, right from the first time she asked for a CD as a gift, we allowed her two - one would be her choice and the other would be ours. This helped to broaden her taste massively and she ended up with a hugely diverse collection and appetite for music of all sorts.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 1, 2018 6:40:50 GMT
We bought Simon a cassette Karaoke player like this one. He loved it as much for spoken word stories as for music, he also liked the microphone. I'm sure there must be CD/mp3 equivalents, but big icon buttons are a good idea. Get Thomas the Tank Engine stories read by Ringo Starr, that got the top rating!  |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 1, 2018 9:07:05 GMT
Has he upgraded since Martin??
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Post by MartinT on Mar 1, 2018 9:12:53 GMT
Heh, heh, he is using my old IPL S5TL transmission line speakers now, with a Pioneer A400.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2018 11:01:48 GMT
We bought Simon a cassette Karaoke player like this one. He loved it as much for spoken word stories as for music, he also liked the microphone. I'm sure there must be CD/mp3 equivalents, but big icon buttons are a good idea. Get Thomas the Tank Engine stories read by Ringo Starr, that got the top rating! Useful, I hadn't thought about getting something like that, it would work perfectly as a starter system. I seem to remember my parents getting me something similar when I was young. |
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Post by puffin on Mar 1, 2018 13:14:35 GMT
My sister is 3.5 years older than me and was into Motown. We had a lovely HMV radiogram that I used to "DJ" on at about 8 years old. I had to push it to the windows so that she and her mates could dance to the music in the street. I kid you not that one of the tunes was Martha and the Vandellas....yes that one.
It started a love of music and I got a "system" at about age 11. Complete shite, but it went pretty loud....nearly 11
My son probably had a similar experience as I was always playing music from the day he was born. When he asked for it, he got some of my spare kit(prob 13 or 14)
It's music first and foremost, if you don't have a need for music, you don't need a Hifi.
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Post by Tim on Mar 1, 2018 13:37:32 GMT
I can't add much to the above, when I read the title of the thread I thought, forget the gear, just play music, lots of music. Take them to see some live music too, that is often a light bulb moment for a lot of youngsters. Get that banked away and gear, if needed, can follow as and when IMO. Just remember that it's fun and not to be taken too seriously, which if you throw them in the deep end of gear, could be intimidating. Kids are great at finding stuff out, so if they want to they will. Whatever you do, don't introduce them to any Hi-Fi forums, where crusty old guys will tell them what equipment they have is crap and they really need this . . .  |
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Post by brettj on Aug 25, 2018 9:36:33 GMT
The one thing I bought my three daughters was a sturdy/good set of headphones.
Their listening practices are so different to mine.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 25, 2018 9:51:38 GMT
Would you believe my 13 yr old boy has asked me for a vinyl system!!
He has a good friend who started buying vinyl a while ago and of course he sees me listening to little else ...
I have a superb pair of Chario speakers waiting for him but would need deck and amp.
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Post by brettj on Aug 25, 2018 10:05:41 GMT
When my kids were younger, I played nothing but my music in the car. They had 2-3 years of it.
Early teens, then they got to listen to their radio stations.
Now, they hear music (especially early 80s), and know it.
People ask how they know the lyrics.
Like, how many kids know Joy Division?
(Though did keep them away from Pere Ubu, Jah Wobble, Eyeless In Gaza and Captain Beefheart).
And one has a dislike of Jonathan Richman!
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 25, 2018 10:39:54 GMT
From listening to Magic FM in the car my son has learnt to put up with me singing along to Mr Mister, Thompson Twins and all those early 80's bands ... LOL.
He quite likes a lot of them now and is really into the heavier stuff like Iron Maiden! He's going to his next heavy rock with me later this year.
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