|
Post by MikeMusic on Oct 2, 2014 8:04:31 GMT
To most of course this is a hifi system, perhaps even 'top end'
|
|
|
Post by DaveC on Oct 2, 2014 9:59:58 GMT
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Oct 2, 2014 12:25:13 GMT
Not too many people know the aural beauty available from good kit.
As they are in the majority they must be right (not my argument)
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Oct 2, 2014 14:04:42 GMT
Not too many people know the aural beauty available from good kit. As they are in the majority they must be right (not my argument) I don't think personally there is a right or wrong here, it's down to preference and priority. The 'majority' just aren't interested and it's not a priority, so a Sonos or Bose system is high end to them. They are lifestyle products as opposed to being just about what they sound like. Additionally are you a gear fanatic or hobbyist, or are you just interested in music? For me sound quality is important, but the music is all I'm really interested in - so even I might not consider 'the aural beauty' as a priority? Luckily I can afford reasonably good kit, but if I couldn't I could be happy with anything if that's all I could get my hands on to enjoy my music. Hi-Fi enthusiasts are a very small minority, I reckon more folk are into steam engines than Hi-Fi, certainly if you look at attendances numbers for things like The Great Dorset Steam Fair they seem to be.
|
|
|
Post by danielquinn on Oct 2, 2014 14:29:38 GMT
It needs to be placed in two perspective .
In the 50-70's everyone needed a hifi cause that was the only way to get sound let alone good sound .
Now from an easy to use , contemporary good looking lifestyle product you can probably get 70-80% of the listening experience , especially at moderate volumes .
Most people have never been interested in that extra 25 or so % and this as always been the case .
Nobody is at fault , audiophile hifi is selling a product most people dont want and never did , but now they have a choice .
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Oct 2, 2014 14:35:28 GMT
High end meaning good looking or expensive of course Good looking and expensive being in the eye of the beholder Oh yes and a brand name Real hifi is for nutters as we know Don't you want to get more music out of that album ? "Oh this is good enough for me" I'd like a quid for every time I've heard that
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Oct 2, 2014 14:40:58 GMT
...or "I wouldn't be able to hear the difference".
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Oct 2, 2014 14:43:03 GMT
Oh yes, a quid for that please too
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Oct 2, 2014 15:17:07 GMT
I'm on the verge of recommending something like this to some friends of mine who've asked me to help them set up a multi-room streaming system, since - on the basis of their reactions to things I've suggested so far - they seemingly want whatever they have to be invisible. The thing is, they can and do hear the difference, as they obviously enjoy what they hear at my place, but from a purely cosmetic point of view it seems it's just not for them - even modest bookshelf speakers are too much, and it's game over once you get into all the wires...
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Oct 2, 2014 15:41:26 GMT
The thing is, they can and do hear the difference, as they obviously enjoy what they hear at my place, but from a purely cosmetic point of view it seems it's just not for them - even modest bookshelf speakers are too much, and it's game over once you get into all the wires... I know that problem . . . I have had quite a few people listen to my Harbeth speakers and they really love the sound, but they just couldn't allow them into their living space as they think they're ugly and old fashioned! Systems like this Panasonic and Sonos, with no wires and music via streaming services all controlled by an app, is the future of music for the masses and if they enjoy it who am I to disagree?
|
|
|
Post by danielquinn on Oct 2, 2014 15:50:55 GMT
Come come Tim , one does not think Harbeth speakers are ugly and old fashioned , it is a fact they are .
|
|
|
Post by speedysteve on Oct 2, 2014 16:47:06 GMT
Money no object, I'd have one for the living room / rest of house / garage, yacht, 2nd / 3rd / 4th home AND then a hifi experience wing to the mansion
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Oct 2, 2014 17:00:31 GMT
Money no object I don't know what I'd do, except it would be a lot, in a lot of places
|
|
|
Post by John on Oct 2, 2014 17:20:15 GMT
For years I could not understand why some people spent so much money I was happy with my Trio component system and going to as many gigs as I could. I do see this as a eccentric hobby Sometimes my friends will ask my advice around HIFI I ask them what is acceptable, what they want to achieve and how much
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Oct 2, 2014 18:38:54 GMT
I tend to withdraw from offering friends advice on hi-fi systems. I speak a language they don't understand.
|
|
|
Post by John on Oct 2, 2014 18:49:43 GMT
Yes I am aware of how strange I come across if I talk HIFI
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Oct 2, 2014 19:56:54 GMT
Come come Tim , one does not think Harbeth speakers are ugly and old fashioned , it is a fact they are . Hahaha, well beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess, as I love both their looks and sound, especially how they sound. I am deaf mind you . . . As to the future of music and such systems as in the OP, how long will it be before we have 'smart homes' and people will walk in to be met with the lights on (coloured to match your mood), the heating set how you like it (alerted by your arrival from the proximity of your smartphone) and you will walk into the house and say "Spotify, play The Beatles" then from your wall or ceiling mounted speakers will waft your music of choice. It's the future . . . . maybe not for nutters like us, but that's what the masses will think is cool.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Oct 2, 2014 20:44:17 GMT
Music is for listening to. I don't want Muzak around the house.
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Oct 2, 2014 20:56:43 GMT
Music is for listening to. I don't want Muzak around the house. I agree with you Martin, but I think we are a dwindling minority.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Oct 2, 2014 22:05:51 GMT
'fraid so!
|
|