Erik Mandaville Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 ...an audiophile? What credentials are required? Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Interesting question. My first reaction is to say it's a self certified title in it's usual use. That's often an ego thing, I suppose. Who cares if they are an audiophile or not? It is most intereresting to me that on consumer driven AudioReview.com each poster chooses a label of audiophile or audio enthusiast. The literal meaning of "audiophile" would be "lover of audio". I have no clue when it came to mean some kind of expertise, real or wishful thinking, along with a cranky and sneering attitude. Of course, I sound harsh. I've had a hard day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 self certified titles are usually worthless... some people would think i was an audiophile if i had a bose cube setup. otherswould say i was an audiophile if i had stacked 2 khorn bass bins, butwith altec 311 or 511 lenses and baby cheek tweeters between the bassbins for floor to ceiling (1/4 space?) mono. somehave told me it's the equipment, and some have told me that it's theear...kind of like the influence of perfume vs. the wearer iknow what sounds good to me, and i have hearing damage, one previouslyruptured (cauterized) eardrum, and a thick skull. mysignature equipment sounds phenomenal, but i'm no audiophile. i'drather be an audio freak, but i still have much learning to realize forthat kind of goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 ...an audiophile? What credentials are required? Erik It's a lot like Porn, you know it when you see it.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 "Cranky and sneering attitude"............I guess I'm an audiophile, Thank You Daddy Dee.....I'm tickled Pink........[H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkyhambone Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 i think it is unconstitutional that i have to register everytime i change neighborhoods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I think your getting your "philes" mixed up there, Jim........at least I hope so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzp Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I like the defenition Bob Crites uses in his signature.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEC Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Thank you Patrick. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I like the defenition Bob Crites uses in his signature.[] That is at least the meaning that some have affixed to the term. For whatever reason, the term "audiophile" has become rather inflammatory; in some cases, especially in this forum, it amounts to a slur which seems to be directed at those who invest an amount in their stereo (or whatever) which either exceeds or is perceived to exceed the forum average. Other acts which result in the scarlet letter include professing a belief that the use of certain components result in an improvement in the sound of one's system in the absence of quantifiable data confirming the same. These acts generally go hand in hand with the perception that the "audiophile" lacks either the ability or common sense (or both) to know any better. The irony, of course being that the "audiophile," in this scenario, is also perceived as being one who believes that he or she possesses some degree of refinement is his or her pursuit of audio reproduction. That, of course, is a corruption of the original definition, but represents the reality of the phrase in many many corners of the hobby (which is probably your point in asking the question). It is probably fair to ask whether that reflects more poorly on the audiophile or on the utterer of the phrase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkyhambone Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I think your getting your "philes" mixed up there, Jim........at least I hope so.... ooooops my fault how embarassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFObuster Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 ...an audiophile? What credentials are required? Erik Sadly, the definition (which we've all looked up by now) is too broad unless you only consider the colloquial use of the term.......defining those who are highly motivated to listen to hi-fidelity reproduced sound. There are no creditials....you can have the stuff or you can be a wannabe...it won't discredit you from wanting to listen....I've always been an audiophile since I owned my first transistor radio by this definition. It would be better to differentiate the field into those who like collecting and owning exotic gear (audio/technophiles) and those who appreciate hearing music. You might say that with adequate means anyone can own a killer hi-fi system and still not know the difference in sound between an English Horn and a French Horn.....and before anyone is embarrassed by this, the first is a double-reed and the latter is a brass instrument. I think there is a nice niche for those who always place the musical art form first...hearing and appreciating quality in music....and then owning (according to means) playback devices which "display" the art form. That, to me, would be an "audiophile" but we probably can't use that word. What would it be? Maybe, audioconnoistre....?...wadda ya think? Anyway, when I have guests in my home and they see my system...first thing out in converstion is all about technical stuff....like I'm some technogeek. If I entered a home inhabited by people displaying fine art on their walls...they would be "art-lovers".....so, what am I? I simply choose to "display" my "art collection" by means of a sound reproducing system.....and then gently remind my guests that I'm an art lover too....in a temporal-audio way and not a visual-graphic way. So...there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Just another one of those words you use when you don't know what to say.....................EH !!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 While catching up after vacation I perused this thread and didn't really think I had anything to contribute. However, upon reflection I found that I have some resistance to being classified as an "audiophile." Perhaps "sonophile" or "musicphile." It seems to me that "audiophile" is connected somehow with equipment envy and constant dissatisfaction, as well as looking down upon ones neighbors soundcube and out-of-the-box HT systems, etc. and that is not where I come from. From my earliest days I was in love with music. When we got our first TV set in the early 50's the first thing I recall is being drawn to where it was one evening when some TV play or something was on and a harpsichord was being played. I asked what it was and no one in the family knew. I remembered that sound for years until I found out on my own. It's always been about the music, and getting it as free from any non-music artifacting as possible. For those who are lovers and collectors of equipment, I say, as always, I completely respect that and it is from you guys I get good advice and counsel when I need help to achieve or restore sonic nirvana. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsear Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I think a cleaner definition of "audiophile" would be "one who lives in or for audio". In this manner most would qualify and most would qualify to critque based upon their own listening criteria. To what extent ones critique becomes a beacon of credibility would depend on how many people would actually agree with that persons assessment of audio equipment. Then we have audio engineers and physicists who go about measuring audio performance in some quantified fashion using various tools and analytical analysis. Some audiophiles are able to bring the sophistication of the technical scope into their arena of audio assessment. The marriage of technical know how and a good ear brings a higher credibility level to these audiophiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I love my favorite music. I love my single-ended tube amp and horns. I love the best possible means of sound reproduction within my budget. Does that qualify me as an audiophile? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 From Merriam-Webster: A person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction From google: literally, "one who loves sound" From thefreedictionary.com: A person having an ardent interest in stereo or high-fidelity sound reproduction. It's interesting to note that "high-fidelity" is defined by many sources as the absence of distortion or enhancements. I also think it fair to point out that sound reproduction does not inherantly have anything to do with the 'enjoyment of music'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxg Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I would hazard a guess that more than about 10 posts on this forum and you are an audiophile. Basically an interest in the equipment beyond merely being able to playback music that aims to improve the quality of that playback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Well, since you did ask You might be an audiophileif you paid more for your stereo than you did for your car. You are an audiophile if youpaid more for you stereo than you did for your house. No matter where you comedown on the CD vs. LP debate, you've got to admit that you might be anaudiophile if you own a vacuum record cleaner. You might be an audiophileif you have to install additional floor supports under your sub, to support itsweight. You might be an audiophileif your power amplifier has a warning sticker that says, "Two manlift." If your turntable platterweighs more than you do, you might be an audiophile. If the wire gauge you use todeliver the power from the power amplifier to the speakers is larger than thewire gauge you use to deliver the power TO the power amp, you just might be anaudiophile. If the "soundroom" is the most important consideration when you purchase a new home,you may be an audiophile. If two walls of yourlistening room consist of 32-foot wide concrete horns that extend into the yard,you may be an audiophile. If you buy test equipment tohelp you understand what you hear, or to learn to hear better, you just mightbe an audiophile. If you know what HAVi standsfor, you may be an audiophile. If you tolerate low volumeor low reliability from your speakers (ESL's or whatever) you may be anaudiophile. If you think all hi-fi gearis pretty much equal and the choice between any of it is a purely subjectivecall then you might be an audiophile. If you use a green marker onCD's, (red laser and all), and you use a red marker on your DVD's (blue laser)you may be an audiophile. If you can put a pair ofinterconnects in the processor loop of your pre-amp, and blind test (havesomeone else switch and hide any indicators) reveal that they make nodifference, yet you still know you can hear a HUGE difference when you use thevery same cables in the system in a normal way, AND you can convince yourselfthat the switch inside the pre-amp is negating the cables advantages (ignoringthe other switches in the pre), then you are definitely an audiophile. If you think the same typeof switch can invalidate an ABX test and the component under test will stillmake a huge improvement in your system (despite the very same switches beingpresent), you're an audiophile. You might be an audiophileif you spend more money on recordings than food and utilities. If you close your eyesduring a live performance, to concentrate better on the sound, you might justbe an audiophile. If you think the electronicsplay a bigger role in the end sound than the transducers, you're an audiophile. You might be an audiophileif you think only lemmings buy Bose products. If you own a Tice Clock,you're an audiophile. If you wear ear protectorswhen you drive somewhere to audition equipment (so as not to clamp your hearing in any way) then you might be an audiophile. If your speakers are tallerthan you are, you might be an audiophile. Or, you could just be very short. Ifyou have a floating floor in your sound room, you may be an audiophile. Heck, if you have a soundroom, you may be an audiophile. If you think you own some ofthe finest audio gear available (or would like too), likely you're anaudiophile. If you yell over the noiseand tell your kid to "Turn that damn thing UP! you're probably anaudiophile. If you own hundreds ofrecordings, and still have more money in gear, you're probably an audiophile. If you know the resistorcolor code scheme without having to look it up, you may be an audiophile. If you have a grounding roddedicated to the stereo, you just may be an audiophile. You may be an audiophile ifyou've ever spent more than a month trying to eliminate a ground loop. If you own more than sixdirect-to-disk recordings, you may be an audiophile. If you go to a concert totape it, rather than hear and see it, you just may be an audiophile. If you refer to wires"as "cables" or "interconnects" and you can justify spendinghundreds of dollars on them, you might be an audiophile. If you can justify spendingthousands of dollars on them, you are an audiophile. If your sound system is thecenterpiece of your room on a rack that cost as much as or more than your TV, whichsits off to the side on an end table, you might be audiophile. And finally, if any of thisstuff offends you, you're most likely an audiophile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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