Audiophile 'Attitude'


Okay, we love our hobby: we love the music, the equipment, the esoterica, and the deranged quest for perfection the likes of which would make even the greats of classical composition shake their heads. But you've got to admit that there exists a certain 'attitude' among some of our group that can be..... difficult. Often this is sexist, arrogant, elitist, impatience, and so on. I think this would be a fertile ground for interesting stories, some humorous and some just jaw dropping. Would anyone like to share? Remember, there are many stories about those other folks outside the hobby who don't get our brilliance and force us to painfully tolerate their ignorance, I'm talking 'bout the other side: WHEN
AUDIOPHILES GO BAD!

I will gladly start: when my wife and I decided to sell our entire Vandersteen home theater (this is different tale of audiophile arrogance, btw) we started looking for a new brand and a new sound to replace my
formerly beloved Vandys. My first 'target' was Martin Logan. It just so happened that there was a ML dealership less than a mile from where I lived at the time in Champaign, IL. Wonderful I thought! So my wife and I toddled over there.

Now it should be noted that my wife has become quite an audiophile herself. She wasn't this way when we met, but she has become fairly well educated in matters of audiophillia, she has an excellent ear, and she is a brilliant woman (she is a vice president for Bank of America after all). So we choose much of our equipment together.

So we go into this ML dealership with about four CDs In hand to get a brief audition and ask to hear some MLs. Instead of going straightaway to letting us listen the salesman decides he needs to try and 'sell' us on the MLs, the very speakers we'd come to hear in the first damn place! So after tolerating his drivel for a few minutes my wife's asks a question. Instead of answering her, he answers me.... then he turns to my wife and, while pointing to that screen with holes that MLs have on so many of their speakers, he says, "now this isn't here so you can hang clothes to dry."

It honestly took me a second to realize what he had just said and I think my wife wafinally looted. After a couples seconds I said, "well, I guess we won't want these speakers then." And we walked out. We also scratched Martin Logan off of our list. No one treats my wife that way.

Okay, your turn....
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Showing 2 responses by buconero117

It is time you, and your audio smart wife visited Lyric in New York City. It is only fair that before either of you die, you be subject to real 'Audiophile Attitude'. No place does it better, well Andy Singer is a close second. Hopefully when you go to Lyric both of you will merit a visit to the 'basement', which is reserved for the 'attitude' elite. Don't get me wrong, all Lyric sales people, including the new owners, were well trained by Mr. Kay, the founder. Bring your financial statements, bank and brokerage, for without them you will be classed as unworthy of any attention. Hey, it is an experience that will change the way both of you view 'audiophile'. Enjoy the music.
I will not stand for audio sales people being linked to car salesmen. Car sales people are a step, really just inches, above. When I was going to college I worked summers as the personal assistant to the president of major mega car dealer. My office was a desk next to his. Boy, did I learn the car business. Till this day I have never found sales practices out side the auto field, shady and dishonest was the name of the game. That was reinforced when I recently went shopping with a friend. Seems, after arriving at a 'deal' price, they tried to add back in the sales order $1500 of dealer charges, including the $900 destination charge which is always included in the MRSP sticker price. We could not run fast enough out the door. The sales person was screaming 'wait'. Wait till the audio people find out. I am sure they will now charge for the box and its packing materials.