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Getting friends to listen to your stereo

My main stereo is very good but except for a couple of friends who are into the gear and music like I am ,it is tough to get to get somebody to simply sit down and listen for music for an hour or so even if they listen to music on a casual basis daily. I usually get comments like "wow that really sounds nice" or "it's almost like you are there". I will play music they like or request but after a couple songs it usually devolves into a talking session. I use a sound level meter and keep the levels between 80-85 dba so it can't be a volume issue. When I was younger ,I regularly got together with friends for music either at my place or theirs to share music, drinks and maybe tryout some speakers, amps etc. Yes, I understand that as you get older there are more constraints on one's time and everybody has different priorities but I always make time to listen to music and with the equipment available today, it is simply amazing the sound one can get in their homes even for a modest expenditure. Is it just me or do some of you experience the same thing?
128x128lwin

Showing 10 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
Only two options I can think of to achieve the goal:

1) chain these people to the chair so they have to listen
2) get some new friends who are also audio hobbyists

Or both.

Seriously, intense listening to music is pretty much a solo activity, not a team sport or social activity, at least for the most part with a few exceptions perhaps.

Two things that can help is to perform some other quiet socializing activity while listening. A nice game of chess or backgammon works well for me. Even cards or any activity mutually enjoyed that is also quiet.

Also letting the person listen to what they want to listen to helps, if things even get to that point.

Lubrication also helps sometimes. That might help explain why this was not so hard when we were younger.

Few people are ever interested in the equipment and how or why it sounds as it does, especially these days. OR evenif they are, the interest is fleeting, not perpetual or ongoing as a hobby.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
A lot of it is that fewer people are exposed to live un-amplified acoustic music than ever before. Electronic amplification is almost always involved when most listen to music nowadays, and along with that has come all the new ways of listening today, especially using more portable devices.

Headphones are the part of old school audiophilia that perhaps thrive today still more than ever to accommodate common modern listening habits best. There are so many and decent ones are better than ever and way more affordable than most good pairs of speakers.

Then there is the intrusion of audio/video home entertainment that started back in the 80's as a result of the VCR for home playback and recording, and then all teh various follow-up formats of a/v as well.

So that does not leave much room for old school audio throwback types like most of us here on a'gon. I suppose that makes us more special than ever. :^)
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
"When they found out the cost - 170K for the speakers and 40K for the speaker cables that just could not wrap their head around it. "

I would sit quietly and listen to that all the while thinking to myself...is it worth it?

No doubt I suspect most normal people would do the same sitting even with poor little me.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
Yes tubes are curious devices these days for many and do tend to draw attention. Mine are mostly hidden but most do react with interest when I mention they are there. The glowier, the better!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
"What is serious music???"

Anything good worth listening to but can't really dance to maybe?

Waltzes included?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
"Why can't people just sit down and listen, really listen, to music? It's even better with your eyes closed."

It's kinda like a form of meditation.

Many people might find meditation to be a challenge, but might well be better off were they to tackle it. Probably same true with serious listening to music in general.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
+++ Jmc.

Getting even audiophiles together and expecting them to all like the same thing is like getting three normal people together and expecting them to all go gaga over the same meal.

It can happen, but not that often. Usually, the best one might expect is a general consensus that the meal was either good or not.

IF they all think not, well, time for a new chef I suppose!

Dangerous waters indeed! Gotta laugh!
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
"When there's a will, there's a way. "

A reasonable budget to help finance the changes and tinkering sure to result can't hurt either. :-)
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
"The vast majority of Americans under 75 have have their brains warped by rock."

Ah, so that explains me!

As a kid, I listened to classical music as a way to rebel against rock.

Now, my rebellious days are mostly behind me. I listen to it all!

Bach sounds really good after Killswitch Engage. And sometimes, vice versa even.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,830 posts
 
My opinion is that classical music is a high form of art.

Rock is a more pop form.

In the rock genre, I have always been a fan of progressive rock in particular in that it strives to take rock to a higher form, often with mixed results.

Lately, I still find progressive rock to be the most interested type, but I am comfortable listening to it all on its own terms.

"High art" is a very esoteric thing, unfortunately. Most people don't "get it".
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