You're selling that? But you just got it


This post is for all you guys that have a SO or wife that sometimes gives you a hard time about the audio addiction. Wives rarely understand this hobby and often object to the expense. It doesn't help that for some reason woman are generally less into music and almost never excited by shiny electronics. So I thought I'd share what worked for me.

My wife was on board with the initial equipment I purchased several years ago when I first got back into hifi after a long break, but she definately was perplexed by any box switching after that and objected to the money spent.

At one point I had a little talk with her and her objections were permanently silenced. The problem was, she just did not understand the hobby. She was under the impression that the hobby was entirely about listening to music. Once you purchased a nice system, you just bought music and enjoyed. While buying and listening to music is also a hobby and also one I enjoy very much, the pursuit of hifi is a different hobby. That's what she did not understand. Once I explained to her that experimenting with different components and various tweaks was all part of the hobby that is the pursuit of hifi perfection, she understood what I was doing. It made sense to her and she stopped objecting. The box swapping IS the hobby. That's what the hobby is! Changing things up in a never ending pursuit to improve the sound quality. The wives and girlfriends just do not understand this unless you explain it to them. It also helps if you explain how you buy and sell used equipment with minimal financial loss. And if you compare the expense (and time spent) to friends that are into golf, lol. You're at home, golfers are never home.

BTW, I'm not talking about crazy box swappers that never even let the dust settle on a piece of equipment. There is no defense for that.
jaxwired

Showing 2 responses by kbarkamian

When we first started dating, I told my wife about my hobby. I put it as everyone has something 'stupid' they spend way too much on. Bikes, cars, boats, etc for guys; shoes, pocketbooks, jewelry, etc. for women. As long as you're spending disposable income/within your means, buy what makes you happy.

I'll never buy a pair of speakers before paying the electric bill, and she'll never buy a Coach bag before buying groceries.

It's worked for 8+ years. Never a single argument. I know how much her stuff costs, and she knows how much mine costs. We've never looked down at each other's spending habits Never had a need to hide the truth. If I bought something beyond our means, she'd call me out (rightfully), and I'd do the same.
Sorry -

Never a single argument about SPENDING HABITS in 8+ years. We've had a few disagreements about other things though!