What is an audiophile? Are you an audiophile?


I had been pondering this question since I have been involved in audio. Not sure what audiophile means. I went to a few fellow audio gurus get together events and although I had fun and liked the company, I felt out of place. In fact of the opinions and passion people here on Audiogon have, I do not have such strong attachments. So what is your take.... are you an audiophile? If you are, how do you know?
128x1282psyop
edcyn and frogman
Great observations. I get the fact the pocketbook will dictate what one can afford and I also understand the difference between music lovers and gear lovers. I also know it’s a loaded question that has been asked. But the question is not an attack on someone or statement of fact, just asking opinions. Also asking what your opinion of what an audiophile is. I see myself as one because I do love music and gear, but I don’t see myself as one because my passion does not go as deep as others I talk with. According to frogman, I am a music lover not an audiophile. I can be happy listening to a fine acoustic guitar performance on a youtube video played through my macbook. I can take it to another level with listening to my stereo.... to a degree.

I think the idea of someone being a jerk or arrogant to some obvious degree is not just found with audio. There are bike jerks, car jerks, golf jerks and any other hobby one can think of. I have talked a few "know it all" people and that can be tiring. I guess the level of strong opinions has much to do with vanity and pride with whatever gear one may have or has manufactured alongside with a healthy amount of inherent conceit. No problem there, I just don’t feel that kind of passion.
Thanks for the responses, again not attacking anyone at all!!
I guess i am less an audiophile my system (500 bucks) is done...

I explained how i did it at no cost or very low one....

I listen music.....

The distinction frogman underlined made sense for me, a lover of music put spontaneously and without even thinking a ceiling above which he will not go, if the piano is in his room he will be busy listening music....Sounds will no more bother him anyway...

I proved for myself that a 500 bucks system is enough to create this experience....And it is not everybody which like that claim or believe it... 😊

For sure for example my speakers give me only 40 hertz but very good one, with their 7 inches driver well embedded in my room, i listen cello with my chest... Almost all music is there then it is enough for me.... But it is not enough for all then a 500 bucks system even well embedded has limitations for sure....But most people want 20 hertz... For me voice and timbre instrument are the most important and the enveloping listener factor or LEV....The only audible test to verify that is classical orchestra and live opera....

I proved for myself that controls of three things matter the most than anything else: mechanical vibration and resonance controls , electrical noise floor controls and the most underestimated and difficult to do right : acoustical passive treatment and especially active mechanical acoustic controls...

The reason is simple audio engineering design is mature already from decades ago, then it is easy to pick relatively good components, what is not easy is learning how to embed them at low or no cost.....
😁 Then if someone boast about gear he is not for me in the right direction even if his system is very good....Anybody with money could do that....



I will let "audiophiles" boast about the gear now and costly "Tweaks"... And i will go listen music....

I am now interested "philosophically" by the experience of hearing ,sound, speech, and music...

If someone know a book about that give me the title.... No audio related book please...


My best to all audiophiles and/or music lovers....




A person that enjoys "their" type of music or sound. They are ALWAYS close.. AND hear that perfect sound.  Not always though..
Change genre a bit and;

Tinker
Tinker
Tinker..

Not always easy going from Highland music, with bagpipes and a Pan flute, to hard core rock and roll.. or island music to chamber music.

BUT that tinker, tinker, tinker...

Master M how ya been buddy?

Tell um... :-)

Regards