"audiophiles listen to their equipment"

@audition__audio 

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it, but I saw it on Audio Science Review, in a post in which dozens of "engineer-types" chimed in to mock audiophiles, so I think it was worth thinking about it long enough to give an answer. Plus, it actually connects with my philosophy of listening and music-making (i.e. the sound is inseparable from the music) which is worth some time thinking about.

Everyone has their own taste. Some people like tubes, some don’t. Some people like speakers that are warm and musical while others find those same speakers to be veiled and muffled. Some people take their joy from putting together the best equipment they can while others are not so particular about that. Trying to define for someone else how they should listen to music doesn’t really work 
 

@kerrybh 

I agree. But I think the measurement-loving types who hurl this insult at audiophiles are not just criticizing someone else’s taste, but making a wrong implication about some nearly objective facts about music listening and music-making.

 Amir is smart in that taking such an extreme stance attracts many malcontents.