Disappointments

Yes, but my own fault.

I heard a pair of Auto Speakers, 6x9's that were awesome (to my poor buying status and inexperienced ears). Bought em, hot damn, hurried home.

Had a 1961 VW Beetle, they had a space behind the back seat. I wired them up temporarily, thinking they ought to sound terrific. 

What a dud, no bass, wimpy sound.

Back to the dealer, who asked: Are they mounted in a baffle? Nooooo

Went home, got a piece of 3/4" plywood, cut to make a tight fit, slanted board with the 6x9's aimed up at an angle.

I loved them, once I blocked the rear waves that were cancelling the front waves. It was a good early lesson.

Talk about Let Down.

Young (19), married, $500. wedding money, we shot up the big escalator of Sam Goody's, bought a Fisher 200T Receiver, AR-2ax speakers, A TT (maybe a BSR, nothing special).

Delivery day: Speakers, TT, no Receiver on the truck. All dressed up, no where to go.

We were living in Brooklyn, going to Pratt Institute, 1967, the phones were out most of the time, I had to go down to Myrtle Ave for the pay-phone. Lots of unkept promises, stared at that TT for around 3 days. Finally it came, got me thru many all-nighters, with Cousin Brucie and the Nightbird.

Those AR-2ax's were eventually stolen, I restored two pairs recently for my Office and Garage/Shop systems. I still highly recommend them, one feature is two pots to adjust your mid and tweeter in your space.

Had a 1961 VW Beetle, they had a space behind the back seat.

When we were small, my sister and I would fight over getting into that space.

YES on the Q.

Yes. From drawing a conclusion about the sound too soon before the component was broken in. Typically I knew better... but just could not help it on a couple of components. 

A couple times very early on, when I suddenly really understood the sound and learned what a  new negative attribute was... one was what grain sounded like in a preamp... wow, when I heard it I could not unhear it. Then a warm sounding preamp (Amber ~ late 1970’s) warm, but without detail. 

@wsrrsw 

We 3 Sons fought to get the 3rd seat in my Mother’s Mercury Station Wagon

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/we-call-the-back-back/

I don’t even remember, it must have had a radio, I was usually in the back!

Maybe she kept it off or low so she could hear if one of us fell out. No seat belts back then.