“Civilian” reaction to your gear?

The responses have been mixed. Some sort of shrug and say "That's nice." Others have said they've never heard music sound so good. The phantom center channel gets remarked on - I'm surprised at how many folks have never experienced that phenomenon. 

If I needed people to give me validation on my choice to have a nice sound system, I'd of ditched this pursuit a long time ago. But I have moderate responses when people have showed me their wine collection, or their cars, or their fishing gear. They are enthusiasts, and hoped I'd be impressed. I loved that they care about something, but I just wasn't interested in that particular thing.  I was interested in their interest, but that is about it. I guess I shouldn't expect more than that for my little madness...

David

People love the acoustic treatments and then are blown away by anything I play. They have usually never heard something so "real."

For the few that ever get to enter the house of stereo, they are usually very quiet trying to take it all in and leave in love with the sound. It's not for everybody though. My wife has been in it probably only a handful of times since it was built in 2019.

That's not a problem.

My gear is in my living room, and I sometimes leave it playing jazz while repair people are in and out.  I don't ask them to listen or make any comments.  Just leave it on while they move in and out. 

The usual comment is "wow, that sounds really good."  

“Is it as good as Bose?” I usually reply. Bose is the devil’s sound system.