Audio Epiphanies - Blu-ray Forum

richteer · 09-19-2009, 11:47 PM

We went out to dinner last night to celebrate my birthday, and invited a few friends back to our place afterwards. Most of them have seen my system, but one guy hadn't since I upgraded to my MartinLogan Spires and Nordost Frey cabling. So I invited him downstairs to have a quick listen and he politely obliged, saying that he never really listened to music as an activity: it was usually something he played in the background while doing something else.

I can't remember what the first we played was, but when it finished and the light went up, he had this huge grin on his face. He couldn't believe that such quality was possible from a home stereo, so instead of just listening to a couple of tracks to humour his host (me), he ended spending almost 3 hours listening to different pieces of music! He would have stayed longer but had to get home to his dog.

He concluded that the reason why he never listened to music before was because all the systems he'd heard to date sounded like crap, and that maybe he should start saving for a decent high end system. I said that I'd be more than glad to help him on his journey!

This experience got me thinking: how many of you guys have given your guests similar epiphanies? I think the only way to really convince people what a real high end system can do is play it for them. My friend certainly got the bug after just a couple of hours!

sokrman14 · 09-20-2009, 12:34 AM

I love hearing stories like this. I am young, definitely of the digital age, but its through systems that he normally uses that people find listening to MP3 players as their primary sources as acceptable. You just convinced one person to stop accepting the "advancement" of audio. As video technology increases, audio technology has gotten worse, and this guy now understands the importance of good sound now, and won't settle for something that is just acceptable.

Hammie · 09-20-2009, 02:28 AM

Great story!

I convinced my wife recently the value of the speakers. Since we have had HT speakers of some sort of over the past 7+ years, it been a while since she has watched any TV programs on a TV's built-in speakers (neither one of us counts the 13" TV in our kitchen since that is usually background noise while we cook).

Well, when I was swapping out and reorganizing some cables, I hooked the satellite directly to my Panasonic plasma. Well, she quickly realized that when watching a program with the "big" TV, the sound really sucks (even tough IMO, the Panasonic has decent internal speakers). She said that she didn't care how much time I needed, she would not bother me until everything was hooked back up and she could watch her programs with the speakers.

She honestly did not notice the difference between the Polks and B&W's but she never listened to the sounds critically. however, I'm sure if I did an A/B preview, she would have noticed. For sh**s and giggles, I hooke up one my of Polk RTI4's to the left channel and kept the B&W on the right channel while I played some music. As well as the Polks tried to keep up with the B&W, it certainly fell short. It was just missing the low end and the detailed high end. Other than that, it sounded really good with the Emotiva amp.

But I digress... We're talking about HT epiphany stories.

callas01 · 09-20-2009, 12:24 PM

Lou,

When I hooked up my Energys the wife new there was a big difference from the Old Sonys to the New Energys, and I hadn't even had them hooked up for 2 hours. But she is the same way, she will not listen to TV speakers.

To the point though, I have had several people over that have been amazed when I play a movie or Music and they just cant imagine that it can sound so good. I have had people say 'but I can't afford all this' and I tell them what I bought my stuff for and then its 'babe, I want to get a HT setup'. I have helped give a few people some direction in getting setup.

Johnny Vinyl · 09-20-2009, 08:22 PM

Hi Rich!

What a neat idea for a thread! We spend so much time and money trying to get our respective systems just so, that it must always bring a smile to our faces when someone compliments us on our selections and the care we have taken in putting it all together.

Whenever I have a friend or friends over they are usually in awe of the wonderful sounds eminating from my system, although it pales in comparison to many on here. I have worked and tweaked my system to optimize the sound as best as I can, given my circumstance. It's a neverending project, as I'm sure you well know, but it brings me great joy. So when I watch someone listening and grooving and smiling at a passage from their favourite album, it gives me much pleasure and satisfaction. I know then that I am on the right path, which gets the upgrade-mojo flowing even stronger.

At work I'm known as the "Vinyl Guy" and whenever music is discussed they invariably mention my name. It's a great feeling to be recognized for one's passion.

When I tell people how much it has cost me they are actually quite surprised at the answer. For most they deem it too excessive, but for many it gets them thinking about working on their own system.

The bottom line is usually this: they love my system and are amazed at the quality of music they have experienced while here. I had one close friend tell me just a few days ago to play something in particular, because she can't listen to it through those wonderful Totems I have. It felt really good to hear that and it brought a smile to my face.

In closing, I can only say that had they listened to your setup they probably wouldn't have left as soon as they did!

John

SlmShdy1 · 09-21-2009, 03:57 AM

Rich, that's the experience I want. I'm just as the friend you described. When I listen to music, it's usually on in the background when I'm cleaning around the house. My home theater is only used for movies and my speakers are entry level satellites. I have yet to go out and demo speakers mainly because I know I don't have the money and I don't want to tease myself. I can just imagine all of the quality I'm missing out on when it comes to music. Sure, I've tried to sit back and enjoy some of my CD's, but I've never sat back and gone "wow" after listening to music on my setup. That's what I want. I want that "wow" factor.

Movies, on the other hand, sound awesome.

red_5ive · 09-21-2009, 07:21 AM

Sadly, the only story I have to share is with the wife since pretty much everyone else I know is already into audio or can give a squat about it no matter how much I rave. Anyway, while my wife has been 99% supportive of this hobby, she's never really cared much for the gear itself other than she has a way to play music when she's coreographing (she's a dance teacher). So one day I brought home an iPod adapter for her so that she can control everything with a remote. Suddenly I couldn't get her off my system! The cool thing is she can now hear the difference between lower 128k mp3s and higher bitrates.

Opips2 · 09-21-2009, 07:59 AM

same as my story.

I don't care about people not interesting blu-ray because too expensive. it's good enough for dvd. but picture and audio sucks!

I laughed. what a stupid!

Fors* · 09-21-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Sadly, the only story I have to share is with the wife since pretty much everyone else I know is already into audio or can give a squat about it no matter how much I rave. Anyway, while my wife has been 99% supportive of this hobby, she's never really cared much for the gear itself other than she has a way to play music when she's coreographing (she's a dance teacher). So one day I brought home an iPod adapter for her so that she can control everything with a remote. Suddenly I couldn't get her off my system! The cool thing is she can now hear the difference between lower 128k mp3s and higher bitrates.

My story is very similiar to red's. My wife has been dancing for over 20 years, so music plays a big part in it and she does like to play music on my set-up much more often than I do. I haven't done the iPod thing yet for this very reason! I have such limited time to watch my HT as it is with 2 kids, that if I got my wife an iPod, I'd be really screwed!

Hammie · 09-21-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsberg21

My story is very similiar to red's. My wife has been dancing for over 20 years, so music plays a big part in it and she does like to play music on my set-up much more often than I do. I haven't done the iPod thing yet for this very reason! I have such limited time to watch my HT as it is with 2 kids, that if I got my wife an iPod, I'd be really screwed!

I'm glad my wife still doesn't know how to get the music playing or else she might take over it, too. She said she has me or the kids to do it for her.

What a diva!!

Fors* · 09-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I'm glad my wife still doesn't know how to get the music playing or else she might take over it, too. She said she has me or the kids to do it for her.

What a diva!!

I don't how old your kids are, but I dont' even let me daughter touch the remote....I know she'll drop it for sure.

I've been trying to get some of my married friends over to hear my set-up and perhaps have an epiphany, but I have not been unable to do it. I think it is because their wives know better and what might happen to their husbands and their checking account after they did...

prerich · 09-21-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richteer

We went out to dinner last night to celebrate my birthday, and invited a few friends back to our place afterwards. Most of them have seen my system, but one guy hadn't since I upgraded to my MartinLogan Spires and Nordost Frey cabling. So I invited him downstairs to have a quick listen and he politely obliged, saying that he never really listened to music as an activity: it was usually something he played in the background while doing something else.

I can't remember what the first we played was, but when it finished and the light went up, he had this huge grin on his face. He couldn't believe that such quality was possible from a home stereo, so instead of just listening to a couple of tracks to humour his host (me), he ended spending almost 3 hours listening to different pieces of music! He would have stayed longer but had to get home to his dog.

He concluded that the reason why he never listened to music before was because all the systems he'd heard to date sounded like crap, and that maybe he should start saving for a decent high end system. I said that I'd be more than glad to help him on his journey!

This experience got me thinking: how many of you guys have given your guests similar epiphanies? I think the only way to really convince people what a real high end system can do is play it for them. My friend certainly got the bug after just a couple of hours!

More than I can name. I have helped start many a person on an audiophile journey

My son's, friends - neighbors - the list goes on. That's why (as I always say) listen to things you can't afford - it gives you a reference. I started this in the early 80's in Miami, I definately couldn't afford McIntosh but I listened - and listened. I was hooked. I tell people I only have 3 converstations - Christ, Audio, and PC's - thats about it

, but the one thing that comes out is that I'm passionate about them!

rpatt · 09-21-2009, 02:19 PM

This reminds me of when I got my first 2-channel system in the late 70s with JBL 4311s. I was talking about it to a friend at work. He said he would like to come over and listen to it. I told him to bring his favorite LP. I put it on the turntable and was appalled by the condition of the record. Very old, scratchy & muddy sounding. After listening to side one he smiled and said "this is amazing, I've never heard it sound so good".

Hammie · 09-21-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I don't how old your kids are, but I dont' even let me daughter touch the remote....I know she'll drop it for sure.

I've been trying to get some of my married friends over to hear my set-up and perhaps have an epiphany, but I have not been unable to do it. I think it is because their wives know better and what might happen to their husbands and their checking account after they did...

I have two boys -- 8 and 6. They both know how to turn everything on, which is especially helpful when the Grandparents are in town and my wife and I get a "date night." Although, the Harmony "help" button gets them through any difficulties. If they get really stuck, they just turn everything off and start over.

My in-laws see the difference, but would never want anything at their house. I've offered my older stuff before and even told them I would come set it up. But being about 6 hours away, if anything ever got messed up, they would be lost as to how the could fix it. They are quite content with their Panasonic plasma, Panasonic Blu-ray player and DirecTV SD STB (

I'm trying to get them to upgrade, but they're not sure of the additional cost being on a fixed income. We've considered taken over their satellite bill for them, but they refuse.)

rded · 09-21-2009, 03:02 PM

[QUOTE=prerich;2339508]More than I can name. I have helped start many a person on an audiophile journey

My son's, friends - neighbors - the list goes on. That's why (as I always say) listen to things you can't afford - it gives you a reference. I started this in the early 80's in Miami, I definately couldn't afford McIntosh but I listened - and listened. I was hooked. I tell people I only have 3 converstations - Christ, Audio, and PC's - thats about it , but the one thing that comes out is that I'm passionate about them![/QUOTE]

Hahaha! Talk about HIFI being a religion!

Here's one of my stories: Back in April, my buddies and I had a little get together. I haven't seen them in years but we keep on talking about HT when we chat on the phone. So first thing they did was to check out my system when they got to my place. I still had my Contour 3.4s back then. So I played a little Queen- Under Pressure, and We will rock you and the first 3 songs of Acoustic Alchemy Greatest Hits. I looked at them the whole time the music was playing and they had the stupidest grin

After that short demo one of my buddies approached me and said he had goosebumps the whole time the system was playing. I said: "that's how you know you've found the right speaker! Its just magical." We didn't really have much time to do HIFI shortly after that because we were A) drunk the whole time and B) I was busy showing them around Chicago. But the whole time we were out, my buddies couldn't stop talking about my rig and told the wait till I upgrade

So a little over a month later, we spoke again on the phone(conference) and I said I just got the C2s. They're like: you gotta play it for us next time we're there...

red_5ive · 09-21-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I'm glad my wife still doesn't know how to get the music playing or else she might take over it, too. She said she has me or the kids to do it for her.

What a diva!!

Ha... if it weren't for the Harmony remote I picked up a few months ago my wife would be the same. Prior to that she could get the CD player working for her coreography and the TV on (TV speakers only) to watch cable, but that was it. The other day I came home and she was actually watching a blu-ray!

Opips2 · 09-21-2009, 10:55 PM

usga 300 hrs. for electronic systems. most failure. Too a loudspeakers for 300hrs. failure.

when you listen music on 1 hr. or more...hrs. it's your money and too expensive for pleasure listen a music

09-19-2009, 11:47 PM	#1
richteer Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Kelowna, BC Trading Score:1	Audio Epiphanies We went out to dinner last night to celebrate my birthday, and invited a few friends back to our place afterwards. Most of them have seen my system, but one guy hadn't since I upgraded to my MartinLogan Spires and Nordost Frey cabling. So I invited him downstairs to have a quick listen and he politely obliged, saying that he never really listened to music as an activity: it was usually something he played in the background while doing something else. I can't remember what the first we played was, but when it finished and the light went up, he had this huge grin on his face. He couldn't believe that such quality was possible from a home stereo, so instead of just listening to a couple of tracks to humour his host (me), he ended spending almost 3 hours listening to different pieces of music! He would have stayed longer but had to get home to his dog. He concluded that the reason why he never listened to music before was because all the systems he'd heard to date sounded like crap, and that maybe he should start saving for a decent high end system. I said that I'd be more than glad to help him on his journey! This experience got me thinking: how many of you guys have given your guests similar epiphanies? I think the only way to really convince people what a real high end system can do is play it for them. My friend certainly got the bug after just a couple of hours!

09-21-2009, 03:02 PM	#15
rded Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2008 Location:555 Naim Street Blu-ray collection:254 Trading Score:1	[QUOTE=prerich;2339508]More than I can name. I have helped start many a person on an audiophile journey My son's, friends - neighbors - the list goes on. That's why (as I always say) listen to things you can't afford - it gives you a reference. I started this in the early 80's in Miami, I definately couldn't afford McIntosh but I listened - and listened. I was hooked. I tell people I only have 3 converstations - Christ, Audio, and PC's - thats about it , but the one thing that comes out is that I'm passionate about them![/QUOTE] Hahaha! Talk about HIFI being a religion! Here's one of my stories: Back in April, my buddies and I had a little get together. I haven't seen them in years but we keep on talking about HT when we chat on the phone. So first thing they did was to check out my system when they got to my place. I still had my Contour 3.4s back then. So I played a little Queen- Under Pressure, and We will rock you and the first 3 songs of Acoustic Alchemy Greatest Hits. I looked at them the whole time the music was playing and they had the stupidest grin After that short demo one of my buddies approached me and said he had goosebumps the whole time the system was playing. I said: "that's how you know you've found the right speaker! Its just magical." We didn't really have much time to do HIFI shortly after that because we were A) drunk the whole time and B) I was busy showing them around Chicago. But the whole time we were out, my buddies couldn't stop talking about my rig and told the wait till I upgrade So a little over a month later, we spoke again on the phone(conference) and I said I just got the C2s. They're like: you gotta play it for us next time we're there... Last edited by rded; 09-21-2009 at 03:06 PM.

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09-20-2009, 12:34 AM	#2
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I love hearing stories like this. I am young, definitely of the digital age, but its through systems that he normally uses that people find listening to MP3 players as their primary sources as acceptable. You just convinced one person to stop accepting the "advancement" of audio. As video technology increases, audio technology has gotten worse, and this guy now understands the importance of good sound now, and won't settle for something that is just acceptable.

09-20-2009, 02:28 AM	#3
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	Great story! I convinced my wife recently the value of the speakers. Since we have had HT speakers of some sort of over the past 7+ years, it been a while since she has watched any TV programs on a TV's built-in speakers (neither one of us counts the 13" TV in our kitchen since that is usually background noise while we cook). Well, when I was swapping out and reorganizing some cables, I hooked the satellite directly to my Panasonic plasma. Well, she quickly realized that when watching a program with the "big" TV, the sound really sucks (even tough IMO, the Panasonic has decent internal speakers). She said that she didn't care how much time I needed, she would not bother me until everything was hooked back up and she could watch her programs with the speakers. She honestly did not notice the difference between the Polks and B&W's but she never listened to the sounds critically. however, I'm sure if I did an A/B preview, she would have noticed. For sh**s and giggles, I hooke up one my of Polk RTI4's to the left channel and kept the B&W on the right channel while I played some music. As well as the Polks tried to keep up with the B&W, it certainly fell short. It was just missing the low end and the detailed high end. Other than that, it sounded really good with the Emotiva amp. But I digress... We're talking about HT epiphany stories.

09-20-2009, 12:24 PM	#4
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Lou, When I hooked up my Energys the wife new there was a big difference from the Old Sonys to the New Energys, and I hadn't even had them hooked up for 2 hours. But she is the same way, she will not listen to TV speakers. To the point though, I have had several people over that have been amazed when I play a movie or Music and they just cant imagine that it can sound so good. I have had people say 'but I can't afford all this' and I tell them what I bought my stuff for and then its 'babe, I want to get a HT setup'. I have helped give a few people some direction in getting setup.

09-20-2009, 08:22 PM	#5
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Hi Rich! What a neat idea for a thread! We spend so much time and money trying to get our respective systems just so, that it must always bring a smile to our faces when someone compliments us on our selections and the care we have taken in putting it all together. Whenever I have a friend or friends over they are usually in awe of the wonderful sounds eminating from my system, although it pales in comparison to many on here. I have worked and tweaked my system to optimize the sound as best as I can, given my circumstance. It's a neverending project, as I'm sure you well know, but it brings me great joy. So when I watch someone listening and grooving and smiling at a passage from their favourite album, it gives me much pleasure and satisfaction. I know then that I am on the right path, which gets the upgrade-mojo flowing even stronger. At work I'm known as the "Vinyl Guy" and whenever music is discussed they invariably mention my name. It's a great feeling to be recognized for one's passion. When I tell people how much it has cost me they are actually quite surprised at the answer. For most they deem it too excessive, but for many it gets them thinking about working on their own system. The bottom line is usually this: they love my system and are amazed at the quality of music they have experienced while here. I had one close friend tell me just a few days ago to play something in particular, because she can't listen to it through those wonderful Totems I have. It felt really good to hear that and it brought a smile to my face. In closing, I can only say that had they listened to your setup they probably wouldn't have left as soon as they did! John

09-21-2009, 03:57 AM	#6
SlmShdy1 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Honolulu, HI PlayStation® PSN: SlmShdy1 Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:292	Rich, that's the experience I want. I'm just as the friend you described. When I listen to music, it's usually on in the background when I'm cleaning around the house. My home theater is only used for movies and my speakers are entry level satellites. I have yet to go out and demo speakers mainly because I know I don't have the money and I don't want to tease myself. I can just imagine all of the quality I'm missing out on when it comes to music. Sure, I've tried to sit back and enjoy some of my CD's, but I've never sat back and gone "wow" after listening to music on my setup. That's what I want. I want that "wow" factor. Movies, on the other hand, sound awesome.

09-21-2009, 07:21 AM	#7
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:384 Blu-ray collection:1022 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Sadly, the only story I have to share is with the wife since pretty much everyone else I know is already into audio or can give a squat about it no matter how much I rave. Anyway, while my wife has been 99% supportive of this hobby, she's never really cared much for the gear itself other than she has a way to play music when she's coreographing (she's a dance teacher). So one day I brought home an iPod adapter for her so that she can control everything with a remote. Suddenly I couldn't get her off my system! The cool thing is she can now hear the difference between lower 128k mp3s and higher bitrates.

09-21-2009, 07:59 AM	#8
Opips2 Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Edmonton, AB Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:175 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:1	same as my story. I don't care about people not interesting blu-ray because too expensive. it's good enough for dvd. but picture and audio sucks! I laughed. what a stupid!

09-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#13
rpatt Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Home Theater Gallery:69 Blu-ray reviews: 3	This reminds me of when I got my first 2-channel system in the late 70s with JBL 4311s. I was talking about it to a friend at work. He said he would like to come over and listen to it. I told him to bring his favorite LP. I put it on the turntable and was appalled by the condition of the record. Very old, scratchy & muddy sounding. After listening to side one he smiled and said "this is amazing, I've never heard it sound so good".

09-21-2009, 10:55 PM	#17
Opips2 Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Edmonton, AB Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:175 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:1	usga 300 hrs. for electronic systems. most failure. Too a loudspeakers for 300hrs. failure. when you listen music on 1 hr. or more...hrs. it's your money and too expensive for pleasure listen a music

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