If I want to remove bias in my own thoughts and actions, I often find it useful to imagine that it's not about me. What would I think if it was not me doing this or that, but someone else?
I just struck me that this might also be a intriguing exercise in hifi. So here's a challenge to y'all: Imagine that you're asked by a friend to set up a hifi system from scratch in his living room. What would it look like?
--------------
Ok, let's say that it goes like this:
This is a friend who is blessed with having a big living room in his own house, so room acoustics are ok. And no neighbors who will complain about the bass. His wife is very non-demanding and accepting when it comes to what speakers he can bring into the house, as long as it's within "reasonable limits". He has too much money for his own good, and wants to spend roughly 10000 USD on the system in total, maximum 15000 USD. He could be convinced to spend even more, but then he'd need very convincing arguments. He has absolutely no preconceptions about hifi or stereo. So far he's mainly listened to small radios etc, because he hadn't had the time to invest in real hifi. He's been a frequent concert goer though, and he has experience with unamplified acoustic concerts as well as PA concerts. His musical tastes are eclectic, ranging from classical to jazz to electronica. Beyond this, he says that he just wants something that will make him "enjoy music in his home".
------------
So... what kind of system would you set up for this guy? Remember that it's not about your own taste, but rather what you would assume that he would be happy with.
I just struck me that this might also be a intriguing exercise in hifi. So here's a challenge to y'all: Imagine that you're asked by a friend to set up a hifi system from scratch in his living room. What would it look like?
--------------
Ok, let's say that it goes like this:
This is a friend who is blessed with having a big living room in his own house, so room acoustics are ok. And no neighbors who will complain about the bass. His wife is very non-demanding and accepting when it comes to what speakers he can bring into the house, as long as it's within "reasonable limits". He has too much money for his own good, and wants to spend roughly 10000 USD on the system in total, maximum 15000 USD. He could be convinced to spend even more, but then he'd need very convincing arguments. He has absolutely no preconceptions about hifi or stereo. So far he's mainly listened to small radios etc, because he hadn't had the time to invest in real hifi. He's been a frequent concert goer though, and he has experience with unamplified acoustic concerts as well as PA concerts. His musical tastes are eclectic, ranging from classical to jazz to electronica. Beyond this, he says that he just wants something that will make him "enjoy music in his home".
------------
So... what kind of system would you set up for this guy? Remember that it's not about your own taste, but rather what you would assume that he would be happy with.
Last edited: