OP
Westsounds
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Snobbery in Hi-Fi. Why are people so stupid and turn their noses up at gear costing much less which is just as good?
- Thread starter Westsounds
- Start date
Matched only by the level of pretentiousness.
Can’t help but envision…
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OP
Westsounds
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- #764
And by just saying things like that, I guess your sense of your own importance is more valid than anyone else’s is it.
And here we are again, in the cyclical debate, which never goes anywhere. This is where ASR tries, and what scientific evidence attempts to avoid. But I want my hi-fi to match the ornaments my wife bought, well fine just don't think it's better than a cheap version that measures well on here, because it's not.
We are guilty.
It's stupid to suggest otherwise but some don't like their reflection in the mirror of personal habits.
I've bought far too much over priced stuff because of branding woo or delusions of grandeur.
I've also done the opposite and bought under priced landfill.
It's not that shocking really.
OP
Westsounds
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I can attest to that, many thousands on DAC’s, and amplifiers and speakers. Led down paths of upgraditis quite a few times. Left scratching my head many times also to what have I just paid for. I’m not saying all the cheap stuff is better, but there is certainly a level where things cease to yield improvements in ‘sound quality’ other than differences, and what can be left to the imagination of the music painting pictures in front of you. And I am saying things here with some sense of irony also which some people fail to grasp the concept of. I’m not sure if that is a cultural thing, as most people despite some sharper comments, generally come from a good place and are well intended with the knowledge they have.
Keeping wife happy regarding ones audio investments is perfectly valid aspect to consider when deciding what to buy. "Branding woo" and "delusions of grandeur" are not the only reasons to pay a bit more. Just accept that SINAD / price is not the only rational decision criteria.
Ok, the moral dimension escapes me. Is it Catholic guilt, Protestant shame—I can't always remember?
Speak for yourself though. My audio purchases are few in number. I haven't bought 'far too much' overpriced stuff, nor selected exclusively lowest-cost stuff.
I'll likely pay a premium for industrial design, aesthetics/haptics and UI/UX where applicable because I value those things. So there's still a cost-effectiveness evaluation but not limited entirely to the sonics. There's also the possibility that the vendor will be around and support the gear in a decade or three to consider. And so on.
Now all that could be considered snobbery by some definition, but argumentum ad lazarum is simply reverse-snobbery, a virtue signal of its own.
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tineared
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Let he who is without an audio excess cast the first stone...
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PristineSound
Major Contributor
Been busy this weekend, looks like we're still on this topic of not allowing other people to buy nice, expensive stuff so they can enjoy it?
In that case, my guilt is that I buy luxury items that's within my means, that includes audio equipment, for my own pleasure. And by guilt, I mean beaming pride and joy.
I could have purchased an OK sounding and performing ADAM Audio for my desk to listen to music when I work. But I decided it wasn't good enough for me and since I am fortunate enough to in the position to spoil myself, I decided to purchase a pair of Neumann. . .because I can and because I like excessive luxury for self-enjoyment and I am very proud of that.
In that case, my guilt is that I buy luxury items that's within my means, that includes audio equipment, for my own pleasure. And by guilt, I mean beaming pride and joy.
I could have purchased an OK sounding and performing ADAM Audio for my desk to listen to music when I work. But I decided it wasn't good enough for me and since I am fortunate enough to in the position to spoil myself, I decided to purchase a pair of Neumann. . .because I can and because I like excessive luxury for self-enjoyment and I am very proud of that.
Yet - you don’t see me telling others:
they shouldn’t buy a Mercedes b/c a Peugeot is just as good, in fact better in every way(because it costs less).
Or - how much property is sufficient and any more is just showing off
Or - how any power tool is equal to the lowest cost tool and anyone who uses DeWalt or Makita vs Ryobi is obviously showing off
Or - how anyone who buys any piece of audio gear above the cost point of the lowest cost well testing disposable option is clearly a badge snob.
Did I miss anything..?
You got me, clearly MY self importance is off the charts - lol.
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After my friends and I, experienced numerous failures with equipment from SMSL, Topping and Fosi, I decide I never buy anything that did not have USA based distribution and repair centers. I want a phone number, where people speak English, I do not want to email somewhere get an answer in 4-5 days or a few weeks later in Chinglish, that makes no sense.
When I replaced my Conrad-Johnson equipment, I wanted US made equipment, well built with excellent service if needed, Benchmark met my requirements. Did I pay more, yep, do I feel bad about it, nope. I knew roughly what I was going to pay before I talked to them. I’ve have had some of their equipment for almost 20 yrs, without any issues.
When I replaced my Conrad-Johnson equipment, I wanted US made equipment, well built with excellent service if needed, Benchmark met my requirements. Did I pay more, yep, do I feel bad about it, nope. I knew roughly what I was going to pay before I talked to them. I’ve have had some of their equipment for almost 20 yrs, without any issues.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
Valid reasons to buy overpriced gear:
An invalid reason would be logically untenable or something the buyer doesn't actually believe, this is really rare when it comes to purchase decisions.
Invalid reasons to buy overpriced gear: (you rarely / never hear stuff like this)
If the objective is to stop getting people from wasting money on gear that doesn't perform despite a high price tag, the real question is how to get the megabuck buyers to understand / value objective performance. In today's world that would require them to do research to maximize bang-for-buck beforehand, which doesn't seem like the kind of thing insanely rich people usually spend their time on.
Or maybe the entire edifice of megabuck gear brands and dealers could all develop a strong urge to publish measurements, but I don't think this is likely, either.
- You like how it looks
- You believe at least one aspect of its performance is superior
- You just want to own something expensive
- You went with whatever the salesman told you because you don't actually care that much
- To piss off poor (or even just moderately rich) people
An invalid reason would be logically untenable or something the buyer doesn't actually believe, this is really rare when it comes to purchase decisions.
Invalid reasons to buy overpriced gear: (you rarely / never hear stuff like this)
- Actually, it's cheaper than the cheap gear
- It's illegal to buy cheaper gear
- The cheap gear won't actually function in my house for some reason
- etc.
If the objective is to stop getting people from wasting money on gear that doesn't perform despite a high price tag, the real question is how to get the megabuck buyers to understand / value objective performance. In today's world that would require them to do research to maximize bang-for-buck beforehand, which doesn't seem like the kind of thing insanely rich people usually spend their time on.
Or maybe the entire edifice of megabuck gear brands and dealers could all develop a strong urge to publish measurements, but I don't think this is likely, either.
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How could cars ever go AI, it can't move me from location to location, at least till we invent Transporters like dreamed of on StarTrek.
I've loved my cars since I got my first one at 14 in 1964. For most of us they're the second largest expenditures we make in our life, second only to our homes. They've influenced our life's and lifestyles in more ways than we can begin to count or imagine. The Beach Boys launched a huge career with songs devoted to them (and surfing). Whenever we talk about things in our lives that we're passionate about like Hi-Fi and music, cars will always be an integral part of those discussion.I Get Around !
Unless your a musician or recording engineer, what are you doing listening to music at work?
Your getting paid to concentrate on the task at hand?
I just like buying stuff that's good, good enough for me, and doesn't cost a lot. Pretty much that way about all my possessions, and while I can afford to spend more, I don't want to. I love my clothes, books and music, and we've been in the same home for going on 34 years. The "middle path" to spending has been lovely.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
@Westsounds, I think it's time for you and the other supporters to get over it. Other people will pay for goods and services that you would considered overpriced, because they either (1) see value in it and feel that it warrants them to spend their own money (2) some may buy expensive products as a status symbol, still their own money, so eat your heart out (3) plenty who buys luxury good for self-enjoyment, again their own money.
If you find it disdainful, to ease your pain, just go watch more people who buys luxury goods, this is called exposure therapy.
If you find it disdainful, to ease your pain, just go watch more people who buys luxury goods, this is called exposure therapy.
We all have our passions that we'll sometimes spend more than absolutely necessary or common sense would dictate.
My dad (RIP) would always shake his head over the motorcycles I would buy. LOL
OP
Westsounds
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Salesmen love suckers like you
