Whatever Happened To The Audiophile?

[SEAWOLF97]

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http://www.npr.org/2011/03/05/134256...the-audiophile

"There are still people willing to drop a large chunk of their income on the best audio equipment available, says music professor Mark Katz. "That said," he adds, "the landscape — or perhaps soundscape — has changed."

Then came the barbaric revolution.

Loudness became more important than clarity. The richness and warmth of a recording was replaced by tinniness and splash.

[4313B]

Thanks for the link. Interesting comments.

[pyonc]

Thanks for the link. Very interesting.
Most of the forum members here are definitely audiophiles...

[Ducatista47]

I have learned from these comments that there are many NPR fans who can think for themselves. Nice range of comments. A few of mine...

It seems the multitasking lifestyle, that is not sitting down and listening to music by itself, does narrow the demographic for high fidelity music enjoyment. You don't need hifi for background music.

You also don't need it to reproduce junk carefully. It speaks volumes that the industry was astonished when a lot of frequently downloaded music started to cost something and sales vanished. People will eat a so-so meal for free but won't pay restaurant prices for it, if they know anything about their choices.

The loudness war sure demonstrates the lack of knowledge and experience among listeners. No one cares when no one knows the difference.

Analogue, it should be remembered, is equivalent to about 13 bit resolution. It has its charms, but GOOD well done digital has much more potential. I too lament the apparent death of the technology behind SACD, the Sony DSD system that Telarc was using. Megahertz capture beats analogue tape every time. For a system that came about as a response to theft it sure sounds nice.

[Rolf]

Very interesting indeed. The audiophiles still exists, but most are "under ground". In the 60's, 70's and 80's the audiophiles was "shining from a mountain top" for everybody to see. Now days the "crowd" has to dig to find them (us) that still listen to music on 2 channel in a quiet room.

My thoughts.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting.
Most of the forum members here are definitely audiophiles...

[Fort Knox]

Don't forget the rattling tags... on that Toyota
Big Subs are at large out there ...and the Auto
Cars Stereo thing has created a HUGE industry
all by itself...gives the Street Guy a BIG Sound image...

[Mr. Widget]

Thanks 'Wolf... very interesting.

I do think it odd that so many on this Forum consider "Audiophile" a derogatory term. The point of our hobby is generally centered around the enjoyment of music. The fact that many of us have at least briefly lost sight of that at one time or another doesn't decrease our love of music. Regardless, the passion for recreating high quality musical events in our homes, or places of business, is absolutely the definition of being an "Audiophile". You don't have to worship at the alter of expensive audio bling to be an "Audiophile".

This link is somewhat related and also interesting. I Am an Audiophile.


Widget

[grumpy]

You don't have to worship at the alter of expensive audio bling to be an "Audiophile".

And yet that is the stereotype (pun intended). It is somewhat rare
to find an audiophile that doesn't have at least a mild case of
equipment-philia... or isn't in pursuit of what a former forumite
referred to as the gonadotropic effect; subconsciously or not.

I prefer an active pursuit of satisfaction and enjoyment, vs. a
pursuit of perfection (doomed to failure and disappointment).
...which, perhaps not so surprisingly, happens to support my
fondness for both new and old

Wishing all the best for 2012!

[hjames]

Thanks 'Wolf... very interesting.

I do think it odd that so many on this Forum consider "Audiophile" a derogatory term. The point of our hobby is generally centered around the enjoyment of music. The fact that many of us have at least briefly lost sight of that at one time or another doesn't decrease our love of music. Regardless, the passion for recreating high quality musical events in our homes, or places of business, is absolutely the definition of being an "Audiophile". You don't have to worship at the alter of expensive audio bling to be an "Audiophile".

This link is somewhat related and also interesting. I Am an Audiophile.


Widget

I like to be considered a music apprecianado -

tho Steve Vollmer has us local folks building altars of Audiophilia ...

[Hey19]

And a host of other pioneers from the golden age of audio isn't audiophilia, I don't know what is. I didn't partake of these masterpieces on the first go round in the 60's and 70's, so I'm doing it now. Obviously, sites like this keep introducing newbys to the best the golden age had to offer.

[tomt]

must be a generation type thing.

from the article -

Listening to music used to be a plop-down, stay-still event.
Now it's something people do while doing something else,
like eating while driving or chatting on a phone while walking.

frank zappa said -

music has now become wallpaper

for peoples lives ...

[Rolf]

He is one of my favorites. (FZ). He was ahead of his time. And as you stated, he is right! To bad he put down his sword so early.

frank zappa said -

music has now become wallpaper

for peoples lives ...

[Ducatista47]

I think this is the number one reason why sound quality has declined in importance, in more ways than one. No need for high fidelity with background/multitasked music. Parties too. A room full of people talking with a Bose Wave radio in the background usually generates lots of compliments about the sound of the radio.

must be a generation type thing.

from the article -


Listening to music used to be a plop-down, stay-still event.
Now it's something people do while doing something else,
like eating while driving or chatting on a phone while walking.


frank zappa said -

music has now become wallpaper

for peoples lives ...