What is an audiophile ?

[Titanium Dome]

It refereed to people that were after good sound and were willing spend extra to get it and not just settle for the "boxed" record player console.
I was one of them, today I would call myself and enthusiast. I don't go way over board on wild things or exotic very BIG $$$$ items. There is a point of diminishing returns in everything. I stopped going to high end stores years ago. The is one in Hinsdale that you have to make an appointment to even be able to walk into the store, maybe this gives them time to ckeck your credit rating.

Yes, the ol' prequalification gambit. I had one here in LA tell me I wasn't the right kind of clientele for his store since I drove to the store in my 2001 Hyundai Sonata. They needed a shovel and wheelbarrow to clean up the dump I took on him before I left.

I was so mad I went to another shop and ordered $18,000 worth of gear, then called the first shop's manager and told him he'd just lost that business. The guy wet his pants over the phone trying to get me to come back.

When I came to my senses the next day, I had to go back to the second store to cancel the order. I gave the guy $200 because I'd been an to take advantage of him.

[lgvenable]

By the definitions you cited I would say we're all audiophiles then.

I always thought the "geek" label people liked to toss around was "retarded".

I always thought the joke was you might call someone a geek or a nerd, but you might also call them....boss.

On the thread subject:
In the past (70's) when I had no money I thought an audiophile was someone who dumped a ton of money on equipment, didn't know much or how to run it; and was a stuffed talking head.

Now I think folks (like on LHF), are enthusiasts who pursue a passion for music and in our cases all things JBL. More than a hobby, more like a lifestyle.

[JBL 4645]

Today you rarely here that term used. Pre 1970's audiophile was used quite often. One was proud to be defined as an audiophile.

With the advent of HD television and the Ipod "Geeks" appear to be the name one hears today. Audio appears today to take a back seat behind computer produced music and television.

The American Heritage Dictionary definds Audiophile " A high fidelity audio hobbist "
The complete Guide to High End Audio definds it as "A person who values sound quality in reproduced music "

I personally think most of those who listen to audio today or "Geeks " there are exceptions.
What do you all think ?

I think this youtube 20 minute video sums it all up! I watched this a few times and really this bunch as lost the plot!

Audiophile Greeks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs1aUws0Lrs

I got asked the same question on MSN massager a few nights back. I said I just listen which is the difference from hearing a sound frequency that is honestly there on the mix itself.

I don’t spend silly amounts of shameless money around on silly cables or speaker cable!

I do prefer and most would agree active crossovers do present a better sound with less distortion, and that’s good enough for me.

[jcrobso]

I guess the term doesn't apply to me, so I block it out. Mine is more like an obsession, and JBLaddict is already taken.

Seriously, I was looking around the garage yesterday while testing a JBL Synthesis® S650 amp I bought, and I thought am I doing? I already have too much of this stuff. I think I have a problem.

This forum is fun at times some what like a therapy session.
I get to find out about JBL speakers without having to go buy all of them, just some of them.

[Allanvh5150]

I get to find out about JBL speakers without having to go buy all of them, just some of them.

And the curiosity takes over and you have to go out and get one to find for yourself.

[JBL 4645]

And the curiosity takes over and you have to go out and get one to find for yourself.

Yeah. That’s why budget is an issue with me, and I can only afford plastic control series 1 and 5.