The Audiophile snob and inverted snob

[Analogous]

I came across this rant (?) by John Darko and thought he picked a interesting spectrum of the human condition.
Not sure what triggered this; it could be comments on his reviews, podcasts or posts.

When I was much younger and poorer, I remember the feeling of inverted snobbery when I visited a high end audio shop…now I strive and struggle to not sound like a condescending snob when I try to answer or explain to someone who is new to the hobby or is just curious.

What do you think?

 

[shibashis]

Watched it the other day and was intrigued as well. What I perceived as 'silly money' perhaps a decade back, I have spent that on audio a few times over by now and this is no exaggeration, I at times feel silly and even ashamed for questioning people and the language I may have used back in the day. The much younger and immature me from the past would be using the same languages about today's me.
We evolve and hopefully with that we learn, I certainly have.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

Yeah, why judge? Ideologies should be for oneself, not for others.

 

[Analogous]

Yeah, why judge? Ideologies should be for oneself, not for others.

I think it’s about how others perceive audio enthusiasts too.
When they see a set up with several unfamiliar (to them) objects, curiosity is inevitable.
The challenge is (in my opinion) in the manner we try to explain and answer their questions, …or not.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

I think it’s about how others perceive audio enthusiasts too.
When they see a set up with several unfamiliar (to them) objects, curiosity is inevitable.
The challenge is (in my opinion) in the manner we try to explain and answer their questions, …or not.

The video isn’t about the curiosity, but reverse snobbishness experienced by audiophiles. Curiosity is good… one can answer depending on one’s disposition. I love explaining what each component does when a curious guest turns up (probability: 1/10). With the rest, I used to push on them some listening, now I don’t. I’d much rather talk to them about what they are interested in.

 

[arj]

Very Nice topic This is somthing we see in every Hobby. eg in Cycling I see this in Aluminium/Steel/Carbon and Titanium for bicycle frames and also in cars.

Perhaps in the end it comes down to arrogance..
1. Arrogance of wealth ie in ability to buy the more expensive hence expensive is better or
2. the Arrogance of knowledge ie that one knows more than the other hence if thinking does not match then the other is wrong.

of course add owners bias to it and one can start a war on any forum

 

[Analogous]

Keeping up with the joneses is widespread phenomenon whether it’s jewellery, toys, or gizmos.
Keeping up with specialised joneses is even harder!

 

[greenhorn]

I'm very much a reverse snob for two reasons,
1. I've tried spending money on upgrading from low end to mid end hifi and not found it worth the extra
2. Audiophile communities are full of regular snobs, and they need some reverse snobbery to protect newcomers

 

[Analogous]

I'm very much a reverse snob for two reasons,
1. I've tried spending money on upgrading from low end to mid end hifi and not found it worth the extra
2. Audiophile communities are full of regular snobs, and they need some reverse snobbery to protect newcomers

Yin and Yang?

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

 

[Analogous]

View attachment 71811

That’s a double bind !

 

[surfatwork]

Good video - very true. I am sure I've been guilty of both
Something I find useful whenever I find myself thinking that someone is crazy to spend $$$ on something, be it hifi, clothing, a car/bike, some gadget.... I think of those who work as our maids, drivers etc. They must be thinking we are crazy for spending $ for something, when a similarly functional item can be bought for 0.0$. Just as we think $$$ is crazy, when something functionally similar is available for $

 

[ssf]

My family is away at a function tonight. This is the time I get to listen to music without constant requests to either turn the volume down or change the song which they perceive as noise.

So to set the mood for the evening, I went and got myself a 200 ml of what was advertised as "Soda with super tiny bubbles, zero calories, vegan and keto-friendly" for 45 rupees.

Ya, we audiophiles spend crazy money with a hope to achieve musical bliss.

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

My family is away at a function tonight. This is the time I get to listen to music without constant requests to either turn the volume down or change the song which they perceive as noise.

So to set the mood for the evening, I went and got myself a 200 ml of what was advertised as "Soda with super tiny bubbles, zero calories, vegan and keto-friendly" for 45 rupees.

Ya, we audiophiles spend crazy money with a hope to achieve musical bliss.

Musical nirvana starts at 260ml. You are just short of the other 60ml

 

[keith_correa]

Musical nirvana starts at 260ml. You are just short of the other 60ml

I spit out my beer laughing! What a waste of good beer.

 

[Analogous]

A less angry (?) sounding and more reasonably toned follow up to the rant.