Comments on: Audio Nation, it's a state of mind

If you listen, really listen to music, sorry pal, you're an audiophile.

[filmfan214]

I may not have any audiophile-level equipment, but I'm not hatin' either.

Steve, what speaker is that on the right? I know I've seen it before. Would it be your favorite desktop speaker? I remember reading about Audio Engine's A2 before.

[minimalist]

It?s refreshing to see a positive presentation of audiophiles and their passions. So many times audiophile discussion boards end up sounding like a bunch of bitter old men who are always complaining about ?these kids today? and make it seem like the sky is falling. And how inviting is THAT is to a young person interested in getting better sound out of their system?

I?ve always thought the cause of good sound is better served with honey than with vinegar. Instead of lashing out at iPods or whatever is the popular medium of the day with contempt it?s so much more productive to encourage people to build on what they have to make it better, step by step. Got an iPod? Try these headphones and see how much more you can get out it. Using computer speakers to listen to iTunes? Here are some great speakers that cost just a bit more but are light years ahead of the ones that came with your PC. Will these people ever start buying 2000 dollar pre-amps? Probably not. But a rising tide lifts all boats, right?

I?m a reluctant ?audiophile? in that I value good sounding systems but I also embrace the flexibility of new technology. I buy entry level audiophile equipment yet I stream high bit-rate music to these systems from my Mac and control all of it with my iPhone and I think it sounds pretty darn good. Maybe not Martin Logan perfect but its light years ahead of a pair of computer speakers. I am sure there are lots of readers out there like me who are in the middle ground. I?d love to see this blog offer more hints, techniques and equipment reviews for people like me who want good sound but aren?t willing to drop thousands to get it.

[alegr]

"Will these people ever start buying 2000 dollar pre-amps?" Are you kidding? Who needs a preamp when all your source is digital?

[alien_brain]

Greatly put!
I have to agree with you completely. Better sound Does come at a cost ..
Some might say it's a crave, some might say its obsession..
but baiscally I would compare it to stimulation of any other senses (good food, good smell, comfort) .

[alegr]

Steve,

I'm confused. Which one of those puctured contraptions is a computer speaker, and which is a real thing? What's actual size of those? 5cm or 50 cm?