Author Topic: Audiophiles  (Read 2184 times)

hiccup

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What is an audiophile?
 
The term is often brought up in forum discussions, and it always confuses me.

Are most musicians audiophiles?
Are studio recording professionals audiophiles?
Are people that love vinyl records audiophiles?
Are people that swear by so-called 'hi-res' audio audiophiles?
Are people that get goosebumps when hearing their favorite song on AM radio audiophiles?

What?

psychoadept

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Are people that swear by so-called 'hi-res' audio audiophiles?

I always understood it to mean things like this, people who are really particular about bitrate and other "quality" factors. To me it connotes a certain amount of snobbishness about audio quality. Which is not to say that quality doesn't matter to anyone else. I mean, I can tell the difference between 128 and 256 if I play them side by side, but if I listen to something in my car I don't necessarily think "oh, that's only a 128k file" when I hear it, whereas some people seem to have that response.
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phred

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I would also think an audiophile is particular (snobby) about the equipment being used.
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Mr. Trev

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Ultimately, audiophiles are most interested in getting the best sound possible. What's the best sound? There's the rub, it's completely subjective. Is "like they're playing in this very room" the best? Or is it studio level detail? It all depends on the person
One of the defining definitions IMO, is that audiophiles are mostly interested in the sound of their gear rather than the sound of the music (I'm sure I'd get flamed pretty hard on any audiophile site for saying that too)

There can be a "cliqueiness" to them too (vinyl fanatics, etc) and a whole lot of "you're listening wrong" mentality out there too, but I've probably found just as many easy going, non-judgemental folks too (probably because I just avoid the tribal, partsian elements all together)

From what I've gathered, for the most part musicians/studio pros don't consider themselves audiophiles

Gendji

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The persons I met who might be considered Audiophile (not being one myself ;) ), in my search for speakers in my budget, where interested not as much in getting the best sound, but more in getting as close as possible to the real sound of music, instruments, voices etc.

One might consider that the same thing but there is a slight difference imo.

The best sound is more equipment depended as to real sound being more recording method and type of media dependent.

Like Mr. Trev also said, the people I met where just music enthusiasts, who just wanted to share the listening experience without judging, show-boating or telling you what to do or what to buy.

bloodfu

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Always was on the assumption that an audiophile is someone who is obsessed with sound quality while someone who just loves to listen to music is a meloman(iac).

Bee-liever

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Not sure what an audiophile should be but current use in the media would indicate someone that has more money than sense and should be treated with derision.
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phred

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Not sure what an audiophile should be but current use in the media would indicate someone that has more money than sense and should be treated with derision.
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