What constitutes an Audiophile or Videophile?

[Todd Anderson]

If you researched, auditioned and purchased your equipment based on your perception of the sound and what like. Then carefully installed and set up that equipment. If you enjoyed it then and enjoy it now still liking what you hear.... I consider you an audiophile!

It's like diagnosing an illness ;-).

 

[Tom L.]

It's like diagnosing an illness ;-).

 

[Tom L.]

This is an interesting question, Tom. I'm not sure what the right answer is.

There's some part of me that wants to say that there's a big difference between an enthusiast and an audiophile, with audiophiles taking steps beyond a passion or love for sound, music, and movies. Perhaps to levels that are somewhat absurd and unnecessary.

I don't consider myself to be an audiophile - perhaps more of a videophile from a technical perspective. I think AV enthusiast probably sums it up best.

I think you are correct In that the strift definition of an audiophile is elusive. maybe I shouldn’t be looking for something definitive but go back to the idea that it is a state of mind and ones own self-belief or perception that determines wether you are or aren’t (and the rest of the world work on their own definition).

 

[Atmos7]

If you researched, auditioned and purchased your equipment based on your perception of the sound and what like. Then carefully installed and set up that equipment. If you enjoyed it then and enjoy it now still liking what you hear.... I consider you an audiophile!

Thank you. Yes I did do lot of research and ended up with a decent system without going broke.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Thank you. Yes I did do lot of research and ended up with a decent system without going broke.

I don't think $$ should be part of the definition. You can have a killer budget system. I ran one for years and loved it. Yes, folks tend to spend more in search of what they might perceive as better sound... but it's not a necessity by any means (at least in my opinion)

 

[Tom L.]

Thank you. Yes I did do lot of research and ended up with a decent system without going broke.

Well done!

 

[Atmos7]

I don't think $$ should be part of the definition. You can have a killer budget system. I ran one for years and loved it. Yes, folks tend to spend more in search of what they might perceive as better sound... but it's not a necessity by any means (at least in my opinion)

I agree, but unfortunately many people believe the more expensive the item is, it has to be better. And this thinking is not just restricted to AV equipment, people believe this to be true for everything. My wife believes that Walmart's generic version of Tylenol cannot be as effective as Tylenol because it is much cheaper. Her rationale is that if they are the same, why one is more expensive than the other.

When I was shopping for my AV system, I happen to venture into Best Buy's Magnolia showroom. The sales guy was showing me $15K floor standing speakers ($30K for a pair). When I told him about my budget he very politely kicked me out saying that I should go to Best Buy, as "here we only carry very high end equipment for audiophiles".

I know a guy who is a professional AV/home theater consultant. His personal consulting fees starts at $100K. He showed me photos of the home theater he designed for Larry Ellison's (Oracle CEO) yacht. He was paid over $300K for his service. He said that he specified even the material for the seats, floor, wall, drapes, etc. Another client of his flew him to Hawaii and put him in a hotel for several weeks while he designed the home theater for this guy's "vacation" villa in Hawaii. I am not sure if Larry Ellison or this other guy are audiophiles, but I am sure their friends who are invited to their place would vouch they are.

Changing the discussion little bit, Tom L in one of his earlier posts said some folks go "Perhaps to levels that are somewhat absurd and unnecessary". I have to admit, I am guilty of that. For my 5.4.2 system in my small living room, I used 10 gauge CL3 rated speaker wires, where the longest distance through the walls and attic is less than 30 feet. Probably a classic example of "absurd and unnecessary" and cost. The thickness and the weight of the wires are real pain to manage.

 

[Mathemagician]

I think you are correct In that the strift definition of an audiophile is elusive. maybe I shouldn’t be looking for something definitive but go back to the idea that it is a state of mind and ones own self-belief or perception that determines wether you are or aren’t (and the rest of the world work on their own definition).

I identify as a videophile.

Want to come over and watch some movies on my 48" Vizio? The soundbar I added is pretty baller. It's not Bose, but it's clearly the same design.

 

[Tom L.]

I identify as a videophile.

Want to come over and watch some movies on my 48" Vizio? The soundbar I added is pretty baller. It's not Bose, but it's clearly the same design.

If satisfied and happy with that, then enjoy!

 

[JStewart]

He just got it to impress his friends (read girl friends)

I have to ask, did it work?

He is a single millionaire guy.

Never mind

 

[JStewart]

Hmmmm.... I think you are on to something here....

You maybe shouldn't have encouraged me.

- If you've set your alarm for 3am so you can calibrate your system in dead silence, you might be an audiophile.

- If you consider Floyd Toole's works to be fun light reading, you might be an audiophile.

 

[what bass]

"phile" for love of something

I think we ruled out money spent doesnt qualify.
Neither does simply listening to music.

I believe what separates audiophiles from the rest of the consumer herd is the desire to understand. If we seek out knowledge on loudspeaker design and try to understand how good circuit design affects sound. If we study the acoustics of the space we are trying to reproduce the sound in then, we have crossed over. We have joined the club. Certainly there are varying degrees of immersion but if we take the time to go beyond simply paying to hear noise, we take the leap.

In my opinion, that is what constitutes an audiophile.

 

[Todd Anderson]

"phile" for love of something

I think we ruled out money spent doesnt qualify.
Neither does simply listening to music.

I believe what separates audiophiles from the rest of the consumer herd is the desire to understand. If we seek out knowledge on loudspeaker design and try to understand how good circuit design affects sound. If we study the acoustics of the space we are trying to reproduce the sound in then, we have crossed over. We have joined the club. Certainly there are varying degrees of immersion but if we take the time to go beyond simply paying to hear noise, we take the leap.

In my opinion, that is what constitutes an audiophile.

Well said. I like that all of those sentiments.

I definitely think it involves a level of caring that your typical music fan isn't interested in exploring. There are plenty of people that want to hear good sound, but a commitment to taking the time to improve and hone sound sets it apart.

 

[Tom L.]

"phile" for love of something

I think we ruled out money spent doesnt qualify.
Neither does simply listening to music.

I believe what separates audiophiles from the rest of the consumer herd is the desire to understand. If we seek out knowledge on loudspeaker design and try to understand how good circuit design affects sound. If we study the acoustics of the space we are trying to reproduce the sound in then, we have crossed over. We have joined the club. Certainly there are varying degrees of immersion but if we take the time to go beyond simply paying to hear noise, we take the leap.

In my opinion, that is what constitutes an audiophile.

"phile" for love of something

I think we ruled out money spent doesnt qualify.
Neither does simply listening to music.

I believe what separates audiophiles from the rest of the consumer herd is the desire to understand. If we seek out knowledge on loudspeaker design and try to understand how good circuit design affects sound. If we study the acoustics of the space we are trying to reproduce the sound in then, we have crossed over. We have joined the club. Certainly there are varying degrees of immersion but if we take the time to go beyond simply paying to hear noise, we take the leap.

In my opinion, that is what constitutes an audiophile.

I like the way you think. And I certainly agree that “becoming an Audiophile” (or videophile) is a journey/process... or at least should be! I also believe you are correct in that it is something that you grow into with the right mindset as opposed to just throwing more money at it!

Thank you for your reply!

Tom

 

[AJ Soundfield]

I agree, but unfortunately many people believe the more expensive the item is, it has to be better. And this thinking is not just restricted to AV equipment

https://www.pnas.org/content/105/3/1050
So there really is some justification for some folks to spend more. They'll enjoy it more.

cheers