| eRiCdWoNg |
| OK Im sure all of you know families/individuals like this. I find it amazing when I go to somebody's house, and they are musicians themselves and/or are very into music (ie large CD collection, goes to concerts) or like the movies alot. However, when you take a look at what they play it back through, its either a low quality shelf system, the factory car radio, or home theater through the TV speakers. Infact now that I think about it, very few of my friends or friends of my parents are really enthusiastic about the gear. To me, I value the gear more then I do the music. Infact I dont care if I had no bed and slept on the couch, I'd still have some sort of high quality audio system. Maybe I'm a little out there but I cant seem to understand the reverse mentality. Its sorta like how can somebody not care that they're listening to a low quality system yet be into the music??? |
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| george a |
Hi ericdwong
I applaud your enthusiasm and priorities- some are happy with great audio setups but only own sound effects records etc. (not saying that you do of course)
I suspect some are more interested in the music, but i understand how painful it may be when you know just how much extra others could be enjoying their music with better gear.
some just don't care anyway -its all about the music in the end anyway...
I once heard a critisism of Puccini's music along the lines of
"Anybody can sing Puccini's operas and sound wonderful.."
I could think of no higher praise....
Puccini's work sounds great no matter what its played on...
enjoy what works for you |
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| phase_accurate |
| quote: | | To me, I value the gear more then I do the music. Infact I dont care if I had no bed and slept on the couch, I'd still have some sort of high quality audio system. |
Many people are not very interested technically. Their views might be vice-versa.
I wonder how you would score here ;) ?! :
http://www.armory.com/tests/nerd.html
Regards
Charles |
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| dhaen |
You answered "yes" to 49 of 100 questions, making you 51.0% nerd pure (49.0% nerd corrupt); that is, you are 51.0% pure in the nerd domain (you have 49.0% nerd in you).
Your Weirdness Factor (AKA Uniqueness Factor) is 43%, based on a comparison of your test results with 378675 other submissions for this test.
(The last answer was no...:rolleyes: ) |
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| SY |
My results:
You answered "yes" to 51 of 100 questions, making you 49.0% nerd pure (51.0% nerd corrupt); that is, you are 49.0% pure in the nerd domain (you have 51.0% nerd in you).
Your Weirdness Factor (AKA Uniqueness Factor) is 42%, based on a comparison of your test results with 378675 other submissions for this test.
The idea that dhaen is weirder than me is rather frightening. |
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| johnnyx |
| I've noticed it too, but the rich and famous pop stars have good gear, as seen on Cribs; the MTV show. Most musicians are poor, and the £1000 for a cd player would actually buy a rather nice guitar, or flute. |
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| A 8 |
| You answered "yes" to 16 of 100 questions, making you 84.0% nerd pure (16.0% nerd corrupt); that is, you are 84.0% pure in the nerd domain (you have 16.0% nerd in you). |
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| Steve Eddy |
| quote: | Originally posted by eRiCdWoNg
To me, I value the gear more then I do the music. |
Well, as I've said before, for some, the gear simply serves as an intermediary to connect to the music, whereas for others, the music simply serves as an intermediary to connect to the gear.
For the former, the gear is nothing more than a tool. For the latter, the music is nothing more than a tool.
se |
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| dhaen |
| quote: | Originally posted by SY
My results:
snip...
The idea that dhaen is weirder than me is rather frightening. |
Now that, I take as a compliment :cool:
On to topic:
As for musicians' taste: Surely many are most interested in the technicalities of the music that they can affect while playing: Relative loudness, pitch, timing. These things are the least affected by electro-acoustics of audio systems. |
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| mgreene |
I have worked with some very accomplished (educated) musicians who have a terrible (or at least poor) tone on their chosen instruments.
This shows that many people - even some musicians - are not that sensitive to the sonic presentation of music. This is not counting people who only think they are musicians :dead:
So, it isn't really amazing or even strange that many people who claim to love music could care less about the actual system.
Mike |
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| DorcyDuck |
I don't intend to insult anyone, but it seems that the better the gear, the less musical the owner is. I've never met so many so utterly un-musical people as among hi-fi lovers. On the other hand, the people whose musical insights I appreciate most, often listen through gear that isn't worth the little money it costs.
I guess we have to learn to accept that being an audiophile and loving music are two very different beasts which shouldn't be confused.
Jan |
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| mltaunt |
| concerning what I used to tell people about one of my other interests, "collecting expensive camera equipment is a wonderful hobby, just don't confuse it with photography." |
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| azira |
| quote: | Originally posted by DorcyDuck
I don't intend to insult anyone, but it seems that the better the gear, the less musical the owner is. I've never met so many so utterly un-musical people as among hi-fi lovers. On the other hand, the people whose musical insights I appreciate most, often listen through gear that isn't worth the little money it costs.
I guess we have to learn to accept that being an audiophile and loving music are two very different beasts which shouldn't be confused.
Jan |
Agreed.
| quote: | Originally posted by mltaunt
concerning what I used to tell people about one of my other interests, "collecting expensive camera equipment is a wonderful hobby, just don't confuse it with photography." |
Double Agreed.
As a musician, I'd say I'm more interested in how I sound in a show vs how I sound in my car on my factory CD player, perhaps other musicians are like me..
Hi-Fi home audio equipment is for music REproduction while PA audio equipment is for music production. Ask the loudspeaker forum, PA equipment is NOT Hi-Fi, but, live, you can still sound great on it none-the-less.
--
Danny |
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| eRiCdWoNg |
Brings up many great points. I'm not the pro audio king, however this reminds me back in the days of high school. My band teacher was a very respected musician. He directed well, was Teacher of the Year for the county my senior year and worked really hard. Anyway, he knew *alot* about music, however when we were running productions in the theater for musicals (where the english department, art, drama, woodworking class, band and tech crew were ALL involved) he was trying to tell me the best way to prevent feedback was to put the speakers on the floor in the pit area. Yeah it was true however them being on the floor the ONLY people in the direct line of sight to them were the audience members in the 1st row and 1st row only.
I'm thinking great, I'm sure he knows how the music is SUPPOSED to sound, but how to get there he obviously didnt know much about it.
Then again I'm a lousy musician. I played guitar before, and piano, dropped out of both cause it was something my parents wanted me to do. Instead I was a drummer. But at the back of the band all the time I very rarely heard what the band sounded like from infront of the stage.
I think the camera example brings up another point. Me for one, I have a 2 MegaPixel digital camera I bought mainly to share stuff on the net/ebay with. 1) I dont care about photography whatsoever 2) I dont care about 'expensive camera equipment" whatsoever. I guess somebody could take a very similar stance towards expensive audio equipment. However, I have yet to run into a person who does not at least go to the movies, listen to music, go to a concert etc.... where the camera stuff I could see myself living without. |
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| azira |
| quote: | Originally posted by eRiCdWoNg
However, I have yet to run into a person who does not at least go to the movies, listen to music, go to a concert etc.... where the camera stuff I could see myself living without. |
On the other hand, these people watch a movie at home, it's kind of dull and lifeless, and then they go to the movies and it blows them away.
What about the people on this board with their Tumults and whatever who go to the movies and feel that it's kind of dead and lifeless sound.
Wouldn't it suck to go to the movies if your home system killed a movie theatres system? :)
maybe one day mine will...
--
Danny |
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| b-square |
| For whatever reason I would rather play guitar badly myself than have a system that sounded great reproducing someone else playing guitar well. Of course, I can't play guitar at all, so I listen to others on a decent system. |
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| eRiCdWoNg |
One thing I dont think many of us can beat is the movie screen. It is HUGE and I dont think anybody even with 100 " screens can top the size and quality.
One thing I am happy about is the sudden influxes of alot of the cineplex's with the stadium style seating, awesome sound and huge screens. I remember before I used to go to the theaters that had lousy sound and lousy screens, but again this brings up the point some people would rather go to those 'bargain' theaters to save a few bucks then to get the awesome sound and equipment.
Also the audience, which can be good or bad. Like if you're watching a comedy and everybody laughs, or a horror movie and people scream.
My HT system sux right now..infact its more of a music system surrounding the TV.. maybe one day it'll be better up to speed. (and yes I've tried the Tumult... thumbs down on it from me). |
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| Bas Horneman |
According to a Linn magazine (read blatant advertising) I read in the late 80's...it said that a good hifi setup went from no.3 in importance in the 60-70's to no.27 in the 80's for the average household.
Something to do with Solid State gear? I don't know..
However I bet that with HT theater it should be going slightly up the list...even if it is not strictly for audio...
| quote: | | that the better the gear, the less musical the owner is. I've never met so many so utterly un-musical people as among hi-fi lovers. |
Blatant generalization...I think ..a lot of musicians are into hifi as well Gary Dahl is one I can mention offhand.
My brother and I have the same love for music. He does not care for hifi I do..quite simple really...a lot of women like music as well...and are quite musical...how many do you know that are into hifi?....simply put most people don't care how well it is produced and love of music does not even come into the equation |
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| phase_accurate |
| quote: | | I've noticed it too, but the rich and famous pop stars have good gear, as seen on Cribs; the MTV show. |
Because these overpaid people (a large part of whom no one will talk about anymore in ten years) have expensive equipment at home, doesn't mean that they really appreciate it.
They simply own it because it is EXPENSIVE.
As soon as you own at least three Ferraris, some Mercedes and whatnot you might want to find another way to waste your money.
I always wonder how much money they invest into showing the world their bad taste, when I look at their interiors in those TV presentations.
Regards
Charles |
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| Jocko Homo |
Must be because I don't know **** about programming.
Yes, despite being legally blind, according the US Army, and owing $$$$$$$ of test equipment, I'm not as big a nerd as SY.
Eat my shorts..........
Jocko |
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| SY |
| quote: | | I'm not as big a nerd as SY. |
That could be true. I'm six foot (180 cm), and I understand that you're shorter. |
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| Jocko Homo |
That means that Phred is the world's biggest nerd!!!
Ha, ha, ha , ha!
"You don't need to eat all that chocolate, fat boy."
"Hah..........don't call me 'fat'............*** ***!"
"Don't call me *** ***, fat ***!"
Etc.
Jocko.....not as big as Cartman. |
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| roddyama |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jocko Homo
That means that Phred is the world's biggest nerd!!!
Ha, ha, ha , ha!
"You don't need to eat all that chocolate, fat boy."
"Hah..........don't call me 'fat'............*** ***!"
"Don't call me *** ***, fat ***!"
Etc.
Jocko.....not as big as Cartman. |
Did you two ever work together in a Milwaukee brewery? |
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| Elso Kwak |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jocko Homo
That means that Phred is the world's biggest nerd!!!
Ha, ha, ha , ha!
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Hi Jocko,
Can't find the word Nerd in my dictionary. Too bad.......
:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: |
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| Fin |
| I'm 24% nerd at this stage, but I think that will increase proportionally with my DIY experience and knowledge!:cubist: |
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| fdegrove |
Hi,
| quote: | | Can't find the word Nerd in my dictionary. Too bad....... |
Try looking under P as in Phred....;) |
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| Elso Kwak |
| quote: | Originally posted by fdegrove
Hi,
Try looking under P as in Phred....;) |
Hi Frank, I took some Nerd tests. In one test I scored 16.9% in another 23 %. Pretty low!
Anyone accusing Fred of being a Nerd is a Nerd himself!
What IS your score Fred?.
:cool: :cool: |
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| roddyama |
| quote: | Originally posted by Elso Kwak
Hi Frank, I took some Nerd tests. In one test I scored 16.9% in another 23 %. Pretty low!
Anyone accusing Fred of being a Nerd is a Nerd himself!
What IS your score Fred?.
:cool: :cool: |
Elso,
It's not what you scored on the Nerd Test that says your a Nerd, it's that you took the test in the first place.;) :D |
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| Elso Kwak |
| quote: | Originally posted by roddyama
Elso,
It's not what you scored on the Nerd Test that says your a Nerd, it's that you took the test in the first place.;) :D |
Roddyama, I was afraid of that, never mind, not lacking self-mockery......
:D |
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| dvdwmth |
Back to the original topic,
I used to have a nice system (systemdek, audiolab, mirage) and I would fuss with it and move speakers around and compare recordings, etc, (not to mention get really P.O.'d because the high fidelity revealed to me what utter **** many of the recordings I used to like actually were) and it was fun. Really fun actually. Ive heard some of the best stuff you can buy and I have a pretty good ear. I also play classical guitar, although rather casually, used to jam with a friend of mine, and tinker around with various other instruments. I attend orchestral, chamber, and Jazz performances and had my share of punk and dance music when I was younger.
For me, playing music and listening to music are very different activities linked by a common thread. learning to play a piece totally alters the experience of listening to it. Sometimes I dont even want to listen to it once I can play it. In fact, I dont really listen to recordings of pieces I can play unless its to hear interpretation, which is more of an intellectual aspect. Learning a piece is also a way to become intimately acquianted with a piece of music. Pesonally, I cant understand a piece by listening, even with a score to follow along, the same way I can if I learn to play the piece.
Listening to a hifi is a totally different experience. I love it, and I even obsess over it, and without it I dont feel like myself, but its not the same as playing. I deeply enjoy listening to recorded music, but in order to fully experience the music through electronic reproduction I would have to invest alot of time and money to achieve that level of reproduction quality. I personally dont mind this because I too am facinated by the gear itself. Hifi, distinct from music, is one of my passions. I am facinated that electricity can reproduce the Berlin philharmonic in my living room.
But it takes time to choose the right equipment, understand what factors effect reproduction, and find worthy recordings. I have also been able to enjoy music listening to $30 computer speakers:bigeyes: although I would rather do abit better. If a musician intends to refine their skills, I think its quite understandable if they choose not to devote time and considerable financial resources to something that is a compromise anyway.
Im sure that none of the people you refer to would say no if you offered to give them a free hi end system, set it up, and find good recordings for them. Probably you volunteer your knowlege when your friends are about to throw away money on commercial garbage systems. But I think its easy to see why not everyone that loves music is a hifi freak. |
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| Magura |
In some cases I can give you a reasonably sound explanation for the lack of interest in high quality systems.
As people grow older, their hearing also is getting worse, in many cases by a magnitude. Especially if they have had a job in a noisy environment and havnt taken the nessecery precautions (wich unfortunately it is quite common not to).
A good example that made me understand how much this actually means would be on an occasion sitting in my fathers livingroom. The valves of the radiators made a terrible high frequency noise. I mentioned this to my father, as I found it rather unpleasent. He told that he could barely hear it....he is only 60 years old. I believe his hearing isnt worse than average for his age.
If peoples hearing is that bad, then I sure can understand why they dont put in a whole lot of effort to get a great sounding system.
Magura:) |
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| pinkmouse |
I know lots of pro sound engineers, some live, some recording, and I have to say that 90% of them have fairly cheap systems at home, and many don't even listen to that much music when off duty...
p.s.| quote: | You answered "yes" to 44 of 100 questions, making you 56.0% nerd pure (44.0% nerd corrupt); that is, you are 56.0% pure in the nerd domain (you have 44.0% nerd in you).
Your Weirdness Factor (AKA Uniqueness Factor) is 39%, based on a comparison of your test results with 378675 other submissions for this test. |
The things you do to waste time at work! :) |
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