5/27    Want to see the latest super-expensive home theater & audiophile gear?
        http://www.he2003.com in SF June 6-8 -eric
        \_ yeah but it sounds pretty much the same as the sub-$1000 crap.
        \_ I always find it fascinating how people can still build expensive
           audio replay equipment when everything involved is basically really
           old technology which has been more or less replicated by $30
           digital equipment. As for the quality difference, only if you are a
           dog can you really hear the difference. It's like Rolex, a $5
           digital kid watch probably keeps better time.
           \_ that's why it is for audiophiles and not for everyone.
           \_ Ever met a real audiophile?  If you think $30 digital crap from
              best buy can equal a $5k tube system in quality, you're tone
              deaf or you've never heard the tube system.  I'm not at all an
              audiophile nor do I have a great ear but I can hear it easily.
              \_ Define what a "real audiophile" is. I've met "real" physicians
                 and studied under them. I know that the human ear is
                 incapable of telling the difference that the majority of
                 this equipment is claiming to reproduce. The
                 ear just isn't that sensitive, and the rest is just
                 placebo. Next thing you're going to tell me that "real"
                 chronometerphiles have an inbred ability to tell
                 time better than everyone else and that's why
                 they need a Rolex. Face it, it's the same
                 as buying a Fendi bag vs. just a regular handbag. It's
                 all just snob value after a certain price point.
                 \_ Nice try.  I knew a doctor on TV once, too.  That makes me
                    know all about TV broadcasting equipment.  Or something
                    like that.  Just because you know *nothing* about a field
                    doesn't mean others don't.  I don't believe in Java, Unix,
                    or Intel chips.  They just can't possibly work!  I knew an
                    engineer once so I know this is true!  Yeah!  That's the
                    ticket!  I'm a midnight motd posting uber genius, like you!
                 \_ Can you provide an example of something an audio equip.
                    manufacturer claims to reproduce that the human ear
                    ear is incapable of detecting?
              \_ can ordinary people distinguish $1500 and $6000 equipment?
                 \_ this is for audiophiles, and not everybody.
           \_ It starts getting crazy when these people can hear differences
              just by using different cables.
        \_ I once auditioned speakers around the $300-600/pair range. I was
           surprised I could actually hear differences among them (I was quite
           skeptical that I could), but the problem was, I couldn't tell which
           speakers actually sounded "correct." I read reviews with words
           like "warm" and "neutral sound" and "imaging" and I'm thinking WTF?
           \_ If you are buying, then you should trust your ears. Go with
              whatever sound you like.
        \_ for those who like speakers, what speakers do you have and how
           much did you get them for?
           \_ B&W DM601 (first series I believe). $500/pair at the time.
              Absolutely no complaints with them. The center channel cost me
              an extra $250.
              \- the audiophile stuff is sort of like wine: you should
              feel welcome to listen to/drink the $100speakers/$5bottle.
              if you think there isnt a difference between $100 speakers
              and $1000 speakers or a $10bottle and $100bottle, you are a
              moron or physically defective. yes, the expensive stuff is
              sometimes hype. yes some people go overboard ... like the
              "magic liquid stereo cable" people or the "grapes grown 10feet
              apart have different terroir effects" ... and have their head
              up their ass. --psb
                \_ $100 to $1000 is easy... i'm a total nonaudiophile and
                   i can tell the difference there. it's $1000 -> $10000
                   for speakers and $100->$1000 for wine that are
                   much harder to differentiate..
                        \_ I find it hard to believe that anyone who says
                           there's no difference between $10/bottle wine
                           and $50-$100/bottle wine can actually have
                           gone up to Napa and *tasted* some of the
                           expensive stuff.  It's easy to tell the
                           difference.  (Whether it's worth the price to
                           you is another, more personal matter.)  Above
                           $100 you start getting into real hype, yeah.
                          (ps:  whoops, originally misread psb... read
                           "is" for "isn't".  We're all violently agreeing...)
                           \- well i think part of the qustion is "does a
                              $60 reidel glass make the wine taste better
                              than a $5 wine glass" ... supposedly there is
                              a reason for the different shapes of wine
                              glasses. i think that is where a lot of the
                              bunko is. same for some of the ridiculous
                              claims about audio cables. --psb
                              \_ Try drinking wine from a coffee mug.
                   \_ I think wine is a bit different. I've tasted expensive
                      wine, and I will agree it tastes different from a $10 or
                      $50 bottle, but whether it's better is debatable. It's
                      just different with no negative or positive connotation.
                      I suppose if I knew what to look for when tasting (beyond
                      just if I like the taste or not), then I could appreciate
                      and perhaps even justify ordering the pricier stuff at
                      a restaurant.