[John Casler]

While I certainly understand the awareness that a wife (or Significant Other) must also be involved in some aspect of "system consideration", I find the "my wife even liked it" validation for a component, odd.

I see it more and more, (even in professional reviews) that when someone is reveiwing a peice of equipment, speaker or wire, that the concluding "nail in the coffin" of "driving home" the improvement, is my wife even heard the difference!

While this is nice, does it really add anything to the credibility of the auditory observation?

Now I know, it is a well known fact that women have "more sensitive" hearing than men.  But do they really know what to listen for?

Do the reviews of those of us who are currently spousless hold less credence without this significant validation?

Does my 18 year old daughter count?

Actually my daughter also has a couple cats with great hearing and I know if they could talk, they would certainly give a dew claw's up for my system.

Maybe I should include a Sassy and Goatee (feline monikers) sentence or two to add to some of my posts

Or maybe I should appeal to my fellow circle members for the "occasional" use of their spouses so I too could provide this very important validation

Would that be considered a type of "High Infidelity"  

Please anyone who has an "open sonic relationship" post me with the times your wife might be available for such an "aural activities".

If she is "bi-naural" or better yet "tri-naural" so much the better.

I pledge that it will be "discrete" (unless we venture into pro-logic)

And don't worry my "sweet spot" is only big enough for one

Any Henny Youngmans out there???

[Carlman]

I understand why someone would say that 'even their wife heard the difference'... I've just understood it to mean 'there was an obvious and immediate difference'.  The wife comment doesn't say whether it's good, bad, or otherwise disectable in any way.

My wife has much poorer hearing than me and cannot discern a soundstage or the tonal nature of the sound when listening to reproduced music.... The MOST reaction I've received are comments like it has 'more bass' or 'harsh highs'... or more likely.. 'too loud'...  

But trying to read into the musical picture is not an option... much like cigars, wine or scotch... it's an acquired taste and once you get into you can find lots of differences.  Most SO's are not connoisseurs of high-end audio.

Anyway, their only valid review comments is that there was a difference of some sort.  Since the SO made a comment during the review process,  it is easy to include in a review.  

In any case... It's not our choice to tell a reviewer to leave their wife out of it.

[lonewolfny42]

Please anyone who has an "open sonic relationship" post me with the times your wife might be available for such an "aural activities".

If she is "bi-naural" or better yet "tri-naural" so much the better.

I pledge that it will be "discrete" (unless we venture into pro-logic)

And don't worry my "sweet spot" is only big enough for one  

Wow John !! This is great news !! My wife does not play any part in my selections of audio equipement. In fact, she's not even interested in audio or music.

But I'll bet , that a few dates with you, could really change her views. [/list:u]

She's ready whenever you are..... [/list:u]

[Bill O'Connell]

Hi John,

 I use to have an Old English sheepdog that when my system was sounding particularly stunning when the moons lined up or the power was that perfect late night listening session she would sing along with the music. Also use to breed birds and my favorite would tell me when everything was sounding great as he use to sing in my ear  while resting on my shoulder while listening. This was all done on those perfect nights when the system just sounded so sweet. They validated my experience by their participation, thinking to myself your right Abby & Puffy that does sound great. We're all God's creation and hopefully my music gave them joy while they lived with me.
 My wife on the other hand on a rare occasion will say " That sounds really good what did you do?" Usually it is a tube substitution or the music that she enjoys. I tell her what I tweaked and she will ask why I can't be happy with that. My answer is unless you try different things to extract the last bit of whatever sound you crave how are you to know what can be? In the 29 years we have been married she has commented on the system maybe 10 times. She could really care less. She loves the music she loves and could care less as to its sonic qualities. Go Figure.

Later,
 Bill

[Inscrutable]

I find the "my wife even liked it" validation for a component, odd.

I find it arrogant and condescending, as in 'Even my (tin-earred dolt of a) wife heard a difference.'  I'm surprised (and dismayed) the reviewers that print that drivel live to read its publication.

[zybar]

What's wrong with saying "Even my wife heard a difference"  

To me that's no different than if one of my non-audiophile friends/family were over and made the same comment.

The big difference is that my wife is home with me all the time while the others are here less often.  

At the end of day, it is just a way of saying that it sounds different enough that a non-audiophile can easily hear it.  

I don't find anything wrong, condescending, etc... with this reference.

George

[John Casler]

Wow John !! This is great news !! My wife does not play any part in my selections of audio equipement. In fact, she's not even interested in audio or music.

But I'll bet , that a few dates with you, could really change her views. [/list:u]

She's ready whenever you are..... [/list:u]

Now I know why you are the "lone" wolf  

Although your wife is quite beautiful, I think she might be geographically (as well as other types of) undesirable.

The stereo ponytails are nice, but the 12:00 shadow might be the deal breaker.

(reality -- that is the most disturbing female I have ever seen)

[jermmd]

G_d bless those of you who don't have to consider WAF when making purchases.  The rest of us will take any help we can get when buying loud, expensive, often large pieces of furniture or equipment with obscure purposes (like power conditioners, transport +dac rather than CD player, etc.).

Joe M.

[djbnh]

Any comments about an ex-wife as a critic [talk about your loaded questions]? Mine has favorably commented on some of my upgrades, and poo-pooed others. Although we may not have "complemented" each other during the marriage, her acute ear (but not tongue!) has been a good bounce during set-up and upgrading. I find an audio "compliment" from her high praise indeed, seeing she's pretty stingy with praise.

More globally, I've got no problem with someone offering a second opinion, whether it's in line with my own or not, whether it's a wife, child, friend, enemy, or someone in an AudioCircle forum. Perhaps when someone says, "Even my wife liked it," the person writing feels like the AudioCircle forum is accepting enough to be provided an insight into the couple's relationship on some sort of level.

My own outlook on criticism is that a good enough idea/product should be able to take criticism and still show its strengths in spite of what's thrown at it. Please note that I don't include tirades and personal attacks as criticism, even though I've seen persons try to pass one off as the other.  

[AKSA]

Chris,

I found your wife's picture curiously alluring, particularly the fetching way she does her hair, front and back......

Would you perhaps see your way clear to a chaste introduction?  It is so refreshing to find a woman of such cheery demeanour, and obvious care with her appearance....??   Are you willing, Sir?

Cheers,

Hugh

[lonewolfny42]

Chris,

I found your wife's picture curiously alluring, particularly the fetching way she does her hair, front and back......

Would you perhaps see your way clear to a chaste introduction?  It is so refreshing to find a woman of such cheery demeanour, and obvious care with her appearance....??   Are you willing, Sir?

Cheers,

Hugh

Thank you Hugh for the nice compliments !!!

[/list:u]Well

Mary Anne has gotten more beautiful as the years roll by. And your right , a very alluring and seductive woman !!! She keeps the fire alive !!!

You asked....am I willing ?? Sure......send me an AKSA 100N+ and .......you can have her......... [/list:u]