Many opinions here are exactly what the stereophile poster is talking about. Because people enjoy music differently doesn't make it bad or anything of lesser value. How many times have I heard "listen as background music..." Just because they aren't sitting in a chair, head in vice, lights dim, all external noises controlled etc... doesn't mean one listens meaninglessly. Do you know how ridiculous the whole sweet spot thing must seem to other people? "You mean you have a special room, with special equipment, special electricity and ion negative cables and all variables controlled etc... to listen to music alone in the dark, you mean the same songs over and over again. And you have a washing and drying machine for your records and a static gun too".
Let me ask you this question: Did you enjoy Pink Floyd's The Wall more then when it was weaved into the fabric of your life (a soundtrack if you will) or now that you have your hi-fi rig? For me it was then by far, it meant something, a movement, the music had ties to my life, it's a part of my memory associated with various life events. In the big rig all I can do is appreciate the recording better. Oh look, the heartbeat shakes the floor, the guitar is extreme right. Who enjoys The Wall more the audiophile sitting in the sweet spot reveling in sonic bliss or the kid listening on the Ipod on his way to school walking the streets of New York City with all that other stimuli, mad because he'd rather be playing Frisbee in Central park today. Music doesn't always have to be the event, much of the time it should be a part of the event called real life.
I'm enjoying the Black Keys "Brothers" CD immensely these days and it sounds good on the big rig but I enjoyed it even more when I was listening in my car with my best friend, brother and father and we were all grooving. My friend who is forever 15 says "Listen to pops harmonizing with the growls" as my old man was in the back seat humming/growling along "da da da da" It was a really funny moment that will be a lifetime memory. The radio playing and my wife is cooking dinner and Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love" comes on, haven't heard that song in years. My wife starts singing and moving a bit, I notice and go over and give her a kiss on the back of the neck. She turns and we start dancing slowly. That's what it's all about folks, those are the lasting memories with music we all (should) have. I can't think of too many great moments I've had alone in the sweet spot, it's all mostly the same repetitive experience (there's not enough stimuli). Many have said it here, when friends comes over etc... then things get interesting. Not much interesting about being alone trying to relive some random moment from another place and time. Take the music and create new experiences of your own, that's the beauty of music especially portable and accessible music. Who cares about trying to recreate the concert hall experience (yeah it's a nice parlor trick), no I want to be sitting by the lake on the porch listening to the blues sipping sweet tea and watching the kids play in the water. That's how I like to hear Buddy Guy. When you hike to the top of Puchu mountain and fire up "Bad Moon Rising" or something on your Ipod, it's going to stick with you. You can sit up there all day and listen to your Zen playlist as you look out over the clouds like you're in heaven, now that's living folks.
We may be the crazy ones trying to make our world rational and justified. A member recently said (and it's common) he hates when the AC unit or fridge condenser comes on because it disturbs the black background of his music. Do you realize how bizarre that really sounds. Such extremes should not be needed to enjoy music, you're trying too hard if it is. Yeah I notice the HVAC too but I just keep listening and enjoying the wonderful inventions of air conditioning and refrigeration while I drink my ice cold Newcastle Brown.
I've heard Stairway to Heaven 500 times, you mean each time I hear it I have to listen intently? What exactly are these people missing by not listening in the sweet spot? A sound stage, a reverberant hall, vocals that float in midair? And how important are those recording artifacts to enjoying music? I enjoy a nice recording and what it provides as much as the next guy but it's just one way to enjoy music and for me it's not the most important one.
Ella has always sounded good on any stereo because she communicates. If the music speaks to you it doesn't matter how it's heard. I remember years ago hearing Guns N Roses for the first time in the wee hours of the night on some weak static ridden FM station, til this day I remember it exactly and it's the best I've ever heard them sound because of all the factors involved. U2's "Wide Awake in America" on tape through my old Garrard stereo best I've ever heard them.
I just don't know if being an audiophile is perceived as fun by most people. It surely isn't fun half the time when you are involved. It can be a very frustrating hobby with little reward for all the resources invested.
As the saying goes: The kids are alright... it's the guy alone in the man cave I'm worried about.
