[patrickperry]

     Some buddies and I were having a get together at my place...we were having a few cold ones and listening to my system and this subject came up!!  What defines a person as an audiophile? Is it his knowledge of how music should sound? Or the quality of his equipment? Or just having the passion for good sound? 
     Can a person be an audiophile if he knows what good sound is but can't afford the equipment and have to listen his music via his cheap HTIB?
     Can a person be an audiophile if he just hit the lottery and purchase the best equipment available ?
We have a forum full of audiophiles here....I'm curious to know what is your take on this question?

PP

[Kevin Haskins]

My definition is broad.   It is someone who enjoys the pursuit of recorded music.   It really doesn't have anything to do with the equipment outside of the fact that you clearly need something to record & play back.   

[bgewaudio]

I believe an audiophile would be best described when you said just to have an appreciation for good sound.  I don't think all of the other scenarios fit into the definition because you can have a very rich individual who may have a very expensive system, just because he can afford it, or just to show off, but may not be really concerned about the way the recorded arts are reproduced (which is a waste), and probably just takes it for granted.  On the other side of the coin you could have a very poor individual who likes to listen to good sounding music but just can't afford the high prices of high end gear (which is a shame).

I would say someone who has a passion for great sounding music and has or is working on a high end system would be accurately described as a practicing audiophile.

You could also define an audiophile as someone who critically listens to the music as opposed to someone who just listens casually.

I think most of us (I know where I come from anyway), are a rare breed, Not many people in my area poses this trait.  Most of the individuals where I come from are more concerned with convenience more than what it sounds like.  This is also a shame because there is so much to benefit from with high end audio than a lot of people might think!

Happy Listening!

[R_burke]

I tend to agree with bgewaudio, but focus on two of his statements:

IMO an audiophile is someone who has an appreciation for good sound and takes the time to do critical listening.  After all is said and done, it comes down to our enjoyment of the music.

[BobM]

(1) A music lover is someone who can listen to music through a tin can and still appreciate it. Some audiophiles are Music Lovers (but not all fully agree that music can be appreciated on a crappy sounding system).
(2) Equipment Jockeys are in love with the electronics, and possess and purchase music that sounds good on their equipment, regardless of the musicality and long term listenability of that music (i.e. gong bells and big drums). Some audiophiles are both Equipment Jockeys and Music Lovers.
(3) Some people actually take time to listen to music directly, whether in a live setting, or sitting on a couch/chair in their home, for the sheer pleasure of hearing it as something other than background noise (although that's OK too). Audiophiles seem to appreciate music in all ways, but may lean more to one than the other.

Most audiophiles seem to possess some degree of the characteristics described above, but there is no set formula. I think anyone who can get excited about and discuss their musical experiences and their system, could be considered an audiophile, especially if they grab your hand and say something like "you've gotta hear this".

Enjoy,
Bob

[Se7en]

For me the key is not only in the appreciation of but the actual "pursuit" of better sound.

There are a lot of music lovers out there "those with extensive music collections", as well as music lovers who go to a lot of live performances, this does not "in my mind" necessarily make them audiophiles.

Also, there are a lot of people who purchase multi-channel systems because of the marketing hype and they are technically "pursuing" better sound, but if they never took the time to make their 2 speakers sound as good as possible, before moving to 5 speakers. Chances are they won't take much time making those 5 sound as good as possible either (other than putting the center channel between to two mains), this for me is the generic "audio consumer", not an audiophile.

For me to be an actual audiophile, you need to be someone who stops & thinks about what you're doing with your equipment (whether it is 1 channel or 20), and most importantly enjoy yourself while you're doing it, rinse-repeat.

Just my .02

-Gabe

[PhilNYC]

I agree with Gabe...

[zybar]

A depleted bank account.   

George

[Wayner]

An audiophile is someone who persues and creates time to listen to prerecorded music of his or her choice with a passion for that activity to continue. They also have an ability to project themselves into the emotions of the music, which many outsiders do not understand. This has led to the persuit of better and better equipment and recordings in which the experience can be even more fulfilling. I think I just described a drug addict.

An audiophile is also someone who will put his or her wants and beliefs in front of logic and science because his or her wants and beliefs project the illusion of a real experience apposed to logic and science that tends to suppress those illusions. As an example, yesterday that "tweak" I heard about sounded great, however today the tweak was removed and now is not missed.

An audiophile is someone who has an idea of what pre-recorded reproduced music should sound like but has been marketed and swayed by so many influences, he or she has fallen for every claim made by every manufacturer or record producer. 3,000 dollar power cords and speaker wire elevating platforms come to mind. Vinyl is bad, CD is good. No CD is bad, vinyl is good. Cassettes will destroy the 8-track industry. The Ipod will destroy the CD industry. Cranial implants will destroy the Ipod industry. ESP transference (Eplant) will destroy the implant (Iplant) industry. Components that run on filthy AC will be replaced by battery operated micro components which will be replaced by bio-electrically operated components that will be replaced by......

BY THE WAY, just kidding!

I like to get off on good music that I actually like, that is recorded well and sounds good on the equipment that I presently own. I occasionally replace a piece when it is worn or when I have become sick of it. It's something to do when the work is done and I need something to remind myself that the human race is still good at heart. What better gift than music?

W

[nathanm]

Neurotic concern and obsession over the mechanics of audio reproduction combined with the delusion that this insanely expensive exercise results in true enhancement of musical enjoyment when in fact it is little more than rampant lust of shiny objects.  A reversal of the habits of youth where music-related purchases went towards software but now go towards hardware.  Thus this vast increase in objective performance results in somewhat less subjective enjoyment due to the advance of time, increased knowledge and other factors some of which can only be remedied by further expense or perhaps the untimely death of neighbors.

[Carlman]

I'm a guy that gets excited about how well a system creates an experience.  I like the way different systems create it.  Having the interest to hear how systems create that experience is what makes me an audiophile.  I don't know how I'd define it for anyone else.

I liked the earlier comment about anyone that grabs your hand and says 'you have to hear this'... That's me.  Except, I don't grab your hand, I put a beer in it.

-C

[rockadanny]

Just some random points which prove (to me) that I may be afflicted with the audiophile bug:
1. I often NEED music to maintain and restore my mental health. Even if the music itself is sad.
2. I own many CDs that most people never heard of or would ever consider playing, but mean alot to me.
3. I fret over categorizing my CDs on a daily basis. (Fleetwood Mac's "Pious Bird of Good Omen" belongs in my Blues section, but then what about "The Kiln House"? It isn't blues, but it just seems wrong to not slot them contiguously (chronologically, of course). Or, since each section is ordered alphabetically, do I file Bo Diddley under "B" for Bo, "D" for Diddley, or "M" for Elas McDaniel? And I am exposing only the tip of this ominous iceburg folks.)
4. CDs are strictly forbidden to spend the night anywhere except IN their jewel case and IN the CD storage cabinet or my briefcase. NOT in the player, or car, or at a friend's house (unless officially lent to an upstanding responsible person).
5. When someone is over and they are rifling through my (our) CD collection, I make it a point to clearly identify every one my wife's (embarrassing) CDs. (Terence Trent D'arby!? THAT, dear sir, is my wife's!)
6. The other day I brought some CDs to work: two Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" remastereds (alas, another indication of an audiophile is multiple releases of the same material, but mastered differently) and  Stevie Ray Vaughan "The Sky is Crying". Somehow I mixed up the CDs because the next day at work I went to play SRV, but as I took the CD out of the jewel case I thought, "Huh? I don't remember Stevie recording for Columbia." Then realized that it was Miles in the SRV case. Crap! Panic set in: First, I want to hear SRV but I've got Miles instead! Secondly, and more upsetting, this meant I left the Miles case back at home with SRV inside! I was ill all day at work knowing that SRV was at home in a Miles case and I could not come up with an excuse for my boss to excuse me from work so I could go home and rectify this tragic faux pas.
7. When my wife leaves the house, before she gets the car into Reverse, I've already pushed the furniture around (for maximum imaging and soundstage), popped the grills, cracked a Dale's Pale Ale (my new everyday favorite), and sunk my fat behind deep into the sweet spot, CD player remote in one hand and beer in the other. Ah, sweet bliss.
8. As remote dependant as I have become, I still ordered a preamp which does not offer a remote because I thought I'd like the sound better than the one with a remote.
9. I only keep CDs which I enjoy listening to. If I no longer enjoy one, out it goes, regardless of its sentimental value (gift from wife), cost, or historical significance.
10. Whenever I go out to see live music, if I own a CD of the performer I will take the jacket with me and ask them to please sign it. It then takes on more significance for me, as it is personalized. Unless I get to the point of no longer enjoying it, then out it goes.
11. On occasion I find myself searching for a CD cut which I'd like played at my funeral. Maybe this is just a morbid Italian thing?
12. Even though at this point I am COMPLETELY satisfied with the quality of my system, I am still interested in listening to other speakers, even if it means driving for two hours knowing full well I have no money for more equipment.

[WEEZ]

Here's my take;

1) Music lovers are not always audiophiles. They CAN be, however.

2) Audiophiles are not always music lovers. They SHOULD be, however.

3) I'm BOTH. 

I collect music that I like. I like it 'cause it moves me, or stirs an emotion in me. Touches the soul. I can escape in it.

I pursue audio equipment so that I can better enjoy my music. The gear is a means to an end.

In both the pursuit of music collecting AND equipment hunting; I guess most would call me a nut-case 

Guilty as charged.

WEEZ!

[john1970]

What makes me an audiophile is:

1) A love a music and hearing it reproduced as accurately as possible.  With this in mind, no stereo system will ever replace a concert hall in terms of dynamics and emotion, but you can get close.

2) Equipment is a means to an end.  I am willing to spend reasonable amounts of money for solid reproduction without spending silly amounts of money.  Is really worth spending $10000 for a 1% improvement?

Just me,

John

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Well, is hanging out here count?

Seriously... is being audiophile mean that you are obsessed with audio equipments or obsessed with getting the best sound reproduction in order to get every last nuance out of the recording?

  You know that they are both kind of audiophiles out there.

 For me it was music that got me in to audio. I grew up with music but it was my uncle who introduced me to the world of audio... no he wasn't crazy as me now when is come to audio Sadly he past away in early 90's from motorcycle accident. I wish he could see and hear my system now, I think he will like it

Anyway, fro me... first I'm a music lover than an audiophile. I just want to hear everything and the emotional of the music/song that I like.

Take care,
Buddy

[AB]

I don't consider myself an audiophile. The term audiophile has always sounded pretentious to me.

I might be arrogant and cocky but I am never pretentious.

[JoshK]

I'm an auDIYphile

[Soundbitten]

Being interested in how good sound is achieved and pursuing it accordingly .

[Se7en]

Being interested in how good sound is achieved and pursuing it accordingly .

Well put!

[JLM]

I agree with WEEZ and john1970.

I often prefer listening to my system than a live concert, because the venue and/or performance are audibly inferior to a good recording.  Is that so wrong?  Does that help to define what an audiophile is?  Please understand that I'm after accuracy and realism in audio.