Would you want your friends/guests to be honest about that they think of your system?

[Sir Triode]

Or would you rather they kept it to themselves if they didn't think it sounded good.

For me, I rather they be honest and tell me what they didn't like about it. I would then decide if their criticism was valid or not.

Would you be offended if someone criticised your system w/o you asking?

Edited September 14, 2012 by triode12

[Batty]

Hell yes, honesty is the only way.

I like my system and I respect other's opinion

[Luc]

Most people go : "Wow! What an unreal sound. Geez that sounds good" None of them audiophiles, usually Ipod users and none have a use for music that sounds this good.

Would I be offended if they criticised it? No, because that would mean they understand the whole thing...still waiting for one of those to walk through the front door.

[Batty]

My son will now listen to music he wouldn't normally because he can hear more

[Saxon Hall]

If you like the sound of your system then it does not matter to me what others think. However anything constructive would be welcome especially if it may lead to an improvement!

[Tony M]

Absolutely!

I still cringe about some of the sounds I have subjected others to because they sounded good to me at the time.

A couple of noted subjectees in the past that were too polite to say what they were probably really thinking at the time were Aslan and TJ. Mondie has always been more willing to be honest when things just don't measure up, even if he always goes out of his way to be diplomatic about it.

Non-audiophiles are generally impressed by anything that sounds better than the mainstream c**p unless they're just not into music/audio in general. It's hard to believe, but there seem to be some people that just can't hear most of the attributes we chase with a passion.

But you've gotta love Thiing - he always finds something good to get enthused about. If all else fails, he'll just enjoy the music.

[Batty]

It's all about the music after all said and done

[kunalraiker]

I'd rather hide it if I can, don't want them to think I'am a freak.

[gainphile]

I don't know if it's just me but after a while the systems I listened to would sound familiar/the same !!! ... hence really not much to be criticizing nor enthused about !

I love however, inspecting the build quality of some stuff which people own. Real craftmanship.

[Grumpy]

Yep! a bit of constructive criticism with their thoughts would be very valuable me thinks.

We as music and hi-fi lovers can get use to and comfortable with the 'sound' of our own systems and not know or hear that certain things don't sound just right or how they should.

tell us - we'll fix it - all good.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Grumpy

[Sir Triode]

That is the way I feel Grumpy.

But sometimes it is hard to elicit an honest opinion from visitors because they are too afraid of offending you or being seen as rude.

[Catherine Barkley]

Mostly they just criticise the amount of money that I spent on it. A criticism that is not welcome.

[Jake]

Most people go : "Wow! What an unreal sound. Geez that sounds good" None of them audiophiles, usually Ipod users and none have a use for music that sounds this good.

Would I be offended if they criticised it? No, because that would mean they understand the whole thing...still waiting for one of those to walk through the front door.

Same here Luc. Exactly.

[Two Flies]

I encourage constructive criticism of my rig and how to improve it given my limited audio budget.

[Batty]

I encourage constructive criticism of my rig and how to improve it given my limited audio budget.

I hearing you, same here I was lucky enough to have purchased a nice TT, amp and speakers a couple or three decades ago.

[Monkeyboi]

Honesty and constructive critique are the way to go IMHO. If it really sounds like crap I'd rather someone tell me than just sit there smiling whilst enduring the agony.

I must admit I've not been able to "hear" some things that someone has said they can clearly pick in other systems or their own which at times makes me feel as though I'm "missing out" on something someone else is able to detect.

Old age? Cloth ears? Whatever.... I've been able to detect changes in my own system over time by changing components. So far I believe I've got it 'right enough" for my listening preferences and in my listening room.

Cheers,

Alan R.

(Posted from the Qantas Club Lounge, Adelaide - homeward bound)

Edited September 15, 2012 by Monkeyboi

[Briz Vegas]

Tricky area. If you have just spent your lifes savings on a turntable and someone who wanted to hear it goes "that's ordinary" or "you spent what" then that's gonna be pretty annoying.

Now if its before hand and you are doing a demo, then yes it is useful. If you are wondering what to update next then a new opinion can be useful.

In general it is better to be showing off a new or newly found piece of music rather than the hifi itself.

[Batty]

Honesty and constructive critique are the way to go IMHO. If it really sounds like crap I'd rather someone tell me than just sit there smiling whilst enduring the agony.

I must admit I've not been able to "hear" some things that someone has said they can clearly pick in other systems or their own which at times makes me feel as though I'm "missing out" on something someone else is able to detect.

Old age? Cloth ears? Whatever.... I've been able to detect changes in my own system over time by changing components. So far I believe I've got it 'right enough" for my listening preferences and in my listening room.

Cheers,

Alan R.

(Posted from the Qantas Club Lounge, Adelaide - homeward bound)

Enjoy the flight Alan

[Monkeyboi]

Audio is subjective. Some people ignore the sonic qualities and are in awe of the cosmetics. Take kajak12's system. Sounds pretty good but looks like a dog's breakfast. If I were to judge it with a cosmetic bias I wouldn't be anywhere near it without an electrically double insulated suit. All those wires hanging out everwhere. Many with several hundred volts on them.

Some will comment for comment's sake. Irrespective of one's opinion, beauty is in the eye (or is it the ear?) of the beholder. If you specifically solicit comment, hopefully it will be honest, objective based and informative. Sometimes constructive critique is useful in improving a system without changing any of the components. Speaker positioning is just one that comes to mind and finding just the right spot can make a world of difference.

Cheers,

Alan R.

(Posted from the Qantas Club Lounge, Adelaide - homeward bound)

Edited September 15, 2012 by Monkeyboi

[Monkeyboi]

Enjoy the flight Alan

Thanks Steve,

I'll try to catch up with you on my next visit.

Cheers,

Alan R.

[RockandorRoll]

I think it depends on spend. I have no problems with other stereo nuts pointing out the problems in my system because it's cheap and there's always something to change.

If I was to go to Mondies, Teddyboys , darthlakers and tell them what their systems are missing, I wouldn't be surprised if they politely showed me the door

My mate friends though, well.... They just laugh at the dollar amount and keep asking where the bass is. I tell them to piss off

[Paul Spencer]

If they didn't like something, I'd rather they commented honestly. It might tell me as much about their preferences and their references as about my system and that is also interesting. I originally studied architecture and that was an experience regarding constructive criticism. In a design course, there is a strong culture of criticism. You learn early that you have to embrace brutal criticism of every decision. You have to defend every choice, and it gets you thinking more when in the design process, you know the questions you will face. Why did you do it that way? Would it be better if you ... I noticed it was the mature aged students who had the toughest time with it, where those out of high school had more malleable minds more ready to change the way they think and adpt. I remember one student in tears. We all had to adapt and embrace it. Coming from that culture and also being a "roll up the sleeves" DIY guy, criticism doesn't worry me too much. I'm also pretty critical of my own work.

However, I had to remind myself that not everyone else is like that. Usually at a GTG they are probably mostly happy with what they have created. I won't critique unless they ask. Even then I'll tread carefully. My experience in life in general has been that when people ask what you think, there is usually an element of "does my bum look big in this?" So you have to perceive how much brutal honest (if any) they are wanting! Usually if someone really does want constructive criticism, they will ask a question that indicates they actually want criticism. "What do you think I could improve? What's my next upgrade? How can I make it better?" If you don't hear questions like those, then you don't want to take too much liberty!

I think you will find in most situations where you get asked what you think, they aren't really after a critique.

I do a room measurement service and in that context I'm being paid for critical evaluation. In most GTG situations, it's more social and I have to behave! I would say in the vast majority of those, constructive criticism isn't called for. It's better that you give a polite answer and they dig for criticism, than to criticise when they just wanted "sounds great mate!" People don't want a sugar coated answer, but often they want a laundry list of problems even less! In the end, I think it's best to be guided by the questions that they ask.

[Batty]

I once heard a system that I could not describe and still to this day cannot find the words, so you just sit (or stand) and smile and wonder if you will still like the system you have at home. Of course the answer is yes.

[POV]

Of course. In fact I'd suggest anyone afraid of hearing someone's honest opinion (regardless of perspective) need to take a step back from their equipment. It's about the music, and the system is simply a vehicle for music to reach your senses.

[rantan]

Hell yes, honesty is the only way.

I like my system and I respect other's opinion

Couldn't agree more.

Anyone who I would personally wish invite into my home would be most welcome to provide their honest impressions. I am and never have been precious about myself or whatever music system I have had at a given point in time and as enthusiasts we should always be open to opinions offered in good faith and friendship.