I've always said that people were discerning...

[Marco]

...when they simply let their ears, and nothing else, decide:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ch/8351921.stm

Traditionalists, enjoy!

Marco.

P.S I wonder what would happen if a truly 'top-spec' iPod set-up (whatever that is) and an identically priced small separates system were used instead?

[Themis]

Hahaha, you bet ! An iPod dock against a (modest) hifi system... no surprise here.
(btw: 2 out of 10 people seem deaf...)

On the other hand, when I go on holidays (with a car full of necessary things) I have a place for a Dock, but I couldn't bring a whole system, whatever its price.

[anthonyTD]

...when they simply let their ears, and nothing else, decide:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ch/8351921.stm

Traditionalists, enjoy!

Marco.

P.S I wonder what would happen if a truly 'top-spec' iPod set-up (whatever that is) and an identically priced small separates system were used instead?

good test!
they should have had some valve stuff in there of course but being shut in a cardboard box all day may have resulted in some flames, so best not.
A...

[Spectral Morn]

Maybe there is hope....? A classic Hi-Fi Experience/Markets system from the mid 80's.


Regards D S D L

[Marco]

Maybe there is hope....?

I've always said that there was, Neil

If most people genuinely into music, who are not simply just 'gadget freaks', had that test (or indeed a more optimally set-up blind one) demonstrated to them in their lounge at home, and they could live with the separates system, aesthetically, I guarantee that the majority of them would opt for it over the iPod.

Why?

Because, as the test showed, it makes music sound better - pure and simple!!

Ok, so the people who were asked weren't audiophiles, and so weren't able to eloquently express why they preferred system 'B', which is why they came up with some pretty meaningless expressions for why they considered the sound to be better.

*BUT* the crucial thing was that they heard a difference, and that difference is precisely what would make them buy a 'proper' hi-fi system over any iPod-based set-up, providing as I said, that the looks and the 'facilities' of an iPod are not amongst their main priorities.

Basically, it's a simple matter of education. You only know when something is better when you hear it for yourself, so the answer is to give people the opportunity to do just that and let their ears decide...

I've often thought of starting up a business doing just that - 'spreading the word' for hi-fi, if you like, by offering an incentive-based mobile demonstration service and taking orders for equipment based on the results I achieve in people's homes

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

That test goes without saying really but at the end of the day any clapped out old hifi would sound better than a piece of shit of an MP-3 player..But it's an industry & the MP-3 is the best way honest.






Not!

[pure sound]

Although sound quality should be the deciding factor, convenience or neatness usually is.

Even having heard the difference I suspect many of those people would still choose an Ipod & Dock with crappy inbuilt speakers.

[Marco]

Possibly, Guy. That is I why I stated the provisos in my last post above

My view though is that many people, once smitten by how much better their favourite music sounds, would abandon their convenience and neatness principles and find some way of accommodating a better hi-fi system. The video ably demonstrated that 'Joe public' is perfectly capable of discerning a better sound - you don't need 'golden ears'.

Like I said, it's a matter of education. Lots of people just *think* that they want neatness and convenience because that's what the mainstream retail outlets sell in terms of product, and it's easy and fuss-free to buy.

However, if it were demonstrated to them in their own home, that a 'proper' separates hi-fi system, which they were willing to accommodate aesthetically, reproduced their favourite music more enjoyably, and it came within their available budget, I'm convinced that people would go for it.

It's a matter of doing the leg work and getting the message out there to the people - risky and potentially costly, I know, but I'm convinced that it would be a viable business proposition.

I've already got some ideas as to how it would work

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Possibly, Guy. That is I why I stated the provisos in my last post above

My view though is that many people, once smitten by how much better their favourite music sounds, would abandon their convenience and neatness principles and find some way of accommodating a better hi-fi system.

Like I said, it's a matter of education. Lots of people just 'think' they want neatness and convenience because that's what the mainstream retail outlets sell in terms of product, and it easy and fuss-free to buy.

However, if it were demonstrated to them in their own home, that a 'proper' hi-fi system, which they were willing to accommodate aesthetically, reproduced their favourite music more enjoyably, and it came within their available budget, I'm convinced that people would go for it.

It's a matter of doing the leg work and getting the message out there to the people - risky and potentially costly, I know, but I'm convinced that it equates to a viable business proposition.

I've already got some ideas as to how it would work

Marco.

25 years of experience in the trade doing exactly what you propose to do would imhe say you might be right in 1% of cases (if your population demographic was big enough that would be fine), but for the most part, your success would only be among those already into music and the idea of quality audio reproduction. I have seen/been involved in moments like that and still they buy a micro or the wife says no I just don't understand why they ignore/walk away from that kind of magic, but they do.

The biggest issue is speakers (ugly black boxes is not an issue anymore, even size can be got round to an extent), to create a realistic experience for the matching size of room they may need to be big...then there is the issue of modern spartan room acoustics

[Marco]

You're missing the point Neil...

If it's already been agreed that both partners are willing to accommodate the separates system (speakers included) in their lounge, they can afford it and agree that it sonically outperforms their iPod-based set-up, and they don't really need the 'facilities' of the iPod-based system, as they're just into enjoying music, then why wouldn't they buy it? The shops are still selling plenty of CDs!

People often buy new technology out of ignorance just because it appears to be the 'latest thing' (after being brainwashed by what's written in magazines or shown on TV, etc) not because it's necessarily what they really want.

Of course, one has to find the right customers in the first place, but I believe that they're out there - and out there in significant numbers. They just don't know it yet! What was demonstrated in the video is just the tip of the iceberg.

Marco.