are audiophiles different than non audiophiles ?

This is a difficult question to answer for all audiophiles but I tend to agree with Foster 9 and Frogman's first paragraph. So far as personality types are concerned, I'll leave that to the shrinks and behavior psychologists. Oh, Detlof, where are you? He could really contribute some interesting comments to that aspect of the equation.

On the one hand it is a quest by some to get a glimmer of what we hear in live music, to others it may have started out as a hobby in electronics and evolved from there, to others it is a fascination with the sound, to others the gear. But to the majority more satisfying music in our homes. I'm not convinced that all audiophiles are music lovers and that non-audiophiles necessarily like music less. I guess at the end of the day it must be "something you are wired for" as stated above other wise there wouldn't be audiophiles that really don't listen to music and music lovers that don't care to be audiophiles.

There are guys out there building catapults to chuck watermelons, for god's sake. We aren't that different. Except, they have a much more realistic goal.

Audiophiles have better signal to noise.

Frogman, technically, one can not be an "audiophile", unless one has a keen interest in the equipment.

the word audiophile is made up of "audio", and "phile".

in the greek language, philos means love.

thus audiophile means lover of sound, not lover of equipment.

audiophiles vary in their criteria and designation of excellence of sound.

so, the essence of what distinguishes audiophiles from non audiophiles, is a preference for sound quality (audiophile), as compared to an indifference to sound quality (non-auidophiles).

the important question is why do some people favor one form of sensation -- sound over another ?

as people have different hobbies that emphasize different senses, e.g., sight, taste or touch, the difference between audiophiles and non audiophiles can be observed.

i suspect the essence of these differences is partly genetic and partly phenotypical. can't say which is more important.

if you consider that some people enjoy activities with movement, while others enjoy activities of taste, you will see in action the multiplicity of expression of hobbies that rely on a refined sense of something.

wine tasters and food lovers (epicures), obviously favor their taste buds.