Audiophile 'Attitude'


Okay, we love our hobby: we love the music, the equipment, the esoterica, and the deranged quest for perfection the likes of which would make even the greats of classical composition shake their heads. But you've got to admit that there exists a certain 'attitude' among some of our group that can be..... difficult. Often this is sexist, arrogant, elitist, impatience, and so on. I think this would be a fertile ground for interesting stories, some humorous and some just jaw dropping. Would anyone like to share? Remember, there are many stories about those other folks outside the hobby who don't get our brilliance and force us to painfully tolerate their ignorance, I'm talking 'bout the other side: WHEN
AUDIOPHILES GO BAD!

I will gladly start: when my wife and I decided to sell our entire Vandersteen home theater (this is different tale of audiophile arrogance, btw) we started looking for a new brand and a new sound to replace my
formerly beloved Vandys. My first 'target' was Martin Logan. It just so happened that there was a ML dealership less than a mile from where I lived at the time in Champaign, IL. Wonderful I thought! So my wife and I toddled over there.

Now it should be noted that my wife has become quite an audiophile herself. She wasn't this way when we met, but she has become fairly well educated in matters of audiophillia, she has an excellent ear, and she is a brilliant woman (she is a vice president for Bank of America after all). So we choose much of our equipment together.

So we go into this ML dealership with about four CDs In hand to get a brief audition and ask to hear some MLs. Instead of going straightaway to letting us listen the salesman decides he needs to try and 'sell' us on the MLs, the very speakers we'd come to hear in the first damn place! So after tolerating his drivel for a few minutes my wife's asks a question. Instead of answering her, he answers me.... then he turns to my wife and, while pointing to that screen with holes that MLs have on so many of their speakers, he says, "now this isn't here so you can hang clothes to dry."

It honestly took me a second to realize what he had just said and I think my wife wafinally looted. After a couples seconds I said, "well, I guess we won't want these speakers then." And we walked out. We also scratched Martin Logan off of our list. No one treats my wife that way.

Okay, your turn....
aewhistory
I hope you remember the salesman's name. If you do, I would call the dealership, find out who the owner is and arrange to speak to him. Even if you don't remember the name of the salesman, you can describe him. I would quote exactly what the salesman said to the owner, and arrange to audition the Martin Logans with a different salesman. I would not let the salesman get away with such ignorance and the owner not knowing about it.
I would never think of switching to ML from Vandys, but that's just my personal opinion.
Having the fact of having such a "salesman" already tells about the rest of ML customer service and they're far far not the best speakers at the same price point you can have in your set up.
Having my jewish heritage, I would negotiate with such sailsman to knock 50% off anything I'd want to buy or 'Please call your manager':-).
If you want to take an example of great customer service, you should visit Best Buy where such idiot wouldn't hold on even a second after he spells that to the customer.
It is time you, and your audio smart wife visited Lyric in New York City. It is only fair that before either of you die, you be subject to real 'Audiophile Attitude'. No place does it better, well Andy Singer is a close second. Hopefully when you go to Lyric both of you will merit a visit to the 'basement', which is reserved for the 'attitude' elite. Don't get me wrong, all Lyric sales people, including the new owners, were well trained by Mr. Kay, the founder. Bring your financial statements, bank and brokerage, for without them you will be classed as unworthy of any attention. Hey, it is an experience that will change the way both of you view 'audiophile'. Enjoy the music.
It was the Audio show two shows ago in NYC .. my wife .. an attractive Italian who looks like she has been shot in the back by two Scud missiles .. and I were cruising the halls

We stopped in a room that had these massive wooden horn speakers .. a cathedral of tubes and a vinyl set up that cost more than a 3 series BMW new

I was over looking at the giant wooden speakers and my wife drifted over to the vinyl set up were she was checking out the album covers

The proprietor a very well dressed Asian gentleman spots my wife and moseys over to her and asks ... “So what type of music do you enjoy”

Without batting an eye or taking them off the album cover she was looking at ... her reply was ... “both kinds Country and Western”

The expression on the guy’s face was Priceless as he walked away shaking his head

Guess he didn’t have any John Cash with him to play for her
.