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This is part comment, part question. I would agree that too much extremely entry-level activity would bore me and too many mindless pyrotechnic displays are useless - they neither resolve the issues, nor promote further aspirations for sonic excellence - they would only make me look for another site. I have learned to accept criticism from knowledgable individuals not only in the area of audio forums, but in others as well. (this next paragraph is probably relevant)
I'm a computer programmer and belong to a number of user groups that deal with different operating systems (Unix, Linux, Windows) and you guys haven't seen flaming until you've submitted a post in a windows html format to a Linux board! This is pretty mild stuff compared to the holocaust a mistake like that can be! But the flaming is useful in that it makes one realize that these people are serious about their work and their commitments to their beliefs. If you're going to take advantage of their years of "in the trenches" experience, then it's up to the "flame-ee" to shut up and listen - the newbie has nothing to offer on these (programming) boards, only something to gain and if he can't humble himself and respect the company he's in, then he loses. Quite often, the answers are short and to the point - there's a common response to idiot questions which is a simple acronym - "RTFM" - and it means Read The F---ing Manual! I'm not sure how to apply that on an audio board, but maybe there's a way to gently and firmly tell people looking for Bose info to "LTRFS" (Listen To Real F---ing Speakers). If they take that as an insult and go away, their "aspirations" aren't founded in anything anyway, and anyone who doesn't take the time to "LTRFS" should probably just buy a clock radio. The equivalent to this on a Linux/Unix forum would be to just go get Windoze and point and click your way thru life! Maybe this analogy can be useful...
On the other hand, I consider myself a relative newbie to the true audiophile world (whatever that is). I have been intensely involved in music since grade school - what I mean is that I have an honest appreciation for, and a genuine love for all things musical. Not being a musician, I'm forced to settle for playing music on a stereo system rather than a musical instrument. It has only been within the last 10 years that I have taken hi-quality audio seriously, and my ability to explore that quality is only limited by my financial resources. But my commitment to a perfect musical source is total; consider this - I work out of my house (in my living room to be exact) and I have exactly three items in that living room - my PC's (two of them), my stereo system, and a chair. When I have company, my friends know that they need to "BYOC" (bring your own chair!) because I have prioritized the room for sound (I'm single, so the wife can't bitch at me). I live and work in the sweet spot - lucky me! I don't care about the looks I get when people see poly-filled comforters nicely tacked to all reflecting surfaces (doors, cabinets, etc - yeah you can laugh too), double layered acoustic panel in the windows where "normal" people have curtains or shutters, and they really wonder why they have to step over monster cable when the come in the door! As rediculous as this may sound, these things have enormously enhanced my listening experience and though admittedly the room-tuning is based more on budget than science, it's offered my a chance to "RTFM", in a way that has taught me much about the importance of things like room treatments. The same goes with the dozens of different speakers I've had in here, the half-dozen different amps, pre-amps, cdps, sub-woofers, and now a new turntable. No, I don't have a $25,000 solid gold tube amp, I don't own the "ultimate" speakers, my sub-woofer is not on the audiophile wish-list, and my amp is solid, but not exceptional. My newly purchased pre-amp, IMHO, is exceptional. My 1100+ collection of CD's is still growing by the week, vinyl is alrteady stacking up, and I am spending way too much time writing this! But it's because the audio-aspirations that I have are important to me. Important enough to maximize the listening environment and components that I do have within the budget that I'm confined to. (three daughters in college creates limits - believe me). So does that make me an audiophile? Do I have the right to express an opinion? Should I burden the real pros with poly-filled comforter tweaks? No, I won't even try. But it's because of my experience with other learning curves, other forums, and a healthy respect for those who really have the opportunity to listen and evaluate gear that I can only dream about. I have noble intentions of someday owning the "best" of everything, in a "perfect" listening room, with all the "correct" placement. Until then, I hope that I can gain from what I read here, I hope that my questions to the forum will be well thought out first (RTFM), and I hope that there will be a recognition by all that elitist attitudes are both to be expected (that's for the newbies) and that audiophile-wanna-be's like myself can indeed have honest, sincere questions that, when answered by the gurus, are greatly appreciated. So my advice to all, if I have a right to give it, is for the newbies to listen more and ask questions after they RTFM or LTRFS or whatever. The gurus need to confer amongst themselves so they don't get bored - that's cool - and if a less than guru type asks a question - well, it's up to you guys to answer or not, but try to keep in mind, that many of us really do have honest and sincere "aspirations". But hey, I wouldn't even answer a question about Bose Thanks for your time
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