Paul McGowan writes: I’ve been noodling on a comment made a few weeks ago that high-end audio is mostly a status symbol owned by wealthy people who do not care about audio or music. I must say I find that totally wrong and offensive.
In fact, the more I think about the comment the more convinced I am it’s completely wrong.
Unlike most status symbols such as cars, watches, cameras, clothing and mansions, high-end audio gear is rarely displayed publicly and almost never trumpeted to guests of a person’t home. In fact most people I have met invite only the rare few into their homes to enjoy their setup. It’s almost like a closely guarded secret – one we don’t share with people who wouldn’t “get it” and you kind of feel privileged to be shown the music room.
Certainly there are those amongst us who buy only the expensive kit because they can, but rarely do you ever see them showing off the equipment unless it’s another Audiophile they’ve let into the their inner circle. Then, of course, they show it off like a proud rooster strutting his stuff. I get that.
Get outside the audio circle and I’ll bet you rarely ever see stereo as a status – unless you think a pair of Dr. Dre headphones are high end……
