HeadMania

I am going to try an experiment of creating a series of audio podcasts on my youtube channel. I am not sure how this series will evolve, but one of the main purpose of the series will be to relate my experience of my journey into this hobby, how I started, what I went through, what beautiful audio components I have discovered, which of them stuck into my memory. I will also try to bring guests into the future, guests that share our passion, close friends, shop owners, and even people from the industry, depending on how it evolves.

Welcome to the first episode of our exciting new journey into the world of high-quality audio. As we embark on this adventure together, I thought it fitting to begin with an introduction to this hobby and some key observations I’ve gathered over the years that really form the bedrock of this passion.

I hope to provide you with insights into the world of audiophiles and demystify some of the misconceptions that often surround this hobby. We’ll be diving deep into what it means to be an audiophile, the intricacies of sound and audio equipment, and the joy that this passion can bring to your life.

But remember, being an audiophile isn’t just about owning the most expensive equipment or having an extensive knowledge of audio technology. It’s about the love of sound, the pursuit of that perfect melody, the feeling of being immersed in a musical moment, and the joy of discovery as you delve deeper into the realm of high-quality audio.

So, whether you’re an experienced audiophile, or you’re just starting your journey into the world of high-quality sound, I hope you’ll join me as we explore the art and science of sound in this podcast series. Welcome to the journey, and I can’t wait to share the wonders of this hobby with you all!

Sometimes I notice a negative trend towards our wonderful hobby. I have been hearing a lot of people saying something like “no, you don’t understand, I am not an audiophile”. This was said like an as if it’s something to apologize for.

It seems like people are more visually driven. They get why high-quality images and videos are important, but they don’t always see the same value in audio. As a result, hobbies related to audio often get sidelined or dismissed.

But I’m on a mission to change that. I want to help people better understand and appreciate the joys of high-quality audio. Through my experiences and insights, I aim to show the power and potential of good headphones and other audio gear.

After all, the world of audio has so much to offer, and I believe everyone should give it a chance!

I think that we are visual “animals”, so we appreciate high quality video/images more. This is why some times the hearing / audio and some of the hobbies related to it are treated with less importance.

My mission is to make people appreciate and understand this hobby better.

I want to share the joy that this hobby brought me, highlight the strong points of good headphones and related audio gear and why they should give them a chance!

Well, this is how it all started.

When I first listened to the HD595 headphones at the Sennheiser dealer, plugged straight into a laptop, I was instantly hooked. I had always seen headphones as a second-best option for when you couldn’t use speakers. But after that experience, my perspective changed dramatically.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate headphones as an essential part of a top-notch sound system. And from there, my love for high-quality audio just grew.

I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every step of my journey into this hobby. Nearly every upgrade has brought me satisfaction. Sure, sometimes I’ve taken a chance on a product without hearing it first. But most of the time, I’ve been fortunate enough to test it out and form my own opinions before making a purchase.

Each upgrade gave me the chance to rediscover my music collection. It’s like each song was given a new lease of life, and I was hearing it for the first time. One thing that’s important to know about this hobby is that your ears and brain get better over time at picking up subtle details. You start to hear the texture in voices more clearly, the resonance of chords, the rich sounds of violins and guitars. It’s a journey of constant discovery and joy.

This is hobby that grows on you and you get to appreciate it more and more in time.

Once you embark on this audio journey, you’ll start to experience music and sound in an entirely new way. There are times when I can’t wait to get home, pour myself a glass of wine, and lose myself in my favorite songs. There have been moments when I’m so engrossed in the music that I feel like I’m right there with the artists, living in the moment, caught between the chords. That’s what this passion is all about. The deeper I delve into high-quality audio equipment, the deeper my connection to the music becomes.

Now, we humans are visual creatures, so it’s no surprise that our hearing doesn’t always take center stage. In fact, many of us might struggle to remember different sounds or melodies. Years ago, I stumbled upon a rhythm memory test online. It played various rhythms and you had to pick out the one that matched the original. I managed to score over 95%, but I noticed a lot of folks couldn’t get past 70%. This just goes to show how our ears aren’t always our strongest sense. If you have a tough time telling different rhythms apart, you might find it challenging to spot differences in sound quality too. But here’s the great part about diving into the world of high-quality audio: as time goes by, your ear for sound gets better and you start picking up on the smallest changes and nuances in your music.

Perhaps that’s why this hobby has a way of growing on you.

Another great tool for training your ears is the Philips Golden Ears Challenge. I managed to complete all the challenges and earn my “Golden Ears” badge. It was a fun and genuinely helpful experience. Unfortunately, both tests are not available any longer.

One of the unexpected bonuses of this hobby is the people you’ll meet along the way. I’ve met some truly interesting folks, some of whom have become very good friends. People like DarKu, Razvan, and Traian, all united by our shared passion for sound. And let’s not forget the team at Jack-Fi and Avstore, where I’ve spent many happy hours in their audition rooms, just chatting about music and audio gear.

So, to circle back to my original point, I feel that many people have the wrong impression of what being an audiophile is all about. There’s nothing wrong with loving sound and music. And you certainly don’t need to break the bank to be an audiophile. For less than $150, you could pick up a Fiio E10 and a Creative Aurvana Live and start enjoying high-quality sound right away.

Of course, you might find yourself getting drawn into higher-end gear to further enhance your listening experience. And that’s perfectly fine, as long as you keep your priorities in check. Be sure to listen to the gear before buying and judge whether the improvement in sound is worth the price tag.

People who aren’t into this hobby might question why anyone would spend so much on headphones. But those same people probably spend more on things they’re passionate about, like TVs, computers, tablets, phones, cars, bikes, or even clothes.

The key is to understand that everyone has their own hobbies and priorities. Some hobbies might seem more easily justifiable because they’re more mainstream, but that doesn’t make them any more or less valuable than our passion for sound. After all, the joy and fulfillment we get from our hobbies are priceless.

Some audiophiles I’ve met are pretty shy about revealing how much they’ve spent on their setups. They worry about judgment or misunderstanding. But honestly, there’s no shame in investing in your sound system if it’s bringing you closer to your tunes!

On the flip side, I’ve also encountered folks who believe their setup is the top dog, purely because it’s the most expensive. But I gotta say, sometimes I’ve heard systems that cost a fraction of others and, to my ears and taste, they sounded much better than the pricey ones.

Some audiophiles aren’t confident in what they’re hearing and don’t trust their own ears or brains. I’ve noticed a trend where the ‘placebo effect’ is used a lot to explain or excuse this. But here’s the thing, if the differences in sound are clear enough, trust yourself.

If you’re uncertain about audible differences, then, by all means, be cautious, you could even try some blind tests to be certain. But if you’re confident in the differences, don’t let anyone who doesn’t know your setup or your music plant seeds of doubt in your mind.

The journey is all about finding your own preferences, getting to know yourself, and learning to trust your own opinions. Remember, the most important thing before deciding what to buy or how something sounds is to listen for yourself.

So, go forth and start exploring until you find, or even dream up, your ideal system, no matter the cost.

Now, let’s take a walk down memory lane as I share a little about how my own audio journey began and how it has unfolded since then. So, sit down, enjoy your music and be proud of your hobby.