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Lately I've been going to bat for audiophiles. People get really shrill about how unpractical their gear is and how much smarter they are for knowing that cheaper cables exist. But ultimately it's a hobby. They like the exotic expensive stuff because it's fun. The value is largely extrinsic.
Is a really nice fountain pen worth a couple hundred dollars actually 2000 times better than a bic? Is a collectors vehicle safer, faster, or more practical than a modern one? Is the story better if it's a first edition?
Ultimately audiophile stuff is more like collectibles than tools. Sounding good is important, but also important is just geeking out on something. And don't think there aren't function-first audiophiles who buy purely utilitarian gear and get super deep into room treatment and such. But there are also people who value aesthetics too. Branding, finish, novelty. And ultimately they're rich. Splurging on audio equipment for them would be like a regular person splurging on expensive stadium food or something. Or perhaps even more appropriate, stadium beer, which is the exact same beer that can be purchased much more easily and cheaply under different circumstances.
While I get that, tolerating absolute bullshit pseudoscience (or anti-science) and letting people think it is a fact is exactly why there is a huge western general anti-science sentiment harming millions of people.
You have to call them out and shame them for spouting disinformation bullshit as "science" and facts.
The difference in your analogy is that fountain pen enthusiasts never* spout pseudoscience and disinformation as justification and/or discount actual science and blind tests. Audiophiles do that regularly...
Yes, if they say that they love designs, collections, how it makes them feel, whatever, sure. Don't tolerate lying and pseudoscience though.
Then there's the inbetween. Want a refillable fountain pen that doesn't dry up after a month of not used? Spend 50$. Want a in-ear/earbud that's actually good? Research a bit and get one for 100$.
There's a difference between "audiophiles" that just want nice things and "Audiophiles" that believe in deranged pseudoscience. Why they bought it matters,
Overpriced but well made equipment (that doesn't pretend to be anything else) is fine. It's stuff like this or cables like these people make fun of.
The difference is that collector vehicles are not seen or advertised as having higher safety than a modern vehicle and a fountain pen is not seen as being more convenient or even as reliable as a bic.
(Certain) Audiophiles regularly confuse people not part of the hobby, convincing them that they need a fancy cable or else their equipment won't work. Monster cables preyed on this for years.
You don't see people doing the same for buying a pen. Nobody goes to a store intending to buy a bic and accidentally getting talked into buying a mont blanc.
If they didn't prey upon those not interested in the hobby, then I'd agree with your take.
There are some really elitist audiophiles who think they always know best and that their preferences are "objectively correct"
Then there are people like z-reviews who fall in love with $30 headphones and mention in the same breath as $3000 ones. Another thing I like about him is that he also recommends buying aftermarket cables quite regularly, but I don't think I've ever heard him talk about them effecting the audio: it was always about aesthetics and comfort/feel, like how the sheathing feels or how soft and flexible a braided rope cable is over the stiff and scratchy out-of-the-box factory-cheapo one
Yeah there is definitely a difference between $30 dollar headphones and $3000 Dollar ones. I bought cheap razer headphones and expensive mid range Sennheiser headphones, the Sennheiser are amazing, razer is practically garbage in comparison. Never cared about cables though as long as they work and last long, I don't care.
If truth in advertising is what you seek, I've got bad news for you.