This weekend Kendra did some shopping, and I got to drop in on some stereo shops in Walnut Creek. She bought a few things, I only got food.
However- I also got to listen to some ridiculously overpriced stereos. That was a lot of fun, and it was informative.
I can tell you without any reservation whatsoever that after having spoken with a sales person and listening to what they have to offer, Bose is not about good sound. Their stuff is sloppy, ragged, distorted, and hard to listen to. It’s fake! Sure, it blends in- and it can look like you don’t have any speakers at all… but is it worth it?
Next, I went to Bang and Olufsen and listened to the Beolab 5. This is a $16,000 stereo that doubles as modern art. THOSE guys know what’s up- it sounded at least as good as anything I’ve ever heard. And wow are they loud! They’re really something to aspire to. If I ever win the lottery (and lose interest in designing something myself), they’d totally be up there on the list of what I’d buy. Oh yeah, after a house and a van.