Vote

What is the goofiest product or product category in high-end audio?

Stereophile  |  Feb 15, 1998

High-end audio has always supported a fringe element of manufacturers who make bizarre products backed up by loopy "research." Curious, strange, or just plain silly, these products, and the claims made for them, have given the audio hobby a sort of "Flat Earth Society" cult reputation.

What is the goofiest product or product category in high-end audio?
Ultra-expensive low-power amplifiers
7% (14 votes)
Ceremonial listening aids (small items that affect sound)
34% (67 votes)
Magic clocks with "programmed electrons"
17% (34 votes)
Cable "trees"
1% (2 votes)
Water-encased speaker cables
12% (24 votes)
Illuminated speaker cables
12% (23 votes)
Other (please explain)
16% (31 votes)
Total votes: 195

COMMENTS
Dana Bunner's picture
Submitted by Dana Bunner (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

To fully answer your question I would need to add another 5 choices and then check "All of the above." The audiophile world is incredibly susceptible to silly claims, and this includes some Stereophile reviewers.

David L. Wyatt jr.'s picture
Submitted by David L. Wyatt jr. (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

If I am ever caught in the possession of a Shun Mook product, please have me committed.

Jim's picture
Submitted by Jim (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

I mean, Why?

Meng Keat Ng's picture
Submitted by Meng Keat Ng (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

I accept that speaker cables affect the sound but isn't this going too far?

Gary W. Tabor's picture
Submitted by Gary W. Tabor (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

What's the point???

Alfredo Martel's picture
Submitted by Alfredo Martel (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

Water and illuminated cables run a close second. Of course, Peter Belt's accesories do not count because they are overqualified goofywise.

Louie Jones's picture
Submitted by Louie Jones (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

Best used in Southern California during severe droughts, it seems that El Nino has killed the need for this emergency supply of water.

Rosano Cellucci's picture
Submitted by Rosano Cellucci (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

Green Pens...Seismic Sinks...Shatki Stones.. Pointed things...CD mats...Why can't we just take the damn components out of the box..plug them in and enjoy them??

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

all of the above

R. Harms's picture
Submitted by R. Harms (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

10.000 Mpingo discs in your listening room might have an acoustic effect. You'd better buy CD's or LP's.

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:10am

Anything else is all wet.

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