Hi-Fi Audio ICKS! Please DON’T Do These!!!
United States of Analog | March 20, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is about “hi-fi audio icks” – things that annoy or bother audiophiles about hi-fi equipment and culture. The host Bob defines an “ick” as something that’s an instant turn-off, and he’s covering various aspects of audiophile gear and behavior that frustrate him. This is the beginning portion where he introduces the concept and starts listing his first few icks.
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:02:29] Circular VU meters are annoying and shouldn’t exist – he prefers rectangular VU meters exclusively
- [00:02:38] He specifically calls out Bob Carver and manufacturers “east of Krakatoa” for using circular VU meters
- [00:02:47] Thinks circular VU meters look like submarine portholes or something from SpongeBob
- [00:03:18] In-ceiling speakers are problematic, especially among his more affluent friends
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- [00:03:07] Strong recommendation to avoid circular VU meters in favor of rectangular ones: “Let’s get away from the round VU meters kids and go completely rectangular”
Any interesting vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- [00:00:27] The host mentions he’s going to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Las Vegas
- [00:00:40] Notes that Springsteen had an illness in late 2023 and this is their second show back
- [00:01:08] Says he’s been “playing a lot of Bruce this week” and has Springsteen paraphernalia visible behind him
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:02:47] “They’re not cool, right? I mean sure maybe in Spongebob’s world. Who is it that lives in the pineapple and they’ve got the portholes”
- [00:02:38] “I’m sorry Bob Carver. I’m sorry every audio manufacturer east of Krakatoa”
- [00:00:52] About his Vegas trip: “This one’s all about me. I’m gonna take care of myself first and they can figure out what they’re doing Friday night”
Summary
The video opens with host Bob introducing the concept of “hi-fi audio icks” – audiophile pet peeves that serve as instant turn-offs in the hobby. He’s in an especially good mood because he’s about to travel solo to Las Vegas to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform, which represents their second show back after Springsteen’s illness in late 2023. Bob explains that he’ll be covering various aspects of hi-fi culture and equipment that frustrate enthusiasts.
Bob begins his list with circular VU meters, which he finds completely unacceptable compared to rectangular ones. He humorously compares them to submarine portholes or something from SpongeBob SquarePants, and specifically calls out manufacturers like Bob Carver for using this design. He advocates strongly for rectangular VU meters as the only acceptable option.
The second ick he begins to address involves in-ceiling speakers, particularly noting how this trend affects some of his more affluent friends who have disposable income for home audio installations. The transcript cuts off as he’s developing this point, but it’s clear he has strong feelings about proper speaker placement and the compromises that in-ceiling installations represent for serious audio reproduction.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Klipsch La Scala speakers [00:04:08]
- An $11,000 amplifier (unspecified brand) [00:04:39]
- Integrated amplifiers (general category) [00:04:22]
- McIntosh MA-252 amplifier [00:06:33]
- McIntosh MHA 100 headphone amplifier with 50-watt amp [00:06:36]
- Small bookshelf speakers on large tubular stands (seen at hi-fi show) [00:05:34]
- Equipment with large OLED digital displays [00:06:24]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- Ceiling speakers installed 30 feet apart are inadequate for music listening [00:03:52]
- People who claim to love music but only have ceiling speakers should “go to Target” [00:04:02]
- Integrated amplifiers without tone controls are problematic [00:04:24]
- Basic bass and treble controls are necessary, whether physical knobs or digital/app-based [00:04:30]
- Small speakers on oversized stands look aesthetically wrong [00:05:28]
- Speaker and stand proportions should be matched appropriately [00:05:48]
- Large OLED displays that show no information are pointless [00:06:25]
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- The $11,000 amplifier was described as “particularly detailed bright” [00:04:50]
- The host had to search for “darker side of neutral” or “warmer” speakers to pair with the bright amplifier [00:04:54]
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- Match speaker and stand proportions: “small speaker smaller stand bigger speaker…slightly bigger stand” [00:05:48]
- Choose amplifiers with at least basic tone controls (bass/treble) [00:04:30]
- Proper speaker placement is essential – ceiling speakers 30 feet apart won’t work for serious music listening [00:03:52]
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- “If you want to listen to music from ceiling speakers go to Target” [00:03:59]
- “Bob my wife doesn’t like speakers in the house. I know but you have three cat towers in the house. You think that looks better than a pair of La Scala’s? Give me a break go to Target.” [00:04:04]
- “You say you love music. Where is it? Where’s your system? Come on?” [00:04:13]
- “It costs more money than anything else I have in the house. But it’s making me do more work” [00:04:10] (referring to the $11,000 amplifier without tone controls)
Summary
This portion of the video focuses on the host’s audiophile “icks” – things that annoy him about hi-fi setups and equipment choices. He begins by criticizing wealthy people who live in expensive homes but only have ceiling speakers placed 30 feet apart for music listening, suggesting they clearly have the money for proper hi-fi but choose convenience over sound quality. His frustration is palpable as he mockingly addresses the common “my wife doesn’t like speakers” excuse, pointing out the irony of having multiple cat towers while rejecting proper speakers like Klipsch La Scalas.
The host then transitions to discussing integrated amplifiers that lack basic tone controls, sharing his recent experience with an expensive $11,000 amplifier that was overly bright and detailed. Despite its high cost, the lack of simple bass and treble adjustments forced him to hunt through his closets for warmer speakers to compensate for the amplifier’s brightness. This experience reinforced his belief that even high-end equipment should include basic tone adjustment capabilities, whether through physical knobs or digital controls.
The segment continues with his criticism of aesthetic mismatches, particularly small bookshelf speakers mounted on oversized stands, which he observed at a recent hi-fi show. He emphasizes the importance of proportional matching between speakers and stands for both visual appeal and practical considerations. The host concludes this portion by beginning to discuss large OLED displays that show no useful information, setting up his next “ick” while encouraging viewers to share their own audio pet peeves in the comments.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion:
- [00:06:43] McIntosh MA252 integrated amplifier (100 watts per side with OLED screen)
- [00:07:17] Amazon Echo device (kitchen device with screen)
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion:
- [00:07:40] Big displays that don’t show useful information are a major “ick”
- [00:09:06] Putting plants and drinks on speakers (causing water rings) is another big “ick”
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers:
- [00:08:55] Stop putting plants and drinks on speakers
- [00:08:35] Trying to be more inclusive by involving spouses in the hobby (buying records they want to hear, bringing them to audio shows)
How did the video wrap up:
- [00:09:09] Host asks viewers to share their hi-fi “icks” in comments
- [00:09:14] Suggests making this a series
- [00:09:16] Requests viewers email photos of audio “icks” to Bob’s rock news at gmail.com
- [00:09:26] Standard outro: “We’ll see you next time in the United States of analog”
- [00:09:35] Off-camera conversation continues after the main video ends
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions:
- [00:07:37] “Don’t make a big OLED high-def display and not display anything”
- [00:08:59] Co-worker’s complaint: “every speaker I’ve ever owned in my life since I’ve been married has water rings on top”
3-Paragraph Summary:
The host wraps up his “icks” list by criticizing his McIntosh MA252 integrated amplifier for having a beautiful OLED screen that displays virtually nothing useful – just the brand name, source, and volume. He argues that manufacturers should utilize the “real estate” of these high-definition displays to show something meaningful like VU meters, album art, or even entertainment content, comparing it to how basic Amazon kitchen devices can play YouTube videos.
He then shares a bonus “ick” from a co-worker’s experience: spouses putting plants and drinks on speakers, resulting in water ring damage. While emphasizing his desire to be inclusive and involve partners in the hobby (mentioning how he brings his wife to audio shows and buys music she enjoys), he firmly draws the line at using speakers as furniture or plant stands, calling this a major pet peeve.
The video concludes with the host encouraging viewer engagement by asking them to share their own hi-fi “icks” in the comments and email photos of audio pet peeves to him. He suggests this could become a series and wraps with his standard outro, though some off-camera conversation continues where he defends his Levon Helm t-shirt to someone questioning his fashion choices.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
