Quote:
Originally posted by kelly
....I guess my point is that HeadWize seemed more for geeks... either because people only wanted to discuss their headphone gear or because they weren't social enough to even do much else on a forum. HeadFi has a lot more average joes, for better or worse, and there's a lot more of a public crosssection here. HeadFi now has kind of a "educate the masses" kind of role whereas HeadWize could sort of "keep to itself" community in terms of what kind of people posted there.
I find it especially interesting that the DIY section of HeadFi has the same "feel" to it as all of HeadWize had. |
I agree with you on your statement about HeadWize being a more keep-to-itself community. And I also found that very charming in its own way -- I was one of the more active posters in that community. But, to me, the regular streaming in of new members that is happening here is a very good thing, and is part of the process of introducing new members to the hobby.
Yeah, some people might be quick to give reviews, but I think that, in general, it's a good thing too. It connotes a certain enthusiasm that newbies have for the experience and revelation of good gear experienced for the first time. I was one of the cats on HeadWize who was very quick to do reviews as new products came in. And as I got a bit deeper into the hobby, I started realizing whose opinions jibed most with my preferences, and newbies will start to determine the same things here as they become not-so-newbies.
To advance, though, it's my opinion that the hobby has to grow. As the interest and market in the hobby grows, so does the likelihood of new and better products to serve it, from both major companies and DIY'ers, to meet a growing demand. A company like Cardas releases a highly specialized product like their Sennheiser replacement headphone cable. Joseph Lau's Antique Sound Labs communicates with some of his customers and improves his products. Tangent sells META42 boards to make it easier for people to try DIY'ing, as well as to make it easier for some of the more prolific DIY'ers to create amps for others (which spawns still another little cottage industry). In fact, Tangent is
already creating v2 of his META42 boards since his v1.0 boards have sold out.
HeadRoom opens up a sort of lending library, even providing free shipping to most borrowers (understandably, the borrower has to pay to ship back). All of these things happen -- and more will continue to happen -- because the community will continue to grow to demand and support new and better things.
Again, I agree that there is a certain charm in having the feel of a more exclusive club. But I think we're moving in the right direction here. And, as a result, I think we'll see better, cooler headphone-hi-fi-specific stuff available to us as a result.
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