‘Genius ideas’ you should avoid.
Every hobby has its moments of brilliance and its moments of pure facepalm. And, audiophiles prove this rule with their creative approaches to achieving the perfect sound.
These 30 stories capture the most entertaining mishaps and questionable decisions that will make you laugh and wince simultaneously.
- 1. Specs Over Ears, the Audiophile Way
- 2. The Loophole They Didn’t See Coming
- 3. Plugging in Never Sounded So Expensive
- 4. The Soundstage Probably Extends Into Another Dimension
- 5. Gaming Dads, the Real Multitasking Legends
- 6. The Silence Is Truly Deafening
- 7. Did They Think the Peanuts Enhanced the Bass?
- 8. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Setups
- 9. It's a Miracle Anything Powers on in Here
- 10. Grandpa Reinventing the Smartphone One Screw at a Time
- 11. That ‘B’ Stands for Butchered
- 12. Guess the Air Really Had Some 'Moist Beats
- 13. Turn It Down? Never Heard of It
- 14. Who Knew Headphones Had Such a Tight Grip?
- 15. Guess They Couldn’t Handle the Heat
- 16. When Your Fix Sounds Worse Than the Problem
- 17. Nailed it... Just Not in the Way They Wanted
- 18. When the Music Is Far, but Your Soul Needs It
- 19. Twist, Tape, and Hope for the Best
- 20. AirPods Case: Now Doubling as a DAC
- 21. Is that...water?
- 22. Chocolate Smooth Mids and Peanut Butter Lows
- 23. Turns Out Treble Extension Is All About Airflow
- 24. Finally, a Grail Fit for Downton Abbey
- 25. Built Tough Enough to Survive the Cold War
- 26. Brookstone Really Said, ‘Why Not Both?'
- 27. No Headband? No Problem—Kinda
- 28. Proof That Audiophiles Will Try Anything for Sound Quality
- 29. Tangle-Free Sound, Tangle-Filled Workouts
- 30. New Look Unlocked: Audiophile Confetti
- 1. Specs Over Ears, the Audiophile Way
- 2. The Loophole They Didn’t See Coming
- 3. Plugging in Never Sounded So Expensive
- 4. The Soundstage Probably Extends Into Another Dimension
- 5. Gaming Dads, the Real Multitasking Legends
- 6. The Silence Is Truly Deafening
- 7. Did They Think the Peanuts Enhanced the Bass?
- 8. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Setups
- 9. It's a Miracle Anything Powers on in Here
- 10. Grandpa Reinventing the Smartphone One Screw at a Time
- 11. That ‘B’ Stands for Butchered
- 12. Guess the Air Really Had Some 'Moist Beats
- 13. Turn It Down? Never Heard of It
- 14. Who Knew Headphones Had Such a Tight Grip?
- 15. Guess They Couldn’t Handle the Heat
- 16. When Your Fix Sounds Worse Than the Problem
- 17. Nailed it... Just Not in the Way They Wanted
- 18. When the Music Is Far, but Your Soul Needs It
- 19. Twist, Tape, and Hope for the Best
- 20. AirPods Case: Now Doubling as a DAC
- 21. Is that...water?
- 22. Chocolate Smooth Mids and Peanut Butter Lows
- 23. Turns Out Treble Extension Is All About Airflow
- 24. Finally, a Grail Fit for Downton Abbey
- 25. Built Tough Enough to Survive the Cold War
- 26. Brookstone Really Said, ‘Why Not Both?'
- 27. No Headband? No Problem—Kinda
- 28. Proof That Audiophiles Will Try Anything for Sound Quality
- 29. Tangle-Free Sound, Tangle-Filled Workouts
- 30. New Look Unlocked: Audiophile Confetti
1. Specs Over Ears, the Audiophile Way
Only audiophiles could recommend something without even hearing it. Bonus points for writing it during a lightning storm. This ‘reviewer’ is truly committed to the bit.
2. The Loophole They Didn’t See Coming
When the rules are too specific, there’s always that one genius who finds a way around them. This is the kind of loophole you can only admire.
3. Plugging in Never Sounded So Expensive
Because nothing says ‘audiophile’ like paying $6,495 for a wall outlet. Imagine explaining to your guests that your sound system runs on ‘premium electricity.’
4. The Soundstage Probably Extends Into Another Dimension
The dedication here is unmatched. At this point, the music isn’t playing for him; it’s playing through him.
5. Gaming Dads, the Real Multitasking Legends
This guy really turned the hospital room into a gaming den. Playing Escape from Tarkov while your wife’s in labor is a bold move.
If the baby grows up saying “gg ez,” we know why.
6. The Silence Is Truly Deafening
This is what happens when someone thinks “as long as the wires are plugged in, it should work.” Looks like they’re ready to jam… with silence. Maybe next time, they’ll try reading the manual.
7. Did They Think the Peanuts Enhanced the Bass?
This is one way to “fill out” the bass, but it’s definitely not what the manual had in mind. Craigslist strikes again with another unexpected “custom upgrade.”
8. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Setups
Why bother with cable ties when duct tape can do all the wrong things just as easily?
9. It’s a Miracle Anything Powers on in Here
Honestly, the fact that this powers on at all is a miracle.
10. Grandpa Reinventing the Smartphone One Screw at a Time
Grandpa took ‘screwing up your phone’ to a whole new level.
11. That ‘B’ Stands for Butchered
They said, “If I can’t afford Beats, I’ll make Beats.” We just didn’t know it would involve a marker and some scrap wood.
12. Guess the Air Really Had Some ‘Moist Beats
Thought your headphones were safe in the drawer? Think again. Looks like they’ve been busy starring in their own episode of Mold Hunters.
13. Turn It Down? Never Heard of It
When you want to hear every detail of the music… and every neighbor’s complaint for a five-mile radius. Who needs ears anyway?
14. Who Knew Headphones Had Such a Tight Grip?
I pulled the headphones, and the headphones pulled the entire desk. Safe to say, the desk won this one.
15. Guess They Couldn’t Handle the Heat
All I wanted was a full charge, not a meltdown. Guess these headphones decided to go out in a blaze of glory.
16. When Your Fix Sounds Worse Than the Problem
The glue held, but the headphones didn’t survive. Maybe leave the headphones alone next time.
17. Nailed it… Just Not in the Way They Wanted
Not sure what they were trying to achieve, but they definitely nailed it… literally.
18. When the Music Is Far, but Your Soul Needs It
When your phone is charging but your heart still wants music. This setup screams dedication.
19. Twist, Tape, and Hope for the Best
You can almost hear the “It’s alive!” moment when this started working. Let’s just hope it doesn’t start sparking next.
20. AirPods Case: Now Doubling as a DAC
Why stop at Bluetooth when you can turn your AirPods case into a dongle-powered DAC? Audiophile creativity knows no bounds.
21. Is that…water?
These headphones are making waves, but not for their sound.
22. Chocolate Smooth Mids and Peanut Butter Lows
Who needs regular headphones when you can jam out with chocolatey smooth mids and bass that’s nuts? Reese’s knows how to bring the flavor.
23. Turns Out Treble Extension Is All About Airflow
Why spend $1,000 on an amp when two tiny holes can do the same job? Audiophile hacks at their finest.
24. Finally, a Grail Fit for Downton Abbey
Every note feels like it’s served with a side of tea and biscuits. A true grail for the refined listener.
25. Built Tough Enough to Survive the Cold War
If it survived the Cold War, it can definitely handle your playlists. Just don’t expect noise canceling.
26. Brookstone Really Said, ‘Why Not Both?’
Headphones with built-in aromatherapy? Perfect for when lo-fi beats need a hint of lavender.
27. No Headband? No Problem—Kinda
Who needs a proper headband when you can just raid the junk drawer? It’s barely holding on, but so are we.
28. Proof That Audiophiles Will Try Anything for Sound Quality
When life gives you trampoline floors, you create a floating turntable setup. The sound must go on.
29. Tangle-Free Sound, Tangle-Filled Workouts
The perfect blend of cardio and sound quality. Just watch out for those cable whiplashes.
30. New Look Unlocked: Audiophile Confetti
When your headphones start shedding more than your pet, it’s probably time for new pads. Goodbye, old friends.