audiophile

[ aw-dee-uh-fahyl ]

noun

1. a person who is especially interested in high-fidelity sound reproduction.

audiophile

/ ˈɔːdɪəʊˌfaɪl /

noun

1. a person who has a great interest in high-fidelity sound reproduction

Word History and Origins

Origin of audiophile¹

First recorded in 1950–55; audio- + -phile

Example Sentences

After Rainbo closed, “There were nine- to 12-month waits to get anything pressed,” said Jim Davis, a Fidelity co-founder and head of the audiophile gear outlet Music Direct and reissue label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.

From Los Angeles Times

SAY CHEESE: This one might give an audiophile a heart attack, but that doesn’t make it any less adorable.

From Seattle Times

What about a box set fit for a budding audiophile?

From Seattle Times

“If you have a vinyl pressing of the original release of that record, it’s an audiophile’s dream,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Thirty years before “that Seattle explosion” made legends out of local recording studios like London Bridge, maritime-loving audiophile Joe Boles ran one of Seattle’s first acclaimed studios out of his West Seattle home.

From Seattle Times

More About Audiophile

What is an audiophile?

An audiophile is a person who is interested in high-fidelity sound—that is, sound that’s recorded or reproduced with very little distortion from the original. 

High-fidelity sound is sound reproduced in a way that closely follows the original as much as possible. Audiophiles are professionals or enthusiasts who enjoy high-fidelity sound recordings, whether they’re producing the recordings or just listening to them. 

Audiophiles often have a strong knowledge of how sound is recorded or played back. They likely have an understanding of speakers, headphones, microphones, audio converters, and other sound equipment. Audiophiles are often technology enthusiasts and may make a hobby out of fine-tuning their systems in order to get the best sound quality for the least hassle.

Audiophiles may be interested in music, voice acting, film, environmental sounds, or any other type of sound that can be recorded and played back. Interests can be as varied as audiophiles themselves.

Example: Opal was a bit of an audiophile and helped me set up a fantastic sound system for my house.

Where does audiophile come from?

The first records of the term audiophile come from around the 1950s. It combines the combining form audio-, referring to sounds within the range of human hearing, and the combining form -phile, meaning “lover of” or “enthusiast of.” Together, they mean “a lover of sound.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with audiophile? 

• audiometer
• audiotape
• bibliophile
• Anglophile

What are some words that often get used in discussing audiophile?

• high-fidelity
• fidelity
• frequency
• headphones
• sound
• speakers

How is audiophile used in real life?

Audiophile is used to describe someone who is enthusiastic about the quality of sound recordings and reproductions.

Don't listen to music on your iPhone speakers! As an audiophile, I'd like to say that to the majority of people in the world, but I must make music in keeping with the reality that they judge the quality of music there.

— HIDEKI NYAGANUMA 🇺🇦 CEO OF FUNKY FRESH BEATS (@Hideki_Naganuma) January 20, 2020

Can't wait for CDs to come back for hipster audiophile collectors

— Dave @ MORTIS (@DaveOshry) May 21, 2021

There is no fear greater for an audiophile than getting auditions right as you get on a flight for a trip, knowing you’ll have to use your laptop mic ……..

— AmaLee 🦋 M̶̱̍ö̷̧́n̶̝͋a̷͔̓r̷̝̓c̶̼̈́h̸͕̀ (@LeeandLie) December 21, 2017

 

 

Try using audiophile!

True or False?

Audiophiles are largely concerned with the volume of a sound recording.