You know you have crappy audio equipment if....

[spl225]

If the rear of the speaker cabinets is made out of the same stuff as the rear of an old console tv, it's not audio equipment. It's "the stereo" or "the record player".

 

[guest102]

...if the salesman at the B.P.C. Store is crying uncontrollably and trying to apologize for being so good at his craft as he puts your money in the register drawer.

...if your dog, cat, or parakeet continually risks electrocution trying to chew the power cord off it.

 

[AnalogDigit]

When the power transformer is smaller than a clock radio.
It has a built in cassette, 8 track and radio all in one and weighs less than 10 pounds.
The cassette tape recorder has plastic piano keys, no noise reduction, or tape selector switch.
You get no complaints from the neighbors when you turn it up.

 

[Vinylman86]

If the vol. control is also the record level.
If the recording system is DC bias.

 

[electronjohn]

If it periodically emits smoke...and not the good kind.

 

[jancumps]

Thanks Warren. You just described my entire system!

Yes, amazing that so much posted in this thread applies to my setup.

 

[Markw]

If the phonograph needle has a flip lever on it and the back of the speakers are full of 1/4" holes.

 

[anytune]

If there is a sticker on your speakers that says "air suspension system"

 

[mfhale]

If the face is littered with acronyms followed by their meanings: SBBS-Super Bass Boost System, OTTR-One Touch Tape Recording, MAWCSS-Mega Awesome Wicked Cool Stereophonic Sound...

 

[Dr Tinear]

...if your dog, cat, or parakeet continually risks electrocution trying to chew the power cord off it.

Do rabbits count? My son's pet rabbit loves power cords and speaker cables. Getting her mouth across the line and neutral conductors of a power cord and ending up with singed fur near her mouth wasn't even enough to reduce her appetite for wiring.

Getting back to the OP's question ...

You know you have crappy audio equipment if ... the label on the back says "Made in China."

 

[jt45]

If the Record weighs more than the TT !
If the speakers Snap into place !
If it looks like a UFO
If it says IPOD not included !
Oh and I almost forgot, Batteries Not included !
You give it away and it keeps coming back !
You have to pay someone to take it away !

 

[HeezDeadJim]

...if there is no way to detach the wires from the back of the speakers...

...if the lcd window has other features that you can't access.... (like a digital clock read-out or date)...

 

[KentTeffeteller]

If it came from a White Van!

 

[Markw]

Hey! That sounds like my HT receiver.

If the face is littered with acronyms followed by their meanings: SBBS-Super Bass Boost System, OTTR-One Touch Tape Recording, MAWCSS-Mega Awesome Wicked Cool Stereophonic Sound...

It's got so many logos on it , it looks like a rectangular, black NASCAR racer.

 

[Brett a]

...if the frequencies of Bob Dylan's harmonica make you cringe

...if Miles Davis' muted trumpet hurts your ears even at otherwise reasonable listening levels.

 

[Duckzilla]

If it's pink....

 

[rebellovw]

If it came with your model home..

 

[Brett a]

...if the changer mechanism drops two records at a time.

 

[stereofanboy]

If you have a digital clock in your all in one stereo.

- Your speakers have fake tweeters.


-Your cassette deck has piano keys.
-Your turntable platter is plastic.

If it has a BSR turnable

If the rear of the speaker cabinets is made out of the same stuff as the rear of an old console tv, it's not audio equipment. It's "the stereo" or "the record player".

It has a built in cassette, 8 track and radio all in one.
The cassette tape recorder has plastic piano keys, no noise reduction, or tape selector switch.

...if there is no way to detach the wires from the back of the speakers...

I no longer use the original speakers or turntable that came with it, but these describe to a "t" a thirty year old stereo that I listen to every day, when it was new.

 

[mfhale]

...if the frequencies of Bob Dylan's harmonica make you cringe

Every stereo I've ever heard is a piece of crap!