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What does it take to qualify as a reviewer?

Posted in this thread earlier;
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1313300093&read
some participants said they are reviewers.

One said;

"I myself was once asked if I would be interested in reviewing for one of the publications mentioned above, by its editor. I wasn't, but also declined because I didn't feel that I was qualified: not as an audiophile, nor technically, nor as a writer."

Another said:

"let us consider what might "qualify" someone as a reviewer. Would it be an EE degree, years of experience in audio, experience as a dealer in audio, knowing many manufacturers, being wealthy enough to not be bought to give a good review to get the component at a good price, being articulate, hearing well in tests, etc.?"

And he goes on to make some other interesting remarks in the same post, in my opinion anyway.

Out of respect to the OP and not to further divert the thread from its' original theme, I began this thread.

So, what qualifications, experience, education, characteristics etc., do you believe one should possess and needs to be a reviewer?

It would be interesting to hear from everyone for I myself haven't really thought about it and can't offer an answer. Perhaps others ideas could help us form an opinion.

Best,

Dave
corazon
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
It's entertainment and nothing more.

Look at a cross section of the "reviewers" we read (well you read, not me); bearded old fat men, failed college professors, preachers, and midgets are only some of the cast of characters.

It would be a great reality show.

"Audio Reviewer Survivor"

10 reviewers flown to a tropical island. They read their articles to each other 24/7. Only breaks for meals and bathroom allowed. No hygiene permitted although some of them have mastered this already.

Last person listening wins.

Coming to pay per view soon.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Being corrupt, as you find that only by getting in bed with manufacturers, get you actually make a living doing such.
paladin's avatar
paladin
227 posts
 
Great thread!
I resent the remark about used car salesman, but to each his own opinion.
I do agree with about 95% of the answers & would add an ego the size of Kansas.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
a good aural memory is a plus

funny how live music (especially horns) is so bright and lively compared to hi fi
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Ears. Just ears.

No, I'm serious. When I was asked to participate in review sessions, I agreed of course. The first or second time I showed up, the magazine editor took pains to mention that no special qualifications were necessary.

Over the noise of my deflating ego, I could hear him say that the whole point of hi-fi was that anyone could hear what the magazine people heard. If that were not the case, then it would be true that this is an elitist hobby, only suitable for a tiny subset of the population.

So I have to say that what it takes is ears, plus you need to be passing by the publication's offices when they're draggin' folks in off the street.
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