Disappointing audition after great review

To Jafant and Wlliewonka-

I was far less than thrilled with Focal Sopra 2's

Zavato,

When I went to RMAF in October, after listening for an extended period I was disappointed with the Focal Sopra 2s as well. It's a reminder that we hear differently and me not liking them doesn't invalidate someone else loving them. I've seen negative comments about my Aerial 7Ts, but it hasn't changed my opinion of them. As a matter of fact, going to RMAF has given me a new respect for Aerial 7Ts. With every speaker we must not forget, we are listening to a system, not just speakers.

Anyone who buys kit on the basis of a review, deserves all they get, but I am sure 99% of people don't do that. They are a general guide to what you should consider auditioning yourself. I can think of a number of items I acquired that way, all of which were a success, in my view and that is all that counts. The Ayre QB9 DAC, Audio Research Ref 75, Modwright 36.5 pre, for example. What is the magazine I trust most, HiFi Plus? but that is still only, to look for an audition.

Following up on comments how much speakers are room dependent, absolutely true, but what you don't see discussed, is how much Speakers vary in their "fussiness". I can think of a number of models you can pretty well plonk down in your usual speaker position and get pretty good sound. Not perfect, but they don't seem to need weeks moving by inches and angst, to get right. I am sure others would disagree, but I would include Wilson Duette speakers here.

All lovers of well reproduced music should make it mandatory to seek out the mega-buck and mega-raved about items. That way THEY get to hear with THEIR OWN EARS what others are either raving about or just what level of attainment comes with spending sometimes absurd amounts of money.

I will guarantee that in a fair proportion of those auditions, whether through the utter incompetence of the dealer( in setting-up/ combinations of equipment/ lousy rooms) or even when all of those variable are properly attended to, you will be disappointed by the resulting sound/ music reproduction quality.

I like auditioning equipment totally because it reveals that most of the high-end is 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. I usually put the end result down to poor combinations of equipment and dealers who have tin ears and wouldn't know good sound if it ran them over.

Not all auditions result in that, but you will find for yourself that the bad ones do outweigh the great ones.

Theophile, nice post, but isn't there some subjectivity involved? I know from checking out fine musical instruments that some might be obviously superior quality but just not my cup of tea while another is right up my alley.