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We are buying and reviewing gear all wrong

So let's assume that cables, power conditioners and electronics all contribute noticeably to the sounds we hear.

In that case, maybe the idea of buying individual gear, reviewing individual gear, etc. is all messed up.
We should review entire systems, and buy entire systems.

This idea that we constantly shuffle interconnects, speaker and power cords for all our lives is messed up.

We shouldn't be looking at audio stores or reviewers as recommending gear, but themes. Styles. Entire collections all at once.
erik_squires
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,016 posts
 
I think one of the biggest problems when selecting speakers and electronic equipment is you are not able to listen to this gear in your home.  You spend $ thousands, get it home and it sounds harsh or simply does not sound anything like what you heard when they were demoed.  It would be nice to put a deposit down with an agreement to be able to return them to the dealer without being charged a restock fee or be pigeon holed into buying them.  Most of the retailers in Colorado work out of their homes and their rooms are less than ideal to represent the sound quality that is possible when listening to them at home.  I am surprised no one is talking about master setting speakers to tune speakers to a room.  Most audiophiles do not have a clue about how to set up their speakers at home after spending $ thousands in order to get their speakers in phase with their listening room.  Soundings in Denver is the only retailer in Denver who almost requires their customers to allow them to do a master set.  They also really feel adding the proper REL subwoofers to a systems is as important as the speakers themselves in order to create the most optimal sound stage.  You should stop buy their store and in just 30 minutes you will be convinced there is a better way to listen to 2 channel stereo.  He moved one of the speakers just a few inches from where they were marked on the floor and I suddenly heard the right and left speakers.  When he moved one of the speakers out of position, he also had to raise his voice in order for us to carry on a conversation.  Master setting totally eliminates the detection of left or right speakers.  The sound travels directly to you between the speakers and you can feel your shoulders relax and feel sound the way it is meant to be heard.  And, no I do not work for Soundings.
stargazer3's avatar
stargazer3
135 posts
 

Here in the UK I would never purchase standmount or floorstanding speakers without the benefit of a home audition.  Also I would if possible get the assistance of the dealer to set the speakers up in my own room for the audition.  To buy a speaker without home audition for me is like buying clothes for myself blind without knowing my measurements or not trying them on in the shop and hoping to luck that the clothes will fit me at home.


johnread57's avatar
johnread57
239 posts
 
Linn UK
Offer whole systems based on stereo or multi channel source and active speakers.
And the probably sell loads of them. Smart marketing with smart products. Great market. Indeed doubt many are found here. Erik proposed a different review and sales strategy. Isn’t this exactly what takes place at Hi-Fi shows? Aren’t they system demo’s. There’s Nagra teamed with Wilson’s etc. Magazine reviewers will struggle to reproduce these or similar experiences for their reviews. Oth John Darko often compares similar units in a specific category headphones or dacs and so on in one review for comparison. How is a package to be assembled for a reviewer, who will coordinate and ship the package?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
The whole audiophile thing really is insane...like disturbingly nuts!!  It misses the whole point of the music and having fun.  I remember selling HiFi gear back in the early 80’s when you could get a whole system that sounded very engaging for $2-$3 grand.  Spent the rest of my life chasing shadows and wondering why I enjoyed music more back then compared to anytime since.  Why didn’t the audiophile approved gear simply communicate the emotion and fun of the music more readily?  Maybe that much maligned mid bass hump was actually a good thing...at least it sounded more like a real band playing.  Too much over dampening and flat frequency response angst ruined audio for me.  Live music is crazy dynamic and loud with energy you can feel...it is not flat or damped!
bigkidz
3,426 posts
 

I understand your post but what I don't understand is all the different recommendations and advice that I read about here on Audiogon.  For example, I have heard some of the equipment that I see recommended such as for this price X brand is a no brainer, or I purchased X Brand and in my system it sounds fantastic, or I had that and this one sounds better.  IMO, there are too many people posting replies with advice or recommendations who simply do not have the experience to evaluate something.  I am very lucky as there are three audio clubs in my area so hearing different equipment not only in my system bit other peoples systems I think allows for a better evaluation and recommendation.  People will lend out a piece of gear no problem even very expensive gear.  Don't take me wrong as I value every opinion but  there has to be more to the opinion.  I guess the real question to me is how much experience does the person recommending here on Audiogon have.  I also build and modify components so I really am lucky to hear the potential of a component, and have it in my system to compare to other components for a IMO better evaluation.  Not that I am an expert so I invite people over for a play night and get multiple opinions.  It really becomes a fun evening.  A month back I had people over and we did a capacitor shootout.  Understanding how that impacts the sound was a great experience.  We all ordered the same capacitor to upgrade our amps and preamps!  But seriously, I do not want to come off as if I know better but I do find some peoples recommendations and opinions less experienced to make them.

Just sayin' don't crush me on this, I hope this is more helpful that not to many here that I have enjoyed reading posts from, etc.

Happy Listening.    

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