It really comes down to the money, doesn't it? This is expressed in the power of advertising and buying a product that many times the consumer doesn't get to “kick the tires” rarely anymore . . . at least not for those who are not wealthy enough to go to where they can actually hear these expensive items, much less afford many of them.
I can only speak for myself that there are no animosities nor jealousy for anyone who works hard in life and gets a good break to live such a lifestyle legally; however, I do not care what the high-end product is, unless it is sold in a chain store or you happen to live close to an audio boutique . . . the overwhelming abundance of audio products from speaker drivers on leaves one in absolute disarray when it comes to making a wise choice.
For the most part, most of the reviews are being made by publications where a select few try and control the opinions of the public . . . and as much as we would like to believe the contrary, there are unscrupulous people, who are influencing whether a product becomes successful or not. How many struggling companies have been destroyed because of a bad review by a tone deaf or heavily biased reviewer? And how many such reviewers get a high from such power to make or break a new product?
This is a very competitive arena, and you had better have discernment, do extensive homework, or be ready to constantly lay-out many dollars to wade through this swamp to find what satisfies your audio and musical desires. The forums are interesting, but they become more of a sparing situation, where people are more or less doing more of an ego thing to prove how knowledgeable and how dominating they can be in debating their bias viewpoint. . . even ridiculously fighting to win by bullying and name calling to get a win by default. It is ridiculous.
Try calling the company . . . of course, they are going to be loyal to their own products. Call a distributor and rather than getting help, many times you wind up defending your goals and being patronized and talked down to as if you are a complete fool. BUT, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC -- IS IT REALLY? After many years in the hobby . . . and I mean MANY YEARS, I don't believe that in the fullest extent of the meaning.
