Am I asking for too much??


I figured posting this question in the speaker section would be appropriate, but it also applies to all other areas of our hobby.
Having just read the review by Jim Hannon in the September issue of Absolute Sound of the Zellaton Stage, I am left with a hyperbole laden advert for the speaker in question. Hyperbole like this...quote" The Stage not only transports you to the recording venue, it helps you "be at one" with the artists and delve deeply into the performance and the music."

Seriously!!

So to my question, am I asking for too much with this question....instead of layering hyperbole upon hyperbole in these reviews, how about adding a paragraph or two about what the speaker ( in this instance, but could be any other gear reviewed like this) does NOT do well. Now, IF the reviewer cannot fathom what the gear does NOT do well, and therefore doesn’t have the discriminatory ability necessary to determine that ( and this is a whole other question), then at least some comment to state that he cannot hear where the gear falls down. ( believe me, they all do compared to the ’real’ thing, just how is the question). Or, is that simply too much to ask for???

Lastly, how does this type of review assist me in determining what the speaker really sounds like in reference to my reference...or the ’Absolute Sound’ as defined by HP. 
(therefore, what value does it really have for me, or the consumer?)


128x128daveyf
Hey @stereo5

I just read my own typing.

To be clear, these are just my own personal opinions.

Most important is to find reviewers who listen like you do, and for you to buy what you like, regardless of what anyone else does. It's a hobby, but we are here to enjoy music, not to make others happy with our choices.

May your journey always be enriching.

Best,
E

Without measurements a subjective review is incomplete. I applaud John Atkinson for his thorough measurements! Without the same, the TAS speaker reviews are just pornography - or advertising hype (take your pick!).
I find the impedance, phase angle, and sensitivity measurements provided by JA to be very useful. Other than that the reviews provided by any of the 'rags' serve only to stir interest. I only get a chance to audition speakers when traveling. Look for those I have read about (including via this forum) and took interest in.
One nice change since JA left I hope we can all agree on is that the photography is no longer wall to wall.

Apparently he used to insist that all the room pictures be speaker to speaker, which left a lot of dead space. If you think about it, most of the pictures were curtains and carpets.

Better angles, and closeups as well as being willing to cut 1 of the two speakers out of the picture have really made their show coverage more interesting.