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Audio reviews: too many analogies, never simple, but most of all, never clear.

How many reviews have you read were it takes at least 2 paragraphs for the the reviewer to actually give 
hint this article is actually audio related or even gives mention to what he or she’s reviewing. Get to the subject matter. Leave out your less than perfect dramatic writing skills and lets start hearing about the actual review. I’d rather hear about comparisons between audio components than analogies between wine and taste related to transparency and how that gives rise to what they are getting ready say. What does wine have to do with audio transparency, nothing! Also they have a tendency to talk more about recordings that I’m sure 99% of the readers of the article have never heard of, or would ever listen to.
And when you looking for some sign of what they actually think of the components they’re reviewing they never give you a straight answer; it’s always something that leaves, at least for myself, asking, well where’s the answer. 
hiendmmoe
bluorion
477 posts
 
I agree with @hiendmmoe on this. When I'm researching for a new piece of gear, I have a tendency to see how long is the review. I know that's stupid but that's just how I am. If it looks like its War & Peace part II, I tend to just scan it and get to the good parts or ignore it. I want to read a 'real world' review of the gear. I don't have time for silly analogies.
rockysantoro's avatar
rockysantoro
144 posts
 
You hit the nail on the head,please,people ,get to the point!
jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
438 posts
 
Reminds me of what (I believe) James Michener once said, "I takes me 100 pages just to say hello."
russellrcncom
316 posts
 
Tee jay:. Can I ask you a question? Why is it that the vast majority of reviewers use classical music as the basis of reviews? Is it really that essential? Is this representative of their subscribers?  if you're going to go that route why just listen to piano music which is so difficult to reproduce accurately?   

minorl
1,016 posts
 
I can't think of too many audio equipment reviewers that I agreed with.  Much like the ten thousand wine reviewers out there.  First, you can't figure out what the heck they are talking about and second, you never know if they are being influenced some way on their review.  

However, I, for one, actually do like and appreciate the technical side of equipment reviewing.  I for one do want to know how it's made, what's in it, the circuitry and circuit design, etc.  It gives me an indication as to where the technical side of the industry is.

I'm a fairly intelligent and educated person and if it takes some time for the reviewer to get to the point, then I know they are being paid by the word.  If they don't discuss the technical design/construction part of a piece of equipment, then it tells me something about that person also.

Contrary to what many feel, this is technical and engineering. R&D, implementation, listening, adjusting, redesigning, etc.  I want to read about how the designer got there also.  they didn't just snap their fingers and viola, a brand new amp appeared.

But using phrases that tell me absolutely nothing, without explaining what the phrasing actually means (to that person), don't help.

Also, I agree with some here.  If the reviewer is reviewing an amp or speakers and don't describe the room, and the other equipment, it really doesn't help me much.

enjoy
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