Nearly all manufacturers do not advertise/exhibit their product measurements? Why?


After my Audio Science Review review forum, it became apparent that nearly the only way one can determine the measurements of an audio product is wait for a review on line or in a publication.  Most equipment is never reviewed or is given a subjective analysis rather than a measurement oriented review.  One would think that manufacturers used tests and measurements to design and construct their products. 

Manufacturers routinely give the performance characteristics of their products as Specifications.  Those are not test measurements.

I searched the Revel speaker site for measurements of any of their speakers and could not find any.  Revels are universally lauded for their exceptional reviewed measurements.  Lack of published manufacturer measurements is true for nearly every speaker manufacturer I've searched for on line, perhaps several hundred.   Same is true for amps, pre-amps, DACs, transports, turntables, well you get the picture.  Do they have something to hide?   I doubt the good quality products have anything to hide but poor quality products do.  

ASR prides itself in providing "true" measurements that will aid in purchase decisions.   Why don't the manufacturers provide these measurements so that reviewers can test if they are truthful or not?

Then there are the cables and tweaks for which I suspect that there are inadequate tests available to measure sonically perceived differences but which objectivists believe don't exist or are "snake oil."  

Well, please chime in if you have some illuminating thoughts on the subject.   

I would have loved to see manufacturers measurements on my equipment and especially those that I rejected.  

fleschler

The way I look at it is specifications balanced with how a component is tuned to suite a specific sound objective. Specifications matter to set a baseline for if it can fulfill the needs of its application but after that, it comes down to individual preference and simply trying things.

 

One of the things I've learned as a relatively new 'audiophile' is learning how to balance specifications and subjectivity as the main factors. Leaning too far one way or another have been the only times I've been disappointed in products in the past.

The sort of person who bases their purchasing decision purely based on measurements, will also be the person who buys the cheapest product with best measurements.

Why on earth would an audio manufacture want to pursue that customer? Its pointless.

Go buy yourself the $300 DAC from a pro audio company and the flattest measuring speaker. And then convince yourself the terrible sound it produces is somehow fantastic and can not be bettered.

No boutique audio manufacturer wants such people for a customers. 

@ebm exactly, it is about how it sounds in your audio chain. Synergy not spreadsheets. 

*sigh*  This is one among many 'discussions' that will endure beyond our lifetimes for as long as the items made for humans to appreciate any ephemeral event in their own homes are made for the pursuit.

Make your own call, buy the thing, and try to enjoy it.

I'll read or listen to what you've done.

I may, or not, agree.

'Twas always thus, and will likely continue to be such.

Listen to the music... 'k?