Audiphile Press: Am I jaded, experienced, or has it declined?


I remember Audio, Stereophile and TAS as an older teen getting me excited about music reproduction and technology. Getting out to listen to speakers and find gear I could afford to take me to music Nirvana.

I still like the gear, still like talking about it, comparing tech, sharing experiences and advice, but I can’t remember the last time I really thought "wow, that’s good writing!"

How about you?

Has too much press devolved to covering only the most expensive gear?  Do we lack better international gear coverage?  Does it all look like it could be easily written by an AI chat bot?

erik_squires

I would be very sad if the science of audio had not changed in 20 years, but certainly the measurements in popular press/dialogue are the same.

 

Erik I think the problem is twofold there are just  so many online publications not to mention Youtube reviewers. And a lot of reviewers seem to be reviewing the same gear as their competitors.  And as stated above so much bad writing, I guess at least with YT that’s not an issue. However I like to read audio review while listening to music so no YT for me.

And Art Dudley is indeed missed as is Listener and a shoutout to one of my favorite long lost hifi rags Fi magazine.

Seems audience for the rags is not audiogon posters. I wonder what their circulation numbers are these days, how it compares to other times. As for their audience, I stereotype it as wealthy novices. I do like Herb, he gets into smaller manufacturers, supplies plenty of context, also provides interesting asides, real four season individual.

Excellent points, as above. I miss Audio Magazine and Stereo Review. Many of the "greats" in Audio press are gone or retired.

 

Happy Listening!

Seems audience for the rags is not audiogon posters. I wonder what their circulation numbers are these days, how it compares to other times.

Stereophile reports circulation of 70,000 - that's a pretty strong number.