Reviews have such a low variance in the reviewer’s options of the gear, with almost all being extremely favorable or glowing. Basically, if there’s is any mention of a negative aspect, it pretty much means that the equipment isn’t particularly good. It’s like online ratings of anything, 4/5 stars is terrible and 4.5/5 stars is average. Everything is compressed. I still like reading reviews for entertainment and to learn about potential performance of gear.
The Impossible Has Happened
If you've been visiting this forum for very long you know that many people consider professional audio reviews, the ones in the print (Stereophile, TAS, etc.) and online magazines, at best to be paid promotion and more likely outright lies in an attempt to scam you out of your money.
Here is a quote from a recent thread that was about reviews, not about their honesty or value, but got a number of posts about those attributes anyway.
Just once I would like to read a review of a pricey piece of equipment that said that the reviewer couldn’t hear any difference between that and something far less expensive . . .
Well believe it or not that has just happened in TAS, considered by many to be the worst abuser of the truth. The situation is not exactly as in the quote above, the less expensive gear is being reviewed in this example, but it is the same in essence, IMHO.
Alan Taffel wrote a review of the T+A Series 200 components. In it he says
"I happen to own a wonderful-sounding modular integrated amp: the CH Precision I1. Comparing it to the Series 200 was natural but a bit unfair. The CH unit costs more than double the price of the Series 200 stack. Nonetheless, I was glad I embarked on this comparison, because otherwise I never would have known that the two systems sounded almost identical."
The CH I1 starts at $38,000. Fully loaded it costs over $50,000..
The Series 200 stack, consisting of a transport/streamer, a DAC and an integrated amp in 3 separate boxes, costs $18,475.
So I'm not saying you should believe everything you read in professional reviews or even any of it, but here is an example where a reviewer stated that a system costing less than half a more expensive system sounded "almost identical" to the more expensive system.
And CH Precision has a full page ad in that issue of TAS, February 2023, while T+A has none. Just thought you might like to know.
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I don't know how anyone can afford to spend this kind of money or get things approved by their wife. I also receive a number of real estate listing from Red Fin every day to find out what homes are selling for in my area. I have yet to see a single home with a pair of floor standing speakers in a room. This includes homes priced over $6 million. This said, do less than 1% buy sound systems. I also see TV's and not a single TV has surround speakers. How could anyone watch TV and especially movies through TV speakers? I think sound is about 80% of the movie experience. I wonder if people are allergic to music or are too cheap to buy a system. We used to walk past our living room, the museum, and decided to turn it into a music room. We now use it to listen to music and to entertain people. What truly amazes me is to see a listing selling for $2 million without a single speaker throughout the home. No wonder why this hobby struggles. |
Larry 5279 most of the audiophile who spend big money on audio, either they are single. Married but not joint account with wife? Or the wife is just plain supportive like MikeLavigne wife who buys Speakers Cables lifter for Him.Go check his nice expensive system? On reviewers my favorite is Robert Harley on the expensive side then Sam Telling, Herb Reichert and Teajay at times. I do trust their reviews. |
@larryincmh I almost wonder if your explanation makes it worse. If a reviewer will not actually review a poorly performing piece of equipment (and advises manufacturer accordingly), their product remains on the market with excruciatingly detailed spin and rationale for why it’s a marvel of audio nirvana. We unsuspecting audiophiles without brick and mortar access buy the product without the benefit of an unbiased review and are left to deal with the headaches. We would be better served if every “commercially released” product is honestly reviewed…even if it is junk. Withholding that info serves no one…except the producer of said junk. |
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