Audioholics

I've watched a bunch of Audioholics' videos and I met Gene at the 2018 AXPONA. At that same show I also went to a Synergistics demonstration and saw Mr. Denney in action. Here's my take.....

I think that Audioholics is about as reputable as any of the professional reviewers out there. I take all reviews with a grain of salt but Gene approaches the hobby from a common sense perspective and I trust most of what he says. He is a really nice guy in person and he was very easy to talk to. But I am uncomfortable with calling anything "snake oil" in this hobby because it is an attack on people's beliefs. If someone hears a difference between cables, even if I can't hear a difference myself, the difference is real to them. I don't tell people what they can and cannot hear. I also don't tell people what religion they should believe in or whether or not God exists.

Regarding Synergistic, I went to the demo in a skeptical mood. I was with my audio buddy who's ears I trust. Music was playing when we entered the room and my first thought was, "this sounds really good." They were using a big pair of Magico speakers in a large downstairs room and we got good seats.

Ted did several with/without tests. For the little HFT thingies I couldn't hear the difference but my buddy could. I think most of the people in the room heard a difference. For the Black Box gizmo that affects the bass I did hear a difference but I felt it made the sound worse. Then Ted turned off the Atmosphere tower contraption and the magnificient soundstage absolutely collapsed. I couldn't believe the difference. The soundstage went from sparkling 3 dimensions to a typical, somewhat flat, representation that I heard on most every room. Nobody will ever convince me that this Atmosphere thing is snake oil. Even though Synergistics' description sounds like techno-babble, it sure as hell did something to the sound. And remember, I'm the guy who has never been able to hear a difference in cables.

I strongly suggest that anyone who brands Synergistics as Snake Oil, or anything else for that matter, to go out of their way to hear it before coming to a hard conclusion. After that demo I became much more careful about dissing people in this hobby who are selling stuff that sounds flaky. I would really like to see Gene take up Ted's offer. There's a risk when you attack someone's credibility that you may have to eat crow if they offer a challenge like this. Right now I would say the score is Ted +1, Gene 0.

I second nice things said about Gene. I’ve met him and he has consulted with me. Just saw him again at the Tampa audio show.

Now, he has to make a living like most of us. But I honestly think he tells things as they are backed up by his own measurements. In person Gene is a very nice person and very helpful. At the show he suggested the new Marantz AV10 pre-pro over the Trinnov Altitude 16 based on the cost. He loves them both but there is a big difference in price. I really felt he was looking out for me.

@dave1980  the Poe video was very interesting. I need more diffusion in my room and now I have more to think about. Thanks.

So glad to be of a little help. Matt is amazing to be around. I did pretty well in school many years ago, have a MBA but Matt is off the charts successful, bright and kind! All his videos are great. BTW he holds a doctorate!

Im thinking about reaching out to him to see if he will help me lay out an end game plan. I make a good living but dont have the means to have a dedicated theater or listening room. So so many products out there. So many solid brands too.  Implementing and maximizing different components into ones particular situation is the hard part. The way im starting to look at it is that maybe it makes sense to spend a few bucks for advice rather than throw money at ideas and youtube reviews