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Most Honest Audio Magazine?

I subscribe to Stereophile and I really enjoy reading it but something happened last year that made me raise an eyebrow as to the authenticity of their intentions. Remember the review of the B&W Nautilus 805's? The original reviewer raved about them and rated them "Class A Restricted Low Frequency". Shortly thereafter they demoted the same speaker down to "Class B Restricted Low Frequency". This really hurt the magazine's credibility in my eyes. My first conclusion was that they didn't want to upset the other manufacturers who produced "Class A" products at far higher prices. Shouldn't a trade journal give credit to the truly remarkable products especially when they are produced for relatively decent prices? It's unfortunate that the advertising dollars of the megabuck manufacturers bullied a stellar product into receiving a less than stellar final rating. I'm wondering if this hasn't happened before. I've since heard from some of my audio buddies that corruption does indeed exist in the audio press; everything from reviewers being related to manufacturers to reviewers being offered products for a song (pun intended). Please share your thoughts and experiences when it comes to audio magazines and let me know which ones you'd rate best and worst. Putting together a great system is hard enough without having to sift through the sometimes suspicious advice of those publications who purport to advance the hobby.
canadianguy
mchd1
93 posts
 
You don't have to read a review article to know what "class" Stereophile is going to put a product in. All that you need to look at is the price. Class A speakers cost $10,000 and up. Class AAA home theater preamps cost $8000 and up. I read review articles to get detailed information on features and functions so that I don't waste my time looking at products that can't do what I want them to do and then I let my ears be the judge in my own system.
ulf's avatar
ulf
103 posts
 
For your information I just heard about a Italian brand who wants to start selling high end in USA, They asked S´phile if they would do a review of one of their products. They was answered that this was perhaps possible but advertising in a couple of issues in advance would surley help their case of getting a review.
hungryear
62 posts
 
I agree with most of the sentiments above. I find that the British Mags tend to be less hyped than the American ones, in particular HFN&RR. However, they obviously favor British gear, alot of which is inferior to North American stuff. American audio hype is particularly exemplified by the reviews of Martin Colloms who reviews mostly for HFN&RR, but does ocassional ones for STEREOPHILE. Notice how dispassionate/unemotional he is in the former, whereas he is suddenly more impassioned in the latter (most uncharecteristic for a Brit of his sensibilities!). In the end, I think we come to "trust" a few reviewers whose listening tastes we think we share and who have shown reasonable reviewing consistency over time. Overall, TAS has been the best (but, by no means, exemplary). Remember, if audio-journals do not pander to their advertisers, their revenues get strangled! So, they have to tread a tightrope between keeping their sponsors (advertisers) and not alienating their subscribers. Just part of the games people normally play!
trelja
3,223 posts
 
I agree with everyone so far. The biggest problem I have with Stereophile is Jonathan Scull. Can't this guy ever review anything that isn't 10X more expensive than what the rest of us use? The one exception was the power conditioner he reviewed. It was only $995. Was this the reason he thought it was crap? I have no experience with it, but those who do feel it to be a great product. Previously, he reviewed a set of Accuphase monoblocks. He liked them, but felt the need to recommend they be used with the multi-kilobuck power conditioner. Believe me, if I'm paying $20 - $30K for an amp, it better need nothing else. J - 10, you need to reevaluate your review list. How about mixing in something like a Musical Fidelity, Vandersteen, or PSB product once in a while? That said, I still get ripe with anticipation every month waiting for the next issue to arrive in the mail.
urbanbyef889
1 posts
 
TAS is OK but Listener Mag beats them all. It's a fun read too!
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