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Flavor Of the Month

I've recently seen the phrase "flavor of the month" used to put down a component. While it clearly implies that the subject product doesn't have staying power or won't deliver long term satisfaction, it's my observation that a component has to be pretty darn good to attain FOTM status. Sure there's an element of hype, but internet forums such as this one are excellent at separating the real deals from the pretenders. Can anyone name a component that was the Flavor Of the Month that turned out to be a turkey?
128x128onhwy61
kthomas
911 posts
 
I've always read "flavor of the month" not so much as a put down of the product, but as a put down of the concept that the lastest, say, CD player is so revolutionary that you'd be crazy not to scrap your current player and rush right out and pay any price to get this new one. So, I agree that most components that bring on the FOTM comment are very good to excellent, if just not revolutionary. -kirk
beemer
444 posts
 
I associate FOTM most always with CD players. We've had every kind of technobabble possible tossed at us in regards to redbook playback. One thing I've found: My BAT VKD5SE has staying power.

You all got to remember there are only 44,100 samples per second. That alone will tell why good analog still make you smile. There are certain instruments whose "aura" just cannot be captured at such a rate.

Personally FOTM makes me smile. Audiophiles can be like lemmings rushing off to buy the latest and greatest. It's not for me to tell anyone how to spend their cash, but my traditionalist ways have resulted in a time-tested system that still satisfies even with some speakers that are better than 10 years old! LOL!
twl
3,251 posts
 
I agree that "Flavor of the Month" in my way of thinking, refers more to the mind-set of the purchasers than the product. There are some who just have to go with the latest, and most-hyped products. Most FOTM products are pretty good, but you can bet that most of their buyers won't have them for too long after they read the next Stereophile Class A recommendation.
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