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A Question About Reviewer Techniques

I've been reading the audio rags since the mid-80's and continue to subscribe (albeit with much less enthusiasm) to TAS and Stereophile while also reading the online publications occasionally. I've always wondered why reviewers do not evaluate products in systems recommended by the manufacturers. For example, a recent review of a loudspeaker has generated some controversy because the journals main review system uses speaker cable from a national hardware chain. I'm not criticizing the use of these cables (haven't heard them) but rather the decision to evaluate a particular product (in this case loudspeakers) using cables that are not recommended by the speaker manufacturer. Why don't the review mags simply ask the manufacturer what cables, electronics and source materials will bring out the best in their products and then make an effort to evaluate the product using these components? Any novice knows that system synergy is vitally important in obtaining good sound but somehow this core principal is thrown out the window (for the sake of expediency?) by reviewers who simply pair products under evaluation with whatever happens to be lying around their listening room or with whatever works with their other components. Then they write a review which is somehow supposed to be "authoritative" but which may not show the product in the best possible light. Anyone else find this a little troubling?
128x128dodgealum
plato
1,543 posts
 
Put simply... most publications don't have the resources to be able to buy all their reviewers new systems for every component they review. And since most reviewers are either not paid or not paid a lot, it's probably a little much to expect them to fork out a few grand for a speaker cable that a manufacturer recommends.

But maybe you're very wealthy and could fund all these purchases??? While you're at it, could you kick in a few million extra to build reviewers more acoustically perfect listening rooms (probably several, for different size systems/speakers)?

If you want everything to be perfect then why not open your wallet and fund it? If not, why don't you quit griping about what you get for free or practically free?
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
You have a point, but there are other considerations. In my opinion, this type of practice would also bias the testing. Furthermore, what would you think if a reviewer is asked by a manufacturer to test and review their new $2,000 speaker, but the manufacturer suggests using cables that cost $20,000 because they really bring out the best in their speaker. I also think that it would be a marketing and financial fiasco for a speaker manufacturer to market their speakers as sounding best only with certain select electronics. They would be out of business in no time at all.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
If the speaker manuf. thinks Cable X is the way to go, the speaker should COME WITH a 3 meter set. extra charge for longer, rebate/credit for shorter.

Was the speaker not reviewed properly? Did it get 'panned'?
raquel
841 posts
 
The author of the thread has a point and I try to demo equipment with other equipment deemed to be synergistic by the manufacturer (particularly because most brick and mortar shops in my experience no longer care about two-channel equipment and do little toward careful set up).

Regarding reviews, it is important for readers to know that they are subjective because there are few if any constants - different ears listening to different equipment in different rooms with different levels of room treatment, different A/C power supplies and different music - scientific the process is not. In light of this, it helps to have familiarity with the various reviewers' respective systems, listening preferences and biases. I think many reviewers are conscientious and I do not intend to disparage anyone, but the only thing I tend to take seriously is Atkinson's measurements.
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