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Best Place for Negative Reviews?

As I've started reading more reviews of audio equipment, I'm noticing a discouraging trend: They're all positive! If I read one more article that says "this (insert component here) competes with anything 3 times its price!" one more time, I may completely lose faith in reviewers.

And maybe everything above a certain price range sounds good to certain people...but that's the kind of undiscerning ear that doesn't help me learn about which components I should seek to audition.

Is it just me, or do we need more reviewers who put a stake in the ground and just decide which components actually ARE the best values, and which ones you really are just getting what you pay for?
128x128heyitsmedusty
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Most reviews require you to read in between the lines of what is actually being said, I see many negative opinions that on the face can seem like an over-all positive review.
I do wish the problems with gear were not so cryptic when you read a given review, and half of me thinks most reviewers have made a deal with the devil and complete honesty has jumped the shark, but how can you mix sound business and sound reviews.....its a tap dance.
ojgalli
165 posts
 
". . . jumped the shark." You bet! The reviews are all the same, and user reviews must be taken with great skepticism too. Most users write their review while still in the "honeymoon period" and are trying to convince us (and themselves) that they've made a good purchase.

Lose your faith. It's the only relatively sane thing to do.

As for finding reasonably honest reviews. Check out independent reviewers who neither own nor sell the equipment (or bought *after* they reviewed it), AND have a sound methodology along with the required equipment for testing, e.g., The Audio Critic.
freemand
225 posts
 
I think sleepysurf is onto something.

I do the same thing. I read many opinions of common folk like us and I look for a theme. Theme being, I see a common thred of a certain product getting steller pub from a lot of actual users. This takes tons of research, but has served me well for many years to put an awesome system together for its value.

I don't bother with a reviewer anymore. I recently ended my stereo review and TAS subscriptions.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
many audio critics receive the same accomodation and perks that the employees of manufacturers, distributers, and retailers get, even though (unlike the otheres in the marketing chain)they are supposed to be impartial. imagine a football game where the team accommodates the referees, and the spectators think everything is fair and square. reviews are for entertainment value only...like professional wrestling.....and every bit as scripted. `consumer reviews are the best
tarsando
578 posts
 
Big difference between the gon and AA re reviewing and offending advertisers. On AA anything goes. Here, the Moderator approves all. And if you slam one of their sponsors, your post never sees light of day. Audiogon has a business relationship with Stereophile.
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