Thread: A bizarre review…

Raidho TD3.8 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

The reviewers second review?

Look at the associated equipment. Commensurate with $117k speakers?

The comments…..oh boy.

The measurements are…shall we say…rather interesting too.

As I said…bizarre.


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"So I measured them in the driveway" lol

At least he played something other than Dianna Krall..."features a screaming electric-guitar part throughout the entire song, calling to mind an Adrian Belew wannabe having an aneurysm"
Break My Heart - YouTube

I get he was searching for that synergy he heard in FL but I suspect theose speakers were not driven to potential.

I guess if they sounded good with what he was using, wow, if using better gear. However, I have yet to hear a "wow" demo of Raidho but I've never heard TD series to my knowledge.

He also summed it up like we should go right out and get a pair, sort of overlooking they are over $100k which is a great deal to me, LOL I think that may be the first review I've read from that writer.

JGH is rolling in his grave, but who knows, maybe not ........

I suppose if the writer gave a glowing review with that gear just think what the speaker might be capable of. One other thing I thought about a guy from Raidho set the speakers up so he could have suggested better gear.

I may have brands mixed up I think those tube amps used I heard in Dr Vinyl's room, they do sound very nice. Typically though speakers of that stature require some quality juice though.

I read a review this morning of the Pass XP12, the writer used used a set of Pass 60 mono blocks but I forget which exact model. I thought it odd he used as his source a Bluesound Node. This is a decent streamer/DAC to a point but come on you are reviewing a $6k preamp, I feel a higher quality DAC is in order as well the streamer. The review states he just plugged the Node into one of the inputs so he was even using that DAC.

You have to wonder if the industry has a lack of experienced reviewers. I suppose the same principle would apply as stated above, if it sounds good with a Node just imagine what it would do with a Lumin or Aurender etc. it was a positive review. Don't we sort of question a reviewers ability when they do stuff like this though?

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I suppose if the writer gave a glowing review with that gear just think what the speaker might be capable of. One other thing I thought about a guy from Raidho set the speakers up so he could have suggested better gear.

I may have brands mixed up I think those tube amps used I heard in Dr Vinyl's room, they do sound very nice. Typically though speakers of that stature require some quality juice though.

I read a review this morning of the Pass XP12, the writer used used a set of Pass 60 mono blocks but I forget which exact model. I thought it odd he used as his source a Bluesound Node. This is a decent streamer/DAC to a point but come on you are reviewing a $6k preamp, I feel a higher quality DAC is in order as well the streamer. The review states he just plugged the Node into one of the inputs so he was even using that DAC.

You have to wonder if the industry has a lack of experienced reviewers. I suppose the same principle would apply as stated above, if it sounds good with a Node just imagine what it would do with a Lumin or Aurender etc. it was a positive review. Don't we sort of question a reviewers ability when they do stuff like this though?

I agree - the Bluesound is definitely out of place in that system.

So is it a Audiophile rule, that a person must have an expensive device that matches in dollar value the other devices ?. What if the listener enjoyed the sound of their inexpensive device. Humm!

Originally Posted by CPP

So is it a Audiophile rule, that a person must have an expensive device that matches in dollar value the other devices ?. What if the listener enjoyed the sound of their inexpensive device. Humm!

I think the associated review equipment should be commensurate with the product being reviewed, yes.

Would you want a 16 year old new driver testing the performance track limits of a 992 911 Turbo S for a car magazine?


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Despite what the fringe may think your audio system should be reasonably balanced in quality and ability. Most would agree to do a fair review a speaker should be driven at least close to its full potential. At least the writer realized he needed another tube amp, I still would question if 100 watts of tube gear was enough.

In addition, there's a difference between what you might do in your listening room opposed to a writer who I feel has more responsibility to the product and their reader.

Originally Posted by CPP

So is it a Audiophile rule, that a person must have an expensive device that matches in dollar value the other devices ?. What if the listener enjoyed the sound of their inexpensive device. Humm!

Originally Posted by Mike

I think the associated review equipment should be commensurate with the product being reviewed, yes.

Would you want a 16 year old new driver testing the performance track limits of a 992 911 Turbo S for a car magazine?


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I would not have a problem having Josh Pierson driving my cars. FYI Josh Pierson, a full-time driver in the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and he was the youngest to ever race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans at age 16.

Originally Posted by CPP

So is it an Audiophile rule, that a person must have an expensive device that matches in dollar value the other devices ?.

No, but it might be an 'Audiofool' rule

What if the listener enjoyed the sound of their inexpensive device. Humm!

he would be shunned for life and have his Audiophile Decoder ring confiscated ........

Originally Posted by CPP

So is it a Audiophile rule, that a person must have an expensive device that matches in dollar value the other devices ?

Yes. If spend enough on source etc "quality", this becomes inaudible. I guess fringe in this case means "basic hearing ability".
823-RTD38fig3-600.jpg

I had Mike's same reaction when I read the review recently. Reviewers should have associated gear commensurate with the piece(s) he/she are reviewing.

Stereophile magazine is decaying quickly. These days I just page through it and, if something calls my attention, I'll read it. Doesn't take long at all.

When I read the review, I felt sorry for the reviewer because for his first review he is reviewing a product from a company that sparks debate no matter what. I really like the Raidho sound but it is terribly flawed. Many other products are the same way. He was put in a no win situation. As a side note: Raidho speakers in general need a LOT of power and although I've never had these in my room, I have had many other Raidho speakers in my room for extended periods of time.

If Raidho had a more conventional pricing structure and priced their products 1/2 of their current price then that would make them a lot less controversial. It's not only because of the bad specs.

That being said the reviewer going on about Q sound didn't help him much. Many speakers under $5,000 do Q sound amazingly if that's what you're into. I mean look at the sound bars for your TV movies - they throw sound to make it seem like it's all over the room.

Originally Posted by Smile

Isn't this really the fault of Stereophile- whoever agreed to pay for the review?

Please explain how paying for a review works.

Originally Posted by mep

Please explain how paying for a review works.

Not sure what your question is.

I assume that the writer of the review got paid from Stereophile. Most wouldn't do it for free. By your question it almost seems like you are thinking that the manufacturer paid for the review and why would you even think that?

Originally Posted by the professor

Not sure what your question is.

I assume that the writer of the review got paid from Stereophile. Most wouldn't do it for free. By your question it almost seems like you are thinking that the manufacturer paid for the review and why would you even think that?

Because that's the way it sounded to me when I initially read it.

. . . and, hopefully, may this be his last.

Originally Posted by AVphile

. . . and, hopefully, may this be his last.

I think the bigger issue is that somehow, is some world, in some crazy dimension this passes at Stereophile as acceptable. My how the mighty have fallen.

I remember when I used to carry my thick copy of Stereophile with me everywhere month to month reading it from over to cover learning so much about this hobby.

I was grateful they would share their knowledge every month and helping me learn. I miss that old version of Stereophile.

I have no idea whether this review is any more or less meaningful than any other review of any audio product. We could probably come up with a litany of issues with 99% of any review/audition of any given audio product. The only valid audition is one that you perform in you own set-up.

At least with a written review I can skip over SQ comments which have no correlation to how any product will sound in my set-up and room. I want to understand features, build, engineering etc. That is a reason why I don't pay any attention to online/Youtube "reviews". It is much harder to skip over the unnecessary commentary to get to those non SQ related features that will get me to travel to audition a product. Only I know what sound I want to hear out of audio system.

I can't speak for everyone my impression is that many do because they refer to them often. Especially when trying to make a point.

I personally do not. I accept measurements have their place. I also have seen speakers with similar flat responses sound quite different. Measurements can't tell you how an amp is going to sound to you.

Originally Posted by vsrrr

Do people generally trust Stereophile's measurement section? I'm asking in terms of methodology, published measurements, and interpretation of those measurements.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

"So I measured them in the driveway" lol

At least he played something other than Dianna Krall..."features a screaming electric-guitar part throughout the entire song, calling to mind an Adrian Belew wannabe having an aneurysm"
Break My Heart - YouTube

Measuring outdoors can be very accurate unlike measuring indoors which is very inaccurate ..


Regards

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I can't speak for everyone my impression is that many do because they refer to them often. Especially when trying to make a point.

I personally do not. I accept measurements have their place. I also have seen speakers with similar flat responses sound quite different. Measurements can't tell you how an amp is going to sound to you.

This is very much not true , the only thing measuring wont tell you is what or which version you will subjectively like or not ..! The issue today is most published measurements are done to compliment components via omission instead of exposing the flaws and warts..!

Regards

Originally Posted by vsrrr

Do people generally trust Stereophile's measurement section? I'm asking in terms of methodology, published measurements, and interpretation of those measurements.

Trust the measurements , yes somewhat ..
interpretation , slightly .....

as omission is necessary to protect the innocent , Lol

I’m not a fan of purely subjective reviews , really a waste of time IMO , Stereophile type review methods of both subjective listening review and objective measurements actually gives you enuff worth while info to make an educated decision to play or not ..!


Regards

another reason why I could careless about reviews. that's a hell of a speaker with the right gear and setup

Originally Posted by mep

Because that's the way it sounded to me when I initially read it.

That kind of Ethos Mostly aligns itself with subjective only type reviews ..!

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Despite what the fringe may think your audio system should be reasonably balanced in quality and ability. Most would agree to do a fair review a speaker should be driven at least close to its full potential. At least the writer realized he needed another tube amp, I still would question if 100 watts of tube gear was enough.

In addition, there's a difference between what you might do in your listening room opposed to a writer who I feel has more responsibility to the product and their reader.

Legit question - does the editor assign the reviews to the writers? If so isn't the editor equally to blame for this mismatch?

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Trust the measurements , yes somewhat ..
interpretation , slightly .....

as omission is necessary to protect the innocent , Lol

I’m not a fan of purely subjective reviews , really a waste of time IMO , Stereophile type review methods of both subjective listening review and objective measurements actually gives you enuff worth while info to make an educated decision to play or not ..!


Regards

agreed .......

Originally Posted by vsrrr

Do people generally trust Stereophile's measurement section? I'm asking in terms of methodology, published measurements, and interpretation of those measurements.

I can only speak for myself. IMO, JA is a smart and talented EE with many years of experience testing audio electronics and speakers. JA is very honest with his findings and points out any design flaws he uncovers during his measurements.

I do believe that people who love reviews that include measurements of the gear will miss JA when he moves on from SP.

Originally Posted by vsrrr

Do people generally trust Stereophile's measurement section? I'm asking in terms of methodology, published measurements, and interpretation of those measurements.

If one has sufficient understanding of electro-acoustics, technical literacy and ability to correlate measured data to human perception, yes. If not, but pretends, no.
However, preferences vary, so indeed some folks will like that type of constant coloration sound. Some won't. YMMV.