Negative Reviews of Audio Components

Mark.......No slight on your reviewing prowess intended. I would agree that a three to five review consensus of performance characteristics by unassociated reviewers could be considered a certain level of proof source. I also place value on opinions from known and trusted individuals whom I have experience with and know that their audio notions tend to parallel mine. Still, nothing beats a live audition to determine how new gear sounds, preferably in your own system. That is where the rubber hits the road.


All kidding aside, Dan I think this last post comes much closer to my feelings than your first one. I don't even feel I need three to five. I am fine admitting I use reviews all the time to cull through equipment to decide what I will audition. Both from the pros and friends who's ears I really trust. For me it is much more about the individual in both cases than the category, be it a pro or a friend. I have a lot of regard for guys like Mark and Myles cuz they prove their smarts (and metal) on here everyday. I can say though when it comes to some (friends or pros) I do not always feel this way.
 
All kidding aside, Dan I think this last post comes much closer to my feelings than your first one. I don't even feel I need three to five. I am fine admitting I use reviews all the time to cull through equipment to decide what I will audition. Both from the pros and friends who's ears I really trust. For me it is much more about the individual in both cases than the category, be it a pro or a friend. I have a lot of regard for guys like Mark and Myles cuz they prove their smarts (and metal) on here everyday. I can say though when it comes to some (friends or pros) I do not always feel this way.

Paul.......We all have certain criteria we employ when setting about making decisions. I hope no one thinks I am making any accusations or pointing my finger at any individual because I am not. I'm merely offering my personal opinion on how I read reviews, consider their true value to me, and weigh their impact on any purchase decisions I might make. I love to read audio equipment reviews. I spend many hours doing so. I find myself most interested in the characteristics and design of products, how they fit into an existing system, their build quality, unique circuitry, possible leading edge technology, and their capabilities to silently switch and control signals. Although I can appreciate how someone thinks a component sounds to them in their sound system and room, it is essentially irrelevant to me. I read their reactions with interest but place very little value on it. Quite honestly, what can I tell from words on paper how a component truly sounds? Providing I am sufficiently interested enough in a reviewed component to actually search for and audition it, what matters most to me is how I think it sounds. That's it.

I read Mark and Myles reviews often. They both craft interesting articles that I usually find informative and enjoyable. None the less, when it comes to letting go of my money on high-end components the only opinion that matters is mine.
 
Feel free to post pictures of my room. I have nothing to hide. As for Dan's comments, reading reviews is like reading the news. It's always best to get as many different view points as you possibly can and hopefully the truth can be ascertained. If I was shopping for a component that I knew I wasn't going to be able to hear before I purchased it, I would seek out as many reviews as possible to read. If all the reviewers said the component was bass shy, or recessed in the midrange, or the highs were bright, you might have something to go on. Ditto for good things they had to say about the same aspects of performance. It's a tough gig as you know Mike.

I hardly read reviews any longer, but when I am interested in a piece, I will do just that. I'll also try to find as many reviews of competing products that might mention the product I'm interested in. These competing product reviews I find may shine a brighter light on the cons of the component of interest than the review of the component themselves. But in the end, as Dan says, it's our own two ears that make the final judgement.
 
Paul.......We all have certain criteria we employ when setting about making decisions. I hope no one thinks I am making any accusations or pointing my finger at any individual because I am not. I'm merely offering my personal opinion on how I read reviews, consider their true value to me, and weigh their impact on any purchase decisions I might make. I love to read audio equipment reviews. I spend many hours doing so. I find myself most interested in the characteristics and design of products, how they fit into an existing system, their build quality, unique circuitry, possible leading edge technology, and their capabilities to silently switch and control signals. Although I can appreciate how someone thinks a component sounds to them in their sound system and room, it is essentially irrelevant to me. I read their reactions with interest but place very little value on it. Quite honestly, what can I tell from words on paper how a component truly sounds? Providing I am sufficiently interested enough in a reviewed component to actually search for and audition it, what matters most to me is how I think it sounds. That's it.

I read Mark and Myles reviews often. They both craft interesting articles that I usually find informative and enjoyable. None the less, when it comes to letting go of my money on high-end components the only opinion that matters is mine.

I understand and respect your approach. Certainly no one has the final call but me, but I try to read reviews by the pros and/or chat with my buds and then when I go listen to the gear in question I attempt to see if I can relate to and hear the same things they did. Some times I do and sometimes not. By going through this process I aspire to build a small group of trusted ears that I can use to manage my time spent in auditions. This, however, certainly is a very imperfect process.
 
The reason that I like the points systems, or rating lists from the German magazines is exactly this. You cannot bash a product or brand. But you can give it a position relative to other products. And surely I realize that these rankings are not absolute. Tastes and audible frequency- and sensitivity ranges vary from person to person and even in populations. However a review has no meaning to me if there is not a conclusion that I can validate in some way.
 
Thanks Mark! I did enjoy my visit to your place. Truly impressive set-up.


Digital front end-----

View attachment 12485


Listening ("sweet") spot------

View attachment 12486

We really had a good time. I know sometimes we tease each other a bit here on the forum but he really is a gentleman and knows his stuff.

Wow, tough crowd.......... I can't even get a single giggle from someone for these behind the scene system pix? C'mon Mark, you are normally good with the cunning yet whimsical retorts. At least check out the figurine by Mark's laptop. You don't see that everyday. We need more sixth grade boys on this forum like me. I am lonely.:snicker:
 
Wow, tough crowd.......... I can't even get a single giggle from someone for these behind the scene system pix? C'mon Mark, you are normally good with the cunning yet whimsical retorts. At least check out the figurine by Mark's laptop. You don't see that everyday. We need more sixth grade boys on this forum like me. I am lonely.:snicker:

How did I miss those hoarder pictures?!
 
I was afraid you had to stay after school in Sr. Margaret's class with the other bad sixth graders and missed them.:lol:
 
I'm going to save those pics for the next time my wife tells me I am a slob. (No offence to whomever is responsible for that awesome setup :-)

Those pictures had to come from the inside of a hoarder's house. I can't watch those hoarder shows because it makes me sick to my stomach to see how those people are willing to live. They all have a serious problem and I'm not convinced they can be "fixed."
 
Those pictures had to come from the inside of a hoarder's house. I can't watch those hoarder shows because it makes me sick to my stomach to see how those people are willing to live. They all have a serious problem and I'm not convinced they can be "fixed."

Ya I suppose I shouldn't make light of their condition; it truly is quite sad. Maybe when I get out of middle school I will be more respectful. :derf:
 
Ya I suppose I shouldn't make light of their condition; it truly is quite sad. Maybe when I get out of middle school I will be more respectful. :derf:

I still have scars on my knuckles from Sister Tiger Claire and Sister Mary Bulldog.
 
Back
Top