Stereophile
New member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2013
- Messages
- 442
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- #1
<p><img class="story_image" src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/713pioneer.promo_.jpg" /></p>
I often receive letters from <i>Stereophile</i> readers. I've even gotten a few letters from female readers, one an attractive young lover of tube gear who sent me a picture of herself and [<i>sigh</i>] her boyfriend. But most are from people who are either thanking me for a specific review that resulted in a purchase and a satisfied buyer, or are suggesting products they'd like me to review. I frequently take the advice of writers of this second category; in fact, two of the inexpensive speakers I'll review in the next year were recommended by readers.
<p>
Only twice have I gotten a series of negative letters. The first was from readers complaining that, instead of comparing the Spendor S3/5R<sup>2</sup> loudspeaker to other modern designs, as I did in my <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/spendor-s35rsup2sup-loudspeaker">March 2013 review</a>, I should have compared it to John Atkinson's pair of the Spendor's ancestor, the original <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/361/index.html">BBC LS3/5A</a>. Point taken, but I think a review is more useful when it compares a component with similarly priced products that are still available, and that the reviewer has listened to extensively in his own reference system.
</p><p>
The other batch of negative letters came from readers who'd tried to buy a pair of Pioneer SP-BS41-LR speakers ($149.99/pair), a bookshelf model I'd <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr-loudspeaker">raved about</a> in the September 2011 <i>Stereophile</i>. They couldn't find them. One was even from a friend, a wealthy investment banker. I suggested he consider a number of other speakers at slightly higher prices. "No," he said, "I want to spend under $200." (This guy could afford any loudspeaker ever reviewed in <i>Stereophile</i>.) I did some digging at Pioneer USA, and found out that the SP-BS41-LR was being discontinued; designer Andrew Jones was working on an entire new line of affordable models.
</p><p>
For the record: Before reviewing any component for <i>Stereophile</i>, I verify that 1) the manufacturer has at least five US dealers, 2) the model is currently in production, and 3) the company does not plan to discontinue it in the near future. Typically, if a model change is afoot, the manufacturer gives me a heads up
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker]
I often receive letters from <i>Stereophile</i> readers. I've even gotten a few letters from female readers, one an attractive young lover of tube gear who sent me a picture of herself and [<i>sigh</i>] her boyfriend. But most are from people who are either thanking me for a specific review that resulted in a purchase and a satisfied buyer, or are suggesting products they'd like me to review. I frequently take the advice of writers of this second category; in fact, two of the inexpensive speakers I'll review in the next year were recommended by readers.
<p>
Only twice have I gotten a series of negative letters. The first was from readers complaining that, instead of comparing the Spendor S3/5R<sup>2</sup> loudspeaker to other modern designs, as I did in my <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/spendor-s35rsup2sup-loudspeaker">March 2013 review</a>, I should have compared it to John Atkinson's pair of the Spendor's ancestor, the original <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/361/index.html">BBC LS3/5A</a>. Point taken, but I think a review is more useful when it compares a component with similarly priced products that are still available, and that the reviewer has listened to extensively in his own reference system.
</p><p>
The other batch of negative letters came from readers who'd tried to buy a pair of Pioneer SP-BS41-LR speakers ($149.99/pair), a bookshelf model I'd <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr-loudspeaker">raved about</a> in the September 2011 <i>Stereophile</i>. They couldn't find them. One was even from a friend, a wealthy investment banker. I suggested he consider a number of other speakers at slightly higher prices. "No," he said, "I want to spend under $200." (This guy could afford any loudspeaker ever reviewed in <i>Stereophile</i>.) I did some digging at Pioneer USA, and found out that the SP-BS41-LR was being discontinued; designer Andrew Jones was working on an entire new line of affordable models.
</p><p>
For the record: Before reviewing any component for <i>Stereophile</i>, I verify that 1) the manufacturer has at least five US dealers, 2) the model is currently in production, and 3) the company does not plan to discontinue it in the near future. Typically, if a model change is afoot, the manufacturer gives me a heads up
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker]
...I'll tell my bank manager about it! 
