General Asylum

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

Return to General Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

hype for products on forums like this

108.14.40.252
Posted on May 24, 2016 at 18:29:16
bullethead
 I've bought quite a few hyped products here from reading posts. all were not good.

recently I've been seeing some products in the PC Audio and Speaker category which are being hyped to hell.

I put my tin foil hat on (yes real tin, not aluminum), are some here paid actors or do actually believe the hype?

not trying to troll, but I've read about movements like this that I am stating. particularly in political circles. what winds up is everyone starts to fight each other, sound familiar?

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 24, 2016 at 18:43:41
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
I don't know about paid actors or not but when someone hypes a product, you don't know what their background is. You don't know how much experience they have with listening to high quality systems. Or how well their ears have been trained. Hell, on another forum there are people touting cheap plastic faced Marantz gear as sounding great. Just because it has a famous name on it doesn't mean it is good. Some of the top names in audio trying to reach the masses built some pretty bad equipment. Some companies have built some pretty amazing stuff, but also built some losers too.....

 

RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 24, 2016 at 18:58:25
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001



"Who's talking 'cheap plastic face'?"




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

BH use your analytical skills, posted on May 24, 2016 at 19:03:49
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8489
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 and be a skeptic of products whose value doesn't seem based in good science and engineering principles. It is the Internet after all.
Gsquared

 

RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 24, 2016 at 19:06:33
Isaak J. Garvey
Industry Professional

Posts: 1207
Location: Hollywod, CA
Joined: January 7, 2016
 Be specific. Vague, accusations of shilling are not appreciated.

 

Learn to discern and always, everywhere... Caveat emptor...N/T, posted on May 24, 2016 at 20:12:04
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 aa
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 25, 2016 at 02:28:25
PAR
 " all were not good."

Do you mean that none of them functioned? Or do you mean that they functioned but were not suitable for your particular circumstances/choice of other equipment? Or do you mean that the result did not suit your tastes?

Of course there will always be excessive hype, even for products that are genuinely good, as one seemingly unavoidable aspect of the audiophile hobby is that it is highly fashion conscious. So the fashion for a given product or tweak or whatever will ebb and flow over time (more usually in the order of flow and ebb).

I wouldn't hink it economic to pay someone to shill a product to such a limited audience as this. Too small a return.

So, as always, define your needs (don't just follow trends) then it's time for caveat emptor.

 

BH and analytical skills?, posted on May 25, 2016 at 04:04:24
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 LOL.

the two are incompossible.

Look up 'Ambrose Bierce' with 'incompossible'.


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

I bought many best buys in the past ... , posted on May 25, 2016 at 04:44:34
beppe61
Audiophile

Posts: 4705
Joined: January 29, 2004
 Hi !
i have always been an avid reader of audio magazines, looking for so called best buys, champions in the quality/price ratio.
Sometimes i had a bad impression but mostly because i was using them in a wrong set-up.
My guess is that if you buy a product that many say it is excellent it will be at least very good indeed.
System sinergy is very important.

Kind regards,
bg

 

You cannot sell a product, even a great product, without hype. It's called marketing. Hel-loo! Nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 04:58:30
geoffkait
 Nt

 

I think beryllium beanies offer the best performance (nt), posted on May 25, 2016 at 05:30:21
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 16018
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2016
 nt
all the best,
mrh

 

although, in fairness, I've heard good things about yttrium yarmulkes, too (nt), posted on May 25, 2016 at 05:31:23
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 16018
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2016
 :-)
all the best,
mrh

 

There's a difference between hype and lies ~nt~, posted on May 25, 2016 at 06:05:30
Byrd69
Audiophile

Posts: 2881
Location: East Syracuse, New York
Joined: August 23, 2004
 ,


Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020)

I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010)

Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)

Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)

 

A difference I suspect you cannot distinguish. Nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 07:37:54
geoffkait
 Nt

 

OK, give it up...., posted on May 25, 2016 at 07:39:22
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 What did I recommend that didn't work?

WHAT????

And who was it that claimed that the price of the DAC chip determines whether a DAC is mid-fi or HI-FI? ;-)








First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

YOU'RE talking? /n, posted on May 25, 2016 at 07:55:32
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 n


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Is that Steven Segal?, posted on May 25, 2016 at 08:15:28
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Ish wata ah think?

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: I bought many best buys in the past ... , posted on May 25, 2016 at 09:23:17
Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012
 Best advice I can give is not to believe a word in any audio magazine especially with the so-called high end, The mags. are for letting you know what is available. you must always listen yourself before buying any audio product preferably in your own listening room, Some times the magazines get it right but not always and you can end up making expensive mistakes especially with speakers. With most High end products you are paying mostly for the case work usually over engineered not always for SQ.

 

RE: Is that Steven Segal?, posted on May 25, 2016 at 12:27:03
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

Ken-deed it is!




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

High percentage success rate for me., posted on May 25, 2016 at 13:34:06
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 I've often had very good luck with hyped products on forums like this.

Horneshoppe Horns, Bottlehead Paramours and the original Foreplay were all hyped on forums and I loved those products.

Same for the Music Hall MMF-5 turntable. It was a great buy (over 10 years ago).

The Pioneer speakers kinda sucked, but they were super cheap so not the end of the world.

I'm a marketing professional and I can USUALLY spot shenanigans from a mile away. That's not to say I haven't been duped.

 

+ 1. Nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 14:11:17
geoffkait
 Nt

 

It's more of the latter, posted on May 25, 2016 at 15:46:30
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Folks here get caught in the flavor of the month all the time. I've seen it often in my more than ten years here. Most times the products are at least decent often better but are often lower priced items framed as giant killers like the Elac speakers now.

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

Not to the unscrupulous. nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 16:04:54
DragonEars
Audiophile

Posts: 662
Location: PNW
Joined: March 15, 2006
 .

 

Nor to those with a propensity for density. Nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 17:20:35
geoffkait
 Nt

 

I can't the AI I built is now self aware (nt), posted on May 25, 2016 at 17:41:27
bullethead
 .

 

there are many, posted on May 25, 2016 at 17:43:23
bullethead
 too many to name over the years,

:)

 

What was it P.T. Barnum said? , posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:02:44
Byrd69
Audiophile

Posts: 2881
Location: East Syracuse, New York
Joined: August 23, 2004
 Wow....he predicted audio-bullshit.


Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020)

I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010)

Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)

Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)

 

RE: there are many, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:04:18
Isaak J. Garvey
Industry Professional

Posts: 1207
Location: Hollywod, CA
Joined: January 7, 2016
 So...as I suspected..you are blowing smoke...can't name one huh...

What waste of everyone's time.

 

RE: there are many, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:09:50
bullethead
 I don't even remember that I typed the original message, sorry.

 

Wait, isn't that your whole business model? nt, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:10:04
DragonEars
Audiophile

Posts: 662
Location: PNW
Joined: March 15, 2006
 .

 

I know some audio prophets, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:13:33
bullethead
 some can be followed without error it seems from my experience.

 

RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:17:27
bullethead
 just all were piss poor for the price, not that there is anything wrong with that.

everything worked.

 

I still use orgonite, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:18:24
bullethead
 I recommend orgonite, that's my thing.

 

RE: there are many, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:25:07
Isaak J. Garvey
Industry Professional

Posts: 1207
Location: Hollywod, CA
Joined: January 7, 2016
 It ain't easy being brain dead.

 

the "NT' thread, posted on May 25, 2016 at 18:40:48
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1879
Joined: April 14, 2009
 No one is willing to stand up.
Nothing ever changes.. does it?
IMO basic purpose of magazines, real or implied, is to advertise the latest gear. Like it or not.
To be fair imo.. ALL mags.. are thus. Not just the Audio Weenie ones
Once one Stops reading the Fish-wrap, a Lot of the manipultated 'buy this' lust .. simply evaporates.
Try it ??

 

Uh, oh, I'm getting a bad feeling. Nt, posted on May 26, 2016 at 04:09:53
geoffkait
 Nt

 

Hyping, marketing, self-deception, reviewing and shilling...., posted on May 26, 2016 at 07:14:56
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
WARNING: Cynical but something to think about:

Hyping, marketing, self-deception, reviewing and shilling....

It's all right here in the audiophile community of manufacturers, reviewers, retailers, and buyers. The very survival of the audiophile market is dependent on all of the above. This is also why forums like the Asylum exist. ;-)

For a real taste of the above, I'm sure you've been following the fickle threads in the Computer Audio Asylum. New tweak every month, each new one better than the last. And many of them 'affordable' enough to include many participants. But if you don't hear an improvement with that tweak of the month and voice your opinion about it you'll be trampled under foot by the other sheep. And then we move on to the next inexpensive tweak.

I truly believe that some manufacturers of these devices are just opportunists. Others are delusional and catering to buyers with the same affliction. But not all of them are bad apples. Some are lured into the game to remain competitive. You have to cater to what is hot and in demand this month by one-upping your competitor or at least selling a me-too product if you want your share of the pie.

 

Reminds me of a Dire Straits lyric..., posted on May 26, 2016 at 10:46:05
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 "Two men say they're Jesus one of them must be wrong"

I think it's buyer beware for pretty much everything in the world. Not just electronic products.

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

Uh oh. Karma is giving you a teleportation tweak. nt, posted on May 26, 2016 at 16:01:56
DragonEars
Audiophile

Posts: 662
Location: PNW
Joined: March 15, 2006
 .

 

Blink twice if the Code is holding you against your will. nt, posted on May 26, 2016 at 17:28:47
DragonEars
Audiophile

Posts: 662
Location: PNW
Joined: March 15, 2006
 .

 

Yup, either that or my hemmies are actin' up again. Nt, posted on May 26, 2016 at 17:38:25
geoffkait
 Nt

 

RE: Reminds me of a Dire Straits lyric..., posted on May 27, 2016 at 08:19:14
Mr. Dick Hertz
 "The first Jesus says 'I'll cure it soon. Abolish Monday morning and Friday afternoon'. The other one's out on hunger strike he's dying by degrees. How come Jesus gets industrial disease?"

 

Anti-hype (and no hype) works better, posted on May 27, 2016 at 13:17:13
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Product is over-priced.
Product is ugly.
Never heard of it.
The owner is an SOB.

The one product i own that many like is the deHavilland UV3. It is a charm and so is the owner, Kara Chaffee.

 

RE: like EF Hutton , posted on May 27, 2016 at 15:19:58
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 You must not be listening, if i say its good you can take it to the bank .....

 

RE: hype for products on forums like this, posted on May 29, 2016 at 12:01:26
stehno
Manufacturer

Posts: 739
Location: Oregon
Joined: November 8, 2001
 It helps to put things in perspective.

1. "High-end" audio probably wrote the book when it comes to hype. What's the latest coinage? "The Evolution of a Revolution" The end of mankind must be drawing nigh.

2. Words are cheap and always have been.

3. Some-to-many know not what they speaketh when it comes to audio performance.

4. In the desert, even a drop of cold water can look like a gallon.

5. Reviewers generally know no more or less than the average audio enthusiast. Cuz they are one.

6. A product in another's system config can indeed sound different than in one's own.

That said, it would serve one well to learn to read between the lines and do their homework before taking anybody's word on a product's performance.

Bottom line. Ultimately it's a crapshoot until you get the product into your own system.

 

Page processed in 0.056 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]