In Reply to: How are the products to be reviewed selected? posted by audio39 on February 13, 2012 at 04:34:48:
When I was writing for Listener, the review subjects were chosen by a negotiation between editor Art Dudley and myself. Usually I would ask for a specific component, sometimes he suggest one. His idea might be better than mine, or I might reject his suggestion with "I really have no interest in that thing." Manufacturers sometimes sent review samples unsolicited, so at least one of my reviews came about because the device was lying around Art's office. Sometimes we'd ask for a sample of component A and the manufacturer would offer component B instead since their only review sample was already on loan to another magazine.
One point that hasn't been mentioned is that with a few exceptions the writers at Stereophile, TAS, and elsewhere are part - timers who do the work mostly as a hobby. The real reward for the writing isn't the few hundred dollars they're paid for each review but the opportunity to play with cool gear. Thus, each writer's particular interests are a big factor in selecting what gets reviewed. For example, Art knew that I'd volunteer for just about any turntable that was offered to Listener.
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Follow Ups
- RE: How are the products to be reviewed selected? - Rob Doorack 17:47:52 02/14/12 (4)
- RE: How are the products to be reviewed selected? - Jim Austin 04:53:55 02/15/12 (1)
- I agree and when you hear something excellent from a small company, giving them notoriety. nt - Norm 15:21:46 02/22/12 (0)
- I recall a review... - mkuller 20:35:41 02/14/12 (0)
- RE: "Art knew that I'd volunteer for just about any turntable that was offered to Listener" - 1973shovel 19:02:19 02/14/12 (0)