I think that audio reviewers should be judged by the usefulness of their writing. Period.

Posted by Awe-d-o-file (D) on December 10, 2014 at 11:48:07

In Reply to: By their fruits ye shall know them... . posted by John Marks on December 10, 2014 at 09:12:02:

Usefulness yes and it includes a lot of things not mentioned anywhere (yet, it may change) in this thread. Of course "we" want to know primarily about the performance of a piece of gear and how it stacks up to the competition both in and out of its price range. At least I want that.

As to reviewing music I feel it is so personal I never read music reviews. Let me rephrase that, I don't seek out music reviews, if it is front of my face I might read it. Even if I found a reviewer that seems to like a lot of what I like I would not seek out his or her writing today where the net will provide the tune or at least a snippet for me to evaluate. I've often said music is far too personal like choosing a mate, a meal or a bottle of wine. I don't think anything near perfect pitch is required to review music, but gear I think does require a very good ear at a minimum. Rather than a music review I'd rather see or hear a list of new releases so I know what's out there.

I'm going to dissect this next section:

""I think that an audio reviewer has to have ethics and a certain amount of humility, be capable of turning in good prose on time, and have a greater-than average awareness of the history of audio (both technology and its place in society) and understanding of basic audio engineering.""

1) "I think that an audio reviewer has to have ethics and a certain amount of humility" - yep, that's very good

2) " be capable of turning in good prose on time" -I don't read for writing prowess I read for information. Too often a review(er) gets lost in writing technique and loses grip of the real reason it was written: to inform us about something. Just my opinion, prose is defined as ORDINARY speech or writing. I almost never see that.

3) "and have a greater-than average awareness of the history of audio (both technology and its place in society) and understanding of basic audio engineering." - Sure, that will help too.

Those are very good criteria John.

So I'm not picking on John at all, just citing some differences in the way I see it. Most reviews of both gear and music have a gasbag factor to me where they are "dressed up", overwritten or too wordy. (perhaps like my post)They have given us terms and phrases that are often very easy to draw laughter. We've had threads on that very subject.

E
T

ET

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - Eldragon 08:17:25 12/10/14 (35)

Yes, reviewers ahould have a relative who can pitch. No question. But minor league OK?? - Nuit 18:49:13 12/16/14 (0)

RE: Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - Heifetz 09:08:18 12/14/14 (1)

RE: Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - bjh 13:33:56 12/14/14 (0)

My recall, hardly perfect, yet this is a perennial question, - bjh 05:33:24 12/12/14 (3)

RE: thanks (nt - Eldragon 07:29:53 12/12/14 (2)

RE: thanks (nt - bjh 11:21:58 12/12/14 (1)

RE: ;)) (nt - Eldragon 11:47:32 12/12/14 (0)

RE: Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - fantja 15:09:34 12/11/14 (0)

Your ears and brain know what you like - Frihed89 14:12:21 12/11/14 (0)

Perfect sales pitch maybe... - musetap 14:00:13 12/11/14 (0)

No - volunteer 13:03:58 12/11/14 (0)

RE: Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - hahax@verizon.net 20:48:46 12/10/14 (0)

More important... - mkuller 15:25:45 12/10/14 (1)

RE: More important... - lord addleford 15:46:05 12/10/14 (0)

"in my opinion Van Gogh was a mediocre painter." - johntoste 10:24:25 12/10/14 (5)

IThink" - Awe-d-o-file 11:16:35 12/10/14 (4)

god I hope you're right - johntoste 19:51:58 12/10/14 (3)

Yikes - Awe-d-o-file 09:59:06 12/11/14 (1)

RE: I'll tell you... - Eldragon 10:34:11 12/11/14 (0)

RE:LOL - so much... - Eldragon 08:35:33 12/11/14 (0)

RE: Should reviewers have a Perfect, or at least Relative pitch? - middleground 10:09:53 12/10/14 (0)

By their fruits ye shall know them... . - John Marks 09:12:02 12/10/14 (13)

RE: By their fruits ye shall know them... . - stehno 02:53:01 12/13/14 (2)

I am sorry that you totally misunderstood what I wrote. - John Marks 16:58:05 12/14/14 (1)

RE: I am sorry that you totally misunderstood what I wrote. - stehno 17:23:11 12/14/14 (0)

Yes, perfect pitch is a nonsense in a tempered pitch context. - Timbo in Oz 12:13:02 12/10/14 (0)

I think that audio reviewers should be judged by the usefulness of their writing. Period. - Awe-d-o-file 11:48:07 12/10/14 (2)

Then I think that we both agree with Beau Brummel... . - John Marks 14:50:18 12/10/14 (1)

Agreed - Awe-d-o-file 09:57:04 12/11/14 (0)

RE: By their fruits ye shall know them... . - regmac 11:11:46 12/10/14 (0)

RE: By their fruits ye shall know them... . - middleground 10:11:32 12/10/14 (0)

RE: By their fruits ye shall know them... . - John Atkinson 09:55:30 12/10/14 (3)

John, see above, and thank you! - Timbo in Oz 12:25:42 12/10/14 (1)

I think that all keyboard music at least to the end of Brahms works with the Bach-Spiral temperament - John Marks 18:00:20 12/10/14 (0)

RE: By their fruits ye shall know them... . - middleground 10:12:39 12/10/14 (0)

Follow Ups

I think that audio reviewers should be judged by the usefulness of their writing. Period. - Awe-d-o-file 11:48:07 12/10/14 (2)

Then I think that we both agree with Beau Brummel... . - John Marks 14:50:18 12/10/14 (1)

Agreed - Awe-d-o-file 09:57:04 12/11/14 (0)

I think that audio reviewers should be judged by the usefulness of their writing. Period.

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