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Re: Oh, I see a difference

Posted by Avocat (A) on March 20, 2007 at 09:08:47

In Reply to: Oh, I see a difference posted by Dave Pogue on March 20, 2007 at 04:48:40:

Re your conclusion:

"Guess I'm just puzzled about why all this bums you (and others) so much. At 77, I discovered long ago that It Really Doesn't Matter."
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I would respectfully disagree. I think it does matter, and I think the policies of Sterephile, TAS, etc., are one reason market forces are substantially inoperative in the quality audio field. The result is that most members of the public are amazed when they learn of the costs of even a mid-range stereo or surround system.

Although I wouldn't want an audio review periodical published by the CR staff, a truly consumer-oriented audio publication would, in my view take a very different approach. Assuming that its chief, underlying goals included educating and providing useful information to the consumer (rather than publishing a series of semi-literary articles of writers most of whom wouldn't otherwise have an audience). Changes might include some or all of the following, which relate generally to SF:

A. Instead of posting reviews of individual, newly released components, include reviews and frank comparisons in the same article of several components of the same general type or "family." For example, review and compare four or five amps, speakers, or decks that readers might want to consider for a particular application. (Isn't that what we audiophiles would try to do if we were considering a new amp, speaker, etc.)

B. Instead of eliminating components from the SF "recommended components" list three years after they were last reviewed, include a listing of other possible choices, including some reviewed in prior years. Note that I'm not suggesting extensive reviews of all possible choices, but a listing of reviewers' suggestions of other interesting candidates, particularly best buys with good performance at reasonable cost, would be helpful. (Again, isn't that the kind of thing we audiophiles would be checking out if we were considering a component of a particular type? In fact, I suspect it's what reviewers themselves would do if they were considering the purchase of a new component.)

C. As in wine reviews (which are as subjective and difficult as audio, or more so) some information regarding the availability of a particular component and the reputation of the manufacturer would be helpful. - A manufacturer with a known reputation, and a reasonable production rate, might be of more interest to some. - I'm not suggesing that smaller, newer companies offering hand-built, specialty components shouldn't be considered. But some of us might prefer to shop for the best sound for the money rather than paying for fine, custom work by a small specialty shop. Opinions may differ, but I'm suggesting that we should at least have the information.

D. Many reviews consist of multiple pages of personal "meanderings", seeming attempts to write a novella or other literary work, expressions of personal philosophical views on various subjects, etc. This requires the reader to wade through several pages before he or she gets the gist of the report. While some readers may enjoy such articles, for those of us who have some priorities and limits on our time, it would be helpful if there were a clear summary of the review at the beginning of such long-winded discussions. We should be able to determine conveniently what's being reviewed, what's different or distinct about the component, the price (E.g., I may not want to spend lots of time wading through a review of a $50K amplifier.), and the gist of what the reviewer thought about the component. Also helpful would be what the good and less good features were, how the component compares to other possible choices in the same category, and what other alternatives may be available. Apparently, however, this suggestion has been considered and rejected by SF. This, to me, suggests a truly snobbish attitude on the part of SF and a total disregard for the time and priorities of its readers.

E. If the mag were truly "consumer oriented", I think that more articles suggesting ways to improve and upgrade our audio systems would be appreciated. For example, articles suggesting ways to find good buys on various new and used equipment, comments on kits and audio-related projects such as testing,evaluating, and improving room acoustics, etc., would be appreciated from time to time. Note that I'm not suggesting changing to a "how to do it" or kit building format. Just a recognition that the audio hobby comprises somewhat more than reviewing and buying the latest and greatest equipment.

F. Lastly, get off the "either or" - "you're for us or against us" syndrome regarding blind testing. I think that most readers would like to see at least some reports of blind testing IN SOME FORM (permit the use of more extended listening periods, for example) in addition to the extensive reviews of single, individual components.
Knee-jerk objections are immediately given, month after month. - DBT is too expensive? Let the readers decide whether it would be worth an increase in the (ridiculously low) subscription price. - The results are sometimes inconclusive and contradictory? - That in itself is of interest to the reader, since it suggests that performance improvements, if any, offered by particular components may not be as significant as they are with respect to other components in which test results reveal clear, repeatedly discernable improvements.

I'm suggesting consideration of at least some of the above suggestions. Of coures, they apply only if an audio publication is truly "consumer oriented." Otherwise, forget it.

Jim

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