Am I asking for too much??


I figured posting this question in the speaker section would be appropriate, but it also applies to all other areas of our hobby.
Having just read the review by Jim Hannon in the September issue of Absolute Sound of the Zellaton Stage, I am left with a hyperbole laden advert for the speaker in question. Hyperbole like this...quote" The Stage not only transports you to the recording venue, it helps you "be at one" with the artists and delve deeply into the performance and the music."

Seriously!!

So to my question, am I asking for too much with this question....instead of layering hyperbole upon hyperbole in these reviews, how about adding a paragraph or two about what the speaker ( in this instance, but could be any other gear reviewed like this) does NOT do well. Now, IF the reviewer cannot fathom what the gear does NOT do well, and therefore doesn’t have the discriminatory ability necessary to determine that ( and this is a whole other question), then at least some comment to state that he cannot hear where the gear falls down. ( believe me, they all do compared to the ’real’ thing, just how is the question). Or, is that simply too much to ask for???

Lastly, how does this type of review assist me in determining what the speaker really sounds like in reference to my reference...or the ’Absolute Sound’ as defined by HP. 
(therefore, what value does it really have for me, or the consumer?)


128x128daveyf

Showing 2 responses by twoleftears

Consider the symbiotic relationship between manufacturers and reviewers.

The manufacturer sends the product to the magazine/reviewer on extended loan for months if not years.  Sometimes they never get it back.  Sometimes they lend more stuff.  And the reviewer can always finally buy it at the "accommodation" price.

Consider what happens if the reviewer gives a bad review.  The manufacturer will no longer loan him any more product, and may even look twice at that whole magazine.  Other manufacturers see that that reviewer gave a bad review, and also steer clear of him.

Magazines claim that there are no bad reviews in them any more because there's no much product, that they just avoid reviewing inferior items.  But obviously there's another reason.

Unless you completely separate the two processes, i.e. manufacture and sale from reviewing and reporting, the whole exercise is tainted.

At least Consumer Reports buys the products they test, rather getting them on loan from companies looking for some free publicity.