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Am I too cynical?

I recently purchased a new set of speakers.  I spent a considerable amount of time reading the high end magazines and listening to various options.  I could not help but to be struck by how the positive magazine reviews were almost always accompanied by an advertisement (usually a full page or more) by the manufacturer of the product that received the rave review by the magazine.  No to pick on one, but Golden Ear must spend a great deal of money on advertising and it seems to pay off as their Triton speakers get universally great reviews.  

Given that great press I auditioned a pair (don't recall which model) and found them to be good, but not exceptional.  I also listened to some other well reviewed/advertised models by Dynaudio, Spendor, etc.  in the end I purchased a pair of Linn Majik 140s.  I have never seen a review for these speakers, nor have I ever seen them advertised.  

I don't want to sound naive about how the business of running a magazine works, but I would expect a little more objectivity on their part.  Or am I just too cynical?
jcs01

Showing 1 response by jadedavid

jadedavid
76 posts
 
Some years back, after a long hiatus, I returned to putting together an audio system.
I scoured the magazine's, made notes, ETC.
Then I purchased the highly rated equipment here on Agon.
It all arrived safe and sound and I proceeded to wire it up and fire it up.
WOW, I couldn't believe that high end audio had plunged to such depths.
I then reached out to some fellow audiophiles for some help.
I sold the class "A" rated gear and purchased some recommended equipment that occasionally gets a mention from the "show reports".
Much much better.
Sadly, in my quest to improve my system I got lulled back into the "A" rated equipment reviews and replaced my preamp.
I thought I was happy with it until a friend asked me if the noise from it bothered me? I wasn't sure what he meant until he brought over his (un-reviewed) preamp.
That was/is the end of taking stock in the magazine reviews.
There are many very good "underground" products out there and some very good advice available here.
I still like the magazines in order to keep up with what's new. 
But I wonder why my ability to hear things is so different from the reviewers.

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