"...and I don't take any advertiser money..."

Ok.  I'm jaded.

But we've had discussions before of how we never see a negative review.  

I just think people should realize if money is changing hands in retrun for a positive review.

Jerry

That's a forgone conclusion.  We're all adults and know how the world works.  I use reviews to educate myself.  Technical specs for example.  Or to bring into my focus, products I'm just not aware of.  And there are plenty.  Should anyone purchase based on a single review?  The words buyer beware come to mind.  Cheers.

My problem with professional reviewers is also about getting huge discounts or even free audio equipment for the reviews! I have heard from one Audio company that the large Audio magazines won’t even review his equipment unless he advertises with their magazine. The review system is largely corrupted IMHO! This isn’t to say there aren’t honest reviewers. It sometimes amazes me the over-the-top equipment that some of these magazine reviewers OWN based on their salaries. I’m not talking about the equipment they get in for review and have to return eventually. Also, these same reviewers know that if they ever give a company a bad review that company will never do cooperate with them again! Steve Guttenberg has even said in one of his videos that he will NEVER give a bad review.

One thing to consider is when reviewing HEA, there are rarely objectively "bad" products to review. It's a competition for preferences above a certain quality threshold. So regardless of the incentives, it's easy to say good things about good things. Individual reviewer credibility is in the eye of the viewer/reader. 

The ones who are more suspect are the "high end for less" folks. They may have an incentive to hype lesser products for financial gain. Or they might have good tips. Buyer beware. 

Everytime I get a new issue of an audio magazine, I look at the last paragraph and everyone of them has a glowing review of the piece, best sound ever, highly recommended, my system has never sounded better. Every issue, every month. I subscribe to keep current on new products.

I’m assuming magazines get paid from doing reviews, maybe not directly but in advertising. Reviewers on YouTube have had to confess that they got paid for a review. I’ve heard magazine reviewers get a hefty discount if they buy the product they are reviewing. There is 1 guy on YouTube that bashes every manufacturer and dealer about them being corrupt or this and that, but he wants you to believe that his products are the best there is, so IMO, he is no different than any of the other dealers.

Why do you think a company won’t advertise if they get a bad review? Do all the car magazines claim every car they review is the best? Never! Most car magazines do the best sports car, the best truck, or car of the year where they will rate 2, 3,5,20 vehicles and will rate each 1, the pros and cons, and eventually will call 1 a winner, runner up, 3rd place, and on down. These reviews are much better so if I’m looking at a sports car for $200k, I can look at a few magazines that will show which is the best and for what reasons. If I wanted to spend $100k on speakers, which magazine can you point me too that gives me an idea which is the best for my money over the 10 other speakers in the price range?