Example of a piece o’ crap, useless review
I posted this originally in the Analog section as the review is of a turntable, but the point extends more generally and thought more people would get to see it here.
I’ve harped on how crappy and useless many “professional” reviews are because they lack rigor and omit critical information. This one is from TAS that is a main offender of pumping out shallow/unsupported reviews, but most of the Euro mags among others are guilty of this too IME. One key giveaway that a review is crap is that after reading it you still have little/no real understanding of what the piece under review actually sounds like or if it’s something you’d like to consider further. I mean, if a review can’t accomplish those basic elements what use is it? This review is so shallow it reads like it could’ve been written by someone who never even listened to the review sample and just made it up outta thin air. In addition to failing on this broad level, here are some other major problems with the review:
- There is no info regarding any shortcomings of this “budget” turntable — everything is positive. Sounds like it was perfect, ehem.
- There are no comparisons to another product in the same general price category or anything else.
- The reviewer doesn’t even share what equipment is in his reference system so we can at least infer what he may have based his impressions on.
In short, in addition to this review being so bad/useless for all the reasons stated it actually reads more like advertisement for the product than an actual unbiased review. I can think of nothing worse to say about a review, and sadly many reviews out there are similarly awful for the same reasons. Sorry for the rant, but especially as a former reviewer this piece of garbage pushed all my buttons and really ticked me off. What say you?
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/sota-quasar-turntable-and-pyxi-phonostage/
@mrdecibel Sure. You can google soundstage reviews Tim Shea and some should pop up (I hope). Here are some — they’re dated, just like me — just to make it easier. Good bedtime reading if nothing else… https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/component/content/article?id=94:ayre-c-5xemp-cdsacddvd... |
Adrian of Audio Excellence of Canada on YouTube generally provides very informative, detailed reviews of equipment describing features, operation, sound qualities & comparisons to other stuff WITHOUT of course wasting your time trying to have you listen through your computer or phone speakers. I find his reviews very useful & enjoyable. |
I get a lot of notifications on my phone based on my searches, as we all do. I get a lot of these "reviews" from the absolute sound and what hi fi. Without a doubt, what hi fi "reviews" are, for the most part, a laughing joke. like @soix said, you read the whole thing and at the end, you're left with nothing. it's just an ad in disguise. agree with soix 100%. |
@jonwolfpell + 1 - he talks about interesting gear, some of which is in my range and much of which is not, and can be quite entertaining.... |
