OCD mickey website and negativity.

@curiousjim

I stopped watching Mikey years ago. To many rants and not enough real information.

You’ll definitely want to watch the recent one where he "baits" people on this forum, calling them out by their handle, and claiming that they post so often on the forum that they have no life, are liars, or are professional shills for the big Audio Industry. That’s a classy one that represents his professionalism and knowledge. 

My quick take on him:

He's a smart guy, been in the industry a long time, and knows a lot.

From what I've seen of his videos, he is often informative and helpful.

The gear he carries seems like very good stuff. I don't know how his customer service is.

He has a very loyal following, often willing to attack in youtube threads.

He himself is often snarky and supercilious. He markets his business on the back of the campaign, "The audio industry is lying to you but I can tell  you how and why they do that -- and sell you gear."

His critiques are sometimes on-target, sometimes off-target, but his main tactic is to generate buzz by being snarky and presenting himself as a radical "truth to power" guy.

Surely, he's right some portion of the time -- about bad gear, bad marketing, hype, and the over-targeting of the super-rich in audio. But he does this in a way which makes him a hero to some and a villain to others.

That's my take after watching many videos and having some online exchanges with him.

If you don’t like his persona or his views, simply don’t subscribe to his channel.  I see no need or purposes of posting a negative comment(s).  

This is a forum. This is commentary. Human beings analyze and comment on things. It's what people do. It what you just did. Everything's gonna be alright.

@philgo01 

He is also very critical of the status quo and the good o' boy network (collusion?)  in the HiFi industry.  He is a disrupter....I would love to get some of his gear but they are priced in the stratosphere.

There's the rub, no? He's against the good ol' boys network -- cool -- but where's the affordability for the "regular guy" (or gal)? There's at least a tension here which remains.

Say what you will about the commercial audio market, the regular person can do pretty well with a lot of products out there -- priced reasonably, high quality, high value. We're talking your Cambridge, your Rogue, your Vincent, your Omega, your Fritz, your Quicksilver, your Van Alstine....the list goes on and on. Some of these are big companies, some small, and some (gasp) market and advertise. But one can achieve very good sound, get a warranty and customer support, and not break the bank.

No sense in feeding the haters and trolls.

This is true.

It’s also true that not everyone who has a criticism is a "hater" or a "troll." Unless one is a narcissist, there is a middle ground.

Once someone decides to post public videos and build an audience and community, they tacitly become a public figure. That requires some restraint on their part, some modesty. Those who exhibit such moderation earn respect and trust, at least in my book. Those who take pleasure in randomness or snark do not.

This YT'er has 24.5k subscribers and 1k videos. He makes videos for public consumption. He sells to the public. That is why he is discussed on this public forum. He is not just another guy selling audio or offering his opinion. He has succeeded to a point where public opinion seeks to discuss his views. That's an accomplishment for him. But it's not without norms.

@hilde45 do i need to see it ? [the rant video]

I don’t know. I tried to sum up things early in this thread.

There is an erratic quality to the behavior. On the one hand, making videos which explain and teach about audio -- gear, acoustics, criteria for listening, power, and more. Doing show reports. Talking with others who are knowledgeable. A lot of value in those. At the same time, creating a brand identity as a rogue, truth-teller, bucking the powers-that-be, yada yada yada. Making outrageous videos, calling people shills with their handles on a public facing video, then coming on the very forum he rants against to defend himself and claim his bona fides in the audio industry. -- And on top of it all, running a business where he's also selling audio. So... "outside the industry" while also "inside the industry." Everyone has to pay the bills, but this is surely trying to have it both ways. In my opinion.

For some, the rogue stuff will be dismissible; just part of his schtick. For others, the rogue stuff will seem erratic, volatile, and undermining of his character and judgment about audio in general. Basically, it’s a judgment call.

The rogue outsider routine cannot be taken seriously. 

his ecstatic announcement about baiting Audiogon members, exposing handles, and making unsupportable accusations is not the actions of an honest person with no agenda....If you think that stunt was OK, then a whole different discussion about what constitutes an upstanding ethical person.

If Mikey moves enough merchandise brands are happy - and that makes him legit?

+1000 @texbychoice 

real folks here should make sure their b-s meters are working... there are layers upon layers of it here

@jjss49 Hard agree. I'm not sure everyone has one of those. The idea (down in this thread) that one "just doesn't have to watch" is good advice for a child, and fatuous for adults. Of course no one *has to* watch. The idea is to call out b.s. rather than just let it happen. Kind of like any other  with any other odious phenomenon. It can be ignored -- but it shouldn't be. It should be called out and criticized, debated, etc. 

Pretty safe bet Mikey is sweet as apple pie when you put your hard earned dollars in his pocket, thus becoming a full fledged member of the Tribe.

Yep. There's a phrase for that.

Really, who cares? It’s just a dumb hobby mostly related to old guys with more money than sense. 

You kiss your momma with that mouth?