Thin Line Between Critique and Courtrooms: A Dialogue on the Recent Audiophile Drama
Hey Audiogonians,
In the vast, vibrant universe of audio reviews, where the line between subjective opinion and objective analysis often blurs, a new saga unfolds. It involves a Youtuber, well-known within our community for their take on speaker designs – designs that, while innovative, haven't shied away from criticism. The plot thickens with another Youtuber's revelation: the speaker's designer and manufacturer has filed a lawsuit against a reviewer over their less-than-glowing feedback.
The core of the debate? Whether it's acceptable to push back against reviewers when their findings diverge from what manufacturers desire. It's not a new drama; history is littered with tales of reviewers facing legal threats for daring to express their truth. Yet, each story brings a fresh perspective on the delicate dance between free speech and brand reputation.
This particular episode raises several intriguing questions:
- Where do we draw the line between constructive criticism and damaging feedback?
- Is the courtroom really the arena for settling disputes over reviews, or should dialogue prevail?
- And crucially, what does this mean for the future of honest, independent audio reviews?
This isn't just about the nitty-gritty of legal battles, many of which remain cloaked in confidentiality and technical jargon. It's about the principle: the right to voice one's opinion in a space that thrives on diversity of thought.
So, fellow audiophiles, what's your take? Have you ever felt swayed by a review, only to discover a different truth upon listening? Have you faced the ire of those who didn't appreciate your candid feedback?
📢Let's make this a discussion to remember – not just for the controversy, but for the unity and respect we can foster, even in disagreement.
The Audiophile Junkie has a new video on new FTC rules which prohibit, among other things, unfounded or groundless legal threats along with false public accusations in order to remove a negative review. Worth a watch plus going to the FTC to look at the new rule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P461PEyoEkg https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2024/08/well-pay-you-give-our-new-rule-good-review |
agree with soix..,.plus any manufacturer attack on a reviewer affects us all in some way...and I keep returning to Eric’s video where he repeatedly denies suing anyone, but does state he threatened litigation, then gives a bizarre definition of litigation...watching the videos and seeing Eric’s emails is a must to understand this...l also have absolutely no connection to Eric or Erin or Tekton... |
How does one become so arrogant that they fail to see the consequences of their actions? Were they bullied? Did they fall under the spell of a warped mentor? Was it their unloving father/mother? Have they learned to communicate this way from the internet or political examples? Are they pagans with no regard for Christian teachings? Are they Christians with no regard for any other beliefs? Or do they not listen or heed the lyrics of most of the music we love? |
@2psyop Well sure it does. I don’t have or want his products, but I’ll now never recommend his speakers to anyone whereas before I had for people looking for his type of speaker. That’s the effect it’s had on me as I’m sure it has with many others here as well.
You clearly haven’t read the string of damning emails Erin shared above, and it is you who are uninformed here — go read the emails. And that there’s been no legal action completely misses the point. Immediate legal action was clearly threatened by Eric without working with Erin to mitigate the situation though Erin was very willing to do so, and that’s the critical point here. So Eric will lose business due to his egregious actions and rightly so IMO. In this case there will eventually be justice, just not by going through the courts. In any event, as a result of this fiasco I doubt Eric will be so quick to threaten litigation again, which would be the one good thing that could come of this if that’s the case.
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Whatever Eric does or does not do will not affect people who don’t have or don’t want his product. Most people here have made up their mind already and many long ago. If anyone was bullied by Eric I would be willing to take that into consideration when forming my own opinions of him. I have his product and have done business with him and my experience was positive. It seems to me that the majority of people here are just going by what’s heard and what they don’t like. Is there a legal action taken? I heard what Erin posted and he has every right to his opinion since he has interacted with both the man and his product. Seems like he has a point and if legal action is taken against him it will hurt him and Eric both. I don’t see how other people will be affected by this since like I said before… I don’t place much value on reviews. If bullying is the real concern here and is taking place, Eric will suffer the most I am sure… |
I can’t stand bullies like Eric. Those low blow tactics are why the world is so nuts these days. Everyone’s trying to threaten lawsuits and as a result, we have to deal with all these absurd laws and regulations. Eric knows what he was doing, making absurd demands like a self righteous fool. He knows it backfired and it did because he’s a hothead. Can’t stand those types. |
@2psyop ,
Yep, guilty as charged. I’m always willing to call out arrogant bullies and that is how this man consistently acted. I have never denigrated his speakers as I’ve never heard them, nor have I ever denigrated his company or employees. As for the rest of your post, I don’t think you would have replied the way you did if you gleaned the facts of the case. Then there’s the laughable attempt at Tekton damage control that just threw napalm on the fire. He’s shot himself in the feet so many times while back peddling when his bullying threats set off a firestorm of negative press I don’t think he’ll ever need to buy another pair of white New Balances again. |
@2psyop I couldn't disagree more, based on what I have read. Tekton had provoked it, people (here) have been reasonable and pretty soft on Tekton. He kept throwing rocks at the window until he broke it and he didn't stop there, he went around the house and broke all the windows. We are just acknowledging it. |
Wow so many people eager to take a swing at Eric at Tekton. Kinda like the Salem Witch trials. Every man, woman and child throw a rock at the woman going through the gauntlet. from the Op” And crucially, what does this mean for the future of honest, independent audio reviews?” I have not seen one. I am always skeptical of YouTube reviewers and some admit it’s a part time job for them to supplement their income. I don’t pay attention to these reviewers, honestly. But I COULD SEE where they can hurt a company who makes the product they review. |
@botrytis While I agree with most of this, your statement about what I'm doing or how I deal with customers isn't correct nor does it describe who I am. Most of the negative reviews I've read that were undeserved were not about my products. For example (one I've already given), Gryphon: the reviewer wanted them to give him a very expensive set of amps. When they didn't, he published a negative review. I was there in the room at CES when he threatened them. Again though, your last statement is not what I was talking about.
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You win the lotterie with me i am very much imperfect... 😊 I myself love perfectible people and you seems one ... 😊
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@mahgister I like most imperfect people. It’s the perfect ones I can’t stand. 😊 |
I must apologize too because i know i spoke too much...😁 But this small misfortune here is a good thing for me because it was an occasion to exhange with a gentleman...😊 My best to you |
@mahgister, my apologies. Sometimes sarcasm doesn’t read well, my mistake. Also, I did not know English is not your first language. i will be more mindful. Biv |
I am as you are yourself not perfect but i do not confuse order with invitation... I am abrasive sometimes but there is generally a reason... And if there is no reason sometimes i am abrasive with arguments , not with insults, and only sarcasms or orders and commands, this is my form of kindness speaking to the working mind of my friend ... And i treat everyone on the same level then able to understand rational of arguments... And i dont entertain grudges by the way ...😊This is my kindness... I will never be concise because many things cannot be explained or described in few sentences as music mysteries or acoustics concepts etc or philosophical ideas ...( i am retired and miss my younger friends ) And i am not english born speakers i lack the art of ellipse and innuendos ... Think about the way your "friend above was "kind" toward me ...😁 I discuss with you here just now , did i use order, insults, innuendos ?. No ...Only rational sentences... My best to you ... 😊 |
@atmasphere I worked at place that got negative reviews and got sued also and lost. They are still in business. So I say that is not true. If you think this way, you should not be facing any customers, because your ego can’t deal with a bad reaction. You are putting onus on the reviewer, not yourself. You blame the reviewer, not what is made. I worked in QC/QA for a long time so I know about commercial products. Just because a review is negative, does not mean it isn't deserved. |
@mahgister, be concise. Also, you are in no position to lecture on kindness; you’ve been abrasive with great consistency. |
@botrytis I defined how earlier. The problem is you don't know and the negative review can put someone out of business. Maybe its deserved, but it it isn't, someone experiences a lot of pain on that account... I totally agree otherwise! |
You said truth so well i cannot object and only confess and even add i am guilty of too much words too 😁...It is a pleasure to confess my own truth with you ... ☺😊 But i am made such... Imperfect ... |
I think it’s fair to say @mahgister is guilty of smiley face emoji abuse. 😜😝🙄 |
Do you understand the difference between an imperative and a polite invitation or suggestion? Especially after a meaningful post of mine explaining why i dont share Amir ideology even if i like his work ? «Imperative verbs work by issuing a command to the person being addressed. » Now is this man of "few words" know the difference between an order given to a poster he never discussed with and a polite and friendly suggestion ?
The question here is about not the number of words but about their meanings and context and about politeness and civility...We share ideas as humans we do not impose orders as a gang of apes... My post suggested a relatively short thoughtful reflection , his post is an emotional uncontrolled reaction bordering on insult the way it is given ...😊 Your interpretation then reflect your own emotional reaction not the discussion context at all.. You dont like reading a poster skip him ... We are not all on the same levels about everything here ... Then respect is recommended even for man of "few words" ... Sorry i am not a man of "few words" ... 😊😁 i treat everyone as friends here ... I am made this way but i answer to those who attack me politely but with arguments ...
If you want to create a burst of violence in a jail play Mozart music said to me one of my psychologist friend. I hope that we are not in a jail with brutes on the brink to explode if someone put "mozart" thoughtful music here. 😊 i like thinking sorry...
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@bivhopkins I concur with your suggestion @mahgister Biv... has been on Audiogon almost as long as you, just the man of fewer words, this does not mean he is forbidden to suggest. |
@mahgister stop talking |
@atmasphere I have issues with you saying negative reviews are because someone has an axe to grind. Maybe, but how does one define that?
I can say too many positive reviews, such as the MQA fiasco in the main audio magazines tell me it is the EXACT OPPOSITE problem. Too many positive reviews and not enough HONEST REVIEWS. |
Amir ideology is called techno-cultism... It is pervasive in A.I. sleepwalking engineers crowds with no deep understanding of what is at stake in society right now... This cult is born from hubris as soon as after the materialism dominate Anglo saxon Empire and the world after the victorious nominalism.It was a necessary stage for the advent of science but not the only one. Techno cultism act of birth is just after Goethe Faust which denounce its blindness and denounced the replacement of the " free philosopher of nature" by the deal make in hell with the specialised unfree scientists working for the power in place and his corporations . In 1836 Wavell and Babbage, the father of A.I. in a reunion asked for the replacement of the title "philosopher of nature" by the shorter name "scientist" . Then the free philosopher was replaced by unfree specialised and controlled servant of corporate satanic powers. The same powers William Blake denounced in his own ways . Techno cultism is a religious faith toward the only incoming God : A.I. For them only measures are real. Human live in illusions. 😊
The modern era produce uneducated specialised slave workers called "scientists"; ask a doctor. many did subordinate Hippocrates oath to big pharma controls, if not tey are ejected as incompetent. I will stop here ...😊 History teach well . |
I agree measurements are important. What I’m saying is Amir misguides end-users by teaching them that unless gear measures well, that means it’s no good and he’s just absolutely dead wrong. The guy is a very strange individual and takes measurements too extreme and I’m astonished that people even trust his judgement. He doesn’t match gear properly and relies only on measurements and trashes gear that doesn’t measure to his likes. That’s absurd. If he doesn’t even take the time to listen to the gear he measures, then he’s just too one sided. He’s a really weird individual. If he was sued, I wouldn’t feel bad for him. Erin on the other hand a really nice guy. He makes measurements, BUT he also listens to the gear he tests to determine if the measurements are audible. That’s a great approach. I have nothing against measurements but there has to be a balance. Amir is way off the deep end. |
Sorry i dont see which post of me you refer too ... 😁 You must had cited the post ... My last post is a one line approval of a common place fact ...😊
Anonymously here disdain often appear as hate especially if repeated behaviour , and i dont know what you refer to about juvenile loathing and petty behaviours... i rarely speak in enigmas here ... But directly.... It is more simple this way ...
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Amir does have an obvious slant, but measurements are important in making buying decisions. Hence, why all the flowery wordsmiths of the main audiophile press, I ignore. I make the decisions with MY EARS, not theirs. I have watched all the videos, Eric did it right - he was upfront and open about it. Tekton left a bad taste in his mouth, because it was so passive/aggressive. I have heard Tekton's many times, as I know people who have many pairs of them. None of them have ever impressed me with their sound, but that is me. |
Eric at Tekton is one of those dr jekyll mr hyde types. I would boycott Tekton altogether after listening to his absurd behavior toward Erin. Amir, I could care less about because he doesn’t even listen to a lot of the gear he measures in the first place, misleads end-users and trashes gear un-constructively. I’m amazed Amir hasn’t been sued into oblivion already. Erin did a standup job and Eric owes him a huge public apology. |
@tomic601 -- Amen! I'd LOVE to see that business destroyer Eric actually attempt to sue Amir or Erin over this laughable debacle. I would contribute to their defense fund in a heartbeat. Eric seems to forget that people took screenshots of the BS he spouted on the review threads and downloaded the YouTube videos he posted and then removed when 99% of the comments called him out for being an a-hole.
"I didn't mean I was going to sue when I threatened litigation. To me, litigation is my lawyer sitting down with your lawyer to see how we move forward with the review I didn't like..."
Yeah, he ACTUALLY said that with a straight face 🤣. Eric's actions since February borders on corporate malfeasance. If he had a Board of Directors of stockholders, he would have been removed from the company by now. In my 60+ years on this planet, I've never seen a small business owner act like he has and totally drive a businesses reputation into the ground. It will be interesting to see if Tekton Audio still exists a year from now. I have no sympathy for Eric Alexander if it doesn't, and if anybody gets sued, I hope it's Eric being sued by his employees for their lost jobs! |
@dz13 You seem to have your head on right ;-) thanks for being here. |
My $.02 is none of this Sound and Fury will cost Tekton a single customer… oddly many people ( one banned here ) SANG incredible, incessant praise before HEARING them….. So things will go on. I appreciate both the detractors and defenders ( if you actually own them )….. I suspect, the founder will take a clue from his red hat hero and fundraise off of “ litigation “….. Didn’t he pay for a speaker review too… ? Sue me dude - you threatened once…bring it. Discovery is always fun…. |
@magister You seem to confuse hate with disdain and loathing of juvenile and petty behaviors… Pick better heroes,,, |
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