“Examining the Criticism: Is Synergistic Research Unfairly Singled Out in the High-End Audio Industry?”

[Ted Denney III]

Fellow audiophiles,

I’ve noticed a trend of criticism toward Synergistic Research (SR) that seems disproportionate compared to other high-end audio cable and accessory companies. I’d like to open a discussion to examine these criticisms and see if they’re truly unique to SR or if they apply more broadly to the industry.

Some points to consider:

1. Many companies use subjective descriptions and unconventional terminology. Is SR’s approach fundamentally different?
2. The lack of peer-reviewed studies on cable performance is an industry-wide issue. Why is SR often singled out for this?
3. SR consistently receives positive feedback at trade shows including Best Sound at Show. What might explain this if SR products aren’t effective?
4. How do we reconcile skepticism towards SR with significant sales growth, especially in a challenging market?
5. Ultimately, the majority of Audiophiles determine sound quality through in-home, listening tests. Even when extensive measurements are given (for electronics, not cables or accessories), measurements are rarely relied upon in the final analysis. Given that (SR) offers in-home auditions before purchase, is this not the ultimate proof of performance?

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Are the criticisms of SR warranted, or is there a double standard at play? If so, what might be driving this?

Let’s aim for a balanced, fact-based discussion that considers all perspectives.

Theodore Walton Denney III
Lead Designer / CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

 

[Kingsrule]

WOW
A perfect phrase comes to mind:

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

 

[sbnx]

SR products do work. By work, I mean they change the sound in some way. I used to be very skeptical of them. Why? Becasue it just seems too much to ask for such demure things. (I mean performance not money) For example, take the HFT's. I like what they do. How is something so small able to effect the sound field in a meaningful way? I don't really know but they do. I don't like what some of the SR products do, but they might work for someone else. All of this type of thing can be viewed as tools in a tool box.

I don't know why so many are so closed minded regarding tweaks of any nature. Maybe someday more of this type of thing will be mainstream. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was debating the need for aftermarket power cords.

 

[Elliot G.]

Fellow audiophiles,

I’ve noticed a trend of criticism toward Synergistic Research (SR) that seems disproportionate compared to other high-end audio cable and accessory companies. I’d like to open a discussion to examine these criticisms and see if they’re truly unique to SR or if they apply more broadly to the industry.

Some points to consider:

1. Many companies use subjective descriptions and unconventional terminology. Is SR’s approach fundamentally different?
2. The lack of peer-reviewed studies on cable performance is an industry-wide issue. Why is SR often singled out for this?
3. SR consistently receives positive feedback at trade shows including Best Sound at Show. What might explain this if SR products aren’t effective?
4. How do we reconcile skepticism towards SR with significant sales growth, especially in a challenging market?
5. Ultimately, the majority of Audiophiles determine sound quality through in-home, listening tests. Even when extensive measurements are given (for electronics, not cables or accessories), measurements are rarely relied upon in the final analysis. Given that (SR) offers in-home auditions before purchase, is this not the ultimate proof of performance?

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Are the criticisms of SR warranted, or is there a double standard at play? If so, what might be driving this?

Let’s aim for a balanced, fact-based discussion that considers all perspectives.

Theodore Walton Denney III
Lead Designer / CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

For those who are not aware of such, where if one wanted, would one find this controversy?

 

[andromedaaudio]

. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was debating the need for aftermarket power cords.

And ...was there ever a conclusive outcome?
Debating cables is as old as the industry itself lol .

Regarding SR i have to refrain from commenting as i dont consider myself a cable expert .
I do have a soft spot for an underdog position

 

[sbnx]

And ...was there ever a conclusive outcome?
Debating cables is as old as the industry itself lol .

Regarding SR i have to refrain from commenting as i dont consider myself a cable expert .
I do have a soft for an underdog position

I don't know about conclusive. But there are far more people today that accept that power cords make a difference than there were 25 years ago.

When I think of SR I don't really think about their cables. All of the various "gadgets" are what pops into my head..

 

[arthurs]

WOW
A perfect phrase comes to mind:

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

Yup, and over the last 48 hours this has been posted in ALOT of places online...

 

[sbnx]

Yup, and over the last 48 hours this has been posted in ALOT of places online...

If this has been posted everywhere online in just 48 hours I think that makes the OP's point.

 

[Elliot G.]

Debating cables is as old as the industry itself lol .

Yes back to Bob Fulton and the colors of music and then followed by Noel "The Head Monster" those were fun times and moving on from 14 gauge zip cord.

 

[arthurs]

If this has been posted everywhere online in just 48 hours I think that makes the OP's point.

I should have been more specific it has been posted by the OP everywhere

 

[AnonymousAudiophile]

Mr. Denney -- if you're curious I can relate my personal take. I have been playing in the audio sandbox where SR products live for a few years. I don't own any SR products. I tried HFTs and a black box device from The Cable Company a few years ago, but had to return them because they made no audible changes to my room (and they gave me a hard time about that).

That aside, I have found the Tesla-like branding strategy (using "S" and "X" in every available combination for every cable and power product), the relentless subtle variations/upgrades which make knowing the level/age/unique characteristics of the product you are looking at very difficult (at least for me), the over-reliance on carbon fiber materials and glowing LED lights (which suggest trying way too hard to impress, to me at least), the relentless use of novel acronyms, the sky-high pricing (with just average resale value), and the hype/mystery around the product innovations just altogether too much for me. None of these turn-offs (for me) is unique to SR... it just seems that SR employs all of them all the time. I'm not even averse to tweaks like upgraded fuses and certainly not a cable skeptic. I don't even doubt that SR cables and power products are excellent in the scheme of things. But there are other lower-key options with more straightforward sales pitches that I can and do choose instead.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

There is no such thing as bad publicity. The OP is creating the controversy driving some folks to take a look at what the (self imposed) controversy is. Now I will say I have tried the SR PC in my system (still in place no great deal did not make an iota of difference) and the Purple fuse that sent back.

 

[Iamrael]

Fellow audiophiles,

I’ve noticed a trend of criticism toward Synergistic Research (SR) that seems disproportionate compared to other high-end audio cable and accessory companies. I’d like to open a discussion to examine these criticisms and see if they’re truly unique to SR or if they apply more broadly to the industry.

Some points to consider:

1. Many companies use subjective descriptions and unconventional terminology. Is SR’s approach fundamentally different?
2. The lack of peer-reviewed studies on cable performance is an industry-wide issue. Why is SR often singled out for this?
3. SR consistently receives positive feedback at trade shows including Best Sound at Show. What might explain this if SR products aren’t effective?
4. How do we reconcile skepticism towards SR with significant sales growth, especially in a challenging market?
5. Ultimately, the majority of Audiophiles determine sound quality through in-home, listening tests. Even when extensive measurements are given (for electronics, not cables or accessories), measurements are rarely relied upon in the final analysis. Given that (SR) offers in-home auditions before purchase, is this not the ultimate proof of performance?

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Are the criticisms of SR warranted, or is there a double standard at play? If so, what might be driving this?

Let’s aim for a balanced, fact-based discussion that considers all perspectives.

Theodore Walton Denney III
Lead Designer / CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

Oy vey!

 

[treitz3]

@Ted Denney III - are you sure you want to go here?

I am not trying to challenge you but I may have an answer to at least (part) of your query. The thing is....you may not like what comes next.

Your call.

Tom

 

[Ted Denney III]

@Ted Denney III - are you sure you want to go here?

I am not trying to challenge you but I may have an answer to at least (part) of your query. The thing is....you may not like what comes next.

Your call.

Tom

We’re killing it

 

[treitz3]

Okay.....

I said it was your call. It is what it is after this. You can't blame me or the WBF.

I'll give you one more chance....

Tom

 

[BruceD]

Mr Denney III, I cannot speak personally regarding any of your products, except my sojourn with your Fuses.

Sir, yes fine product well made and presented --but they will not take turn on surge from equipment when used at the Mfg's correct rating installed.
I persevered a with bunch of SR's selected in PowerSupplies/ Tube Amps and the SR's all bit the dust on turn on--
sad but true--but maybe some satisfaction to your good self --Berndt's Hi-Fi tuning did the same .
Only the Audio Magic Ultimate Premier at identical rated stood the test--and remain to this day.

BruceD

 

[exupgh12]

The primary issue I encounter with audio devices such as cables and plug-in units, as opposed to purely acoustic solutions, is their unpredictability. In my experience, they function more like equalizers, but the final outcome remains uncertain. There's no guarantee that the sound quality will improve or deteriorate after incorporating them into my system.

 

[Ted Denney III]

@Ted Denney III - are you sure you want to go here?

I am not trying to challenge you but I may have an answer to at least (part) of your query. The thing is....you may not like what comes next.

Your call.

Tom

Tom,

Tom say what you like. Your observations, objective or ad hominem opens your perspective to debate. But no one can say Synergistic Research is less valid than any other company in our space.



There are no cable or accessory companies offering conclusive scientific white papers to prove why their products should sound better than anything else. There are no cable or accessory manufacturers, submitting their products for scientific scrutiny or peer review that proves subjective performance. And there are no consumers purchasing High End Audio cables or accessories based on measurements they take at home.



The entire High End cable and accessory industry is based on subjective performance. That’s how consumers analyze whether or not they want to keep something, if they’re allowed to even take something home at all. Again, consumers are not basing their High End Audio purchases based on measurements they take at home. So either consumers can try something at home before they buy, or they must listen at the dealer, and if it doesn’t work out at home, too bad, so sad.



The entire High End audio industry is based on subjective performance. That’s how consumers analyze whether or not they want to keep something. Facilitating in-home auditions, with the option to return SR to your dealer is the ultimate proof of performance. And while most of my competitors are going backwards in sales, our sales are accelerating almost exponentially at this point.



Theodore Walton Denney III

Lead Designer / CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

 

[Elliot G.]

Sorry but this seems to be a self made controversy just to get some "air Play" on the site.
Where is the evidence that this company takes more shit than anyone else?
Sorry don't see it and in fact I will say that I dont agree with that premise especially here on the wild plains of WBF.