Furthermore, taking this to a higher level, (and not talking about Vain, specifically here, as he actually frequently compares products to help people navigate the purchasing process to hone in on what to audition.) because honest and quality information is so hard to come by in this hobby, so many of these awuful reviewers tip the scales towards the flavors they like.
In effect, the game is rigged. First, there are so few data points for those searching for information about what to purchase. And second, due to “authority” status of reviewers pushing their favorite tastes, while sucking the air out of everything else. This manipulation is very disturbing. it hurts audio purchasers / fans and smaller/ new brands trying to break in, and less well-known brands alike. Sometimes, it’s a success, of course, take the latest Magico models. but many times the hyped up drek gets the sales , and they come out with more of the similar.
This is because it’s very challenging to assess quality or match to one’s preferences from a shiny picture or a glowing, hyper-up description from some biased mother fuyer. If we had more information, fans would be able to determine the real value of the products, and thus would be happier, but then, reviewers and bigger brands would be less powerful.
So We need to have proper checks and balances on these muther fukkers. It’s a new environment and reviewers are under review to help balance the manipulation of audio products toward their tastes.
And, furthermore, since in the end this is all about Marketing , of course, marketing a field has many different components. In addition to discussion of perceived quality of products, the element of associations is in play as well here.
There are mental connections between a brand, people, and emotions. When the brand and another thought occur together in anyone’s mind, they neurologically connect and are likely to be thought of together in the future.
When people think about a brand, they also think about the logo, the memories of past product interactions, how the brand has made him feel, and the influencers who endorsed it. With Nike it is shoes, swoosh, sweat, athletes that endorse them, etc. With Wilson, it’s stereophile...
These associations may turn people to or away from the brand. so brands must be strategic about how these associations affect brand equity.
In this case Msb has chosen to associate itself with the valin brand , the tas brand and with the Harley brand, and this further pushes the associations to reviewers, in general . All those neurons Fire together. And these associations Aren’t always positive. So here we are...
And shining a bright light on all of this is a great thing!
