i was thinking of making this a topic---but don't know if it fits.
how do folks think of guys who just review what they have bought? if a guy is only reviewing essentially his own system--is he just gaming the system to get accommodation pricing on what he likes? many of them don't compare to any reference or competitor at all and are one big advertisement
i'm not going to name names, but this happens a lot from what i'm seeing/reading.
nothing bugs me more than reviewers who don't compare products---if you are afraid of offending a manufacturer, you are in the wrong. offending someone leads to better designed products. this is why negative reviews should be much more the norm.
Hi Keith,
Audio, professional reviewers, audio manufacturers, etc. are all part of this hobby of ours.
And over the years we learned to decipher the good from the bad,
the true value from the outrageously overpriced.
We usually talk about the good, on the Internet, and not the bad.
Because that's the way it is.
But I feel exactly what you're saying; because it is by comparing to other products that you go deeper into the topic of a that product. And some forums don't want people to do that because it is off topic with the product's thread! Do you know what I'm saying? It is sad but true.
Anyway, we are limited, so are the pro reviewers, to the confines of their own rules and also their experience with other products to compared to, of course.
And some reviewers, generally the veterans, are better than most others.
They've been at it for a half century or close.
It is up to the readers, us, to differentiate and decipher the reviews, the writings from the audio/video pro reviewers. The reviewers are paid people, that is their job to write about audio/video products, first and foremost.
But with the Internet, people, us, we are becoming more knowledgeable with much more access to any product's information by many more people. And because of that, we learn to evaluate better.
And if we mix our own experience into that product; then we understand even more that each person has his own personal opinion based on his toys (gear, speakers, room, etc.), and from his own understanding of personal life experience.
The reviewers we already mentioned are some of the very best. Because of their vast experience, and their dedication to their audio passion. Michael Fremer for example? :b
But Keith, you are right. In most general, negativity is not acceptable. And people don't usually like to go farther than the surface. Just check several forums of the Internet, in the UK for example.
I believe it has to do with control, rules, fashionable ordnance, and limitations on freedom of expression. Some' like that anyway.
Life is very short, and we should live it to the fullest, without reserves, and fear of offending,
I think. Give a voice to all, and not just one side...
