Don’t sweat it, keep doing what you are doing. You were exactly correct, info and entertainment! The best is your sharing of the music you use for the reviews. You have put me on to a ton of great music I would not have discovered otherwise.
I watch audio reviews largely for entertainment, and to see different products, but I have occasionally bought a product purely based on reviews. Most recently, after my ancient NAD 214 power amp died, I bought the new "remake" Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amp, based on your and two other reviews. I was persuaded by the fact that the descriptions of the sound - realistic midrange, liquid, weighty in the base - were similar across all of the reviews, and was exactly what I was looking for. And yes, I love the amp!
Well ...uh... NAD 214 is an 80 watt and MF A1 is 25 watt and you know, the $550 2.3 watt DECWARE ZEN TRIODE is pricey when we could buy a Realistic (Radio Shack) SA-10, SA-10A, SA-102 or SA-150 on the internet and use Realistic Minimus-5 horn hybrids and get you know just awesome effects. I don't think that tubes are as good as 1970s Solid State but hey.
I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm about audio gear and music, Steve. Speaking of interesting products, I remember reading a review you wrote about an inexpensive system that included a Tivoli Audio Radio and Antique Soundlabs tube monoblocks...maybe in the late 90s. Those Antique Soundlabs monoblocks sounded so good...and I still have the little blue radio although I don't use it any more.
Steve, I really appreciate your reviews. I bought my amp and speakers from a brick and mortar shop and it’s a product you rarely review but I bought my Technics turntable based on your review and others. I love the turntable. I really appreciate the music you use for your reviews. I have purchased so much music based on your reviews and have never been disappointed. Your knowledge is invaluable and your honesty is very appreciated. I look forward to seeing many more of your videos and I hope you have a wonderful holiday. All the best, Tom
Hi Steve! I enjoy watching your videos. I find that I am more likely to buy a product when it is endorsed by several reviewers whom I have been following for quite some time. It seems that I get to know their tastes better the more I watch their reviews. Also, I tend to trust a reviewer's opinions more when we share the same opinion about a product that both of us have heard in person. The bottom line for me is that many reviewers, yourself included, perform a valuable service to the audiophile community. Thanks.
I have a few audio reviewers that I trust, and all of them have come through positively in the gear they recommended. Steve, you are one of those reviewers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
I bought a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers in part based on Steve’s review. I didn’t just rely on his own review however. There were many reviews for the lrs speakers and they all seemed to confirm Steve’s opinion. I’ve never regretted the purchase. After having added a sub, I haven’t heard much of anything even close to the price range that can match them. I certainly do rely on reviews… but the thing that finally got me to plunk down money was going to my local shop and hearing them.
Likewise, except i had a broken MMG. Magnepan were kind enough to let me upgrade to LRS in the repair process. It was actually Herb's eloquent review that got me to dig the MMGs out of the closet. His comparison to the Ls50s got me to get them too. RELs for both speaker systems of course. Love both systems for different reasons. I always listen for whether an amp will drive Maggie LRS in Steve's reviews. Having experienced what happens when an amp chokes on the load i appreciate this Acid test. (Who cares if it will drive the latest Zu boom-boxes?) Thanks Steve!
Steve, I’m all in with ya. You’re THE number one reviewer for me. I bought a lot of gear after seeing your reviews and was never dissappointed. Thank you so much for doing what you do.
I appreciate your info on products and music, plus I like your personality. This is why I watch and support you. You have turned me on to lots of cool stuff! ❤
This is an interesting question as I recently built up a system for the first time in decades for 2 channel listening. I did use reviews to get a feel for the components I acquired. Some of those reviews were yours Steve. But I didn't use any one reviewer, but more a group that said things that I agreed with. So that when I finally made the plunge it was around more or less consensus among the reviewers I tended to agree with. Thanks for all your work and the fun way you present it!
Dear Steve, I’ve been following you for about 8 years now and discovered and then bought the Aeon 2 speakers and Schiit Ragnarock 2 starting from your reviews. I’m very grateful for what you do and I understand the subjective aspect of it. The live listening in my room is the ultimate step of the process.
I watch it all. EVERYTHING! I listen and decide on the content. I will say that when you look at the big picture, throw the highs and the lows, it generally works out. I enjoy your reviews. Happy Holidays Steve and Mrs. Audiophiliac em coming.
Great topic Steve. I've followed your channel for some time now and feel comfortable with your approach to reviews. When considering a purchase, I generally try to find some consensus among reviewers I trust. Your comments over several videos about the Zu DW6 speakers, along with other reviews, made me feel comfortable trying out a pair just a couple of months ago. I am so happy with that purchase. I find them to be very enjoyable to listen to in my system. Roon - Qobuz - Denafrips Arce streamer - Denfrips Enyp 15th DAC - Musical Fidelity M2si integrated - Zu DW6 Superflys. Great synergy among those components. Thanks.
I think you have articulated the concept perfectly there Steve. Very well balanced analysis. Your thoughts and reviews are always great to hear. Thanks for all this years inspiring RUclips videos. Happy Christmas.🎄
No. A lot of reviewers are older with some hearing degeneration so their hearing isn’t as good as the listener, but they try to recommend products based off of specs and their relationships from a dealer, like Shane Lee for example.
I've bought the PAP Duet 15 because of your review, but not only, i've been more generally convinced by your thoughts about open baffle, by the fact that we pay for the HP and not only for the wood. I'm very happy with them.
I have watched a lot of different reviewers. When they are like you, offering their take and reminding those watching that it’s an opinion based on your experience I get a sense of the product. You offer as much what you find great about it as what you didn’t like. As you always point out opinions may vary. I find them to be a great starting point. Thanks for your honesty.
Yeah, it's complicated. What matters? The associated equipment (source, amp, pre-amp, speakers, connections), the room (volume, dimensions, treatments, materials), the listeners ears, the placement, the music and the quality of the recording, and probably several that I've missed. So the best option, read/watch many reviews, audition if you can and then test it out in your own room with your own equipment. I wish I lived near more high end dealers but I dont so I have to wing it sometimes....I'm pretty happy with my current 2 systems but always looking to upgrade. Thanks for the video!
Steve, Nice topic. I believe all of these formats are helpful. The more honest info/data we get, the more entertained/informed we become. Keep up the good work. P.S.- I have used magazines/blogs/threads/ and videos reviews for purchases. There might be a larger percentage of viewers like me than you think.
Steve, I watch for entertainment, music recommendations and the occasional purchase. I was swayed by your review many years ago and I have a HSU Research sub ... and many years later, a Decware Zen amp. I heard Steve's designs for open baffle and that will be one of my last steps is building those full range driver, 15" open baffle speakers. Magic in my basement listening room, thanks in part to your reviews.
I treat the product review as merely an introduction to it's features, design philosophy, and to see what may be unique about it. I use the reviewer's description of the sound to basically determine if I'd be interested in checking gear out in person. It's information wrapped in a little entertainment...kind of like what Steve said in the middle of this video. A final buying decision is not influenced by any single review, reviewer or industry hype.
This was a spot on, perfect rant to end the year. Thank you! I will be joining your patreon. I love your presentation, passion for audio and of course your style in all your videos.
Thanks, Steve. I actually bought a pair of Canton 836.2 after watching your review. I’ve also got a Decware on order and first heard about them from you (won’t be playing the Decware with the Cantons!). So some of us are using these reviews as a guide because we don’t have the resources to hear all the products (although I also live in Brooklyn). The other Big But we should talk about is compensation. It’s hard to trust reviewers because some are compensated by companies, either with cash or free products. Would be helpful to have labels on reviews stating whether they were compensated or not!
Hey, Steve! I always enjoy your reviews. During your viewer system of the day review, you mixed up the amplifier and speakers. The amp is a Yamaha R-N2000A, and the speakers are Marantz HD880.
I see what you mean that your taste has to align with that of the reviewer. My approach is to read and listen to as many reviews as I can and find the commonality in them to get a clear picture of what the product has to offer. That and try to read what isn't there, some less desirable truths about the product tend to be glossed over. Happy holidays Steve. Thanks for another year of interesting audio reviews.
I follow 3-4 reviewers who's taste get close to my own, primary out of product interest. With so many products on the market, a review can be a helpfull tool, awakening your curriosity and digging deeper for more info, sometimes triggering a new purchase. I don"t always agree with your taste, but I love your passion and your honest down to earth way of presenting things. After all, we all have different taste and thank God for that. How else would we discover new things. Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays. 16:46 Are audiophile reviews BS. No
I have bought two items COMPLETELY based on your reviews, as I wasn't able to demo the items myself (Original Elac's from Andrew Jones and an Onkyo CD player you reviewed years ago). I've been very happy with both. Most of the items you review, I'm unable to afford, but I still listen to the reviews!
No offense meant, but let’s address the elephant in the room. Like myself, most subjective reviewers are well past their 50’s. This means their hearing is down or it’s already shot. This is just a fact of life. This is what makes it hard to take their feedback on how things sound. I watch their reviews for information about the product such as how does it look, what functionality does it have, etc. But since I can’t trust their ears to not suffer high frequency loss I rely on measurements to help me know if the speaker is right for me. Once you have heard a couple speakers and seen the data, it’s easy to know what you like or don’t and need to buy for your ears.
@ sure but I can not afford to buy all the ones I’m interested in. So the next best thing is to look at measurements from Stereophile or the like. Plus I know how to read the data because I designed speakers for the last 35 years of my life. Not everyone knows how to do that. Unfortunately, they are too afraid to try to understand it. It’s a lot better than trusting another geriatric set of ears.😂
I get a hearing test yearly at work. Being in my early 60's, my hearing is better than a many of my co-workers who are much younger. No they don't test above 8k, but as one who has listened to live acoustic music my whole life, I still know what sounds right or wrong. Truth told, most instruments frequency range is below 12kHz. Above that point you are listening to upper harmonics.
Your reviews are invaluable. They are nuanced, qualified and detailed. They make it clear what you like and if it’s not to all tastes you explain why. Merry Christmas and thank you.
As usual, your perspective is clear eyed and intelligent. You Tube is for entertainment and information. And, you, Steve, are one of the most entertaining and informative You Tubers! Keep up the great work!
I trust you more than other reviewers for the simple reason of you having a wide taste in music like me. You don't exclusively listen to obvious stuff that everyone knows. That's why I respect you because the music is first and how it sounds.
As UK audio review legend John Crabbe once told your old boss at Stereophile, John Atkinson, honesty will always be the best policy. A negative review may upset a manufacturer so that they break contact for awhile, but as long as your reviews are honest, you will have subscribers. As long as you have subscribers, manufacturers will return to you. Give false, positive reviews and manufacturers may be happy, but subscribers will leave. These points were directed at the publishing side of audio reviews, but I suspect there's some wisdom in that which can apply to audio reviews in other mediums, including RUclips videos. As a reviewer who worked under John Atkinson, I trust your reviews Steve. You understand the importance of honesty, in addition to having a strong passion for listening to music.
A negative review does not automatically relate to honesty. I find more chances of ineptitude with negative reviews rather than honesty. This is especially true if the reviewer only used the item 3 to 5 hours.
I feel like what’s happening more now is that reviewers just won’t post a review on a product if they don’t like it. I can’t speak for Steve because I haven’t seen his stuff that much lately. It seems like that’s the trend in many categories, not just audio products.
The Audio PRESS and the Audio INDUSTRY are in a quid pro quo advertising/marketing loop that keeps us audio aficionados chasing our tails ever in search of the latest "best" amp or speaker etc. that will supposedly bring us closer to THE absolute sound (which doesn't in reality exist) when most of us would be better off spending our hard earned cash on tickets to live concerts rather than spend a fortune on equipment - anything over 20K for a system is fine, no problem if one wants to go there - but that is roughly the beginning of the diminishing return really good playback curve (give or take a few thousand dollars). I've heard a 10K set up sound better than a 30K set up just because the ROOM was better configured :-) We need to go to live concerts if we want to stop chasing our audio tails! And besides, one of THE great things about live concerts is the pleasure of SEEING music being performed . . . AND getting out of the HOUSE !!! LOL
Reviews from this channel are not BS. Steve’s reviews are an ideal reference for who wants to know what is worth your attention out there in terms of gears. You leverage his experience and expertise to narrow down what might be your gear of choice. But the decision is always yours.
Steve I have been watching your videos and or reading your reviews for years and your opinions reflect my philosophy on sound and value. Currently have Klipsh forte 4s driven by Mac 275 tube amp that is fed directly from a refurbished PS audio direct stream dac and I just listen to the music now and love the search for new music from the streaming platform . Thanks for all you do !
Really enjoy the balance you have in your reviews. Also enjoy the music presented and the “what do I really think” moment. There are others who have too much hyperbole in their reviews. Tarun in the UK is incredible…..engineer like and very analytical in presentation…I enjoy the balance of 4 of you I regularly follow. Frankly, you match my style and taste related to what you have in your system now. Thanks
It's not that their opinions are BS, it's that so many AUDIOPHILE reviews are corrupted and and trustworthy by connections to the industry. Countless reviews especially here on RUclips are just pandering to players in the audio business or supporting their buddies in the manufacturing or retail end (hello Steve). Even worse is when reviewers are paid or rewarded by companies in question to say nice things (hello Andrew). I remember in the good old days when underground audio mags refused advertising because it might corrupt the reviewing process. That kind of integrity has gone out the window today.
I've talked to manufacturers who claim that they have to pay for a review. $6000 for a review and $15,000 for a rave review with cover photo. Notice Stereophile and Absolute Sound almost never review Audio Note UK. Audio Note UK doesn't have a promotional budget.
Great video. Needed saying. Seeing some of the other channels doing those recordings for people to listen to has never made sense to me. And that includes those that record not using a microphone but instead just the line out signal, as while this takes a few steps away there is still many steps between what is being played and the playback of the youtube video and even one is to many.
I bought my Klipsch RP-600Ms based on your review and very happy with them in my 10"x12" room. I don't like too much base so they work great for me. I also have the Yamaha A-S801 and Fluance RT85 based on two other reviews. For me the equipment was in my price range and it all sounds great to me.
Depends on the reviewer. Whether it's a print review or online, I've noticed you have to pay very close attention not only to what the reviewer says, but in the case of less honest reviewers, also what they DON'T say, or, how they say it. They can put the most positive spin possible on some product that they don't actually think is that great. Have to stay on the good side of the manufacturer.
I trust Steve when I am looking for a new piece of gear, and so far he has not let me down, I have several of his recommended components which have elevated my audio experience and actually reinvigorated my interest in audio and the frequency that I listen to music. Thanks, Steve!
Yo confío en mis oídos, no en los oídos de los demás. Hace poco compré un Marantz 40n, que a muchas personas no les gusta, pero a mis oídos si. Eso es lo que vale.
Hi Steve, thanks for your openness & honesty. I have a few recommendations before investing in equipment: 1. For a reality check, have your hearing cleaned & checked before embarking on listening tests. If your hearing is poor, it's time to ask yourself how much enjoyment are you getting? If it's still a lot, then move to 2. 2. For reference, attend a couple of acoustic concerts (orchestral & small group with vocals) in a hall with good acoustics. 3. Either use dealer (& if possible home) demos or a concensus of online reviews in making a decision. 4. Be prepared to experiment long & hard with speaker & listening positions in your room to optimise sound. 5. Relisten to all your favorite music & try not to be hyper critical otherwise you'll end up on the upgrade merrygoround. With sound demos, you're mostly correct but there are a couple of exceptions: Ron at New Record Day has built a treated shed that enables good comparisons & Erin is using the speaker impulse response (measured on his Klippel scanner) mathematically convolved with demo music to enable exact comparisons. Cheers!
I have bought an integrated amp, two sets of bookshelf speakers, and headphones based on your "under $1,000" reviews and you have never steered me wrong. Moreover, you rightly conveyed, each time, what made the recommended product unique and noteworthy. I know I can trust your opinion as a listener because you have the same ecclectic tastes in music as I do. We would have a great time trading music recommendations, you and I. When I see you testing equipment with music by Brian Eno, CAN, Miles Davis, etc., I know you are striving for the same kind of experience that I am, and it's not always about the biggest sound -- it's what enables an emotional involvement with the music. For this reason, your reviews stand in stark contrast to certain other popular reviewers who shall remain nameless, who present very thorough reviews of products based on how well they play AC/DC and Metallica. When a review concludes that the KEF LS 50 Meta does not properly convey the concussive majesty of the Beastie Boys, I know I can discard that particular viewpoint. I also really appreciate that you don't feel duty-bound to review every new mainstream product that comes out. You present only what inspires you. As for measurements, my livingroom is not an anechoic chamber. It's filled with furniture, tons of books, and numerous cats. No measurement will properly assess the damping effect of moving fur, or what happens when I open a window in the summer.
I read your review of the Sennheiser HDR-170’s. Today I picked up a pair with the charging base for 4 bucks at the local Savers thrift store. After test listening to them, could not agree more with your review. They are wireless headphones that sound like a pair of high end wired ones. And the soundstage is wide open. Maybe I don’t know enough about high end audio to rate a review, but to my ears, which are the most important component in a listening system, your review was bang on.
Thanks for this Steve -- I am sure that there are a range of influences that "effect" Reviewer's conclusions -- biggest of all is the reviewer's own personal preferences. Next, or perhaps first, is the fact that reviewers are employed to review the next new thing - as a result there is an inherent bias in favour of the new. Sure he who pays the bills is likely to demand compliance with their expectations/requirements -- magazines have to sell advertising, web-sites attract sponsorship and live to create click-bait to secure page views etc... The biggest challenge any potential buyer has is to be able to access potential purchases so that they can listen to them before they buy, preferably listen to an nA, B, C and D comparison of different variants of what we are seeking to buy. Very few stores/retailers and certainly almost no exhibitions make this easy or possible. Few stores have the resources to carry more than a few hi-end brands and even then simple business limits what they can invest in. So we have to read reviewers and try to understand them in a way that helps us make buying decisions. What I expect all reviewers to do is to present the facts and the results of their measurements in a language I can understand -- so please reviewers stop the over use of audiophile insider's language unless you also provide descriptions than non-insiders can also understand -- we also buy your content so please serve your customers -- all of us, not just your buddies. Musicality and ease are most important for me - far more important than an demands for "overly" transparent solutions -- I am not an audiophile, a reviewer of HiFi or music -- I'm just a listener/watcher who enjoys great performances well presented. I am sure that a large portion of my 80,000 tracks are not the best -- I would be staggered if they are. BUT - a great system can present them as best as possible. So I am avoiding considering overly transparent solutions. I like coloured sound if I understand the colouring and that is to my taste -- so Yes tubes -vs- dry electronics, no to DCS and other ultra high-end dacs - yes to Chord DAVE and other DACs where the engineer is also a lover of music..... etc...
Best to use reviews as a rough guide,to make a shortlist of items you may like to try if you can find a dealer who stocks them.Unfortunately that's more difficult than it used to be and some may feel that if they're unable to try everything on their list that they may be missing out on the perfect choice for them. With respect to objective measurements, they determine how well the product has been engineered for it's task.That's a good start, especially if certain measured parameters align tightly with subjective preferences. However,listening is the only real way to determine how you'll get along with said product(s) in your system.
I trust the measurements, and not the reviewers. But I feel the same way with any audiophile I talk to about how "good" something is. So no biased towards "reviewers" per se... But I still do enjoy watching reviews here and there.
So why the hell are you watching this? Measurements are full of shit. It’s what your ears tell you, not what Gene tells you. He’s even afraid to take Ted Denny’s offer to fly him out to Synergistic Research, pay for his flight, pay for his food and lodging, challenging Gene to do an AB test. Why is it that at mostly all of the audio shows that best rooms in show have asked Synergistic Research to come in and normalize the room? Bullshit on you man.
I could not agree more! What we have in common, Steve is an eclectic music taste, I also think I understand the differences in our sound preferences, so I treat your reviews as reliable, given your huge experience. The other convincing reviewer is Zero Fidelity, regrettably with much more scarce posts. Myself, having much less listening experience, but higher education in the field to compensate for the former.
So, Steve, which Universities are rated the best for Bachelor of Science (BS), Masters of Science (MS) and PhD in Audiophiliacology? PS: Keep doing what you’re doing….entertainment factor alone is worth it.
Are they BS? Some are; some are not. Old Guy HiFi is a very informative and good new channel IMO. I did decide to DIY the Nelson Pass Amp Camp Amp, using a pair in mono-block mode, somewhat based on your review a few years back. Very happy with this 15 watt pair of class A amp. 👍 Another good channel is Pear Acoustics with Harley Grove (sp?). I go with subjective opinions; not really interested in the measurements! 😉 (Btw, Steve Deckert owes you an amp, most definitely… lol)
@@keplermission It’s actually 7-8 watts in stereo and about 15 watts in mono. If you are listening at 70-80 dB levels, you will never go above 2 watts… so plenty of headroom. But thanks.
Dont take any notice of Danny. He's the self appointed gatekeeper to all things audio , and much of what he says is absolute rubbish. Very glad you trusted your own judgement, so many people love their Cornwall iv.
I bought my Wharfdale Evo 4.2‘s without listening to them. That’s the first time I’ve EVER done that. But listening to several reviewers on RUclips and assimilating the commonality of their opinions, primarily, the forward mids, and the recessed highs, I was able to formulate a plan: Schiit Freya+ preamp, and upgraded (Ray 6sn7) tubes to pull those highs forward and that’s exactly what happened. …very happy…
I start with the music; do I dig the same or similar music as the reviewer, has he/she turned me onto some new stuff and brought me back to some recordings I may have forgotten. Over time the type of equipment reviewed starts to make sense in context of the music. Should I consider an upgrade and what to upgrade and how much to spend? These questions will work themselves out while I'm still enjoying my current setup.
The problem is that reviewers don't buy products, they get them from manufacturers. There are almost no negative reviews because if there was a negative review, then the next time there wouldn't be a product, probably not from other manufacturers either, and YT business would go to hell. There are cases where manufacturers went so far as to sue reviewers if there was a bad review. No, I don't trust YT reviewers. It's more or less the same thing as advertising and selling. With artificial intelligence, things have gotten even worse, and few reviewers even write articles or make videos on their own. There are more and more of the same phrases, sentences, etc.
Untrue. Check out the DIY computer building sector. Plenty of reviewers getting sent bad products, calling them out and still getting products for review. Some even get CEOs to come on their channels because of it. Your thought process keeps companies making bad products and keeping the consumer the sucker. Congrats on working for the company.
Steve, I think your channel is successful because you want us to get the most out of listening. The gear plays a role, but it's not the absolute center. So many of us are drawn to your ability to describe "how" you hear. Nearly every video you post is a "think-piece" that is easy to enjoy because 1) you love musical sound; 2) your deep understanding that listening hits on a whole mind-body-soul level, and 3) those experiences can find satisfaction and inspiration on a variety of budgets. The residue of your thoughts and reactions sticks with me and expands my sensibilities when I listen. Other reviewers I watch or read also do this to some degree or other. In short, the value I find in reviewers like yourself isn't based on whether or not I buy and enjoy the featured products. You're all divining rods.
I watch quite a few reviewers and you all have different styles and because I am a bricks and mortar shopper in a small city I have reviews for generalities only. I bought based on what I could listen to and have serviced locally. In fact some decisions have been made on lower ends of a product ladder guessing the next or two steps up next in the company line. I enjoy your reviews and like the range of recordings used in the tests.
Your two reviews of the Ohm Walsh speakers put me over the top to buy a pair. It was during Covid, and it took months to get them. However, they are so rock solid and perfect for my room. End game speakers for me and less than $4000.
I totally agree, Steve. This passion is so subjective that it's up to the viewer/reader to find a reviewer that has similar expectations and tastes. I follow mostly you and a couple others on this platform mostly due to their passion and honesty. My favorite print writer/reviewer was the late Tony Cordesman. Although I would never be able to afford his favorite gear, I had been able to listen to a lot of it first hand in showrooms and found that we had very similar tastes and sonic expectations. Keep up the great work Steve !!!
I have to call BS when a reviewer tells me the current piece of equipment he is reviewing is so much more "transparent" (or whatever) than his "end game" or "top" piece of equipment he told me about last month.
Last week. There's a certain reviewer (3 very large windows wink wink) who seems to find gear every week that is "the best" he's ever heard. I didn't realise sound quality could improve so quickly and so exponentially 😂
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 We might be thinking of the same reviewer who said in his last video "these amps remind me closely of the xxx I had in here a few years ago". WTF, you can remember what an amp sounded like a few YEARS ago? I seriously can't believe a person can compare sound between amps they've heard less than a hour apart.
@chrisblock6697 Sounds like the one Is bald with a red and grey beard. We know how long our auditory memory lasts and so should he. But what do you expect from a guy who's has a another RUclips "paranormal" channel where he claims he's communicating with the dead via his portable hand-held radio? Do you know about this?
Hey Steve, was this your first review that was comprised wholly of .... "So Steve, what do you really think" for the entirety of the review? But seriously, great episode that was worth pointing out and making the viewership aware of. Reviews are great but conveying a perception or understanding of exact sound to a remote audience is next to impossible. "The sound" is just a composite of daisy chained physical entities creating, adding to or otherwise altering a sound created by a source. I form an opinion of what a multiplicity of reviewers say about a product. I could still get it wrong but less likely to that way. Great job as usual Steve. Love your work.
good evening ! i really enjoy your content . i have the same turntable 1210G and parasound JC3+. have you ever experienced speaker flutter with your set up . i just purchased new speakers and noticed on some track the drivers move more then they should, table is 5 feet away from speakers and on a very good suspended isolation platform, my old speakers were sealed and i never had the grills off to notice if they were doing it . on the new speakers they are ported , down firing and i run with grills off , just hoped i could pick your brain , thank you , oh new speakers are focal sopra #3
I think most reviewers are paid salesmen. Everyone reviews the same product around the same time and gush all over them. Then I go to Skunkie and watch her open them up and point out all the areas of improvement. 😂 That said I did buy the Chinese LS3/5a you recommend and love them...
I think reviewing is a very difficult job and thank you for doing it. Even bad reviewers give me an overview of features but the trick is trying to understand the reviewers tastes in music and how closely they align with your own to be able to make a determination if a piece of equipment is worth an audition. Another reviewer I watch teaches me several new adjectives with every review and every comparison to other equipment includes a disclaimer like "this year" or "in my room" (important distinctions but add another layer to decipher). Bottom line, I think reviewers provide invaluable insight and are a great screening tool.
It does help to listen to lots of reviews and read articles about audio so you can improve your "Audio Vocabulary." Then, you can easily understand and describe the sound and characteristics of music.
I first heard about the KEF LS50 Meta from your rave review. I subsequently watched and read other reviews as well. Some, like you, loved them. Others didn't think they were worth it. Sometimes, some highlighted negatives that I considered a positive for me. I ended up getting the powered version, the LS50 Wireless II. They are ideal for space limitation in my bedroom/man cave system without need for a subwoofer. Great for my favorite, classical music. And inputs for CD, vinyl, FM and HDMI Arc connection from my TV. And ability to stream radio from all over the world for free. Great bang for the buck! And I was able to get them at my local dealer. This may not match everyone's need, but perfect for my particular context.
@@parsaeye well, same as watching car reviews of exotic cars (etc.) only a few people in the world will own: entertainment. Does the general audience care how accurate such a review is if it’s fun to watch?
@@jasonwebb6484 Again, my post was a response to Scruffy's original comment and not to the subject of this episode. It was a sceptical response to the snake oil of Audiophile brigade who one can watch for entertainment and laughter!
It's not a matter of trust for me. I just watch a bunch of reviewers and I naturally consider agendas and motives with people's words. Any blatant BS will be obvious and it will be factored in to the big picture conclusion. I don't make my purchase decisions based on one person's assessment, and neither should anyone. Steve, you are one of the best and have been very consistent in accurately describing products of which matches my own experiences with the same. Things like this give a lot of credence to the final decision.
What counts most for me are the criteria used to weigh the performance of components, together with side-by-side comparisons. A question for Steve: do you think we need to develop more / different / better criteria to fathom the qualities of components?
I have indeed purchased items based on reviews. If Steve alerts me to something interesting, I'll read other reviews & try to find some consensus. The audiophile world has grown so much since I was 1st interested in it in the '70's & '80's! It seemed simple then-- buy a belt drive turntable, nobody needs a subwoofer, etc.
No one ever sees videos on the engineers perspective. The board layout, why certain resistors were chosen for the signal paths they were going for. How they design the tonality of what they’re looking to achieve. I do love the final product review and opinions …I have purchased based off good & fair reviews of people I believe in, that are seasoned hifi people in the hobby game & honest. If you’re honest & know your stuff and can get across to viewers that are looking to purchase or for knowledge & history/ entertainment. Keep makin videos!
Useful measurements and gives good perspective on listening impressions. Says it like it is in spite of manufacturer's objections and threats of litigation. Needs to move beyond Michael Jackson and Dire Straits tho 🎶🤫🎶
@@cmessi but you're not hearing them, you're hearing your speakers/headphones. I'm not taking life too seriously. There's a world of difference between a reviewer showing them off during the review and an actual sound demo. Sound demos are pointless wastes of time on here and there's SO MANY OF THEM! it's maddening
@Interstate_78 But everybody understands they hear it through their own speakers. It is not that you found out. People just want to hear them. Part of the hobby/fun. And if you have sound demo's with several speakers you can absolutely hear some different characteristics of each speaker. You take it too serious. Calm down, get a kitkat.
I remember Mike Valentine, of Chasing the Dragon fame, doing exactly what you suggested at a hifi show a few years ago. A guy who was singing and playing acoustic guitar to entertain the punters whilst they were lunching, came into Mike’s large room and played live for us. Mike recorded the piece on one of his huge Studer A8xx studio console 1/2” recorders at 30 IPS and played it straight back from the Studer through a giant Soulution integrated amp and a pair of very large speakers, possibly by Focal. The result was amazingly convincing. I think the purpose of the demo was to show how much was normally lost through the regular studio recording chain of mics, mixer, pre-amp, EQ, effects, desk, etc., etc. and miles of cables, then editing, mastering, cutting, pressing and eventually arriving at a finished album which was a million miles from the original live sound made by the guy with the guitar. So yes, it can be done, but the questions remain, how much can you afford to spend and how close do you want to get? Mike’s records are wonderful, btw.
I have to say, I bought the Pioneer Elite towers based on your recommendation. I like them, but I don’t love them. Maybe I need to pair them with different equipment?
Everything makes a difference! Speakers don't make any sound on their own, everything in front of them changes their sound. And of course your room. That's why I say it's a moving target to describe the sound of any piece of audio.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac You know speakers need warmed up the coils, sound better and out of the box, speakers need run-in. Hearing before we buy? It's easy to hear wrong.
Sean at Zero Fidelity is one of the most “accurate” reviewers on RUclips..He tells it like it is👍 He truly does have “Golden Ears” ✅🤗He’s not paid off to embellish or exaggerate any product like most reviewers are! Let’s hope he comes back soon..
@ , As I stated in my comment.. But he has done 10 or so LIVE Streams on RUclips in the last year👍 He also said he’s getting exhausted with review after review which is boring him too, so decided to step back awhile to enjoy more of his life.. I hope he comes back at least once a week or so.. He’s missed by 1000s..
I refer to audiophile reviews on youtube/print media for equipment that I am not able to audition first hand. My speakers and amps I bought with my ears for a shop. My DAC and streamer I bought on the trust I had in long running audiophile reviews. I was apprehensive when buying on trust, but was very happy in the end. Some equipment has been produced over decades, and the reason is they are good, BUT can be forgotten in the "fizzo sphere" of youtube which is focussed on new stuff.
I'm 71 and a 'brand' fan. I enjoy Technics turntables and Pioneer amps (Spec 1 and Spec 2). The only variables have been the places I lived. Speakers are the only thing that changes because of the environment. Altec Lansing, Bose, Pioneer, JBL... I've tried many brands. I'm currently rocking some Elac bookshelf speakers with a Klipsch sub. I just upgraded my turntable to the SL-1210G with an Ortofon 2M Bronze. I seek out other 'fan boys' who like the same gear AND music. I was currently in the market for a new phono preamp... within MY budget. I used YT reviewers to get an idea of what's out there and purchased a Schiit Mani 2. Will I ever hear 'The Beatles' or 'Pink Floyd' play in my living room? Nope but it sounds damn good for these old ears. Thanks for the review Steve. Merry Christmas.
In a recording studio I once visited, they had big monitors up overhead. But rather than trust the designers, they had graphic EQ so that the sound was equalized at the engineers seat behind the console. But home users have seemed to loathe EQed speakers for many decades and Graphic EQs sell pretty cheap. Maybe because of the difficulty of using them correctly without setup equipment.
I decided earlier this year to build a completely new system that was a small condo/neighbor-friendly. I probably watched a couple hundred different reviews by several different reviewers. That narrowed my choices down and then I went to dealers to actually listen to the products, when possible. I ended up with a Yamaha RN-2000A, KEF R3 Meta, SVS SB3000 Micro, Dual CS-618Q and a Yamaha CD-S1000. I relied heavily on subjective reviewers more than the technical reviewers, but both were important in the end. In a world where there are hundreds, if not thousands of choices, a reviewer is an important place to start. That being said, I do feel like many reviewers sound more like sales people, if not actual sales people. I trust you, Andrew Robinson, The British Audiophile, Zero Fidelity and of course Hans Beekhuyzen to give me an honest overview of the product, pros and cons. There are others, but my primary info comes from the five listed.
. Having the Audiophiliac tell us what recording is being used is great & necessary to put the gear's performance into context. Ya can't exactly say the soundstage is super when it's a mono 78 album. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass🔈🔉🔊
Don’t sweat it, keep doing what you are doing. You were exactly correct, info and entertainment! The best is your sharing of the music you use for the reviews. You have put me on to a ton of great music I would not have discovered otherwise.
You are a REAL LEGEND IN THIS WIRLD OF AUDIO INDUSTRY.
I watch audio reviews largely for entertainment, and to see different products, but I have occasionally bought a product purely based on reviews. Most recently, after my ancient NAD 214 power amp died, I bought the new "remake" Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amp, based on your and two other reviews. I was persuaded by the fact that the descriptions of the sound - realistic midrange, liquid, weighty in the base - were similar across all of the reviews, and was exactly what I was looking for. And yes, I love the amp!
Well ...uh... NAD 214 is an 80 watt and MF A1 is 25 watt and you know, the $550 2.3 watt DECWARE ZEN TRIODE is pricey when we could buy a Realistic (Radio Shack) SA-10, SA-10A, SA-102 or SA-150 on the internet and use Realistic Minimus-5 horn hybrids and get you know just awesome effects. I don't think that tubes are as good as 1970s Solid State but hey.
@@keplermission
Another weird comment.
Keep it up!
I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm about audio gear and music, Steve. Speaking of interesting products, I remember reading a review you wrote about an inexpensive system that included a Tivoli Audio Radio and Antique Soundlabs tube monoblocks...maybe in the late 90s. Those Antique Soundlabs monoblocks sounded so good...and I still have the little blue radio although I don't use it any more.
Steve, I really appreciate your reviews. I bought my amp and speakers from a brick and mortar shop and it’s a product you rarely review but I bought my Technics turntable based on your review and others. I love the turntable. I really appreciate the music you use for your reviews. I have purchased so much music based on your reviews and have never been disappointed. Your knowledge is invaluable and your honesty is very appreciated. I look forward to seeing many more of your videos and I hope you have a wonderful holiday. All the best, Tom
Steve: open mind - no common place in his words - elegant touch - Totally embraceable
Its the shirt, not the gear!
The gear is only the backdrop for the shirts.
The shirts ARE amazing!
Lol...
Where’d that shirt come from? Like it!
@@mchenrypeople5727 the Salvation Army :-) The original purchase place must have been a psychedelia shop in his neighbourhood a few decades ago :-)
These people are full of hate.Steve is one of the best.
Hi Steve! I enjoy watching your videos.
I find that I am more likely to buy a product when it is endorsed by several reviewers whom I have been following for quite some time. It seems that I get to know their tastes better the more I watch their reviews. Also, I tend to trust a reviewer's opinions more when we share the same opinion about a product that both of us have heard in person.
The bottom line for me is that many reviewers, yourself included, perform a valuable service to the audiophile community. Thanks.
I have a few audio reviewers that I trust, and all of them have come through positively in the gear they recommended. Steve, you are one of those reviewers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
Another great video Steve, and your points about reviewers are the same we had in the 90s, find someone you trust and go with them.
I bought a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers in part based on Steve’s review. I didn’t just rely on his own review however. There were many reviews for the lrs speakers and they all seemed to confirm Steve’s opinion. I’ve never regretted the purchase. After having added a sub, I haven’t heard much of anything even close to the price range that can match them. I certainly do rely on reviews… but the thing that finally got me to plunk down money was going to my local shop and hearing them.
Likewise, except i had a broken MMG.
Magnepan were kind enough to let me upgrade to LRS in the repair process.
It was actually Herb's eloquent review that got me to dig the MMGs out of the closet. His comparison to the Ls50s got me to get them too. RELs for both speaker systems of course. Love both systems for different reasons.
I always listen for whether an amp will drive Maggie LRS in Steve's reviews. Having experienced what happens when an amp chokes on the load i appreciate this Acid test.
(Who cares if it will drive the latest Zu boom-boxes?)
Thanks Steve!
Not good.
Steve, I’m all in with ya. You’re THE number one reviewer for me. I bought a lot of gear after seeing your reviews and was never dissappointed. Thank you so much for doing what you do.
That's great, thank you!
I appreciate your info on products and music, plus I like your personality. This is why I watch and support you. You have turned me on to lots of cool stuff! ❤
This is an interesting question as I recently built up a system for the first time in decades for 2 channel listening. I did use reviews to get a feel for the components I acquired. Some of those reviews were yours Steve. But I didn't use any one reviewer, but more a group that said things that I agreed with. So that when I finally made the plunge it was around more or less consensus among the reviewers I tended to agree with. Thanks for all your work and the fun way you present it!
Dear Steve, I’ve been following you for about 8 years now and discovered and then bought the Aeon 2 speakers and Schiit Ragnarock 2 starting from your reviews. I’m very grateful for what you do and I understand the subjective aspect of it. The live listening in my room is the ultimate step of the process.
I watch it all. EVERYTHING! I listen and decide on the content. I will say that when you look at the big picture, throw the highs and the lows, it generally works out. I enjoy your reviews. Happy Holidays Steve and Mrs. Audiophiliac em coming.
Great topic Steve. I've followed your channel for some time now and feel comfortable with your approach to reviews. When considering a purchase, I generally try to find some consensus among reviewers I trust. Your comments over several videos about the Zu DW6 speakers, along with other reviews, made me feel comfortable trying out a pair just a couple of months ago. I am so happy with that purchase. I find them to be very enjoyable to listen to in my system. Roon - Qobuz - Denafrips Arce streamer - Denfrips Enyp 15th DAC - Musical Fidelity M2si integrated - Zu DW6 Superflys. Great synergy among those components. Thanks.
I think you have articulated the concept perfectly there Steve. Very well balanced analysis. Your thoughts and reviews are always great to hear. Thanks for all this years inspiring RUclips videos. Happy Christmas.🎄
Thank you so much, happy holidays to you
No. A lot of reviewers are older with some hearing degeneration so their hearing isn’t as good as the listener, but they try to recommend products based off of specs and their relationships from a dealer, like Shane Lee for example.
I've bought the PAP Duet 15 because of your review, but not only, i've been more generally convinced by your thoughts about open baffle, by the fact that we pay for the HP and not only for the wood. I'm very happy with them.
I bought the Buchardt S-300’s based on your and several other reviews. You all were spot-on. Great speakers!
I have watched a lot of different reviewers. When they are like you, offering their take and reminding those watching that it’s an opinion based on your experience I get a sense of the product. You offer as much what you find great about it as what you didn’t like. As you always point out opinions may vary. I find them to be a great starting point. Thanks for your honesty.
Bought my Emotiva Basx TA2 based on your review ... so very happy!! Keep up the great work !!
I really enjoy your reviews. I ended up buying a pair of dynaudio HS based on your reviews. Love the sound I’m getting. Thanks!
Yeah, it's complicated. What matters? The associated equipment (source, amp, pre-amp, speakers, connections), the room (volume, dimensions, treatments, materials), the listeners ears, the placement, the music and the quality of the recording, and probably several that I've missed. So the best option, read/watch many reviews, audition if you can and then test it out in your own room with your own equipment. I wish I lived near more high end dealers but I dont so I have to wing it sometimes....I'm pretty happy with my current 2 systems but always looking to upgrade. Thanks for the video!
Steve, Nice topic. I believe all of these formats are helpful. The more honest info/data we get, the more entertained/informed we become. Keep up the good work. P.S.- I have used magazines/blogs/threads/ and videos reviews for purchases. There might be a larger percentage of viewers like me than you think.
Steve, I watch for entertainment, music recommendations and the occasional purchase. I was swayed by your review many years ago and I have a HSU Research sub ... and many years later, a Decware Zen amp. I heard Steve's designs for open baffle and that will be one of my last steps is building those full range driver, 15" open baffle speakers. Magic in my basement listening room, thanks in part to your reviews.
I treat the product review as merely an introduction to it's features, design philosophy, and to see what may be unique about it. I use the reviewer's description of the sound to basically determine if I'd be interested in checking gear out in person. It's information wrapped in a little entertainment...kind of like what Steve said in the middle of this video.
A final buying decision is not influenced by any single review, reviewer or industry hype.
This was a spot on, perfect rant to end the year. Thank you! I will be joining your patreon. I love your presentation, passion for audio and of course your style in all your videos.
Nice to hear, thank you so much
Thanks, Steve. I actually bought a pair of Canton 836.2 after watching your review. I’ve also got a Decware on order and first heard about them from you (won’t be playing the Decware with the Cantons!). So some of us are using these reviews as a guide because we don’t have the resources to hear all the products (although I also live in Brooklyn). The other Big But we should talk about is compensation. It’s hard to trust reviewers because some are compensated by companies, either with cash or free products. Would be helpful to have labels on reviews stating whether they were compensated or not!
Hey, Steve! I always enjoy your reviews. During your viewer system of the day review, you mixed up the amplifier and speakers. The amp is a Yamaha R-N2000A, and the speakers are Marantz HD880.
Oops, thanks for the catch
@ no problem
I see what you mean that your taste has to align with that of the reviewer. My approach is to read and listen to as many reviews as I can and find the commonality in them to get a clear picture of what the product has to offer. That and try to read what isn't there, some less desirable truths about the product tend to be glossed over. Happy holidays Steve. Thanks for another year of interesting audio reviews.
I follow 3-4 reviewers who's taste get close to my own, primary out of product interest. With so many products on the market, a review can be a helpfull tool, awakening your curriosity and digging deeper for more info, sometimes triggering a new purchase.
I don"t always agree with your taste, but I love your passion and your honest down to earth way of presenting things. After all, we all have different taste and thank God for that. How else would we discover new things. Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays. 16:46
Are audiophile reviews BS. No
I have bought two items COMPLETELY based on your reviews, as I wasn't able to demo the items myself (Original Elac's from Andrew Jones and an Onkyo CD player you reviewed years ago). I've been very happy with both. Most of the items you review, I'm unable to afford, but I still listen to the reviews!
No offense meant, but let’s address the elephant in the room. Like myself, most subjective reviewers are well past their 50’s. This means their hearing is down or it’s already shot. This is just a fact of life. This is what makes it hard to take their feedback on how things sound. I watch their reviews for information about the product such as how does it look, what functionality does it have, etc. But since I can’t trust their ears to not suffer high frequency loss I rely on measurements to help me know if the speaker is right for me. Once you have heard a couple speakers and seen the data, it’s easy to know what you like or don’t and need to buy for your ears.
Dork
Relying on measurements on speakers is a sure fire way to be disappointed long term - trust your ears rather than your reading eyes :-)
@ sure but I can not afford to buy all the ones I’m interested in. So the next best thing is to look at measurements from Stereophile or the like. Plus I know how to read the data because I designed speakers for the last 35 years of my life. Not everyone knows how to do that. Unfortunately, they are too afraid to try to understand it. It’s a lot better than trusting another geriatric set of ears.😂
...in your algorithm. Create a new account
I get a hearing test yearly at work. Being in my early 60's, my hearing is better than a many of my co-workers who are much younger. No they don't test above 8k, but as one who has listened to live acoustic music my whole life, I still know what sounds right or wrong. Truth told, most instruments frequency range is below 12kHz. Above that point you are listening to upper harmonics.
Your reviews are invaluable. They are nuanced, qualified and detailed. They make it clear what you like and if it’s not to all tastes you explain why.
Merry Christmas and thank you.
As usual, your perspective is clear eyed and intelligent. You Tube is for entertainment and information. And, you, Steve, are one of the most entertaining and informative You Tubers! Keep up the great work!
I trust you more than other reviewers for the simple reason of you having a wide taste in music like me. You don't exclusively listen to obvious stuff that everyone knows. That's why I respect you because the music is first and how it sounds.
And he's subjective.
As UK audio review legend John Crabbe once told your old boss at Stereophile, John Atkinson, honesty will always be the best policy. A negative review may upset a manufacturer so that they break contact for awhile, but as long as your reviews are honest, you will have subscribers. As long as you have subscribers, manufacturers will return to you. Give false, positive reviews and manufacturers may be happy, but subscribers will leave. These points were directed at the publishing side of audio reviews, but I suspect there's some wisdom in that which can apply to audio reviews in other mediums, including RUclips videos. As a reviewer who worked under John Atkinson, I trust your reviews Steve. You understand the importance of honesty, in addition to having a strong passion for listening to music.
John Atkinson wow. So long ago!
A negative review does not automatically relate to honesty. I find more chances of ineptitude with negative reviews rather than honesty. This is especially true if the reviewer only used the item 3 to 5 hours.
I feel like what’s happening more now is that reviewers just won’t post a review on a product if they don’t like it. I can’t speak for Steve because I haven’t seen his stuff that much lately. It seems like that’s the trend in many categories, not just audio products.
The Audio PRESS and the Audio INDUSTRY are in a quid pro quo advertising/marketing loop that keeps us audio aficionados chasing our tails ever in search of the latest "best" amp or speaker etc. that will supposedly bring us closer to THE absolute sound (which doesn't in reality exist) when most of us would be better off spending our hard earned cash on tickets to live concerts rather than spend a fortune on equipment - anything over 20K for a system is fine, no problem if one wants to go there - but that is roughly the beginning of the diminishing return really good playback curve (give or take a few thousand dollars). I've heard a 10K set up sound better than a 30K set up just because the ROOM was better configured :-) We need to go to live concerts if we want to stop chasing our audio tails! And besides, one of THE great things about live concerts is the pleasure of SEEING music being performed . . . AND getting out of the HOUSE !!! LOL
Reviews from this channel are not BS. Steve’s reviews are an ideal reference for who wants to know what is worth your attention out there in terms of gears. You leverage his experience and expertise to narrow down what might be your gear of choice. But the decision is always yours.
Steve
I have been watching your videos and or reading your reviews for years and your opinions reflect my philosophy on sound and value. Currently have Klipsh forte 4s driven by Mac 275 tube amp that is fed directly from a refurbished PS audio direct stream dac and I just listen to the music now and love the search for new music from the streaming platform .
Thanks for all you do !
Really enjoy the balance you have in your reviews. Also enjoy the music presented and the “what do I really think” moment. There are others who have too much hyperbole in their reviews. Tarun in the UK is incredible…..engineer like and very analytical in presentation…I enjoy the balance of 4 of you I regularly follow. Frankly, you match my style and taste related to what you have in your system now. Thanks
Bought the HSU subwoofer you recommended and love it. Bought a second one and love them twice as much. Definitely an audiophile improvement.
It's not that their opinions are BS, it's that so many AUDIOPHILE reviews are corrupted and and trustworthy by connections to the industry. Countless reviews especially here on RUclips are just pandering to players in the audio business or supporting their buddies in the manufacturing or retail end (hello Steve). Even worse is when reviewers are paid or rewarded by companies in question to say nice things (hello Andrew). I remember in the good old days when underground audio mags refused advertising because it might corrupt the reviewing process. That kind of integrity has gone out the window today.
Absolutely!
Exactly that! Friends congratulating each other and keeping the industry afloat.
I've talked to manufacturers who claim that they have to pay for a review. $6000 for a review and $15,000 for a rave review with cover photo. Notice Stereophile and Absolute Sound almost never review Audio Note UK. Audio Note UK doesn't have a promotional budget.
Great video. Needed saying.
Seeing some of the other channels doing those recordings for people to listen to has never made sense to me. And that includes those that record not using a microphone but instead just the line out signal, as while this takes a few steps away there is still many steps between what is being played and the playback of the youtube video and even one is to many.
Your review of the Decware Zen Triode prompted me to order one a couple years back and should be arriving in the not too distant future. Thank you.
I bought my Klipsch RP-600Ms based on your review and very happy with them in my 10"x12" room. I don't like too much base so they work great for me. I also have the Yamaha A-S801 and Fluance RT85 based on two other reviews. For me the equipment was in my price range and it all sounds great to me.
Depends on the reviewer. Whether it's a print review or online, I've noticed you have to pay very close attention not only to what the reviewer says, but in the case of less honest reviewers, also what they DON'T say, or, how they say it. They can put the most positive spin possible on some product that they don't actually think is that great. Have to stay on the good side of the manufacturer.
I trust Steve when I am looking for a new piece of gear, and so far he has not let me down, I have several of his recommended components which have elevated my audio experience and actually reinvigorated my interest in audio and the frequency that I listen to music. Thanks, Steve!
Yeah but what is your favorite record of all time?
Yo confío en mis oídos, no en los oídos de los demás.
Hace poco compré un Marantz 40n, que a muchas personas no les gusta, pero a mis oídos si. Eso es lo que vale.
Hi Steve, thanks for your openness & honesty. I have a few recommendations before investing in equipment:
1. For a reality check, have your hearing cleaned & checked before embarking on listening tests. If your hearing is poor, it's time to ask yourself how much enjoyment are you getting? If it's still a lot, then move to 2.
2. For reference, attend a couple of acoustic concerts (orchestral & small group with vocals) in a hall with good acoustics.
3. Either use dealer (& if possible home) demos or a concensus of online reviews in making a decision.
4. Be prepared to experiment long & hard with speaker & listening positions in your room to optimise sound.
5. Relisten to all your favorite music & try not to be hyper critical otherwise you'll end up on the upgrade merrygoround.
With sound demos, you're mostly correct but there are a couple of exceptions: Ron at New Record Day has built a treated shed that enables good comparisons & Erin is using the speaker impulse response (measured on his Klippel scanner) mathematically convolved with demo music to enable exact comparisons. Cheers!
Enjoy the holidays and happy new year Steve! Love your show, love how you do your reviews, don’t change a thing 👍
I have bought an integrated amp, two sets of bookshelf speakers, and headphones based on your "under $1,000" reviews and you have never steered me wrong. Moreover, you rightly conveyed, each time, what made the recommended product unique and noteworthy.
I know I can trust your opinion as a listener because you have the same ecclectic tastes in music as I do. We would have a great time trading music recommendations, you and I. When I see you testing equipment with music by Brian Eno, CAN, Miles Davis, etc., I know you are striving for the same kind of experience that I am, and it's not always about the biggest sound -- it's what enables an emotional involvement with the music.
For this reason, your reviews stand in stark contrast to certain other popular reviewers who shall remain nameless, who present very thorough reviews of products based on how well they play AC/DC and Metallica. When a review concludes that the KEF LS 50 Meta does not properly convey the concussive majesty of the Beastie Boys, I know I can discard that particular viewpoint.
I also really appreciate that you don't feel duty-bound to review every new mainstream product that comes out. You present only what inspires you.
As for measurements, my livingroom is not an anechoic chamber. It's filled with furniture, tons of books, and numerous cats. No measurement will properly assess the damping effect of moving fur, or what happens when I open a window in the summer.
Wasted money.
I read your review of the Sennheiser HDR-170’s. Today I picked up a pair with the charging base for 4 bucks at the local Savers thrift store. After test listening to them, could not agree more with your review. They are wireless headphones that sound like a pair of high end wired ones. And the soundstage is wide open. Maybe I don’t know enough about high end audio to rate a review, but to my ears, which are the most important component in a listening system, your review was bang on.
Great thank you!
Thanks for this Steve -- I am sure that there are a range of influences that "effect" Reviewer's conclusions -- biggest of all is the reviewer's own personal preferences.
Next, or perhaps first, is the fact that reviewers are employed to review the next new thing - as a result there is an inherent bias in favour of the new. Sure he who pays the bills is likely to demand compliance with their expectations/requirements -- magazines have to sell advertising, web-sites attract sponsorship and live to create click-bait to secure page views etc...
The biggest challenge any potential buyer has is to be able to access potential purchases so that they can listen to them before they buy, preferably listen to an nA, B, C and D comparison of different variants of what we are seeking to buy. Very few stores/retailers and certainly almost no exhibitions make this easy or possible. Few stores have the resources to carry more than a few hi-end brands and even then simple business limits what they can invest in. So we have to read reviewers and try to understand them in a way that helps us make buying decisions.
What I expect all reviewers to do is to present the facts and the results of their measurements in a language I can understand -- so please reviewers stop the over use of audiophile insider's language unless you also provide descriptions than non-insiders can also understand -- we also buy your content so please serve your customers -- all of us, not just your buddies.
Musicality and ease are most important for me - far more important than an demands for "overly" transparent solutions -- I am not an audiophile, a reviewer of HiFi or music -- I'm just a listener/watcher who enjoys great performances well presented. I am sure that a large portion of my 80,000 tracks are not the best -- I would be staggered if they are. BUT - a great system can present them as best as possible. So I am avoiding considering overly transparent solutions. I like coloured sound if I understand the colouring and that is to my taste -- so Yes tubes -vs- dry electronics, no to DCS and other ultra high-end dacs - yes to Chord DAVE and other DACs where the engineer is also a lover of music..... etc...
Best to use reviews as a rough guide,to make a shortlist of items you may like to try if you can find a dealer who stocks them.Unfortunately that's more difficult than it used to be and some may feel that if they're unable to try everything on their list that they may be missing out on the perfect choice for them. With respect to objective measurements, they determine how well the product has been engineered for it's task.That's a good start, especially if certain measured parameters align tightly with subjective preferences. However,listening is the only real way to determine how you'll get along with said product(s) in your system.
I trust the measurements, and not the reviewers. But I feel the same way with any audiophile I talk to about how "good" something is.
So no biased towards "reviewers" per se... But I still do enjoy watching reviews here and there.
So why the hell are you watching this? Measurements are full of shit. It’s what your ears tell you, not what Gene tells you. He’s even afraid to take Ted Denny’s offer to fly him out to Synergistic Research, pay for his flight, pay for his food and lodging, challenging Gene to do an AB test.
Why is it that at mostly all of the audio shows that best rooms in show have asked Synergistic Research to come in and normalize the room? Bullshit on you man.
I could not agree more! What we have in common, Steve is an eclectic music taste, I also think I understand the differences in our sound preferences, so I treat your reviews as reliable, given your huge experience. The other convincing reviewer is Zero Fidelity, regrettably with much more scarce posts.
Myself, having much less listening experience, but higher education in the field to compensate for the former.
So, Steve, which Universities are rated the best for Bachelor of Science (BS), Masters of Science (MS) and PhD in Audiophiliacology?
PS: Keep doing what you’re doing….entertainment factor alone is worth it.
Are they BS? Some are; some are not. Old Guy HiFi is a very informative and good new channel IMO. I did decide to DIY the Nelson Pass Amp Camp Amp, using a pair in mono-block mode, somewhat based on your review a few years back. Very happy with this 15 watt pair of class A amp. 👍
Another good channel is Pear Acoustics with Harley Grove (sp?). I go with subjective opinions; not really interested in the measurements! 😉
(Btw, Steve Deckert owes you an amp, most definitely… lol)
Old guy Hi Fi is cool.
It's 5 watt not 15 watt. You know five watts not fifteen?
@@keplermission
It’s actually 7-8 watts in stereo and about 15 watts in mono. If you are listening at 70-80 dB levels, you will never go above 2 watts… so plenty of headroom. But thanks.
I bought Cornwall IVs based on your reviews. Very happy. Even though Danny form G reviews etc hate them. Used with a Luxman 507z it is really nice
Dont take any notice of Danny. He's the self appointed gatekeeper to all things audio , and much of what he says is absolute rubbish. Very glad you trusted your own judgement, so many people love their Cornwall iv.
I bought my Wharfdale Evo 4.2‘s without listening to them. That’s the first time I’ve EVER done that.
But listening to several reviewers on RUclips and assimilating the commonality of their opinions, primarily, the forward mids, and the recessed highs, I was able to formulate a plan: Schiit Freya+ preamp, and upgraded (Ray 6sn7) tubes to pull those highs forward and that’s exactly what happened.
…very happy…
I start with the music; do I dig the same or similar music as the reviewer, has he/she turned me onto some new stuff and brought me back to some recordings I may have forgotten. Over time the type of equipment reviewed starts to make sense in context of the music. Should I consider an upgrade and what to upgrade and how much to spend? These questions will work themselves out while I'm still enjoying my current setup.
The problem is that reviewers don't buy products, they get them from manufacturers. There are almost no negative reviews because if there was a negative review, then the next time there wouldn't be a product, probably not from other manufacturers either, and YT business would go to hell. There are cases where manufacturers went so far as to sue reviewers if there was a bad review. No, I don't trust YT reviewers. It's more or less the same thing as advertising and selling.
With artificial intelligence, things have gotten even worse, and few reviewers even write articles or make videos on their own. There are more and more of the same phrases, sentences, etc.
Ditto for magazine reviewers. It's been like this for decades.
Untrue. Check out the DIY computer building sector. Plenty of reviewers getting sent bad products, calling them out and still getting products for review. Some even get CEOs to come on their channels because of it.
Your thought process keeps companies making bad products and keeping the consumer the sucker. Congrats on working for the company.
Steve, I think your channel is successful because you want us to get the most out of listening. The gear plays a role, but it's not the absolute center. So many of us are drawn to your ability to describe "how" you hear. Nearly every video you post is a "think-piece" that is easy to enjoy because 1) you love musical sound; 2) your deep understanding that listening hits on a whole mind-body-soul level, and 3) those experiences can find satisfaction and inspiration on a variety of budgets. The residue of your thoughts and reactions sticks with me and expands my sensibilities when I listen. Other reviewers I watch or read also do this to some degree or other. In short, the value I find in reviewers like yourself isn't based on whether or not I buy and enjoy the featured products. You're all divining rods.
I watch quite a few reviewers and you all have different styles and because I am a bricks and mortar shopper in a small city I have reviews for generalities only. I bought based on what I could listen to and have serviced locally. In fact some decisions have been made on lower ends of a product ladder guessing the next or two steps up next in the company line. I enjoy your reviews and like the range of recordings used in the tests.
Subjective, objective, you nailed it on the Zu DW6's I love them and get sucked into the music for hours
Your two reviews of the Ohm Walsh speakers put me over the top to buy a pair. It was during Covid, and it took months to get them. However, they are so rock solid and perfect for my room. End game speakers for me and less than $4000.
I watch it! I appreciate the info your program provides.
I totally agree, Steve. This passion is so subjective that it's up to the viewer/reader to find a reviewer that has similar expectations and tastes. I follow mostly you and a couple others on this platform mostly due to their passion and honesty. My favorite print writer/reviewer was the late Tony Cordesman. Although I would never be able to afford his favorite gear, I had been able to listen to a lot of it first hand in showrooms and found that we had very similar tastes and sonic expectations. Keep up the great work Steve !!!
I have to call BS when a reviewer tells me the current piece of equipment he is reviewing is so much more "transparent" (or whatever) than his "end game" or "top" piece of equipment he told me about last month.
Last week.
There's a certain reviewer (3 very large windows wink wink) who seems to find gear every week that is "the best" he's ever heard.
I didn't realise sound quality could improve so quickly and so exponentially 😂
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 We might be thinking of the same reviewer who said in his last video "these amps remind me closely of the xxx I had in here a few years ago". WTF, you can remember what an amp sounded like a few YEARS ago? I seriously can't believe a person can compare sound between amps they've heard less than a hour apart.
@chrisblock6697
Sounds like the one
Is bald with a red and grey beard.
We know how long our auditory memory lasts and so should he.
But what do you expect from a guy who's has a another RUclips "paranormal" channel where he claims he's communicating with the dead via his portable hand-held radio?
Do you know about this?
Hey Steve, was this your first review that was comprised wholly of .... "So Steve, what do you really think" for the entirety of the review? But seriously, great episode that was worth pointing out and making the viewership aware of. Reviews are great but conveying a perception or understanding of exact sound to a remote audience is next to impossible. "The sound" is just a composite of daisy chained physical entities creating, adding to or otherwise altering a sound created by a source. I form an opinion of what a multiplicity of reviewers say about a product. I could still get it wrong but less likely to that way. Great job as usual Steve. Love your work.
good evening ! i really enjoy your content . i have the same turntable 1210G and parasound JC3+. have you ever experienced speaker flutter with your set up . i just purchased new speakers and noticed on some track the drivers move more then they should, table is 5 feet away from speakers and on a very good suspended isolation platform, my old speakers were sealed and i never had the grills off to notice if they were doing it . on the new speakers they are ported , down firing and i run with grills off , just hoped i could pick your brain , thank you , oh new speakers are focal sopra #3
I think most reviewers are paid salesmen. Everyone reviews the same product around the same time and gush all over them. Then I go to Skunkie and watch her open them up and point out all the areas of improvement. 😂 That said I did buy the Chinese LS3/5a you recommend and love them...
…everyone interested in those China tube amps recommended by literally everyone must watch Skunkie’s measurements of their performance at least.
I think reviewing is a very difficult job and thank you for doing it. Even bad reviewers give me an overview of features but the trick is trying to understand the reviewers tastes in music and how closely they align with your own to be able to make a determination if a piece of equipment is worth an audition. Another reviewer I watch teaches me several new adjectives with every review and every comparison to other equipment includes a disclaimer like "this year" or "in my room" (important distinctions but add another layer to decipher). Bottom line, I think reviewers provide invaluable insight and are a great screening tool.
It does help to listen to lots of reviews and read articles about audio so you can improve your "Audio Vocabulary." Then, you can easily understand and describe the sound and characteristics of music.
I first heard about the KEF LS50 Meta from your rave review. I subsequently watched and read other reviews as well. Some, like you, loved them. Others didn't think they were worth it. Sometimes, some highlighted negatives that I considered a positive for me. I ended up getting the powered version, the LS50 Wireless II. They are ideal for space limitation in my bedroom/man cave system without need for a subwoofer. Great for my favorite, classical music. And inputs for CD, vinyl, FM and HDMI Arc connection from my TV. And ability to stream radio from all over the world for free. Great bang for the buck! And I was able to get them at my local dealer. This may not match everyone's need, but perfect for my particular context.
Steve, I'm into vintage equipment and the Marantz HD 880 are the speakers. They are quite nice.
I watch for entertainment.
That's a very diplomatic way to say it's all BS!
@@parsaeye Well, manufacturers send gear to them for a positive review. Ask yourself, how many reviews are negative?
@@parsaeye well, same as watching car reviews of exotic cars (etc.) only a few people
in the world will own: entertainment. Does the general audience care how accurate such a review is if it’s fun to watch?
@@scruffy8861 My comment was a response to your post, not to the subject of this episode.
@@jasonwebb6484 Again, my post was a response to Scruffy's original comment and not to the subject of this episode. It was a sceptical response to the snake oil of Audiophile brigade who one can watch for entertainment and laughter!
It's not a matter of trust for me. I just watch a bunch of reviewers and I naturally consider agendas and motives with people's words. Any blatant BS will be obvious and it will be factored in to the big picture conclusion. I don't make my purchase decisions based on one person's assessment, and neither should anyone. Steve, you are one of the best and have been very consistent in accurately describing products of which matches my own experiences with the same. Things like this give a lot of credence to the final decision.
What counts most for me are the criteria used to weigh the performance of components, together with side-by-side comparisons. A question for Steve: do you think we need to develop more / different / better criteria to fathom the qualities of components?
I have indeed purchased items based on reviews. If Steve alerts me to something interesting, I'll read other reviews & try to find some consensus. The audiophile world has grown so much since I was 1st interested in it in the '70's & '80's! It seemed simple then-- buy a belt drive turntable, nobody needs a subwoofer, etc.
No one ever sees videos on the engineers perspective. The board layout, why certain resistors were chosen for the signal paths they were going for. How they design the tonality of what they’re looking to achieve. I do love the final product review and opinions …I have purchased based off good & fair reviews of people I believe in, that are seasoned hifi people in the hobby game & honest. If you’re honest & know your stuff and can get across to viewers that are looking to purchase or for knowledge & history/ entertainment. Keep makin videos!
What do you think about Erin's Audio Corner ?
Useful measurements and gives good perspective on listening impressions. Says it like it is in spite of manufacturer's objections and threats of litigation.
Needs to move beyond Michael Jackson and Dire Straits tho
🎶🤫🎶
Sound demos are just the most ridiculous thing ever. I cannot comprehend that anyone with any interest in audio equipment would even bring it up
You take life too seriously. It is just fun to hear the speakers which are reviewed. Everyone understands it is not HiFi.
@@cmessi but you're not hearing them, you're hearing your speakers/headphones. I'm not taking life too seriously. There's a world of difference between a reviewer showing them off during the review and an actual sound demo. Sound demos are pointless wastes of time on here and there's SO MANY OF THEM! it's maddening
@Interstate_78 But everybody understands they hear it through their own speakers. It is not that you found out. People just want to hear them. Part of the hobby/fun. And if you have sound demo's with several speakers you can absolutely hear some different characteristics of each speaker. You take it too serious. Calm down, get a kitkat.
@@cmessi I'll get a kitkat, but let's agree to disagree ;)
I remember Mike Valentine, of Chasing the Dragon fame, doing exactly what you suggested at a hifi show a few years ago. A guy who was singing and playing acoustic guitar to entertain the punters whilst they were lunching, came into Mike’s large room and played live for us. Mike recorded the piece on one of his huge Studer A8xx studio console 1/2” recorders at 30 IPS and played it straight back from the Studer through a giant Soulution integrated amp and a pair of very large speakers, possibly by Focal. The result was amazingly convincing. I think the purpose of the demo was to show how much was normally lost through the regular studio recording chain of mics, mixer, pre-amp, EQ, effects, desk, etc., etc. and miles of cables, then editing, mastering, cutting, pressing and eventually arriving at a finished album which was a million miles from the original live sound made by the guy with the guitar. So yes, it can be done, but the questions remain, how much can you afford to spend and how close do you want to get? Mike’s records are wonderful, btw.
I have to say, I bought the Pioneer Elite towers based on your recommendation. I like them, but I don’t love them. Maybe I need to pair them with different equipment?
Everything makes a difference! Speakers don't make any sound on their own, everything in front of them changes their sound. And of course your room. That's why I say it's a moving target to describe the sound of any piece of audio.
Sound is in the ears of the listener. Ultimately it’s the listeners decision, not the reviewers opinion.
I agree! If you can get to listen before you buy.
And boy oh boy, there are a lot of different ears out there!
@@EricBurbeck well spoken! I allways listen with my eyes!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac You know speakers need warmed up the coils, sound better and out of the box, speakers need run-in. Hearing before we buy? It's easy to hear wrong.
I start with having a few reviewers I trust and look at their reviews cumulatively. You are on my short list of trusted reviewers. Thanks.
Sean at Zero Fidelity is one of the most “accurate” reviewers on RUclips..He tells it like it is👍 He truly does have “Golden Ears” ✅🤗He’s not paid off to embellish or exaggerate any product like most reviewers are! Let’s hope he comes back soon..
Sean charges $3000 per review. Do you think the industry pay for anything other than a positive one?
Most reviewers get paid in one way or another.
@ , You are a LIAR!
Sean from Zero Fidelity hasn’t put out any reviews in the longest time. Rumors are that he’s got health issues.
@ , As I stated in my comment.. But he has done 10 or so LIVE Streams on RUclips in the last year👍 He also said he’s getting exhausted with review after review which is boring him too, so decided to step back awhile to enjoy more of his life.. I hope he comes back at least once a week or so.. He’s missed by 1000s..
@@bradleydurbin6784right, he’s sick of stretching the truth.
I refer to audiophile reviews on youtube/print media for equipment that I am not able to audition first hand. My speakers and amps I bought with my ears for a shop. My DAC and streamer I bought on the trust I had in long running audiophile reviews. I was apprehensive when buying on trust, but was very happy in the end. Some equipment has been produced over decades, and the reason is they are good, BUT can be forgotten in the "fizzo sphere" of youtube which is focussed on new stuff.
I'm 71 and a 'brand' fan. I enjoy Technics turntables and Pioneer amps (Spec 1 and Spec 2). The only variables have been the places I lived. Speakers are the only thing that changes because of the environment. Altec Lansing, Bose, Pioneer, JBL... I've tried many brands. I'm currently rocking some Elac bookshelf speakers with a Klipsch sub. I just upgraded my turntable to the SL-1210G with an Ortofon 2M Bronze. I seek out other 'fan boys' who like the same gear AND music. I was currently in the market for a new phono preamp... within MY budget. I used YT reviewers to get an idea of what's out there and purchased a Schiit Mani 2. Will I ever hear 'The Beatles' or 'Pink Floyd' play in my living room? Nope but it sounds damn good for these old ears. Thanks for the review Steve. Merry Christmas.
In a recording studio I once visited, they had big monitors up overhead. But rather than trust the designers, they had graphic EQ so that the sound was equalized at the engineers seat behind the console. But home users have seemed to loathe EQed speakers for many decades and Graphic EQs sell pretty cheap. Maybe because of the difficulty of using them correctly without setup equipment.
True. Back in the ‘90s i always bypassed EQ because i could never settle on a sound i liked.
Well said! Entertainment and exposure to new products is exactly why I like to watch.
I never make a buying decision based on only one review. Reviewers I've come to trust based on the quality of their reviews are mostly subjective.
I decided earlier this year to build a completely new system that was a small condo/neighbor-friendly. I probably watched a couple hundred different reviews by several different reviewers. That narrowed my choices down and then I went to dealers to actually listen to the products, when possible. I ended up with a Yamaha RN-2000A, KEF R3 Meta, SVS SB3000 Micro, Dual CS-618Q and a Yamaha CD-S1000. I relied heavily on subjective reviewers more than the technical reviewers, but both were important in the end. In a world where there are hundreds, if not thousands of choices, a reviewer is an important place to start. That being said, I do feel like many reviewers sound more like sales people, if not actual sales people. I trust you, Andrew Robinson, The British Audiophile, Zero Fidelity and of course Hans Beekhuyzen to give me an honest overview of the product, pros and cons. There are others, but my primary info comes from the five listed.
I feel like it would have been valuable to discuss, in this video, your policy of not posting neutral or negative reviews.
. Having the Audiophiliac tell us what recording is being used is great & necessary to put the gear's performance into context. Ya can't exactly say the soundstage is super when it's a mono 78 album.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass🔈🔉🔊
It’s probably a mixed bag some more reliable than others. With that said I purchased my ZU DW6 based solely on your recommendation and I love them.
How did your review of the klipsch 600m work out for you. I rest my case.
Steve, I with you on sound demos, Only thing they can achieve is hearing a difference from product A to B, but really not the sound.