do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products

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JLM

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Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #1 on: 16 Nov 2017, 02:54 pm »
I'm more familiar with the less expensive end of the audio spectrum, but I'll say it again:  There has never been a better time to buy good sound reproduction.  With Tidal making all the presumably illegal rips (folks that have 1TB or more that represents over $100k in music) largely obsolete, $200 MQA DAC's (Meridian Explorer 2), and active speakers like JBL LSR305 (street price $260/pair) a very fine system can be put together for under $500 USD.

Product cost has never been a guarantee of quality, which is still true today.  The wealthier (and perhaps DIYers) are more susceptible to the "emperor's new clothes syndrome" than the more blue collar among us.  And after nearly 50 years at this I still haven't found a tweak that actually works.  And buying into the latest digital trend or product is still a crap shoot.

But overall I'd agree, but that's not to say that there isn't still duds out there.  Companies go out of business (some very quickly in this time of fast paced change).  Quality control has improved but can still be iffy (especially with no nearby dealer and the pressure to build with cheap labor).  Of course sometimes products don't just synergize.  And occasionally a product is simply a flop (in terms of sound, design, or build quality).  And IMO vendors at audio shows routinely lay some of the biggest eggs in the industry with hurried, ill prepared setups of good gear. 

maty

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #2 on: 16 Nov 2017, 03:32 pm »
"emperor's new clothes syndrome"

 :icon_lol:

Talking about JBL LSR305, is "old" class D -> ALL have the same problem with the tweeter: the highs are not natural. To listen commercial music, films... is not a problem. But if you are one of the few who enjoy jazz, a good vocal with acoustic instruments very well recorded .... there are better active speakers but not so cheap.

maty

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #3 on: 16 Nov 2017, 03:35 pm »
From somewhere over the rainbow:


The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Most Stereos Last updated: August 15, 2017, Chris Heinonen

-> http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/


I like:

KEF LS50 Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wWbDuGfEV0

KEF R300 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBOdkPHZb68

Wharfedale Diamond 225 Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytvtJfIfJcw

Wharfedale Reva 2 Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBcN6anVmvY

Q Acoustics Q3020 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MOPH8lRqOc

JBL Studio 230 Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlKw_sNjhS4

JBL Studio 530 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vB7sPndr3A

Polk Signature S15 American HiFi Speaker Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC9ms9BFWxg

Pioneer BS22 Andrew Jones Design Bookshelf Speakers Playing Evie Sands

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlD9Qvbsro0

Klipsch RP160M Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmIO7Tjuf5k

SVS Ultra Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgB3CaPE42E

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-7AcN0mscY


I do not like:

Dali Zensor 3 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-0yLqAPQC4

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NMqaB78aA8

B&W 685 S2 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZnqAz-Bl8Y

Canton GLE 436 Bookshelf Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WldYzWUTYqE

ELAC UB5 UniFi Speakers Sound Demo (Rock)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njHhNlRZpIw


maty

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #4 on: 16 Nov 2017, 03:35 pm »
The theme of the demos, to “compare” with your speakers.

Evie Sands. While i look at you .1999. M4A 128kbps, with the same audio quality

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZfqeCz4z4



KEF Q100 + Arcam IrDac + Exposure 1010 (TEST 1)

-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znLi4gfztwo

Very good sound but with my cheap tweaks the sound is better.

maty

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #5 on: 16 Nov 2017, 03:44 pm »
Better than JBL. Class D with DSP.

Eve Audio SC205 vs Genelec 8030

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XclSUcvXDc



Your/our apreciated Neumann KH120A, with class AB (chipamp)

Neumann KH120A vs Genelec M030 Adam A7X Studio Monitor Review Comparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZn9alsmSNE

gene9p

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Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #6 on: 17 Nov 2017, 02:52 pm »
remember when buying Pioneer's  'ELITE" line  really meant something.     :thumb:

Wind Chaser

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #7 on: 17 Nov 2017, 06:02 pm »
Haven't read the article and not sure of the definition genuinely bad products, but does Bryston make any genuinely bad audio products? Did Bryston ever make any genuinely bad products?

timind

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Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #8 on: 17 Nov 2017, 10:48 pm »
Yes, but I'm not naming the company on my list as I don't want to offend anyone. Also, it's just my opinion which means nothing to anyone other than myself.

*Scotty*

Re: do-audio-companies-still-make-genuinely-bad-products
« Reply #9 on: 17 Nov 2017, 11:29 pm »
According to my friend who has been a audio circuit designer for over 30 years, the idea is to catch the mistakes before they get out the door. This means a lot of circuit iterations and a great deal of critical  listening tests.
 The experience necessary to recognize when a circuit needs to be improved upon is hard won. You have grasp the idea that even though it measures well it still doesn't cut the mustard.
  Time is money, especially to big corporations and a product development cycle may mandate that a piece of gear has to be ready for market by a given date. Smaller companies may not require as much product churn to keep up momentum in the marketplace and may be able to put more time into R&D before the product hits the door.
Scotty