Some Critic's Circle Guidelines may help:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=45439.0The purpose of a review is to provide the reader with detailed information about a specific product, thus enabling them to determine:
Whether the equipment is likely to deliver a performance that aligns with their own musical preferences and system goals
Whether the equipment is likely to integrate well with the rest of their system
Whether the equipment is likely to integrate well with their room or listening environment
Whether the equipment has other qualities that may be important to the reader, such as ease of use, good looks, good value or price/performance, how easily it can be snuck into the house without the significant other noticing, etc.
As such, it is important that all reviews provide enough context, in the form of the reviewer's environment and preferences, that the reader can draw accurate conclusions regarding the component's suitability for their own system. It is not a matter of simply stating which component kicked which other component's butt, but of providing sufficient information for readers to evaluate for themselves how likely the component will work well in their own system and room. A good review, therefore, contains information such as the following:
Why you chose to review the product at all
What you look for in an audio system (dynamics, frequency extension, detail, imaging, PRAT, tone, accuracy, emotion, looks, price, value for money, resale value, availability, warranty, spare parts, etc.)
Specifics on the component chain used to evaluate the review component
Specifics on your room size, configuration and acoustic treatment level
Which music was used during the evaluation, and why
What your favorite types of music are, and why
What evaluation criteria were used to select those other system components that ultimately impressed you enough to shell out your cash
What other similar components you have owned or auditioned, especially in the same system/room configuration using similar music
What particular strengths you felt were exhibited by the equipment under review, especially in view of your system goals
What particular weaknesses you felt were exhibited by the equipment under review, especially in view of your system goals
Basically, we want to make sure the reviews are worth something to each unique reader. A glowing, but sparsely detailed, review from someone that listens to Wagner in an auditorium using horn speakers may be extremely misleading to a reader that listens to AC/DC on his mini-monitors in a broom closet
