[china]

Hello  Audiocircle!!!


    I want to know if it is possible for a reviewer to be "prejudice" in his or her review of a product??  What I have been told was that if a reviewer writes a good review of a product. They get to "keep" the equipment that they reviewed??  It does make sense!!
If I were a manufacturer and I wanted to sell product. Look what a good review in a "high end audio mag or rag" would do for my sales??
    Now, I do not have access to the reviewers and how they operate??  But! I am willing to bet. That there are more than a fair share of reviewers that have added 'inventory' to their personal ownership of equipment.  Look at it this way!!  They list all the items that they own use or whatever??  Start pricing this stuff and just "how do they do it???"  The other point that I wish to bring out!!  How many bad reviews have you read lately?? 
   Off the subject but still relevant, Back in the seventies, there was a reviewer for Stereo Review. I think his name was Julian Hirsch or something like that!  (Christ!! I am old and tired and cannot remember everything!!)  But H.P. of the The Absolute Sound, used to live just to jump up and down about "no bad reviews from Mr. Hirsch". To be truthful! I agreed with H.P., but I saw one bad review in the Stereo Review.That did not meet the manufacturers claims!!
   Point! I think that I am trying to make. The name of the game is different, but the game is still the same!! The other point that I would like to make or suggest. If I am a manufacturer and I buy my advertisement space and I receive a bad review on my equipment. Do I continue to buy advertisement space at these inflated prices from the magazine. Or go put my money into better avenues that will create return for the investment??  Plus if I am the magazine publisher!!  Do you think that I do not pay attention to this possibility??
So am I going to allow my "reviewers" to bad mouth some income source, for no better reason than an argument over something that did matter to begin with!!  Never matter that the equipment is good or bad or that the reviewer is right or wrong!!  Bottom line is the bottom line!!  Good old money!!!  Good old greed!!!  I welcome anyone comments and will be glad to discuss or listen to another different viewpoint!!

   Two other things that I think that are funny!!  Sort of!!  Here we are in our thirties forties and fifties. Taking photos of electronics, loudspeakers and for "goodness sake" speaker wire of all things. Then we bow down and pray to it. Like it is some mystical magical whatever. Or are we just fanatics that have gotten carried away with our wants and desires. I mean I am poor financially and so I am
envious to a large degree!!  Most of you guys or gals have equipment that I can only dream about. I live in mainland China, as this is home for now. Plus God would only know, what the Chinese would think of your "hobby or hobbies" and the expenditures??  To be honest, they would not be able to comprehend the why or what for?? They for the most part are living in poverty and have not the foggiest idea of what is out there??  Why do you think that there are so many illegals in the United States from all over the world. Being poor in the U.S. is still a lot better, than being well off back home!! Off the subject again, but, I am still amazed at the state of the world and the populace of the United States just goes on about day to day life as if it does not matter or who cares!! After all it is still the "me" generation at heart!!  Isn't it!!

   Later for the other thing that is funny!!  Sort of!!!

As always, all the best. From China


   Now!  For something that is sort of funny!!  It is about manufacturers here in China!!  For everyones information!!  Not just related to the audio field!!  From what I understand. For example try cigarettes!!!
   The Chinese government will return tax money or money that is being paid on items manufactured in China by manufacturers when the item is exported. Now this sheds new light on why there is such poor service and quality for mainland products within China, to a degree.
   Nobody likes taxes and if you can get some money back. You export products. To make a long story short. Mr. or Mrs. Chinese manufacturer becomes an exporter. They will "on" paper "export for one price" and in reality "export for a much lower number". The result is they rob the Chinese government on the taxes. (privately, not good, here in China depending on the situation, heads can roll, literally) Plus the reality is that the product is then re-imported into China and is in direct competition with their own products that was sold to "resellers" in the beginning at a higher price. (privately again, not good, destroying their own market??)
   Sort of giving an advantage to a select few and then destroying the market for the others. I was wondering how a "gray marketer" could recently advertise a well known Chinese amplifier for less than I paid for it wholesale as his selling price.
   Sort of shoots the manufacturer in the foot. (short term gains against long term goals, my opinion and just my opinion is that the Chinese business man sees about as far as the bowl of rice in front of him!! if these business people would get their heads out of their asses goodness only knows what they would be capable of??)
   Now my problem!!  Do I get in touch with the manufacturer and raise Cain!! I suppose that he knows about this and the unauthorized seller or unauthorized authorized seller!!  (privately, how can he not know as he is stuffing his pockets with cold hard cash and laughing all the way to the bank or if he is really smart to the offshore bank?) They both profit from this arrangement, I would think!!  The manufacturer claims he knows nothing and the grey marketer makes a sale. If something goes wrong with the product. Who cares!! The manufacture is doing his "who me act", the reseller is saying "ship it back to me act" and the other authorized agents are jumping up and down for joy, because Mr. Consumer is getting his just rewards for not buying in an authorized location. Mainly their place of business.
   A short term solution for a problem that will bite someone later. But as long as the money rolls in or out!! Who cares!! Later there may be bigger problems, but we will just let someone else fix them or take care of that.
   My own personal thoughts, I being an American. This sort of sounds like some things back in the States. Who cares?? Let somebody else take care of it!! Sort of like the mess. That we are leaving our children and their children. Here is the bill for the great meal (deficient spending) Now you pay for it kids and gee!! Thanks for all the help!! By By for now and we gotta go and be sure to have fun!!
   The name of the game has changed but it is still the same game!!!
    My question is??  Will people ever learn???  Any comments!!

    As always, all the best. From China!!

[LightFire]

One thing I know. if you want to read stupid reviews read Stereophile magazine.

[ZLS]

When I was a young man, we used a different name for "Industry Accommodation Prices"  We called it a Bribe!  If a person who is in a postion to pass judgement on a product is given something of value that is not available to the general public; it can be nothing else but a bribe.  To make matters worse, after a favorable review and the reviewer being given a substantial discount; the retail price is usually raised to the general public!!
    The fact that this is a normal "accepted" pratice of the industry does not make it any less sleazy.

[JLM]

Let me respond to the audio reviews related issues:

Being human, it’s all but impossible not to have some prejudices.  The reviewer may not like some musical forms that the equipment in question excels at or may not have ideal facilities (room size, clean power, isolation devices, and synergistic components) to provide the perfect conditions for review.  I’ve read lots of reviews where the equipment was or wasn’t properly broken in or insufficient time was available.  And other reviews admit they don’t normally review, listen to, or use that type of component.  Of course there are also bound to be personality incompatibilities (or a history of problems for a variety of reasons).  Also don’t forget that most of us have preferences for one type of design versus another for different components.

I’m a professional reviewer (of healthcare construction projects) and can tell you it is much easier to go along with what everyone else (except the unknowing patient) wants, than it is to be critical.  When you’re critical the offended parties (those with vested interest and who normally are in more powerful positions) demand explanations or try to just ignore the criticism.  They may try to go over your head, tarnish your reputation, or even take you to court.  If you offer praise, you become accepted (and possibly treated) as a good friend.  All reviewers should maintain professional relationships that keep communications open, clear, useful, unbiased, and stick to facts and/or learned opinions.  It can and normally is done.

The internet leveled the playing field greatly by allowing free exchange of ideas and opinions.  No longer are audiophiles held to limited information from a few magazines that only review equipment from vendors who advertise with them.  Consumers should boycott, or at least hold a critical eye to, all publications that advertise the products they review.  (So much for all those car magazines.)

Reviewers should state how they are compensated and if their relationship with the vendor goes beyond a normal, casual professional/business status.  It seems that most do it just for the chance to audition new/cool stuff and are not compensated.  They typically have “real jobs” and review as a hobby.  But you’re right, if they accept compensation beyond buying drinks or lunch it should be indicated.  I’ve read where reviewers admit that they used to sell this same brand or that he was a partner with the vendor years ago.  This is the sort of relationship that needs to be revealed.

[WEEZ]

Hello China,

You are correct, Hi-Fi is expensive. It is a luxury. Those of us who enjoy it are very fortunate indeed.

Regarding 'reviewers' and advertising; I will only throw this out for consideration: Did it ever occur to you that the reasons for 'glowing' reviews could be the result of (2) things?....

  1) The reviewer only writes about gear that is worthy?
  2) There is less and less 'bad' gear out there?

Lastly, I concur that Ming Yi is quite lovely.

WEEZ

[Cacophonix]

When I was a young man, we used a different name for "Industry Accommodation Prices"  We called it a Bribe!  If a person who is in a postion to pass judgement on a product is given something of value that is not available to the general public; it can be nothing else but a bribe.  To make matters worse, after a favorable review and the reviewer being given a substantial discount; the retail price is usually raised to the general public!!
    The fact that this is a normal "accepted" pratice of the industry does not make it any less sleazy.

Very well put, ZLS!
I could not have agreed more ....

[Bill Baker]

 

1) The reviewer only writes about gear that is worthy?
  2) There is less and less 'bad' gear out there?

 I have to agree here. There really is not a lot of truly "bad" gear out there. Being in the industry, I know of a few products that would have received a bad review if it made it to print but the plus side was that the reviewer would contact the manufacture to discuss the issues he/she had with the product. This give the manufacturer the opportunity to address these issues before taking a product to market rather than just publishing the review as is. I would much rather have the chance to make things right rather than having my product go down in flames buy the consumers. There are a few products on the market that were released prematurely BEFORE getting the bugs out. This is how a product gets a bad rap right out of the gate. No names mentioned.
 I think this is one way reviewers can help the industry. Corrective criticism.

 I currently have some forthcoming reviews of my products in the works. I do not advertise with these publications and have not been asked to. I would rather not get involved with the political bull &%#@. I will start advertising after the reviews are published. Even if the review is not 100% but is a true testament of what it brings to the market, I will be satisfied. One things we have learned over the years is how to read between the lines in professional reviews.

 How I read reviews.... If I can come away having a good indication of the product's character, it's sonic signature?, I am happy. For instance, if I can tell that a certain tube amp is on the warmer side of neutral, very linear, rolled off, eats tubes, yada, yada, yada, I can feel comfortable that the reviewer has done their job. After all, reading a review is simply reading yet another's personal opinion. It's really no different from getting the opinion of your next door neighbor. Just much more exposure.

 Just my 5 cents (inflation)

[fredgarvin]

I think with reviews of anything, be it gear, films, service companies, it pays to understand what the biases and preferances of the reviewer are and how they stack up against your own. Then one can extrapolate useful information from most any thoughtful review. This, really is more valuable than some Joe Blow on the web spewing venom or oozing love on his or someone else's equipment.

[WEEZ]

Hey Bill, make sure you give us the 'heads-up' on your upcoming review(s)...as you know, I really adored your 3205 Extreeme @ RMAF....

[JLM]

Bill,

I appreciate your unbiased approach to published reviews, unlike other vendors around here who publically fish for a reviewer suited to review his product.  (Why not just ask, in private, who good/favorite reviewers are, as if a vendor shouldn't already know the answer?)