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   Audio mags have seem to have lost their appeal since so much info is on websites today. Are they going the way of the newspaper industry in the face of electronic media.? 

[BobRex]

I reeefuse to take a computer of any type into the "library".  There are just some times when you don't need to be connected.

[rmurray]

 I used to look forward to all the various audio publications. The last 5 or 6 years  they have( for me) generally become less respected.I much rather be on forums with people that really use the discussed equipment and have experienced ideas. Thanks . .

[Photon46]

I'm not sure that the availability of on-line audio magazines negates the validity of hard copy publishing any more or less than is the case with publishing in general. There's nothing special about the audio world in that regard. In spite of all the bashing and "conspiracy theories run wild" about corrupt audio publishers and critics, I think the fact that magazines have managed to survive the pitfalls of the marketplace and economy lends them a special place in the hierarchy of information sources. Sure, there are instances where one might look askance at seeming conflicts of interest, but I just take the judgements between their pages with a grain of salt. What does remain to be seen is how magazine publishing will survive in the future as advertising dollars are spread among more and more diverse ways of reaching consumers. Used to be that hard copy publications were the way audio manufacturers reached out and got the consumers attention. Now manufacturers have the option of online marketing and direct marketing to consumers at the audio shows that seem to be supplanting many brick and mortar shops.

[Phil A]

I can't tell you the last time I even looked at an audio magazine.  I may follow a few things online like everythingaudio.net only because I know the reviewer and know his tastes to some degree and can get something out of it.  Many people follow them and their equipment rankings without deviation - .  When my friend worked at a high end shop there were many times I was there and someone shopping would not even look at something not rated (which of course all it means it wasn't reviewed - kind of silly to me as many times something in a line was not reviewed - although a model above or below it might have been and even got a favorable rating).  Like every other profession, there are good and bad individuals in it.  What's also complicated things (vs. the old days) is that there are fewer dealers and some things are just hard to find to listen to even in cases where the dealer is authorized for a particular brand.

[Letitroll98]

I was going to post something, but Phil said what I had in mind to write.  Thanks to Phil for saving me some time and I'll just go with my vote, which was "rarely if ever".

[Rclark]

...seems like there is a market for a brand new, "respectable", printed audio publication.

[mix4fix]

I can't tell you the last time I even looked at an audio magazine.  I may follow a few things online like everythingaudio.net only because I know the reviewer and know his tastes to some degree and can get something out of it.  Many people follow them and their equipment rankings without deviation - .  When my friend worked at a high end shop there were many times I was there and someone shopping would not even look at something not rated (which of course all it means it wasn't reviewed - kind of silly to me as many times something in a line was not reviewed - although a model above or below it might have been and even got a favorable rating).  Like every other profession, there are good and bad individuals in it.  What's also complicated things (vs. the old days) is that there are fewer dealers and some things are just hard to find to listen to even in cases where the dealer is authorized for a particular brand.

I used to grab a few mags (one home audio, one car audio, etc) whenever I would travel overseas; last few times I haven't gotten any. I think that next time I go I will grab a some home audio mag (gotta have some pictures to drool over).

[Phil A]

I used to grab a few mags (one home audio, one car audio, etc) whenever I would travel overseas; last few times I haven't gotten any. I think that next time I go I will grab a some home audio mag (gotta have some pictures to drool over).

There are plenty of pictures to drool over just looking at the gallery here.  Some great systems.  I used to look more.  I just got Stereophile's E-Mail of the Jacksonville, FL show and probably if I looked at a magazine it would be for the same purpose to keep current on new products.  In the old days, I'd also find out about a new CD sometimes from magazines.  With the internet and sites like this, I get more information in that manner.  It must be almost 15 years since I last subscribed for a year and I was really disappointed.  Didn't get information about even a single CD of new music after a year and it's probably been almost 7 or 8 years since I even browsed a magazine in a store.

[Rclark]

I know we're generally discussing print mags, but I do really enjoy Tone. I really like the nostalgic articles that give me a history I wouldn't otherwise get, and I love the sense of lifestyle portrayed. It's clinical to a point, but also really enjoyable in the way a good magazine should be. After all, we read magazines to enjoy ourselves.

[PRELUDE]

I got the subscription just to read something.
I chose audio related mags on the top of playboy or car mags but I am not sold to it.
If you want to learn some thing you should look for a good book not the mag.
Mags are for big ADs and tell us what is in excitant.

[wushuliu]

I now subscribe to or follow several: the digital delivery is a big plus and as tablets and similar handheld devices become ubiquitous I believe they will make a comeback - the decline in print sales for audio has more to do with the decline in print sales for every other magazine, not loss of respect.

That said I also subscribe to several because there's only so much 'experienced' views you can handle from places like forums. After a while it just becomes contradictory and repetitive noise; at least with the magazines you have consistent tone and information (provided the writing is good).

[jaxwired]

I subscribe to TAS and Stereophile, but I probably won't continue it this year.  I don't read them like I used to.  I use the internet now.  And frankly, I'm burning out even on that.   I like chatting with other audiopiles, but I'm kind of done reading reviews. 

[SoundGame]

I grew up loving to read stereo equipment manuals and advertisements in magazines.  Loved a number of the pictures.  I remember cutting a Technics AD out of some non-audio magazine because I loved the decor:

a young lady in a mauve bathrobe sprawled casually on a couch, seemingly listening to music with her eyes closed, looked like one of those Miami beach houses with windows across one wall, a plain white wall and the couch white and the tiles on the floor large - like 20" in a white and blue-grey checker board pattern, high gloss finish.

Well, I moved eventually to audio magazines - I'd pop into Indigo and kill some time reading them.  This was a major influence in getting me to start dreaming of a high-end system.  I'd read about all the components that I never thought I'd have the cash to buy.  Well, I did finally gravitate to bigger and better. 

I still like to read magazines and reviews.  I take everything with a grain of salt but I like the writing and the technical information, the new trends, the pictures.   At present, I'm only subscribing to one glossy audio magazine in hardcopy. 

I love having a magazine in hand.  I perhaps read more online but I prefer to read hardcopy.  I just find it more enjoyable.

[thunderbrick]

Still subscribe to TAS, used to have the entire set but sold 'em.      I wish they'd do more music reviews, and stop having constant lists of "top" gear.  Still like their style, tho.

I would almost memorize the components so that when I stumbled on an estate sale item I knew what to buy.  Can rarely afford new.

Speaking of estates, years ago I was asked to evaluate a camera collection that beloved to a woman's deceased brother.  Cameras weren't anything special, but found out she had some old stereo stuff in the basement.  "Some" was an understatement!

I almost died when I saw an entire set of early tube stereo Marantz gear, mint, IN THE ORIGINAL BOXES, manuals, everything.  I couldn't even imagine the value, and this was 20 years ago.  And dozens of other components!  WOW!

[jaxwired]

The reviews in TAS and Stereophile are almost useless for selecting gear. They like everything.  There's no discrimination.  Aren't they suppose to have expert opinions?  Yet they seem to have no opinion.  Every review is the same rave.  I like What HiFi mags approach.  At least they have the balls to rate each and every item with a star rating.  They give everything a star rating as compared to other similarly priced items.  You may not agree, but at least it's a valid opinion.  TAS and Stereophile have no opinion.  5 stars all the time.

[redbook]

  The old Stereo Review got that reputation for "liking everything" equally .As I remember this became the brunt of jokes until it's demise . My favorite mag was Bryston's own Critical Aclaim . That honest collection of reviews led me to getting my amps. I like the British mags though . They keep things simple and seem right to the point. As for buying them ....rarely! : .

[DaveNote]

The reviews in TAS and Stereophile are almost useless for selecting gear. They like everything.  There's no discrimination.  Aren't they suppose to have expert opinions?  Yet they seem to have no opinion.  Every review is the same rave.  I like What HiFi mags approach.  At least they have the balls to rate each and every item with a star rating.  They give everything a star rating as compared to other similarly priced items.  You may not agree, but at least it's a valid opinion.  TAS and Stereophile have no opinion.  5 stars all the time.

There is at least one reviewer, who shall be nameless because the last time he was, James pulled the offending message, from a magazine that shall be nameless, who gave a bad review of a certain monoblock amp, that shall be nameless but would be familiar to readers on the circle.

Dave

[spinner]

 Could that be Mr. Fremer?   hahahahaha

[PRELUDE]

I think Andrew Marshall is doing a nice job in AIG.
http://www.audio-ideas.com/