In defence of HiFi Magazines

kbnymets · « **on:** 3 Apr 2007, 11:36 am »

Hey Guys

Just discovered the post wailing and nashing about Stereophile. Wow, it costs a whole $10 for a years subscription. Life sure is hard!!!

Cheer up! I live in Europe and pay I think about $50 for two years of Stereophile. I also get Absolute Sound and the great UK mag HiFi+. Funnily enough, I can't afford mega expensive Aussie turntables, esoteric Japanese gear, or even the more affordable US tube amps, (wish I could). But it doesn't stop me from enjoying the articles and reviews in any of these magazines. And it doesn't stop me from buying music.

This is a hobby, not a way of life, although it helps us all get through life when it's just a little dull and dumb. The main point is to listen to the music, but the equipment can be fun too...so have fun. I learn a little something every month by reading these publications. I don't always agree...that's not a pre-condition of reading them you know? And I certainly don't understand some of the tests carried out, but maybe one day I will. It doesn't really matter.

Also, read on line e-zines Affordable Audio and Tone Audio...they are free! So, no complaints please. Now, pour a cold beer, stick on an LP or CD, and relax.

kbnymets

mcgsxr · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 12:29 pm »

Love HiFi+, but quite expensive locally here!

aerius · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 01:25 pm »

I'm at the point where hifi magazines are like Playboys, I read them for the pretty pictures. The industry updates section is but beyond that (and the pretty pictures) I'm not really getting much out of them. My problem is I can't in any magazine whose listening tastes & preferences are anywhere close to my own, which makes all the gear review worthless to me. Of course, this isn't surprising since my tastes are kinda far out there and out of the thousands I've run into on the 'net there's only a handful whose opinions & likes are similar to mine.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 02:58 pm »

Ok so let me get this issue straight some of us dont have any problem spending thousands on stereo gear but some have issues spending a little cash for a years subscription to a magazine

Hmmm, their is a simple solution for this small problem, free online forums, free online magazines period!!!!

oh their is also the library and your local bookstore where you can read for free and you dont have to buy anything. Damn you frugal people

Quote from: aerius on 3 Apr 2007, 01:25 pm

I'm at the point where hifi magazines are like Playboys, I read them for the pretty pictures. The industry updates section is but beyond that (and the pretty pictures) I'm not really getting much out of them. My problem is I can't in any magazine whose listening tastes & preferences are anywhere close to my own, which makes all the gear review worthless to me. Of course, this isn't surprising since my tastes are kinda far out there and out of the thousands I've run into on the 'net there's only a handful whose opinions & likes are similar to mine.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 03:33 pm »

Well, that was why we made TONE a free download in the first place...

There is so much gear out there, none of us (online and print mags) can
get to it all, and a number of the smaller mfrs that make some pretty
interesting stuff can always spare review samples.

But we keep trying, and we are veering off a bit offering more
music every issue, because that's why we (at least myself and
my staff) got into the audio hobby in the first place, to better
enjoy our music collection.

To those of you that are reading, we thank you!

But just curious, what are you listening to that none of us
are? Sounds interesting to me! Let me know...

I know when I started writing for TAS I was criticized
highly for not sticking to the "audiophile standards" in
my listening material, but as the late Corey Greenberg
used to say, it's not what you listen to, but it is
important to use material you are highly familiar with
as a reference!

I couldn't agree more..

kbnymets · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 04:47 pm »

Hi Guys

First, Jeff...Tone is terrific!!! Keep up the good work for us 'readers' out here in web-land.

The forums are extremely useful and entertaining, and I have started to use them more and more for advice. Not about what new stuff I should buy, but for help on how to deal with issues I have with my old and (new) old gear. I'm afraid that I've fallen for ancient idler drive turntables, valve amplifiers and wood trimmed tuners. This doesn't mean I don't lust after the latest Rega CD spinner, it just means I can have fun with old hifi and learn a little about how the darn things work. And the magazines help me in my quest. Oh, I'd love a mag to spend more time on the retired equipment that you now find going for a kings ransom for on the dreaded ebay...(and I'd love to have a quiet word with the sellers who ask ridiculous prices for very ordinary old equipment). A story: A couple of weeks ago, whilst drifting around another forum, I stumbled upon a question about an old 'Danish' tonearm. The owner eventually decided that it was **** and stuck it on ebay. As I'm in the market for said arm, I searched for it and found it. The description claimed that it had been on his turntable for years and sounded great! Lies and damned lies.

Why am I waffling? Magazines, forums, dealers...all have a place. Read and listen, and then take your ears to whatever takes your fancy and decide for yourself if it sounds 'right'. If so, you'll probably end up poorer but happier. And if it sounds like a bag of broken sea-shells you'll be a wiser audiophile. I say again, have a beer and put some kind of plastic on something that revolves. And smile!

kbnymets

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 05:25 pm »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 3 Apr 2007, 03:33 pm

but as the late Corey Greenberg
used to say, it's not what you listen to, but it is
important to use material you are highly familiar with
as a reference!

I couldn't agree more..

Corey Greenberg died? Where have I been? I loved his shaving segment on the Today show.

Steve Eddy · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 07:40 pm »

Quote from: aerius on 3 Apr 2007, 01:25 pm

I'm at the point where hifi magazines are like Playboys, I read them for the pretty pictures.

And I'm at the point where I read Playboy for the articles.

se

Steve Eddy · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 07:45 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71 on 3 Apr 2007, 05:25 pm

Corey Greenberg died? Where have I been? I loved his shaving segment on the Today show.

Mmmm. Wasn't aware of Corey having died. Perhaps Jeff meant "late" as in "late of Stereophile" instead of "late" as in "the late Aurthur Dent"?

se

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 08:45 pm »

Quote from: Steve Eddy on 3 Apr 2007, 07:40 pm

Quote from: aerius on 3 Apr 2007, 01:25 pm
I'm at the point where hifi magazines are like Playboys, I read them for the pretty pictures.

And I'm at the point where I read Playboy for the articles.

se

Good one

Steve Eddy · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 3 Apr 2007, 08:45 pm

Good one

Easy for you to say.

se

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:07 pm »

Quote from: Steve Eddy on 3 Apr 2007, 09:03 pm

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 3 Apr 2007, 08:45 pm
Good one

Easy for you to say.

se

ouch! Sorry, thought you were kidding.

Perhaps this will help - Corey's Greenberg's current activities:

http://shaveblog.com/

Warning - this could waste a lot of time if he captures your attention!

rollo · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:22 pm »

The audio rags are wonderfull. They are a informative and fun read. Enjoy the Music, Affordable Audio, Tone should be especially commended for their honest and down to earth reviews. Real people conducting relevant reviews. It does not have to cost mega bucks for a complete and comprehensive review from these guys.
Enter SteroPhile , The Absolute Sound, Hi Fi+. Without them I would not have been an audiophile. Articles on room acoustics, TT set up, System matching, and of course the equip. reviews has helped me to get where I am today.
A VERY HAPPY CAMPER. So THANK YOU you know who you are.

rollo

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:33 pm »

Yeah, last year I gave away to the recording/sound department of the local university school of music over 600lb of magazines, both home hi-fi and recording.
They included Audio, High Fidelity, Stereophile, Absolute Sound, UHF, HiFi News, Gramophone, MIX, Studio Sound, EQ, Recording, Pro Audio Review.

I have never added up all the money I must have spent on all of those over the last 20+ years, but it, coupled with the time spent reading them, if that could be considered an expense, would buy a pretty nice system.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the time spent reading as I now enjoy AudioCircles, and ... it is (partly) a hobby!

Harmon · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 09:44 pm »

"Bound for Sound" magazine has no ads in it and does not have to suck up to anyone. They tell it as it is: if a component is bad they say it is bad, if it is good they say it is good. It is an oasis among audiophile magazines. They lay the truth bare.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 10:15 pm »

I certainly get my $$$'s worth from the various audio magazines. I really like the pictures in HiFi +, but it is really expensive to import.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Apr 2007, 11:44 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71 on 3 Apr 2007, 10:15 pm

I really like the pictures in HiFi +, but it is really expensive to import.

I wholeheartedly agree. Most Audio magazines, for me have gone the way to the dinosaur in terms of questionable "objective" review categories...but Hifi+ gets my thumbs up.... extremely clear, uncluttered lay out, very stylish and the pieces reviewed there, get my audiophile saliva flowing. Just too bad that some of them are not imported to the US. Anyone who has seen a copy of Hifi+ would agree. Worth everysingle cent of the $9-10 it costs to buy in the US.

PS: Which magazine covers Naim better than Hifi+...especially after the demise of Listener mag.

Don't you like that Mike?

TONEPUB · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 06:05 am »

Me, I love Hifi + too. But between 9 bucks a pop for that, 9 bucks a pop for
CAR magazine and 9 bucks a pop for Performance BMW, this gets expensive!!

As for Corey Greenberg, sorry about that, I did mean late as in no longer
writing for hifi magazines....

To the best of my knowledge CG is still alive and well, he even sent me
an email telling me he liked TONE around issue 5! I really was pretty excited
about that.

When I started working for The Absolute Sound, Robert Harley asked me
who my favorite audio writer was and I said CG. He got a little nervous
at that point.

When they sent me to CES in 2005, I asked Robert if I could drop some
acid and do a Hunter S. Thompson "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"
spin on my CES coverage and talk about how the speakers looked
like giant Gumby's.

To which Robert said "I think that's a bad idea"

So much for my illustrious career at TAS...

rollo · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 02:56 pm »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 4 Apr 2007, 06:05 am

Me, I love Hifi + too. But between 9 bucks a pop for that, 9 bucks a pop for
CAR magazine and 9 bucks a pop for Performance BMW, this gets expensive!!

As for Corey Greenberg, sorry about that, I did mean late as in no longer
writing for hifi magazines....

To the best of my knowledge CG is still alive and well, he even sent me
an email telling me he liked TONE around issue 5! I really was pretty excited
about that.

When I started working for The Absolute Sound, Robert Harley asked me
who my favorite audio writer was and I said CG. He got a little nervous
at that point.

When they sent me to CES in 2005, I asked Robert if I could drop some
acid and do a Hunter S. Thompson "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"
spin on my CES coverage and talk about how the speakers looked
like giant Gumby's.

To which Robert said "I think that's a bad idea"

So much for my illustrious career at TAS...

Well Corey was correct about your publication. It is fresh and easy going. Keep up the good work.

rollo

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Apr 2007, 03:31 pm »

Quote from: Bemopti123 on 3 Apr 2007, 11:44 pm

Quote from: mcrespo71 on 3 Apr 2007, 10:15 pm
I really like the pictures in HiFi +, but it is really expensive to import.

I wholeheartedly agree. Most Audio magazines, for me have gone the way to the dinosaur in terms of questionable "objective" review categories...but Hifi+ gets my thumbs up.... extremely clear, uncluttered lay out, very stylish and the pieces reviewed there, get my audiophile saliva flowing. Just too bad that some of them are not imported to the US. Anyone who has seen a copy of Hifi+ would agree. Worth everysingle cent of the $9-10 it costs to buy in the US.

PS: Which magazine covers Naim better than Hifi+...especially after the demise of Listener mag.
Don't you like that Mike?

Of course I do! Not only do they cover Naim, but Hi-Fi + approach the review with an understanding of what Naim's philosophy is. I don't get that same sense of understanding from the US rags, but it could just be Brit writers are more aware of their own UK manufacturers.