[es347]

Hello gentlemen,

Since it's been pretty slow here of late, I am posting links to two speaker "reviews" by Positive Feedback reviewer Jim Olson.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue20/dkdesignsf7.htm

This one deals with a speaker from DK Designs which apparently never got off the ground for a variety of reasons, one being apparently the inability to get the voicing right and the second being the obvious costs associated with building a cabinet like it had...you'll understand when you read it.  A quote from Mr. Olson is in order: I have to say that the X-Dream F7 loudspeaker system is the best that there is, the best that there ever was, and I suspect the best that there will ever be.  Are you starting to get the picture here? 

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue34/polymer_logic.htm

This review is of a speaker by the same folks but under a different company name.  This time they have eschewed the aluminum cabinet and have gone with some sort of magic "polymer" instead.  And did I mention the diamond cone drivers?  Ah yes, diamonds have always been a girl's best friend but now enter the audiophile.  No cubic zirconia here guys but the real thing...Albert are you taking notes?  Mr. Olson is equally effusive regarding this one too and I quote: I now have to eat my words and re-asses (his appropriate misspelling, not mine) my position on what is the world's best speaker.  The only redeeming thing about the "review" is his positive comment regarding the VR9s.

I googled Jim Olson and got pretty much nada so these may be the only reviews he's ever written....hmmmm. 

[steve_sf]

A good number of folks have questioned the veracity of these accounts. A search on the Audiogon speaker forum should produce relevant results.

A while back I tried to set up an audition of the Polymer Logic speakers at their supposed Miami headquarters but got the run-around so I gave up. It's not clear whether anyone other than Jim has "heard" or "seen" these speakers. My strong feeling is they don't exist.

[es347]

Heck I don't think Jim Olson exists.

[steve_sf]

Yeah, it smelled really fishy to me after looking into it, especially after reading the over-the-top reviews.

As with many audio publications, Positive Feedback staff review gear independently and so presumably it's not practical (or practicable) to vet every review. Also, it's not clear whether Jim Olson was (or is) affiliated with the people behind Polymer Logic. These sorts of questions make me appreciate publications that make an effort to spell out potential conflicts of interest in reviews -- FWIW, at least... 

[Ambiance]

Diamonds will last forever and ever!! But Jim must be the plumber in Jim Olsen Plumbing & Heating Inc, might explain the interest in all the glitter. 

A.