Reviewing the Reviewers - and the decline of HiFi


I know that Arthur Salvatore has an ongoing tirade with Michael Fremer, and whilst I don't wholly share his views so far as Fremer is concerned, I support the sentiment that reviewers themselves ought to be themselves reviewed.
I say this after having read another 6Moons review that basically says that the item they have reviewed is the best thing since sliced bread. With the exception of HiFi news - and that was about 7 years ago, and HiFi Critic (which is regrettably not distributed very widely as yet)- none of the magazines ever criticize products.
This may well explain why the industry is in such decline. Let's face it in the United States Breitling made more than the whole of the US HiFi industry put together! Think I am mad? Well think on this cars sell, and continue to sell well. New cars are by and large a luxury, because we can recycle old cars, but we convince ourselves on their necessity. Car reviewers are unfettered by the need to give wet reviews. The buying customers are therefore not forced to listen through the BS of a review to get some real and genuine information.
Manufacturers also have to wake up and not be so hypersensitive of any genuine comparative criticism - it leads to product improvement. The reviewing industry should get out of the habit of expecting 5 star reviews when they lend equipment to magazines for 'extended periods'. let's face it - most people see hifi and music as coming out of white ear buds, computers, and mobile phones.
lohanimal

Showing 1 response by jjrenman

If one just looks at reviews as a jumping off point and do their due diligence (homework, footwork, inquiries) and stop relying on others to gift them the answer to their prayers, than all would be well in the world.

We've become a spoon fed country and rarely look beyond what's told us. Critical thinking seems to be in short supply these days.

Couldn't agree more. To many people fall into the trap of believing that a review from a "consumer" supported review is somehow free of not only the manufacturers advertising bias but the reviewers bias and prejudices as well. Reviews of either type are the starting point, not the end point in deciding on a purchase.