Some famous reviewers have atrocious listening rooms!

Reviewers exist primarily to promote product.

I can hardly think of a single review which came close to describing what I later heard in person. [OK, Alvin Gold reviewing the Ruark Prologue ll's, but even there he forgot to mention their sibilance).

The great majority of products that received glowing reviews turned out to be crushing disappointments in real life. [fully loaded Linn/Naim six pack was shockingly bad when I'd been expecting near perfection]

Time and time again I reminded myself to never again trust ANY reviews.

It's the oldest adage in audio but you really do have to listen for yourself.

Decades of reading reviews lead me to arrive at the conclusion that professional reviews in audio magazines were no better than what I might find in a consumer reports magazine such as the UK based Which?

Perhaps the only way to get close to the 'gist' of what something sounds like is by conducting a comparative review?

A straight head to head or a group test could highlight the difference between products and more usefully the strengths and weaknesses of each one.

However, these types of reviews risk giving offence to some of the people the reviewer needs to stay on good terms with and appear to be becoming increasingly uncommon these days.

Some of the more honest of reviewers, Andrew Robinson for one, have even talked about the the normally taboo subject of behind the scenes politics of reviewing.

I like the way he will always come out and tell you that you will need a subwoofer when describing any bass restricted loudspeaker. This is a huge deal and should never be casually glossed over the way so many do.

He also seems to have one of the visibily better demo rooms out there as well as providing a second opinion via his partner Kristi.

It's plainly obvious that he does not have to confine his impressions to only near field listening where the room must matter less.

Herb Reichert's review of the wharfedale diamond 225's is right on! I bought them soon after reading his review. I listen mainly to my Tannoys now, but still own the 225's. For a speaker costing a mere $449, they embarrass some costing much more. He also mentions the Hana el cartridge, not so much a full review, but what he does say about it, I must agree. It Is a fabulous moving coil cartridge for the money.

@cd318 

Reviewers exist primarily to promote product.

Really?   I used to review a bit, and have known many audio reviewers.  I can't think of a single one who thinks of themselves that way, or who approach their reviewing just to promote a product.

I can hardly think of a single review which came close to describing what I later heard in person.

Maybe you weren't terribly good at, or didn't put much effort in to weeding through reviews.  There isn't a speaker I've owned or had in my house for which I haven't seen a quite accurate review. 

The great majority of products that received glowing reviews turned out to be crushing disappointments in real life. [fully loaded Linn/Naim six pack was shockingly bad when I'd been expecting near perfection]

Ah, looks like you were maybe to high in your expectations regarding reviews.

Time and time again I reminded myself to never again trust ANY reviews.

It's the oldest adage in audio but you really do have to listen for yourself.

Why did you need reminding?  Pretty much all reviewers, and most audiophiles, would tell you to listen for yourself.  Generally it makes sense to use reviews to narrow down speakers you would be interested in auditioning.  They point you in some directions.  Reviews normally aren't substitutes for auditions.

Though I can think of at least one speaker that I bought based on a review or two, since I could not audition it anywhere.  Though I already had experience with the brand and I didn't just expect to love it because I read some good reviews.  I'd sell it if I didn't like it.  It was an excellent speaker, sounded mostly as it was described in the reviews.

@prof               Thank you for talking sense.

Maybe they're reviewing based on how most people in real life would use the gear... 

it's only the minority odd "audiophile" ducks that isolate themselves in a perfect chair in some perfect little space away from the rest of the life of their homes.  

Andrew Robinson has an interesting take on this, as he does on many practical things... He has a video where he discusses his ten biggest mistakes on his audiophile journey; the biggest mistake was the dedication and expense to build a perfect separate theater room... it was underused, and when he went to sell his home later, the theater room detracted from the home's appeal and ended up being a big waste of money.