Stereophile and the love of hotel decor


I often appreciate the Stereophile review of industry shows but one thing that always bothers me is the choice of images. They often lead with a full-system image which is usually 80% hotel curtains and rugs.  That is, there's a speaker in the left, the system in the middle and another speaker on the right.  That's fine but if you look at the image as a whole, the area of the image that is covered by gear is about 20% or less.  The rest is invariably 1980's hotel curtains and rugs.

Once you see it that way there’s no going back, your eyes see the curtains and rugs forever.

I really wish they’d focus on more interesting close-ups or even montages.

erik_squires

I hear you....if I can't be there to hear them, it would be nice if they focused in on the speakers and gear, then the back drop.

PS - Also, I am not trying to complain about how audiogoners decide to decorate their homes.  If 1970's faux wall paneling goes well with your 1990's black oak speakers and your Technics stack, more power to you. 

I'm just saying I wish Stereophile pictures would focus on the gear and less on the hotel room.

Doesn’t everyone still have Burnt Orange shag carpet throughout their homes?😁😁

Doesn’t everyone still have Burnt Orange shag carpet throughout their homes?😁😁

 

Only in the sexy rooms. 

Stereophile should disclose their major investment in the Hotel Curtains R’ Us franchise. Their selection of rugs is still a mystery to me.