POLL: Are AUDIOPHILE Reviews BS?

[@bernardodon7501]

Its the shirt, not the gear! The gear is only the backdrop for the shirts.

[@johnfisher3929]

The shirts ARE amazing!

[@eliorteza535]

Lol...

[@mchenrypeople5727]

Where’d that shirt come from? Like it!

[@davidbee8178]

@@mchenrypeople5727 the Salvation Army :-) The original purchase place must have been a psychedelia shop in his neighbourhood a few decades ago :-)

[@billwoods9302]

As UK audio review legend John Crabbe once told your old boss at Stereophile, John Atkinson, honesty will always be the best policy. A negative review may upset a manufacturer so that they break contact for awhile, but as long as your reviews are honest, you will have subscribers. As long as you have subscribers, manufacturers will return to you. Give false, positive reviews and manufacturers may be happy, but subscribers will leave. These points were directed at the publishing side of audio reviews, but I suspect there's some wisdom in that which can apply to audio reviews in other mediums, including KZbin videos. As a reviewer who worked under John Atkinson, I trust your reviews Steve. You understand the importance of honesty, in addition to having a strong passion for listening to music.

[@keplermission]

John Atkinson wow. So long ago!

[@keplermission]

Well ... if anybody is poor, you know using buses and sneakers with no brand, then I recommend used Realistic Radio Shack because it's less popular and prices are lower because demand is down on all the big brands. But nowadays all used Hi-Fi is very expensive, even AMSTRAD will fetch £hundreds in the UK. Radio Shack used custom made speakers for their own very carefully made things. I used EMI 319 with the Realistic STA-100 because it had a cone tweeter and a 13 inch woofer with an integral metal mid range. The 319 was built similar to the R.S. MC2001 that I could never buy new, they were great little speakers but very expensive back in the day. EMI 319 were not liked by most buyers but work very well with the STA-100 and not so well with the Hitachi SR-603, that looks similar but needs its own Japanese speakers. Ask yourself what would Ron Jeremy buy as a stereo system and follow suit.

[@socksumi]

It's not that their opinions are BS, it's that so many AUDIOPHILE reviews are corrupted and and trustworthy by connections to the industry. Countless reviews especially here on KZbin are just pandering to players in the audio business or supporting their buddies in the manufacturing or retail end (hello Steve). Even worse is when reviewers are paid or rewarded by companies in question to say nice things (hello Andrew). I remember in the good old days when underground audio mags refused advertising because it might corrupt the reviewing process. That kind of integrity has gone out the window today.

[@seaglider844]

This is an interesting question as I recently built up a system for the first time in decades for 2 channel listening. I did use reviews to get a feel for the components I acquired. Some of those reviews were yours Steve. But I didn't use any one reviewer, but more a group that said things that I agreed with. So that when I finally made the plunge it was around more or less consensus among the reviewers I tended to agree with. Thanks for all your work and the fun way you present it!

[@michaelwright1602]

I have a few audio reviewers that I trust, and all of them have come through positively in the gear they recommended. Steve, you are one of those reviewers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

[@j.livingston2201]

No offense meant, but let’s address the elephant in the room. Like myself, most subjective reviewers are well past their 50’s. This means their hearing is down or it’s already shot. This is just a fact of life. This is what makes it hard to take their feedback on how things sound. I watch their reviews for information about the product such as how does it look, what functionality does it have, etc. But since I can’t trust their ears to not suffer high frequency loss I rely on measurements to help me know if the speaker is right for me. Once you have heard a couple speakers and seen the data, it’s easy to know what you like or don’t and need to buy for your ears.

[@dougdavis8986]

Dork

[@davidbee8178]

Relying on measurements on speakers is a sure fire way to be disappointed long term - trust your ears rather than your reading eyes :-)

[@j.livingston2201]

@ sure but I can not afford to buy all the ones I’m interested in. So the next best thing is to look at measurements from Stereophile or the like. Plus I know how to read the data because I designed speakers for the last 35 years of my life. Not everyone knows how to do that. Unfortunately, they are too afraid to try to understand it. It’s a lot better than trusting another geriatric set of ears.😂

[@dilbyjones]

...in your algorithm. Create a new account

[@SurnaturalM]

I'm an electronic engineer with 35 years of experience (project manager for a well known company who make avionic systems) . When they do a review and I can't see the inside of a product, I don't care about what they says about it because it's subjective. I'm not an audiophile. I'm just a guy who love music and poetry.

[@scruffy8861]

I watch for entertainment.

[@parsaeye]

That's a very diplomatic way to say it's all BS!

[@scruffy8861]

@@parsaeye Well, manufacturers send gear to them for a positive review. Ask yourself, how many reviews are negative?

[@jasonwebb6484]

@@parsaeye well, same as watching car reviews of exotic cars (etc.) only a few people in the world will own: entertainment. Does the general audience care how accurate such a review is if it’s fun to watch?

[@parsaeye]

@@scruffy8861 My comment was a response to your post, not to the subject of this episode.

[@parsaeye]

@@jasonwebb6484 Again, my post was a response to Scruffy's original comment and not to the subject of this episode. It was a sceptical response to the snake oil of Audiophile brigade who one can watch for entertainment and laughter!

[@davidbee8178]

The Audio PRESS and the Audio INDUSTRY are in a quid pro quo advertising/marketing loop that keeps us audio aficionados chasing our tails ever in search of the latest "best" amp or speaker etc. that will supposedly bring us closer to THE absolute sound (which doesn't in reality exist) when most of us would be better off spending our hard earned cash on tickets to live concerts rather than spend a fortune on equipment - anything over 20K for a system is fine, no problem if one wants to go there - but that is roughly the beginning of the diminishing return really good playback curve (give or take a few thousand dollars). I've heard a 10K set up sound better than a 30K set up just because the ROOM was better configured :-) We need to go to live concerts if we want to stop chasing our audio tails! And besides, one of THE great things about live concerts is the pleasure of SEEING music being performed . . . AND getting out of the HOUSE !!! LOL

[@AndreaSantini-q8g]

Steve: open mind - no common place in his words - elegant touch - Totally embraceable

[@roberts.4261]

The problem is that reviewers don't buy products, they get them from manufacturers. There are almost no negative reviews because if there was a negative review, then the next time there wouldn't be a product, probably not from other manufacturers either, and YT business would go to hell. There are cases where manufacturers went so far as to sue reviewers if there was a bad review. No, I don't trust YT reviewers. It's more or less the same thing as advertising and selling. With artificial intelligence, things have gotten even worse, and few reviewers even write articles or make videos on their own. There are more and more of the same phrases, sentences, etc.

[@januslast2003]

Ditto for magazine reviewers. It's been like this for decades.

[@burner8959]

Untrue. Check out the DIY computer building sector. Plenty of reviewers getting sent bad products, calling them out and still getting products for review. Some even get CEOs to come on their channels because of it. Your thought process keeps companies making bad products and keeping the consumer the sucker. Congrats on working for the company.

[@keithsnowdon8672]

A problem is that reviewers review new stuff. Never heard anyone mention what things are like after a few years. Or maybe I missed it.

[@aussie8114]

I trust my own judgement.

[@nukadog1969]

I have a setup endorsed by you, but crapped on by about half of online reviewers. You have to find reviewers that reflect your interests and tastes.

[@keplermission]

I'll answer Steve's question as to are they BS? Well ... a dude rebuilds speakers on YT and he got a pair of Realistic MC1201 and he just puts in other new drivers, no technician knowledge, just guesses what to fit and ... then sings their praises, well. Is it BS? Probably but you know, he might have been lucky so far.

[@Harrisongrey19]

@@keplermissiongo away, your all washed up here with your mouth diarrhea.

[@stuartmartin3408]

If you only listen to reviews that reinforces your opinion then it’s pointless 😂

[@Harrisongrey19]

@@keplermission you are a muppet

[@chrisbreaktherules]

No, you find reviews that are unbiased. Not ones that reflects your tastes lmfao.

[@thelawman4684]

I watch audio reviews largely for entertainment, and to see different products, but I have occasionally bought a product purely based on reviews. Most recently, after my ancient NAD 214 power amp died, I bought the new "remake" Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amp, based on your and two other reviews. I was persuaded by the fact that the descriptions of the sound - realistic midrange, liquid, weighty in the base - were similar across all of the reviews, and was exactly what I was looking for. And yes, I love the amp!

[@knotslip8862]

Yeah, it's complicated. What matters? The associated equipment (source, amp, pre-amp, speakers, connections), the room (volume, dimensions, treatments, materials), the listeners ears, the placement, the music and the quality of the recording, and probably several that I've missed. So the best option, read/watch many reviews, audition if you can and then test it out in your own room with your own equipment. I wish I lived near more high end dealers but I dont so I have to wing it sometimes....I'm pretty happy with my current 2 systems but always looking to upgrade. Thanks for the video!

[@bf0189]

I trust you more than other reviewers for the simple reason of you having a wide taste in music like me. You don't exclusively listen to obvious stuff that everyone knows. That's why I respect you because the music is first and how it sounds.

[@Justwantahover]

And he's subjective.

[@mikehuntington4440]

I trust the measurements, and not the reviewers. But I feel the same way with any audiophile I talk to about how "good" something is. So no biased towards "reviewers" per se... But I still do enjoy watching reviews here and there.

[@stimpy1226]

So why the hell are you watching this? Measurements are full of shit. It’s what your ears tell you, not what Gene tells you. He’s even afraid to take Ted Denny’s offer to fly him out to Synergistic Research, pay for his flight, pay for his food and lodging, challenging Gene to do an AB test. Why is it that at mostly all of the audio shows that best rooms in show have asked Synergistic Research to come in and normalize the room? Bullshit on you man.

[@Tahitian58]

I bought the Buchardt S-300’s based on your and several other reviews. You all were spot-on. Great speakers!

[@mediascapes2011]

For me nothing beats the system of the day you showed from Cuba.

[@TriAmpMyFi]

Agreed. The Cuba guy's system is inspirational...... given such oppression.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

I bought Cornwall IVs based on your reviews. Very happy. Even though Danny form G reviews etc hate them. Used with a Luxman 507z it is really nice

[@markrigg6623]

Dont take any notice of Danny. He's the self appointed gatekeeper to all things audio , and much of what he says is absolute rubbish. Very glad you trusted your own judgement, so many people love their Cornwall iv.

[@junsantos9629]

Hi Steve! I enjoy watching your videos. I find that I am more likely to buy a product when it is endorsed by several reviewers whom I have been following for quite some time. It seems that I get to know their tastes better the more I watch their reviews. Also, I tend to trust a reviewer's opinions more when we share the same opinion about a product that both of us have heard in person. The bottom line for me is that many reviewers, yourself included, perform a valuable service to the audiophile community. Thanks.

[@PJJTremblay]

Bought my Emotiva Basx TA2 based on your review ... so very happy!! Keep up the great work !!

[@bbfrid88]

I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm about audio gear and music, Steve. Speaking of interesting products, I remember reading a review you wrote about an inexpensive system that included a Tivoli Audio Radio and Antique Soundlabs tube monoblocks...maybe in the late 90s. Those Antique Soundlabs monoblocks sounded so good...and I still have the little blue radio although I don't use it any more.

[@JerryFerreri]

Reviews from this channel are not BS. Steve’s reviews are an ideal reference for who wants to know what is worth your attention out there in terms of gears. You leverage his experience and expertise to narrow down what might be your gear of choice. But the decision is always yours.

[@ChuckHeinze]

I watch it all. EVERYTHING! I listen and decide on the content. I will say that when you look at the big picture, throw the highs and the lows, it generally works out. I enjoy your reviews. Happy Holidays Steve and Mrs. Audiophiliac em coming.

[@jeffreymayer8550]

I have bought two items COMPLETELY based on your reviews, as I wasn't able to demo the items myself (Original Elac's from Andrew Jones and an Onkyo CD player you reviewed years ago). I've been very happy with both. Most of the items you review, I'm unable to afford, but I still listen to the reviews!

[@the5chord]

Of course they are BS but I am still watching them

[@meutubedou]

Sean at Zero Fidelity is one of the most “accurate” reviewers on KZbin..He tells it like it is👍 He truly does have “Golden Ears” ✅🤗He’s not paid off to embellish or exaggerate any product like most reviewers are! Let’s hope he comes back soon..

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

Sean charges $3000 per review. Do you think the industry pay for anything other than a positive one? Most reviewers get paid in one way or another.

[@meutubedou]

@ , You are a LIAR!

[@bradleydurbin6784]

Sean from Zero Fidelity hasn’t put out any reviews in the longest time. Rumors are that he’s got health issues.

[@meutubedou]

@ , As I stated in my comment.. But he has done 10 or so LIVE Streams on KZbin in the last year👍 He also said he’s getting exhausted with review after review which is boring him too, so decided to step back awhile to enjoy more of his life.. I hope he comes back at least once a week or so.. He’s missed by 1000s..

[@jamesschneider3828]

@@bradleydurbin6784right, he’s sick of stretching the truth.

[@jonathanscull7712]

Another great video Steve, and your points about reviewers are the same we had in the 90s, find someone you trust and go with them.

[@friendlydude4553]

I appreciate your info on products and music, plus I like your personality. This is why I watch and support you. You have turned me on to lots of cool stuff! ❤

[@OgamJan]

I see what you mean that your taste has to align with that of the reviewer. My approach is to read and listen to as many reviews as I can and find the commonality in them to get a clear picture of what the product has to offer. That and try to read what isn't there, some less desirable truths about the product tend to be glossed over. Happy holidays Steve. Thanks for another year of interesting audio reviews.

[@danwheetman6914]

I have watched a lot of different reviewers. When they are like you, offering their take and reminding those watching that it’s an opinion based on your experience I get a sense of the product. You offer as much what you find great about it as what you didn’t like. As you always point out opinions may vary. I find them to be a great starting point. Thanks for your honesty.

[@LouStewel-rd7po]

Are audio reviews BS? Absolutely. Including yours. You NEVER say anything negative about a product.This being said, your show is very entertaining. Happy new year,

[@chrisblock6697]

My understanding is Steve just sends it back without a review if it might be negative.

[@brunohebert1351]

@@chrisblock6697 that's what a majority of reviewers (in any domain not just audio) are doing. If they were doing it, products would stop coming for review. So, if you're looking for reviews for a specific product and can't any or very little, it's a sign that the product might not be what it claims to be.

[@chrisblock6697]

@@brunohebert1351Not to mention all the potential legal actions that are sent to reviewers (or repair guys) I’ve heard about lately for an even moderately negative review. Seems these manufacturers want to ruin their sales (at least they have for me).

[@PDCRed]

And if you watch often enough you'd realise he doesn't publish reviews of gear he doesn't like.

[@gaza4543]

@@chrisblock6697then that’s dishonesty. You can give negative reviews as long as it’s tactful and you do t bring the company down with one review. No product is perfect everything has a comprise.

[@stefansoderstrom6743]

I follow 3-4 reviewers who's taste get close to my own, primary out of product interest. With so many products on the market, a review can be a helpfull tool, awakening your curriosity and digging deeper for more info, sometimes triggering a new purchase. I don"t always agree with your taste, but I love your passion and your honest down to earth way of presenting things. After all, we all have different taste and thank God for that. How else would we discover new things. Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays. 16:46 Are audiophile reviews BS. No

[@LarcR]

I never make a buying decision based on only one review. Reviewers I've come to trust based on the quality of their reviews are mostly subjective.

[@jannotjerome6552]

I've bought the PAP Duet 15 because of your review, but not only, i've been more generally convinced by your thoughts about open baffle, by the fact that we pay for the HP and not only for the wood. I'm very happy with them.

[@janeinnoho1]

This was a spot on, perfect rant to end the year. Thank you! I will be joining your patreon. I love your presentation, passion for audio and of course your style in all your videos.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Nice to hear, thank you so much

[@williamdirks5805]

Depends on the reviewer. Whether it's a print review or online, I've noticed you have to pay attention not only to what the reviewer says, but in the case of less honest reviewers, also what they DON'T say. If they avoid talking about a specific function or some aspect of the sound -- and they can do that very cleverly -- you'll find out what they were trying to avoid after you buy it. And some reviewers have multiple high-end kilobuck amps and DACs and cables at their disposal, and they'll find one that overcomes the weakness of the speaker in question, and while they may mention that it's lacking bass for example, they'll still give it their top rating -- because they can make it work with their million-dollar setup. And others use clever language to make something sound like a really good deal and end the review on a high note. There was an old Stereophile reviewer who would always end with some kind of BS like: "It's more than twice as good as speakers that cost less than half as much, and if that's not a bargain, I don't know what is!" So tired of MOST reviewers. You have to read and listen to multiple reviewers, read the online forums, learn the measurements, and learn what kind of sound you yourself like -- clear and detailed, or rich and weighty --- and go for that.

[@chrisblock6697]

I have to call BS when a reviewer tells me the current piece of equipment he is reviewing is so much more "transparent" (or whatever) than his "end game" or "top" piece of equipment he told me about last month.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Last week. There's a certain reviewer (3 very large windows wink wink) who seems to find gear every week that is "the best" he's ever heard. I didn't realise sound quality could improve so quickly and so exponentially 😂

[@chrisblock6697]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 We might be thinking of the same reviewer who said in his last video "these amps remind me closely of the xxx I had in here a few years ago". WTF, you can remember what an amp sounded like a few YEARS ago? I seriously can't believe a person can compare sound between amps they've heard less than a hour apart.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@chrisblock6697 Sounds like the one Is bald with a red and grey beard. We know how long our auditory memory lasts and so should he. But what do you expect from a guy who's has a another KZbin "paranormal" channel where he claims he's communicating with the dead via his portable hand-held radio? Do you know about this?

[@JayValancy]

As usual, your perspective is clear eyed and intelligent. You Tube is for entertainment and information. And, you, Steve, are one of the most entertaining and informative You Tubers! Keep up the great work!

[@johnruppert5630]

Sound is in the ears of the listener. Ultimately it’s the listeners decision, not the reviewers opinion.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I agree! If you can get to listen before you buy.

[@keplermission]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac In Los Angeles no seller played records or CDs but had the means, they played their own choice and one time I asked the salesman to hear my choice and he picked up the CD case and put it close to his ear for a few seconds, putting it down gently afterwards on the desk as he concluded: "It sounds real good!" Now that was one mean sense of humor that he had.

[@steven3557]

I went to and purchased from Van Alstine due to your review on the SET 120 Control amp. But I ended up with the Transcendence 10 all tube preamp and SET 120 SS amp combo(cause I could not go full SS) and have been totally enjoying them. Van Alstine, I find to be a in Build quality and sound a Major bang for the buck. Thank you Steve... The real Audiophiliac, except no substitutes.🤣

[@jazzandcocktails7]

The problem with KZbin reviewers is conflict of interest. Nearly all KZbin reviewers rely on manufacturers and distributors for review samples. So a negative review may lead to a cutoff. Even worse, they rarely disclose whether they have to return them. Does the reviewer intend to sell this review sample? How can I trust him? Then there are the collabs, which create an even greater conflict. The only reviews that got around this were Consumer Reports who bought retail examples, didn't accept advertising, etc. But they are not a source for audiophiles. Back in the day I trusted Absolute Sound. Largely on the basis of the reputation of the reviewers. I do trust your reviews based on your extensive knowledge and experience. I assume you do not give negative reviews because you do not bother with products that do not excite you. And I often purchase music you recommend. Amber Rubarth, The Concert Sinatra, etc. Maybe an affiliate link for music would be a way to monetize your channel without creating a conflict of interest. I have no interest in sound demos coming through KZbin. I miss Sound by Singer where I bought my Amp and demoed Dacs. These days the options seem to be Best Buy or exclusive salons for oligarchs, so I've made some questionable choices. Keep doing what you do.

[@MC-bg7ro]

English isn't my main language, so I had to look "POLL" up. Well, that means "voting" 🙂 I certainly don't find audiophile reviews BS. The approach can be very different. What I really like about your style is, that you go beyound the equipment; mentions (with a passion) the music you enjoy. That makes your reviews remarkable. Thank you, and best regards from Denmark.

[@DonnieMulligan]

Steve, Nice topic. I believe all of these formats are helpful. The more honest info/data we get, the more entertained/informed we become. Keep up the good work. P.S.- I have used magazines/blogs/threads/ and videos reviews for purchases. There might be a larger percentage of viewers like me than you think.

[@ronjmeneses]

Great topic Steve. I've followed your channel for some time now and feel comfortable with your approach to reviews. When considering a purchase, I generally try to find some consensus among reviewers I trust. Your comments over several videos about the Zu DW6 speakers, along with other reviews, made me feel comfortable trying out a pair just a couple of months ago. I am so happy with that purchase. I find them to be very enjoyable to listen to in my system. Roon - Qobuz - Denafrips Arce streamer - Denfrips Enyp 15th DAC - Musical Fidelity M2si integrated - Zu DW6 Superflys. Great synergy among those components. Thanks.

[@Thorghalabbot]

What do you think about Erin's Audio Corner ?

[@chrisblock6697]

I remember some of the first words I heard at an audio store that must have been back in the late 1970's when I first got into this hobby. I was questioning the salesman about a moderate review for a piece of equipment he was trying to sell me... "Opinions are like as.ho.es, everybody's got one".

[@patrickgeorge141]

And everybody else's stinks! Lol

[@keplermission]

A salesman just tries to sell you the slow seller. You know, ask him what to buy ... the one nobody else is buying.

[@petervlaminck2960]

Steve, I’m all in with ya. You’re THE number one reviewer for me. I bought a lot of gear after seeing your reviews and was never dissappointed. Thank you so much for doing what you do.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

That's great, thank you!

[@rmzidann]

Are they BS? Some are; some are not. Old Guy HiFi is a very informative and good new channel IMO. I did decide to DIY the Nelson Pass Amp Camp Amp, using a pair in mono-block mode, somewhat based on your review a few years back. Very happy with this 15 watt pair of class A amp. 👍 Another good channel is Pear Acoustics with Harley Grove (sp?). I go with subjective opinions; not really interested in the measurements! 😉 (Btw, Steve Deckert owes you an amp, most definitely… lol)

[@bradleydurbin6784]

Old guy Hi Fi is cool.

[@keplermission]

It's 5 watt not 15 watt. You know five watts not fifteen?

[@rmzidann]

@@keplermission It’s actually 7-8 watts in stereo and about 15 watts in mono. If you are listening at 70-80 dB levels, you will never go above 2 watts… so plenty of headroom. But thanks.

[@Mravirtuoso]

I start with the music; do I dig the same or similar music as the reviewer, has he/she turned me onto some new stuff and brought me back to some recordings I may have forgotten. Over time the type of equipment reviewed starts to make sense in context of the music. Should I consider an upgrade and what to upgrade and how much to spend? These questions will work themselves out while I'm still enjoying my current setup.

[@jamesamberg623]

With Siskel and Ebert you could watch the review, and later see the movie, and find out if you agree with the review. Over time you learn what you can trust. I know no one who can buy enough audio equipment to be able to judge the accuracy or quality of an audio reviewer. So why do I listen to reviews? Entertainment and passion.

[@winstonmcgill6667]

Subjective, objective, you nailed it on the Zu DW6's I love them and get sucked into the music for hours

[@trevorbartram5473]

Hi Steve, thanks for your openness & honesty. I have a few recommendations before investing in equipment: 1. For a reality check, have your hearing cleaned & checked before embarking on listening tests. If your hearing is poor, it's time to ask yourself how much enjoyment are you getting? If it's still a lot, then move to 2. 2. For reference, attend a couple of acoustic concerts (orchestral & small group with vocals) in a hall with good acoustics. 3. Either use dealer (& if possible home) demos or a concensus of online reviews in making a decision. 4. Be prepared to experiment long & hard with speaker & listening positions in your room to optimise sound. 5. Relisten to all your favorite music & try not to be hyper critical otherwise you'll end up on the upgrade merrygoround. With sound demos, you're mostly correct but there are a couple of exceptions: Ron at New Record Day has built a treated shed that enables good comparisons & Erin is using the speaker impulse response (measured on his Klippel scanner) mathematically convolved with demo music to enable exact comparisons. Cheers!

[@gtrguyinaz]

Steve’s reviews are spot on… many are not…. The only other reviewers I trust are Tom at the Absolute sound…

[@cremersalex]

Something that most reviewers don't realize is that 'flat' in speakers is more about balance in mixing and mastering than it is about hearing the finest details.

[@bretspangler8717]

I trust Steve when I am looking for a new piece of gear, and so far he has not let me down, I have several of his recommended components which have elevated my audio experience and actually reinvigorated my interest in audio and the frequency that I listen to music. Thanks, Steve!

[@keplermission]

Yeah but what is your favorite record of all time?

[@Osuna..]

Yo confío en mis oídos, no en los oídos de los demás. Hace poco compré un Marantz 40n, que a muchas personas no les gusta, pero a mis oídos si. Eso es lo que vale.

[@longislandhillbilly4780]

Bought the HSU subwoofer you recommended and love it. Bought a second one and love them twice as much. Definitely an audiophile improvement.

[@goodsound4756]

Considering reviewing is a business (printed magazines) those costs have to be covered by manufacturers or distributors. Subcriptions alone are not enough. In return they expect a good review for what they are paying. Therefore such reviews are just the longer arm of the marketing department of those brands tested. You really have to read between the lines to filter out useful information. Independent KZbinrs may be a bit different, but you still have to search for criticism with a magnifying glass.

[@RathOX]

yes

[@blueriverlore]

I'm 71 and a 'brand' fan. I enjoy Technics turntables and Pioneer amps (Spec 1 and Spec 2). The only variables have been the places I lived. Speakers are the only thing that changes because of the environment. Altec Lansing, Bose, Pioneer, JBL... I've tried many brands. I'm currently rocking some Elac bookshelf speakers with a Klipsch sub. I just upgraded my turntable to the SL-1210G with an Ortofon 2M Bronze. I seek out other 'fan boys' who like the same gear AND music. I was currently in the market for a new phono preamp... within MY budget. I used YT reviewers to get an idea of what's out there and purchased a Schiit Mani 2. Will I ever hear 'The Beatles' or 'Pink Floyd' play in my living room? Nope but it sounds damn good for these old ears. Thanks for the review Steve. Merry Christmas.

[@rvbsoundfactory]

I find that you are all very reliable. I'm fortunate enough to up a high-end audio store close to my neighborhood! I have to admit, if there is a product that is in my price range. and looks good. I'll always run it by you guys to see if you have reviewed it. It makes the chase more exciting. You are in my top three reviewers. And thank you on your advice on my latest purchase LS50's Meta.

[@deanfisher1656]

Really enjoy the balance you have in your reviews. Also enjoy the music presented and the “what do I really think” moment. There are others who have too much hyperbole in their reviews. Tarun in the UK is incredible…..engineer like and very analytical in presentation…I enjoy the balance of 4 of you I regularly follow. Frankly, you match my style and taste related to what you have in your system now. Thanks

[@yachtfangirl]

There are reviewers who measure everything and base their review upon that. No sound quality. I don't trust many of them here in KZbin, but you and Stiernholm Reviews are two I can feel secure around.

[@estebana.miralles3619]

I watch it! I appreciate the info your program provides.

[@middleearthltd]

Some reviewers are shills I despise the notion that “this (component) beats other (components) costing 10 times the price” as click-bait and are clearly paid shills Most of the knocks on you are that you like everything you review but I feel that you just describe what your experience is in the context of music and pairings which makes sense to me I find your content to be excellent and watch every video Most people find a reviewer like Erin who does use measurements to be worth using as a gauge for auditioning a speaker Here in the Ozarks there is no Audiophile stereo shop so I just try things out and sell them if I don’t like them I am not attached to anything I agree there is room for everyone I also don’t get caring about how others spend their time and treasure

[@watchin-stoof988]

Yes 100%, some are more obvious than others. Steve Huff comes to mind. No matter what he gets it’s “mind blowing”. Even when going from a $25k amp to a $500 amp. Absolutely bs every single time

[@garychauvin89]

Steve I have been watching your videos and or reading your reviews for years and your opinions reflect my philosophy on sound and value. Currently have Klipsh forte 4s driven by Mac 275 tube amp that is fed directly from a refurbished PS audio direct stream dac and I just listen to the music now and love the search for new music from the streaming platform . Thanks for all you do !

[@stewartmala6520]

Hey Steve, was this your first review that was comprised wholly of .... "So Steve, what do you really think" for the entirety of the review? But seriously, great episode that was worth pointing out and making the viewership aware of. Reviews are great but conveying a perception or understanding of exact sound to a remote audience is next to impossible. "The sound" is just a composite of daisy chained physical entities creating, adding to or otherwise altering a sound created by a source. I form an opinion of what a multiplicity of reviewers say about a product. I could still get it wrong but less likely to that way. Great job as usual Steve. Love your work.

[@TimothyPoppens]

Thank you, Steve, for your objective work and commitment to your craft and audience. We rely on your extensive research and opinions. As for the naysayers, I certainly respect their thoughts, however, question their objectivity. Thanks again, Steve.

[@vincentrenaud7249]

Enjoy the holidays and happy new year Steve! Love your show, love how you do your reviews, don’t change a thing 👍

[@markkemp7608]

I bought my Klipsch RP-600Ms based on your review and very happy with them in my 10"x12" room. I don't like too much base so they work great for me. I also have the Yamaha A-S801 and Fluance RT85 based on two other reviews. For me the equipment was in my price range and it all sounds great to me.

[@jeffmpvd7689]

I watch them to educate myself but I always feel like I have a different philosophy about audio equipment than many reviewers. I'm very skeptical about many of the claims of super expensive equipment.

[@keplermission]

Well you know ... a fox tried to eat grapes from a vine but couldn't reach them. Rather than admit defeat, he stated they were undesirable. The expression "sour grapes" originated from this fable.

[@guyboisvert66]

Not at all if it isn't back by data and measurements...

[@stinkenstine]

No one ever sees videos on the engineers perspective. The board layout, why certain resistors were chosen for the signal paths they were going for. How they design the tonality of what they’re looking to achieve. I do love the final product review and opinions …I have purchased based off good & fair reviews of people I believe in, that are seasoned hifi people in the hobby game & honest. If you’re honest & know your stuff and can get across to viewers that are looking to purchase or for knowledge & history/ entertainment. Keep makin videos!

[@HappyHighwayman]

On this exact channel Steve brings in a friend running speakers using crown amps as mono blocks and claiming they're great and on Jay's Iyagi he tests the identical amp with the identical speakers and said they were bad. How do I believe either of them? I've never found solid state amps to sound any different than each other.

[@Jason_Methfessel]

The lack of measurements doesn't disqualify one from making an objective observation. I can objectively observe that my house is taller than my car without measuring. With your time in industry and skill of articulating differences, I find it highly unlikely that your reviews are purely subjective.

[@TomSherwood-z5l]

In a recording studio I once visited, they had big monitors up overhead. But rather than trust the designers, they had graphic EQ so that the sound was equalized at the engineers seat behind the console. But home users have seemed to loathe EQed speakers for many decades and Graphic EQs sell pretty cheap. Maybe because of the difficulty of using them correctly without setup equipment.

[@lordofthemound3890]

True. Back in the ‘90s i always bypassed EQ because i could never settle on a sound i liked.

[@AudioRamblings]

I think you have articulated the concept perfectly there Steve. Very well balanced analysis. Your thoughts and reviews are always great to hear. Thanks for all this years inspiring KZbin videos. Happy Christmas.🎄

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thank you so much, happy holidays to you

[@melfranklin2000]

I bought my Wharfdale Evo 4.2‘s without listening to them. That’s the first time I’ve EVER done that. But listening to several reviewers on KZbin and assimilating the commonality of their opinions, primarily, the forward mids, and the recessed highs, I was able to formulate a plan: Schiit Freya+ preamp, and upgraded (Ray 6sn7) tubes to pull those highs forward and that’s exactly what happened. …very happy…

[@2ChukBuk]

Your review of the Decware Zen Triode prompted me to order one a couple years back and should be arriving in the not too distant future. Thank you.

[@patrickgeorge141]

Certain reviewers I trust, such as you honestly. That being said I strictly listen to solid state gear. Just my preference. I only listen to cd's, got sick of all the new streamers every few months and chasing after who knows what. I just prefer the physical format. I have a cd carousel and load up 6 and hit play and do the things I like to do while it plays. I have several systems. Setting up what will be my best system into my shop. All this being said. It all comes down to the reviewer and what they offer or if they are reviewing something I am interested in. I do not care about the measurements as much as some lol. I have heard some speakers or gear some think measures horrible yet sounds great. Keep the videos coming, I do not just buy what you or others review. I use reviews as a guide to see if it interests me. Merry Christmas and keep the videos coming!

[@poturbg8698]

I find measurements helpful, when I get a chance to check out the item myself--I can't trust a reviewer to have the same preferences as I do.

[@bartrainer3916]

I don't trust any audio review. Look at the latest Tom Evans Audio scandal. More trustful are Electronic repair related channels. They are people how actually know what they're talking about.

[@davidkalil5698]

I find that Steve's reviews often align with what I have heard. So I don't think the Audiophiliac is BS at all. And I like the album recommendations and the viewer systems are fun, so I tune in anyway, even if it's a DAC or something I probably wouldn't buy. Thanks Steve!

[@patbarr1351]

I have indeed purchased items based on reviews. If Steve alerts me to something interesting, I'll read other reviews & try to find some consensus. The audiophile world has grown so much since I was 1st interested in it in the '70's & '80's! It seemed simple then-- buy a belt drive turntable, nobody needs a subwoofer, etc.

[@bernardwalter6114]

Hi Steve, I am considering the Pureaudio Trio15 for a larger and irregular listening area. Do you have any thoughts on the different center driver the offer? Much appreciated!!

[@mmmurray]

I think reviewing is a very difficult job and thank you for doing it. Even bad reviewers give me an overview of features but the trick is trying to understand the reviewers tastes in music and how closely they align with your own to be able to make a determination if a piece of equipment is worth an audition. Another reviewer I watch teaches me several new adjectives with every review and every comparison to other equipment includes a disclaimer like "this year" or "in my room" (important distinctions but add another layer to decipher). Bottom line, I think reviewers provide invaluable insight and are a great screening tool.

[@bretspangler8717]

It does help to listen to lots of reviews and read articles about audio so you can improve your "Audio Vocabulary." Then, you can easily understand and describe the sound and characteristics of music.

[@keplermission]

Yeah but ... what music do you like? Recently I came by some old records from a deceased estate and have been listening to Dolly Parton and Co (John Denver). You know ... they were in an outhouse and seemed to have grown mold as after a few plays they're getting clearer and clearer!

[@Audfile]

You do review small things sometimes but you are the poster boy for heres the script guys, its Klipsch month, did you all get your sets? Im going first.

[@oliverbeard7912]

Best to use reviews as a rough guide,to make a shortlist of items you may like to try if you can find a dealer who stocks them.Unfortunately that's more difficult than it used to be and some may feel that if they're unable to try everything on their list that they may be missing out on the perfect choice for them. With respect to objective measurements, they determine how well the product has been engineered for it's task.That's a good start, especially if certain measured parameters align tightly with subjective preferences. However,listening is the only real way to determine how you'll get along with said product(s) in your system.

[@theedgeofbreakup5192]

I watched hours of reviews Steve and ended up with an affordable system for my retirement. I kept track of the positive comments (more so the negative comments) on products by the masses on the KZbin reviews. I ended up a with Buckeye power amp, Schiit Lokius, Schiit Saga 2 and a Geshelli Labs J2 with the upgraded AK4499 doc chip. I have a large CD collection and streamer for my sources and couldn't be happier.

[@samgordon8315]

Steve I don't trust audio reviewers mostly because of you. I bought a pair of klipsch rp600m speakers after watching your glowing reviews and I just don't like them. The tweeter is just too bright for me. They do look cool though.

[@EvanCasteel-th2qs]

Sam, I did the exact same thing! Those are very bright speakers. Ended up trading them in and taking a couple hundred $ loss. At least it was a learning experience. Ended up with Zu’s and have been very, very happy.

[@chrisblock6697]

I don't click on any review that has words like "best" or is all caps in the title.

[@jctai100]

Not total BS but mostly yes. Too many variables, but maybe still a peek or maybe an impression of performance?

[@andyanderson3352]

Your reviews are always dead on perfect!!!

[@tywoodruff8578]

Steve, thank you for this conversation. You pretty much covered most of what I wanted to say. Over the past couple years I have been working on building a nice system. I had a handful of reviewers whose YT videos I watched. However, I started to see a pattern where some never had a negative word to say about what they were reviewing. I no longer follow those reviewers, as I don’t feel I can trust their reviews as being honest. Problem is (as you mentioned), it’s getting harder and harder to actually listen to components before buying, so consumers have to rely more and more on YT and written reviews to make their buying decisions. Personally I have narrowed the list of reviewers I follow to those who seem to prefer a similar sound signature to me. You are correct, the same speaker won’t sound the same in your room versus mine (also won’t sound the same as it did in the store), but if you prefer a “warm” sound and I do too, I will look more seriously at the speakers, etc that you love. Subjective versus objective? My current main speakers, a pair of 1980 Klipsch La Scalas, wouldn’t measure that well, but they bring music to life in a way I have never heard before. That being said, there are folks out there who wouldn’t think of buying anything without seeing lab tests first. Plenty of room for everyone. Sound samples? Used to look for them, not so much anymore. How were they recorded? On what gear? What about the room? Too many variables, and not the true sound of said piece of gear. At the end of the day, yes, I still trust YT reviews, but only those from a select few reviewers. Your channel is probably where I go first to see if you’ve reviewed something I’m interested in. Thank you for what you continue to do!

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

What counts most for me are the criteria used to weigh the performance of components, together with side-by-side comparisons. A question for Steve: do you think we need to develop more / different / better criteria to fathom the qualities of components?

[@stevesmith3033]

There are several reasons I can come up with why you cannot trust a KZbin reviewer or at least you have to take it with a grain of salt. If the reviewer is monetized, then their primary concern is views. Therefore, they are more concerned with constant content creation rather than meaningful, thorough and lasting reviews. Another reason is qualification. They are generally self-appointed and most seem to have very little understanding of music, what actual instruments sound like and the recording process so most seem to throw around the same meaningless and vague audiophile terms. The other reason is that the gear they get to review is generally only if they have an ongoing relationship with the particular manufacturers they review and the only way to maintain this relationship is with positive reviews that result in sales.