💊The Rise Of The Modern Day Audio Shill

[@peregrinus4760]

This video demonstrates that a negative critique made intelligently and by one who loves the community he is speaking to can have a true positive effect. This is a great conversation and a necessary one. Thanks for including my comment -- you do me honour sir.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

My pleasure man! It was a great comment :)

[@rehakmate]

I always critisize things, some people call me too critical, but when I say something is good they know it's real.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

That's how it should be! Because it's almost impossible to gauge whether or not someone really likes a product if they like all or most of them. Being lukewarm is not an option and I'm going to do my best to make it as black and white as possible; i.e. buy or don't buy.

[@harrybaque5502]

I stopped using the affiliate links a while ago. This is the only way to stop their bad behavior, alas I am few and the sheep are many…

[@HomeStudioBasics]

It's tough because I'm still an affiliate and rely on commissions as a means of income, but I never want to sacrifice my integrity for the sake of a quick sale.

[@Alex-underground]

Thanks again, you are completely awake. Like most people 90 % talk blah blah blah. Only a few people like you in this world know what they are doing and when they talk it make sense. Most companies sell the same trash with another f*cking number on it. But that is what people want : blah blah blah talk and trash products. Comments on youtube with popular and blah blah blah talk get the most reactions and likes.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

xD Happy New Year my friend! How are things going?

[@Alex-underground]

@@HomeStudioBasics Hey friend! Happy new year for you too. How things are going? Ups and downs. I have had some really bad days, but I concentrate on the good things. How are things on yoour side going?

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Going well for the most part. Can't complain! Same as you good and bad days.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Contemporary critical reviews are basically giant love letters with a few caveats. They exist to keep the general interest and levels of consumption up, not too critically analyze hardware.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

That's exactly right. Nowadays, basically, any product is a good/decent purchase. The reviewer always does his/her best to frame it in such a way where purchasing is always feasible in some sense.

[@matiasfleker4804]

Great video! This also could go hand in hand with the consumer insatiable and unreasonable quest for perfect audio. I mean when does it stop. I was pondering on it for a while and finally stopped the audio purchase mania. For the moment im looking more at how records are bing mixed and which ones have better dynamic range, than what audio gear should play better music quality. On the dynamic range topic found out dad rock kills it! Ahahah billy joel, roxy music, dire straits all good examples.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

I mean we should all learn to enjoy the gear we already have, instead of desperately seeking reasons to replace it or add to our collection. An american, I've been raised on consumption as one of the most American things you can do! Add to that an audio file hobby and an addictive personality and it's a recipe for disaster!

[@HomeStudioBasics]

You really start to get it when you're a reviewer and constantly receiving gear. I remember when I was super excited about receiving the Magni/Modi back in 2016 for my own setup. Those days are long gone lol.

[@hififuture]

Keep up the good work 👏 👍 💪

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Thanks so much man!

[@KeithJCarberry1]

one consequence of the rise of the youtube reviewer is that there is not even an ostensible structure to weed out shills and opportunists, and the youtube review lifestyle does not demand (like an employed job might) that one grow as a reviewer. not that i think employed reviewers at outlets have no downsides (they in fact have many) but it at least allows for a full separation of the money generating portion of the business from the product reviewing portion of the business. when relatively inexperienced reviewers are tasked with balancing money, views and impartiality they do so on a knife's edge. of course: companies know this and intentionally, systemically fostered this exact situation. advertising used to be so expensive, now it's as cheap as a handful of review units and carefully distributed affiliate links

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Great point. We're all basically doing their dirty work if you think about it. An audio reviewer is nothing more than an advertisement for a company or product, and a company really couldn't care less how much I trash their product or don't recommend it. All they're after is eyes on their brand. Nothing wrong with that as a business model I suppose, but it creates a lot of happy-go-lucky "reviewers" who are mostly fake underneath the facade.

[@KeithJCarberry1]

@@HomeStudioBasics its especially hard because as a music lover and gear lover, i dont actually want a house full of audio crap. i want one or two of each component and to have them for years. i dont have the time or money to investigate whether i think DACs make a difference. i know that my dragonfly red, schiit modi and all my LG phones all basically sound identical. does that mean i should flush another 500 on a nicer DAC, or that DAC tech is overhyped? no clue but i cant keep buying shit that all sounds the same

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Perfectly said. Most people won't hear a difference and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care because that difference is so marginal. I've listened to 55+ at this point for reference.

[@chungang7037]

Regarding the Utopia as an example, I would like to see a video on why it is worth the asking price over others in its price range, or even the Focal Clear (probably the next most loved headphone in the Focal lineup), with pros and cons fully listed. I still think reviews could be done this way, framing pros and cons according to what different listeners might like or not.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Here's my best shot lol. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX7Xe3WafpaGkNE

[@chungang7037]

@@HomeStudioBasics Oh I know, and to be honest your review scared the shit out of me (I also read it on your website). The utopia is available in a shop near me even for demoing, but I am afraid to go in there and try it.....leaving my wallet at home might help.

[@kevinrams]

Good argument. I like the music at the end of the vid, please keep the mixed content videos coming. BTW, how are the grandkids?

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Thanks man! Grandkids are ... learning. LOL. Little Johnny just busted open another cereal box this morning trying to get the toy at the bottom. I was reminded of my youth when I did the same thing to a brand new box and cereal all over the floor was the result. I've never seen my Grandpa so mad. xD

[@MrJason9142002]

How effin honest. I stopped watching reviewers because they never say anything bad. Steve Gutbucket is the worst. Joe and sell is another. They never say anything bad and their response to me was, I don’t review bad gear, and if you don’t like it don’t watch, in that order. Efff them marketers. It’s all they are

[@HomeStudioBasics]

The funniest part about that is most gear isn't actually "bad" imo, but if you recommend all of it then there's no objectivity left. For instance, gear can be good but not necessary, which is something I go into in the video I'm working on now so stay tuned!

[@Nosyboy_huh]

hey its the food lion kid lol

[@dann6764]

This is all facts, but as a young man in high school i really only have 100$ to waste. Times are really tuff for me and music is really the only thing keeping me alive, and after much time researching on yt my only options for the best sound quality that I can afford comes down to the audio technica m40x Philips SHP9600 Philips SHP9500 or the Status Audio cb-1. Sir could you help recommend me one for the best experience. I would be really grateful. I dont produce or make music i just want something to help me cry my self to sleep😂, my fav genres are.. Goth rock Post punk Deathrock Darkwave Synth Surf rock Indie Alt Garage Nu metal

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Hey man! We can cry, together. LOL. If you want a laugh or 2, I actually made a post on songs that make you cry haha. homestudiobasics.com/songs-that-make-you-cry/ As for your question, from that list, I'd def go with the 9500 but you may also consider the KPH30i! Check out my budget kings (CB-1 is also on that list): homestudiobasics.com/the-budget-kings-series/

[@hy7968]

AKG K371?

[@carlsitler9071]

Most reviews are infomercials and the content creator is primarily out to make a buck. Secondary, they want to share details. My system is now compete so I have no need to watch them anymore. I've unsubscribed from them all except you as I like the humor.

[@LyuboA]

it's called reviewer

[@brandonkey181]

Take this as you will, but I think your channel would benefit from a rebrand to make it more personal. I think you'll get a shit ton of subscribers and be up there with any other big audio reviewer eventually if you do that. That being said, another great video.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Thanks man and yes! I've actually been brainstorming a way to rebrand this channel and jotting down ideas for a new name. I will probably make a community post about it soon so def stay tuned for that because I could use feedback. It will probably be a question of what's a good name and then I can make a poll from the various ideas in the comments.

[@brandonkey181]

@@HomeStudioBasics Very cool. I'll throw my hat in the ring: Stu Reviews

[@HomeStudioBasics]

XD

[@prabinpaudel5572]

You don't look happy. Even when you're laughing. Been a while. take care! ❤️

[@krayozmines]

So, how are your grandchildren?

[@HomeStudioBasics]

They aight.

[@jinvid]

What is a Shill? = Kevin Smith

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Just saw that guy lost like 51 lbs. a few years ago. Pretty cool.

[@MrJabinho]

Ready to play the game ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/moWYgGpvhr2dsNU

[@epicmike3915]

Great video. Here's my top shills in no order lol. Z reviews, Metal 571, DMS, Joshua Valor, Passion for sound, The headphone show and soundnews 🤣😂🤣

[@harrybaque5502]

Pretty good order tho

[@epicmike3915]

@@harrybaque5502 Thanks lol.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

I mean even if all the people you mentioned are well meaning, to succeed in this space you effectively have to generate an obsession with consumption. Doesn't matter specifically what headphones you buy necessarily, just keep buying them. This way these creators can have brand partnerships and add money and all expense paid research trips etc.... That's what the job is unfortunately

[@CHAIRSHOT_TO_THE_ASS]

Z,dms and josh are 100% shills

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Thanks, Mike! Metal def isn't imo plus he doesn't even review anymore lol. I found him to be one of the most objective out there actually.

[@chrisbarnhart7944]

you are realizing young grasshopper.... your spirit is TRUE..... you are now realizing .. where do i go from here........ review other cool things in life? you are too honest (the holy grail of audio reviewers which is YOU).... you have established your integrity.. THINK about where you can take your integrity??

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Yeah I've been brainstorming other stuff to make blogs/channels about lately :)

[@bennyride]

Utopia shill 😎

[@HomeStudioBasics]

HEHEHEEh. You'll love next week's vid lol.

[@thomassawyer2727]

So as per usual, el problemo es el capitalismo

[@HomeStudioBasics]

True. Can't really argue with that.