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Bob Warner | Okay, let me try a different approach. I read reviews of a $4,000 Denon A/V receiver, then I read reviews of a $2000+ Outlaw Audio 950 preamp/processor and an Outlaw amp, then I read reviews of a $700 (street) OnkyoTX-SR800 receiver. The $4000 unit is described in glowing terms. So is the $2000 unit. So is the $700 unit. All the reviewers describe CDs/DVDs they put on which really blew their socks off. All reviewers describe the wide sound stage, detailed mids, etc. etc. Oh, yeah - the Denon reviewer will note that he could really "see" the separation between the oboe and the flute in Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and could hear the 17th overtone better on the french horn solo. And yes, the Onkyo reviewer will drool all over the page, and then use those 4 magic words which seemingly any reviewer can use to cover his/her rear end: "in this price range". Sort of like a reviewer comparing a night with Heidi Klum ($1,000,000) with the most beautiful "escort" in Vegas ($5,000) - he adored them both, but he might describe the timbre of Heidi's voice in a bit more detail, while concluding his review of the escort with "in this price range". Wonder if anyone does really honest comparison reviews. I'd like to see a review like this: "I compared the $700 Onkyo with my $15,000 reference separates. I'd say my enjoyment was only marginally less - I noticed a few key things, such as....." Or the reviewer might say: "I watched/listened to this section of the DVD/CD first with the $10,000 components and then on the Onkyo, and I have to tell you there is a BIG difference - it is not subtle." Does anyone ever do blind comparison reviews of audio/home theater equipment? I''d really like to see different criteria judged on a scale of 1 to 10 by blindfolded judges. I expect the more expensive components would fair better, but it would be interesting to see how often the $5000 component got a 9.6 rating and the $700 component got a 9.3. If they also had evaluations based on warranty and repair records, customer service, etc. - now THAT would be helpful: "Let's see: this one rated 9.1 compared to 9.6, has the same reliability rating and slightly better customer service and costs $4,000 less. I'll go listen to these and a few others and make my decision." So what specific components am I worrying over right now? In the low range I'm looking at the Onkyo SR701 and the SR800 and in the higher range for my budget ($1500 tops) I'm looking at the NAD T762 or the Outlaw Audio separates - the 950 preamp and the 7100 amp. Or should I be checking out something else? |
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Bill | You can't put a subjective review on a scale of 1 to 10. What's a 1? What's a 10? When I heard my first CD 20 years ago, I would have reviewed it as an 11, but now there are things better than that. As far as comparing $700 to $15K equipment, how you justify a $14.3K difference in sound quality will be different than how someone else feels about it. "Marginally better" may be worth $14.3K to someone. There may be other differences besides performance such as build quality, style, features, etc. Not to mention, the $700 one may be imported,a nd the $15K one might be domestically manufactured, if you care about that stuff. Equipment reviewers aren't gods. They have limited resources and time to review products, and also want to make sure that same manufacturer will send out the next piece to them for review. Just beware of the bad reviews, becasue it takes a bad product *and* a courageous reviewer to get that published! |
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gonk | I've read a lot of reviews like the ones you describe... I agree with Bill -- no matter what you do, the reviewer's tastes and biases are going to taint the review. Published reviews will rarely be negative -- if the magazine or reviewer can't offer a positive review, they will not publish anything to avoid grief from the manufacturer. I will say that I've seen some pretty honest reviews at Secrets of Home Theater ( http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/ ) -- they will compare tested equipment to their reference gear (even if the cost difference is substantial) honestly. Don't expect to see anything but generally positive reviews, though, as at least one reviewer there has acknowledged that he (understandably) chooses to not review a product that he can't recommend. Also, look at AudioReview.com for user reviews. Sometimes you have to weed through some weird stuff there, but it can be helpful. The best bet is to listen to the equipment for yourself, preferably in your home if possible. After all, the person you are trying to please is yourself, not some reviewer you will never meet. Reviews can help weed out the alternatives, but that's about it. If you are seriously considering the 950/7100 combo, you may want to make use of their 30-day return policy and demo it at home for a month. It is a good value, and their warranty and customer service are excellent. I've had my 950 (paired with a Model 750 amp) for over a year now, and have been very pleased. |
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Bob | Okay, you guys do make some sense. I'd still like to see a "consumer reports" sort of company do some blind comparison studies with equipment evaluated both by "pros" and consumers. (I'd let them take off the blindfolds to evaluate TVs and projectors, of course - I'm not THAT disgruntled). I decided to go towards the middle of my price range. I got an NAD factory refurbished T762 for 899.00 at dmc-electronics.com. I've liked NAD components in the past so I suspect I'll like it. We'll see. |
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Derek | Bob, Sound and Vision Magazine does those type of reviews. |
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Bob | Thanks Derek, I'll check this out. |
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Bob | Here is the sort of review I like: www.audaud.com/audaud/FEB03/EQUIP/equip1FEB03.html |