Reviewers -- Why do you do it?

Posted by Rick W on February 27, 2007 at 10:22:02

Maybe I'm in a minority among audiophiles, but I really don't like screwing around with my system after I've painstakingly set it up and get it sounding pretty damn good. From that point on, I just want to listen music. Seems to me that reviewing hifi equipment has to be a royal PITA, and the $$ most of you get for doing it is a relative pittance.

Every time a new component/accessory/spkr comes in for review you have to re-arrange your setup. It sometimes may take you a considerable amount of time/effort to get the best out of a component by experimenting with placement, possibly several amps/pre's/spkrs, various cables, tubes, supports etc.

To help readers get a handle on the DUR you often need to compare its effect on the overall sound of the system with other gear in the DUR's category which you're familiar with. Sometimes you temporarily take the DUR out of the setup, replace it with product X, then go back to the DUR. During the time you listen you may have to write notes, then after the whole setup/listening/comparing period is over you have to write the review, possibly including several drafts.

During the review period and after publication you may have to deal with manufacturers who have some gripe about how you employed their gear and/or what you wrote. Then you may get slammed by inmates (including me) here.

I can understand the potential for some "Wow, that's amazing" moments when you discover a great piece of gear. But how often does that really happen? Overall, I view the whole process as such a PITA that I'd never even consider being an audio reviewer.

I ain't coming from feeling sorry for the "plight" of reviewers. Just wondering......why do you do it?

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Topic - Reviewers -- Why do you do it? - Rick W 10:22:02 02/27/07 (20)

I though they didz it to .... - Elmo 09:06:28 02/28/07 (1)

1. unlikely; 2. impossible; 3. yup. nt - markrohr 10:07:00 02/28/07 (0)

If I had to confine myself to writing equipment reviews, I doubt I'd do much of that - John Marks 07:46:03 02/28/07 (0)

Why do any of us do it? - Sue Kraft 06:08:27 02/28/07 (1)

What, you too? - Jim Austin 10:12:28 02/28/07 (0)

Re: Reviewers -- Why do you do it? - Dr. S 21:14:42 02/27/07 (1)

In what I have read - Bruce Kendall 10:53:00 02/28/07 (0)

Reviewers -- Why I don't do it. - kurt s 13:22:19 02/27/07 (3)

Hmmm...don't think so - David W. Robinson 17:27:11 02/27/07 (2)

Huh? - kurt s 09:56:09 02/28/07 (1)

And by the way, please don't make statements about me that you can't back up with proof. - kurt s 10:13:11 02/28/07 (0)

I'm with you... - Wellfed 12:10:43 02/27/07 (2)

Are you saying... - Jim Austin 12:26:44 02/27/07 (1)

I'm happy to say... - Wellfed 15:28:09 02/27/07 (0)

For me... - Jim Austin 11:09:37 02/27/07 (2)

Re: For me... - bjh 11:37:04 02/27/07 (1)

I never thought of it like that... - Jim Austin 12:25:33 02/27/07 (0)

Why I did it... - mkuller 10:48:01 02/27/07 (2)

A naysayer is just the south end - Al Sekela 14:54:41 02/27/07 (1)

Sorry Al, but that's pretty... - mkuller 19:48:24 02/27/07 (0)

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