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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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In Reply to: Well John I agree but the magazines by a mile wouldn't make that job easier now would they? posted by Don T on November 25, 2005 at 11:44:58:
The essence of criticism of anything -- music, poetry, fiction, a musical performance, stereo equipment -- is the establishment of some standards.So, some critics will say that Huckleberry Finn is the definitive American novel, or that Furtwangler's recorded performances of the Beethoven symphonies are the definitive performances, etc., etc.
Others will disagree, of course.
But I don't see that their doing that is some sort of insidious marketing conspiracy with fiction writers, book publishers, or recording publishers.
Why should it be different with stereo?
Buyers will make whatever use they choose of a review, or an RC ranking. Even John's story of the person who bought speakers because they were higher on the RC list than the ones John recommended has a certain justification for his behavior (resale ability).
And what do you think Stereophile (or for that matter, The Absolute Sound ) is? Is it not an effort to set standards for audio equipment and to judge pieces by those standards?
Ultimately, your argument is against the whole concept of the magazine itself, not just against the RC list.
Frankly, I consider audio dealers a highly impeachable participant in this discussion.
Obviously, they would prefer not to have to compete with any other "authority" in recommending products to their customers. This has nothing to do with whether or not they are dishonest or not and everything to do with the fact that they are not disinterested. Does that mean their advice should be rejected per se and the comments of Stereophile or TAS taken as Revealed Truth and as Absolute, Infallible Gospel when they both happen to agree?Not at all.
In the ideal world, a buyer welcomes multiple information inputs -- from his own perception, from the dealer and from the magazines.
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Follow Ups
- since when is the goal of a magazine to save the reader from himself? - Bruce from DC 11/28/0515:43:33 11/28/05 (0)
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