Name and shame

[RoA]

Who are the biggest shills/b*****s to manufacturers in the industry in your opinion.

Controversial and we won’t probably agree in every instance but the problem is becoming endemic with more and more bloggers/vloggers vying for free goods to make content and for makers of goods trying to reach wider audiences with the demise of publications.

Let rip.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

No prizes for guessing that this will end up in rule breaches - please try to prove me wrong...

 

[Friesiansam]

Who are the biggest shills/b*****s to manufacturers in the industry in your opinion.

Controversial and we won’t probably agree in ever instance but the problem is becoming endemic with more and more bloggers/vloggers vying for free goods to make content and for makers of goods trying to reach wider audiences with the demise of publications.

Let rip.

Have to say I wouldn’t know, because I ignore the lot of them.

 

[RoA]

View: https://youtu.be/73Sl7qEC9XA?si=eJ3T1Fohky-hyp7A

View: https://youtu.be/k1LvXfw7JiA?si=cfhQ1KP4PMVVrsF3

 

[davidf]

No prizes for guessing that this will end up in rule breaches - please try to prove me wrong...

Would be nice if it remained factual, but will likely descend into personal unfounded accusations against brands individuals don't like.

 

[Al ears]

Would be nice if it remained factual, but will likely descend into personal unfounded accusation against brands individuals don't like.

Agreed. A thread I will ignore.

 

[Dave_]

Let rip.

Maybe you should go first... Otherwise it just looks like **** stirring!

 

[daytona600]

Everything is 5/5 , Best I`ve ever heard these days , Total game changer
You used to get 1 star reviews on products in the 70/80s

 

[jjbomber]

.. more and more bloggers/vloggers vying for free goods to make content and for makers of goods trying to reach wider audiences with the demise of publications.

My guess is that publications are just as guilty as vloggers.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Probably less irritating though!

Every YT link I see where the 'host' is gurning, frowning, pulling a face or waving their arms around is one I will never be clicking.

 

[Jasonovich]

Publications aren't immune to criticism either, particularly the reviews of certain brands have predictable outcomes. Look at the heading title, ignore the nonsense content in the middle and proceed to the end of the article, five star five star.
The author some journalist with idiots guide to HiFi credentials, nice photo portrait of the writer to enhance credibility of the article.

Many YT vloggers are open about their sponsorships but that doesn't mitigate against personal bias and thus, take it all with a big pinch of salt.

 

[record_spot]

The only online reviewers I'll look at are Paul Rigby and John Darko. Everything else is magazine (online) review based.

 

[SteveH72]

The only online reviewers I'll look at are Paul Rigby and John Darko. Everything else is magazine (online) review based.

I like Steve Gutenberg. He comes across as somebody genuinely interested in music and understands hifi is a tool to maximise then enjoyment of it.

 

[record_spot]

I like Steve Gutenberg. He comes across as somebody genuinely interested in music and understands hifi is a tool to maximise then enjoyment of it.

Fremer too as it happens, but I don't buy as much gear these days so tend to limit the reviewers and magazine titles correspondingly.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Fremer too as it happens, but I don't buy as much gear these days so tend to limit the reviewers and magazine titles correspondingly.

I haven't watched any lately, but do like the way Tarun from A British Audiophile describes things in comparison to his own reference systems. He says what is good and bad about a product in comparison.

 

[Jasonovich]

I haven't watched any lately, but do like the way Tarun from A British Audiophile describes things in comparison to his own reference systems. He says what is good and bad about a product in comparison.

I agree, a little smug but love his presentation style. Steve Huff, Jay Iyagi, Lachlan to name a few are also good. Love Darko's infectious style also.

 

[davidf]

I think to review hi-fi properly, you have to have an interest in music.

 

[RoA]

My partner and I met TBA at the Bristol. Thoroughly nice chap and I personally would certainly not put him in the the category of this thread. Seemingly balanced, subjective reviews/vlogs.

 

[RoA]

Fremer on the other hand is one of the biggest shills in the business imho, vast industry knowledge and contacts notwithstanding. Still, I do think he is occasionally very funny and informative, especially when it comes to records. I also like his (all expenses paid) factory visits/tours. I will include most/all AbsoluteSounds contributors.

 

[RoA]

Huff … I can't quite figure him out. Rarely (never?) anything negative other than the usual “no, it isn’t quite as good as … at 5 times the cost … “. Clever, choosing price wise non-overlapping products, never upsetting any manufacturer and thus guaranteeing future supplies.

Not one of my favourites but he does make the odd token gesture to affordable Hifi.

I nearly felt sorry for him when he made an episode about having to sell his Nagra system to pay for felling a few trees … .

I did feel sorry for him and his partner when their pet was killed by a neighbouring dog.

 

[record_spot]

Shill puppet JFC going by some of his posts.

 

[RoA]

Ginger Terry, I have pretty much followed him from the off. I remember when he frequented here and asked for advise on microphones. I like his style although I’d guess there is occasionally a little shilling going on. He’s come a long way.

 

[nopiano]

Ginger Terry, I have pretty much followed him from the off. I remember when he frequented here and asked for advise on microphones. I like his style although I’d guess there is occasionally a little shilling going on. He’s come a long way.

Not everyone will know the brand is now https://www.pursuitperfectsystem.com/
and as you say, he was a regular here, until he made his dream come true and began videoing shows, and publishing reviews. I admire that.

I think all these reviewers have pros and cons, and I personally tire of almost anyone's voice in a video unless they're saying something useful and not trotting out cliches, which is all too common.

Tarun of https://youtube.com/@abritishaudiophile7314?si=oGKuFRe8qexF8iSF is definitely one I respect, and I like his calm, collected manner - and transparency about sponsors.

I enjoy Erin of https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/
who tests loudspeakers in his own time, on very costly kit, and makes a lot of sense.

However, on topic, I will happily nominate https://synergisticresearch.com/power/fuses/ for their bullsh1t about fuses. I tried to have a sensible discussion on Facebook with them a few years ago. The 'shill', who later said he was the CEO or similar, dismissed my questions because I clearly knew nothing about quantum science or nano technology. I tried to explain I did know quite a bit about audio and music, which he didn't grasp. Room 101 for him and his phony products!

 

[Gray]

There's plenty of smugness amongst YouTube 'reviewers'.
I prefer the the ones with some modesty, the ones happy to admit that they don't know everything.

Having said that, I've watched a few Z (Zeos) Reviews - a brash, sweary, direct speaking American and found myself laughing out loud at some of his comments.

You just need to know what you're going to get and take it all with a pinch of salt.

 

[Jasonovich]

There's plenty of smugness amongst YouTube 'reviewers'.
I prefer the the ones with some modesty, the ones happy to admit that they don't know everything.

Having said that, I've watched a few Z (Zeos) Reviews - a brash, sweary, direct speaking American and found myself laughing out loud at some of his comments.

You just need to know what you're going to get and take it all with a pinch of salt.

I find Zeos videos hilarious, every sentence starts with, phuckthis, ohphuckthat...totalphuckery ha ha ha!