Standards of reviews - Panasonic SA-BX500 Receiver

[admin_exported]

Being the home cinema junkie I am I get several mags a month to keep me company on the long commutes I have. There has always been a matter of opinion between different publications with one recommending something completely different to another.

WHFS&V reviewed the SA-BX500 recently and thoght it was poor, giving it 1/5 stars

"Not good enough to compete in this price class, and Sony’s £300 STR-DG820 thrashes it, too"

http://whathifi.com/Review/Panasonic-SA-BX500/

The latest HCC reviewed the SA-BX500 and gave it 4/5...

"It comes across every bit as classy, refined and detailed as its nearest competitor, the better specified Sony STR-DG820, but expands on the sound-stage in every direction. Switch to Blu-ray movies and the elaborate guffawing of The Fifth Element swells into the room with great emotional drive. The Diva's operatic song is strangely enthralling, without a ragged edge or dull tone. "

EDITED for house rules violation - Mods

Can objective listening between reviewers really produce such a different conclusion?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Already discussed at length here - including the point that HCC's own lab tests rate the Panasonic as a one/two-star product.

At the risk of re-opening old wounds, I will stress again that our testing comes from a team of dedicated testers working in set conditions, working with this kit every day of the week.

HCC's review is the opinion of one freelancer - an opinion that both that magazine's own lab tests disagrees with, and which the title appears to be distancing itself from when you compare the online version of the review to the in-mag effort.

 

[Anonymous]

Oops, sorry Claire. Did a search for the model number before posting but didn't find it.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the previous post got shut down as it was getting a bit out of hand - I think the main point is that these are reviews - opinions - its not gospel and as far as I can see, neither WHF or HCC or claiming that their opinions are fact. I've been reading WHF on and off for over 15 years now and they robustly and repeatedly make it (very) clear that their reviews are opinions and that no one should purchase something based on those opinions - and that you should listen (or watch) before you buy. WHF is a great guide which helps you narrow stuff down but ultimately you should go test drive before making a decision. I think the whole issue was massively overblown personally.

 

[professorhat]

And on that note, if anyone ever did state their review was "fact", you should definitely ignore them. How can an opinion of something be fact - it's impossible. Which is why you must, must, must, audition before you buy!

 

[John Duncan]

professorhat:And on that note, if anyone ever did state their review was "fact", you should definitely ignore them. How can an opinion of something be fact - it's impossible. Which is why you must, must, must, audition before you buy!

Unless it's a DACMagic, which I'm just buying.