Gray
Well-known member
I don't think they need to.
Word of mouth is even more important for value recommendation than a WHF 5-star.
(You only have to look at the success of the Wiim models and more recently, the considerably more expensive Eversolo.
Word of mouth is even more important for value recommendation than a WHF 5-star.
(You only have to look at the success of the Wiim models and more recently, the considerably more expensive Eversolo.
Gray
Well-known member
A good question and one that I ask myself whenever I read their cable 'reviews'.
The way they rank cables in order of price makes a mockery of WHF (but they're not alone in that).
To me reviews of products, as much as anything else, have always been about getting factual info such as dimensions and specs (often also available online of course).
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I'll add the new Hegel H600 as monster integrated amps do intrigue me...
H600
Manufacturer of hi-end audio electronics - amplifiers, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, D/A converters, CD-players and custom installation amplifiers.
www.hegel.com
Dom
Well-known member
Well, its a good idea to gather reviews and see what the general opinion is. What Hifi is part of that.
plastic penguin
Well-known member
plastic penguin
Well-known member
Or was. Years ago while owned by Haymarket they were very audio orientated with reviewers such as the wonderful Andrew Everard, Andy Clough, Simon Lucas and Clare Newsome. Very few of those originals are still connected with the mag. Think only Ketan remains, although I could be wrong.
Dom
Well-known member
Yes I remember, but maybe the publication was never honest, but I digress.
I would like to see a review of the Dynaudio Emit 50's.
plastic penguin
Well-known member
I browsed over to HiFi News, curious to see what's going on there and I came across a blast from the past Ken Kessler, wow he's still making the rounds.
podknocker
Well-known member
Oxfordian
Well-known member
Gave up worrying about reviews when I worked in the Print industry a few decades ago, (not hifi but other consumer goods), manufacturers reps had a car boot full of goodies that found their way to reviewers desks, and an expense account for wining and dining, in return a good review of their product was ensured.
If a reviewer got a dodgy product then it often went as a ‘quick look’ or ’first impressions’ and never made a full review.
I stayed a year then quit as I couldn’t stand the hypocrisy.
Now I ask on forums as you usually get a balanced response, then use my eyes and ears to decide if the product is what I want.
If a reviewer got a dodgy product then it often went as a ‘quick look’ or ’first impressions’ and never made a full review.
I stayed a year then quit as I couldn’t stand the hypocrisy.
Now I ask on forums as you usually get a balanced response, then use my eyes and ears to decide if the product is what I want.
nopiano
Well-known member
They review Hegel from your list, and most of the other kit is on ASR. Belden and Mogami are mostly professional cable makers aren’t they?
Indeed, Mogami and Belden sit in the pro market, so does Van Hul.
I think it's a bit blurred these days You see DACs with XLRs the crossover is obvious.
bigboss
Moderator
Not always. Historically, WHF has also purchased products to review when the company didn't send it for testing. AVI speakers come to mind.
This hopefully provides some context to What HiFi review processes.
Dom
Well-known member
Just because a company puts on a good show doesn't mean shady practices don't exist. Trust no-one.
I recall when it was under the helm of Haymarket publications. I think, there was the same clatter from the patronage but not in the same format. Acceptable discord got published in the comments pages.
On the social media platform, there's almost a free reign but within reason of course.
daveh75
Well-known member
plastic penguin
Well-known member
Al ears
Well-known member
Precisely, I only read them to see what features a piece of equipment might have, dimensions and any obvious failings. The sound quality bit is skipped because they aren't me, they don't have my equipment, ears or room, so it is irrelevant.
plastic penguin
Well-known member
Not sure what some people want? Too subjective, too objective, too little technical info, too much technical info...
All reviews, whether mag or owners, should only be used as a rough guide and not taken to heart.
It too easy to get hung up on every word of a review.
nopiano
Well-known member
Van den Hul is domestic mostly I think, but Van Damme is mostly pro, with some Hifi supporters, including me!
Ah yeah, the muscles from Brussels, Van Damme, got it the wrong way round, thanks for the correction. Really good cables.
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