So, whom do you trust? The forum’s been discussing ratings lately, and I was motivated to do this thread based on the statistical problems with rating systems and the conflicts of interest in the industry (I’d recommend watching the first one in its entirety, and skimming or ignoring the second):
https://youtu.be/h2GwZaDMa_M?list=PLyq29II3bP7Cl_6v-B4RpmGuESRNBdDIBhttps://youtu.be/-k0sDfASe58 I’ll start with my rankings, feel free to use this as a template.
S: Crinacle/In-Ear Fidelity (website/YouTube)
A: Axiom Audio (YT/blog)
B: Audio Science Review (website)
C: Erin’s Audio Corner (website), rtings (website/YT), Audioholics (website), the Wire Cutter (website)
D: Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, Sound and Vision, What Hi-Fi, Audio Esoterica, Best Buys Audio & Video, Sound + Image, Stereo Sound, HiVi, Audio Art, Andrew Robinson (YT), Darko (YT), Sound Stage Network (website), The Master Switch (website), Consumer Reports (website)
Comments:
- I can only turn off my BS meter from class A and higher.
- Crinacle’s a headphone-only site, but his measurements and evidence-based philosophy is very close to Ian G Masters and Alan Lofft (the only audio reviewers I greatly respect). His site and reviews the highest honor I can give: it’s useful.
- Erin talks too much.
- I consider ASR to be a myth pusher rather than a myth buster. Amir makes mountains out of molehills by measuring stuff that doesn’t matter. I still read it to see who’s been caught with their pants around their ankles.
- Some of these magazines only exist to be slick audio porn, and like everything porn, the internet has made them free. If you have a library card, go to your library’s libby website and go wild.
- I don’t read or watch the drivel that is Class D except for the editorials from Brent Butterworth.
Your turn.
