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Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2015 9:20:36 GMT
There's an interesting piece about the pitfalls of group test reviews on Howard Popeck's 'Hifi Answers' website, which is mostly a digest of stuff culled from other parts of the net. However, this particular article is written by Howard himself. Why group tests of audio equipment are failing the buyer. Part#1
Careful while you're on that site, you might accidentally buy some LFD gear! |
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Post by John on Sept 19, 2015 10:04:39 GMT
I think a lot of us have given on group reviews and is not something I am going to pay to much attention too. First of all my room will be very different, second my system is certainly going to be very different and then my preferences are unique to me. I expect no one else to like what I like
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2015 12:26:00 GMT
I found the article interesting not because I'm into (or not) group testing, but because of the psychology involved.
This para. kind of sums up what happens as a result of the thought processes of the reviewer:
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2015 13:44:17 GMT
I personally find comparative listening of any kind misleading. Group comparisons more so. I prefer to live with something and see how it moves me.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 19, 2015 15:18:45 GMT
When I test I hope for a clear winner. It's a pain when there is subtle difference
I've done little testing with speakers so cannot comment on them.
If I have 'different' or better in some aspects then group testing will not work at all for me
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2015 17:08:54 GMT
Is it a good or bad way to review equipment for a magazine? Mr Popeck says not.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 19, 2015 17:28:03 GMT
Probably not.
Can't say with 100% certainty
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2015 17:31:54 GMT
I know what i think about 5 star recommendations/Group comparisons.
I made a few purchase decisions in the early 80's when i first got into Hi-Fi, both were off my own bat & using my ears...after going full circle for 30 years have come back to & will live happily ever after with those original purchases.
If i were to have run with the Reviews at the time i would have probably left these products back then.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2015 17:57:26 GMT
So many of those 5 star rated products have been utterly terrible to my ears. Many Marantz CD players Spring immediately to mind but there have been plenty more. I always found Hifi Choice to be the least reliable magazine in terms of review verdicts matching my own findings.
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Post by Sovereign on Sept 19, 2015 22:00:32 GMT
I personally like to have a few Hifi mates round with some of their favourite gear and we can have a mess about and share good music and learn from each other, if someone tells me my Hifi sounds shite that's fine as I think it sounds bloody amazing.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 20, 2015 10:19:26 GMT
I dislike both group and double-blind testing because of the psychology involved, as described, and the lack of a normal, comforting environment as well as the unreliability of listening to unfamiliar products for too short a time. Hi-Fi Choice (in its original small format) was always an interesting read but rarely correlated with my findings.
As Andrew says above, you need to live with a component within the context of your ownystem and music for a period of time. Trust your senses and your true feelings will emerge.
As for 'Five Star Reviews', they make me think of What Hi-Fi, where I often wonder whether some of the items have ever left the box. Useful only for No.2s.
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