Impressions of Ultimate AV magazine

[Rich-n-Texas]

Well, I'm back in the market for a good HT rag, and this one seems from the website to be a good mix of reviews of affordable equipment (affordable for me anyway), blogs, AV news and movie reviews. What I didn't like about S&V was that for one, it was too thin, and number B, it seemed like an advertisement for those ugly Def Tech towers that were always on the inside cover and then on like, page 5. Really, I don't mind looking at the adverts but I don't need to see the same ones in every issue.

Some of you will probably suggest titles such as WhatHiFi?, but I'd prefer reading about equipment that is available here in the US.

Opinions greatly appreciated.

[bobsticks]

B is not a number.

[pixelthis]

B is not a number.

Dont confront him with facts, tends to confuse him.
be more roundabout, diplomatic, say something like, "hey rich ol buddy, is there really a number b outside of Mandarin Chinese?"
AND RUN LIKE HELL

[pixelthis]

Anyway, I havent read a "good HT rag" since I found out that you could read em for free on the net.
Besides, the letters were always the most fun, and forums are like one long letters collumes

[Rich-n-Texas]

B is not a number.

B is 11 in Hex.

[Ajani]

Well, I'm back in the market for a good HT rag, and this one seems from the website to be a good mix of reviews of affordable equipment (affordable for me anyway), blogs, AV news and movie reviews. What I didn't like about S&V was that for one, it was too thin, and number B, it seemed like an advertisement for those ugly Def Tech towers that were always on the inside cover and then on like, page 5. Really, I don't mind looking at the adverts but I don't need to see the same ones in every issue.

Some of you will probably suggest titles such as WhatHiFi?, but I'd prefer reading about equipment that is available here in the US.

Opinions greatly appreciated.

Actually you'll probably get more reviews of equipment available in the US in WhatHiFi? than in the US magazines... Since:

1) US magazines tend to review far less products per issue than UK ones

and

B) US mags only choose to review products they've already heard and like... (which is why you pretty much never read really bad reviews in US mags).... essentially the reviewers frequent trade shows, entertainment expos etc... and they request only the products that they really liked, for review... while UK mags tend to just request everything they have time to review... So if some reviewer in S&V likes Def Tech, then he's gonna review as many stupid plasticy looking Def Tech speakers as he wants, while ignoring so many other brands that consumers want to see reviewed...

Another option is just to read online reviews... so many of the major mags publish their reviews online that you really don't need to subscribe to anything....

[Rich-n-Texas]

Actually you'll probably get more reviews of equipment available in the US in WhatHiFi? than in the US magazines... Since:

1) US magazines tend to review far less products per issue than UK ones

and

B) US mags only choose to review products they've already heard and like... (which is why you pretty much never read really bad reviews in US mags).... essentially the reviewers frequent trade shows, entertainment expos etc... and they request only the products that they really liked, for review... while UK mags tend to just request everything they have time to review... So if some reviewer in S&V likes Def Tech, then he's gonna review as many stupid plasticy looking Def Tech speakers as he wants, while ignoring so many other brands that consumers want to see reviewed...

Just so happens I brought home a copy of Home Theater from the grocery store yesterday and what ad did I find on the inside cover? I'll tell ya, no offense to anyone who might own those Def Tech Mythos towers, but they're damn ugly!!!

Another option is just to read online reviews... so many of the major mags publish their reviews online that you really don't need to subscribe to anything....

Agreed, but I just like to have a HT mag on the coffee table. Thanks for everyone's input.

[frenchmon]

Actually you'll probably get more reviews of equipment available in the US in WhatHiFi? than in the US magazines... Since:

1) US magazines tend to review far less products per issue than UK ones

I subscribe to Stereophile mag and it has enough reviews imo.

[/quote]and

B) US mags only choose to review products they've already heard and like... (which is why you pretty much never read really bad reviews in US mags).... essentially the reviewers frequent trade shows, entertainment expos etc... and they request only the products that they really liked, for review... while UK mags tend to just request everything they have time to review... So if some reviewer in S&V likes Def Tech, then he's gonna review as many stupid plasticy looking Def Tech speakers as he wants, while ignoring so many other brands that consumers want to see reviewed...[/quote]

Don't agree with this at all. Most of those who write the review ahve never heard what they are reviewing. They may have heard previous models, but for the most part, the current model has not been heard before he does his review. I just read a review of Dynaudio bookshelf speakers in the latest issue which got a bad review.

Another option is just to read online reviews... so many of the major mags publish their reviews online that you really don't need to subscribe to anything....[/QUOTE]

Some of them you need to subscribe in order to get soem of the reviews.

frenchmon

[frenchmon]

Just so happens I brought home a copy of Home Theater from the grocery store yesterday and what ad did I find on the inside cover? I'll tell ya, no offense to anyone who might own those Def Tech Mythos towers, but they're damn ugly!!!


Agreed, but I just like to have a HT mag on the coffee table. Thanks for everyone's input.

Yeah Stereophile has those darn mythos on the latest cover and I agree...they are bootie ugly!

frenchmon

[Ajani]

I subscribe to Stereophile mag and it has enough reviews imo.

I also subscribe to Stereophile and IMO it doesn't have nearly enough reviews... the latest issue has 5 reviews in 122 pages of magazine and a few follow-up reviews (who cares about follow-ups??? They already spent several pages on those products in previous magazines).... If I was looking to find products to audition based on Stereophiles reviews, I'd be in serious trouble... since they just don't review enough products to be useful... But if you like the number of reviews in the mag, well that's good for you...

Don't agree with this at all. Most of those who write the review ahve never heard what they are reviewing. They may have heard previous models, but for the most part, the current model has not been heard before he does his review. I just read a review of Dynaudio bookshelf speakers in the latest issue which got a bad review.

That explaination was essentially one I read on avscience... it was given by Kalman Rubinson (the Stereophile writer) to address the claim made by one of the members, that the number of good reviews in magazines is because reviewers are paid by the advertisers... he said that most products reviewed where selected either by the writer or the Editor based on initital impressions at audio shows... so generally anything being reviewed will be of a certain level of quality...

Case in point: The Def Tech speakers reviewed in the latest issue... they only got reviewed because the reviewer and John Atkinson heard them at an audio show...

Some of them you need to subscribe in order to get soem of the reviews.

Agreed.... but by using multiple sites, you can get a lot more reviews than you would from subscribing to any one mag....

[RoadRunner6]

Can you say "Stereophile"?

It used to be called the Stereophile Guide To Home Theater and now the Ultimate AV Magazine. Many of the reviews are written by the same people.

The same magazine company owns the Ultimate AV Mag, Stereophile, Home Theater, Sopa Opera Weekly and Practical Horseman to mention a few. (see the connections there?)

RR6

[RoadRunner6]

Correction: "Soap Opera Weekly"

No, I don't watch the Sopranos!

RR6

[Rich-n-Texas]

Correction: "Soap Opera Weekly"

No, I don't watch the Sopranos!

RR6

You mean Sporanos, right?

Truthfully, since I'm pretty much set with the equipment I have now, the only reviews I'm really interested in reading are shining ones that are about my equipment. What I should've probably stated from the get-go is that I want to be kept up with the latest industry news, read how-to articles... something along the lines of a teaching magazine, if something like that exists. I like Ultimate AV's Blogs section, for instance...

[frenchmon]

I also subscribe to Stereophile and IMO it doesn't have nearly enough reviews... the latest issue has 5 reviews in 122 pages of magazine and a few follow-up reviews (who cares about follow-ups??? They already spent several pages on those products in previous magazines).... If I was looking to find products to audition based on Stereophiles reviews, I'd be in serious trouble... since they just don't review enough products to be useful... But if you like the number of reviews in the mag, well that's good for you...

Yes thats plenty for me I also don't mind the follow ups, it could be helpful to the consumer, but I do subscribe for other parts of the mag and not only for the reviews. I enjoy reading what others have to say in the letter to the editor section. I also like the review of new music in the back of the mag, and I like the nice pretty pictures of the gear. Some stuff that does not get reviewd, but are advertisted in the mag, I enjoy going to the web page to find out more about it. Overal I am pleased with it.

That explaination was essentially one I read on avscience... it was given by Kalman Rubinson (the Stereophile writer) to address the claim made by one of the members, that the number of good reviews in magazines is because reviewers are paid by the advertisers... he said that most products reviewed where selected either by the writer or the Editor based on initital impressions at audio shows... so generally anything being reviewed will be of a certain level of quality...

I also asked Kal, and he told me that he is free to review anthing he wants....if the manufacturer lets them, and its ok with Jim Austin, who hardly never turns them down.

Case in point: The Def Tech speakers reviewed in the latest issue... they only got reviewed because the reviewer and John Atkinson heard them at an audio show...

So is there anything wrong with reviewing gear that you have previously heard ? After all just hearing things and doing a critical hearing test are two differnt things.

I understand you want the Marantz PM7001 as do I.(I am a Marantz loyalist) I've listened to it before at a local dealer here in North Carolina, but when its time to buy, I will betcha top dollar that I will put that thing through the ringer at the dealers before I spend my hard earned money. Thats just how it is when I spend my money on anything from cars to furniture to gear.

You gatta understand, these guys reviewing gear, love this stuff, they don't mind reviewing gear for free...wishI had a job where I could. Thats not to say they only review stuff they have heard before, some one may have mentioned gear and they reviewed based on what some one said., or they may have just be interested in something.


frenchmon

[Ajani]

Yes thats plenty for me I also don't mind the follow ups, it could be helpful to the consumer, but I do subscribe for other parts of the mag and not only for the reviews. I enjoy reading what others have to say in the letter to the editor section. I also like the review of new music in the back of the mag, and I like the nice pretty pictures of the gear. Some stuff that does not get reviewd, but are advertisted in the mag, I enjoy going to the web page to find out more about it. Overal I am pleased with it.





I also asked Kal, and he told me that he is free to review anthing he wants....if the manufacturer lets them, and its ok with Jim Austin, who hardly never turns them down.



So is there anything wrong with reviewing gear that you have previously heard ? After all just hearing things and doing a critical hearing test are two differnt things.

I understand you want the Marantz PM7001 as do I.(I am a Marantz loyalist) I've listened to it before at a local dealer here in North Carolina, but when its time to buy, I will betcha top dollar that I will put that thing through the ringer at the dealers before I spend my hard earned money. Thats just how it is when I spend my money on anything from cars to furniture to gear.

You gatta understand, these guys reviewing gear, love this stuff, they don't mind reviewing gear for free...wishI had a job where I could. Thats not to say they only review stuff they have heard before, some one may have mentioned gear and they reviewed based on what some one said., or they may have just be interested in something.


frenchmon

1) Stereophile is an enjoyable magazine if like yourself and Rich, you aren't reading it solely/primarily as a review mag... As a review mag it has very limited products... e.g. the very Marantz Amp we both want... The only reason I know how well regarded that amp is, is from reading reviews of it in HiFiChoice and WhatHiFi? Those magazines review so many more products in each price range, that I can easily put together a list of 'must audition' gear in my price range...

2) The way Stereophile picks products to review is the correct way to do it, considering the limited volume of gear they review... If you're only gonna review 5 products in an issue, then it really should be 5 promising products....

[Rich-n-Texas]

I'll spend some time on Stereophile's website. Thanks much for everyone's input.

[pixelthis]

Stereophile and other reviewers of higher end gear are publishers
of "stereo porn", something to look at but you will never own.
Someday My ship will come in, and maybe I wont be at the airport like last time, and I'll get me one of those 5 wpc SET monoblock amps
with the 5% DISTORTION, listen to it while I WIPE MY BUTT ON HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS

[Ajani]

Stereophile and other reviewers of higher end gear are publishers
of "stereo porn", something to look at but you will never own.
Someday My ship will come in, and maybe I wont be at the airport like last time, and I'll get me one of those 5 wpc SET monoblock amps
with the 5% DISTORTION, listen to it while I WIPE MY BUTT ON HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS

lol... I like how WhatHiFi deals with the really expensive stuff: "Ultimate Temptations" aka pure fantasy... look at, dream about it and then buy the $600 Marantz or Cambridge Amp that you can actually afford....

[Ajani]

To get Rich's thread back on topic:

Rich, since you like Ultimate A/V, then you might also want to check out Home Theatre (also part of the Stereophile group)...

http://www.hometheatermag.com/

BTW, keeping a stack of mags on the coffee table is a good idea... I really should consider doing that... I haven't had mags on the table since I was single and had a 1 year free subscription to Playboy....

[westcott]

Before committing, go to the book stores and buy one of each.

You know all of us are not to be trusted anyway!!!!!

[Rich-n-Texas]

I'm probably going to sub to HT magazine. I did pick up a copy of it in the grocery store, but to pick up any of the other popular (among videophiles anyway) rags requires a bit of traveling.

Note: I'm having trouble spelling disappointment recently. Is it one "s" or two?

[pixelthis]

I'm probably going to sub to HT magazine. I did pick up a copy of it in the grocery store, but to pick up any of the other popular (among videophiles anyway) rags requires a bit of traveling.

Note: I'm having trouble spelling disappointment recently. Is it one "s" or two?

My local books a million has everything in audio/ht you could want,
as does my BARNES AND NOBLE.
Oh wait, you live in texas
NEVER MIND