Well said, Kelvin! The modern 'reviewers' are mostly just influencers in an echo chamber, constantly amplifying (pun intended) popular myths, superficial opinions and outright woo. And people lap it up, because it's faster and easier than learning through their own experience. I'll give you and Michael Yates a fair hearing, because you both have plenty of experience, you don't earn a living from reviewing and you describe what you hear. My favourite myth is "the vintage sound". Which one? The 'warm' sound of the NAD 3020? The 'detailed' sound of a Sony TA-F55? The shrieks of an Amstrad EX-333? Modern reviewers tend to pat us vintage owners on the head as if we're a bit simple - the fact that there's no money in it for them to promote 40-year-old kit may have something to do with their condescension, of course!
You’re on the money. Many of the people that do these reviews are more entertainers than reviewers. I watch and many time chuckle at the antics. I love watching to see what’s out there as much as anything.
The biggest aspect for me personally and I don't doupt, many others in buying vintage, is having what we couldn't afford in our youth. Comparing with modern equipment is often irrelevant in that we are actually back in the mid to late 70s, living the hifi dream. It has so much more than just the sound. When I play a vinyl record, I'm listening to my vintage set up not the music itself.
I like vintage gear, well, stuff from the year 2000 era because pretty high end gear can be had for a fairly low cost, I can build what was a £20k hifi for about £5k
All spot on. Trust in Kelvin. Unfortunately though we can't listen to gear now before purchasing so we have to do our best to trust others before making the leap. And fortunately there are a handful of reviewers that do give in depth sound insights even though they are in the hi fi business. After a while you get a feel for their approach and can draw some conclusions about what they say. Ultimately it's all about what something sounds like to your ears with your gear in your room. If buying new then do so where there is a trial period and beware of the cost of return shipping!
Here is a true story, i worked in a well to do Hi-Fi shop in the 70/80's and during that time all the enthusiasts would believe anything that was written in the magazines. One of the reps arrived and asked us if we wanted to buy some ex-review gear, i instantly asked if it had been messed with, the rep laughed, messed with it has never been out of the box ! And it was true, there were amplifiers, cassette decks etc that were still in sealed boxes Where had they come from ? remember Hi-Fi for pleasure, well these were in the latest issue with full reviews on gear that had never been opened. Other publications were just as guilty of this. Use your own eyes and ears, and take so called expert reviews with a big pinch of salt.
Hi Kelvin, you won’t get richer sounding off with a proper honest critique of modern kit so I’m not sure what hifi you could review oh I just realised you could talk a lot of sense and always tell how something sounds to you particularly with vintage gear .. you definitely nailed this video .. and I hope this post gives you a wry smile.. wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and thank you for all your hard work putting out videos in 2024, they are always appreciated and brighten my day
Eine interessante Erfahrung habe ich zum Thema Tests erlebt. Als ich von Mofi einen Plattenspieler im Auge hatte lass ich mir einige Tests. Im großen und ganzen waren fast alle Berichte gleich oder zum Teil vom Prospekt von den Hersteller abgeschrieben. Da kam ich auf einen Osteuropäischen Testbericht . Da wurde der Plattenspieler bis ins Detail beschrieben. Auf die einzelnen eingebauten Bestandteile und wie sich das Klanglich auswirkt. Über 8 Seiten lang war der Bericht. Da kommt wirklich ein muss ich haben Effekt raus. Inzwischen habe ich den Plattenspieler schon länger und habe den Kauf nicht bereut. Es gibt halt doch noch gute Tests, aber leider oft schwer zu finden.
How often do most people buy new audio components -- or a whole new system? Some people buy (or lease) the latest model cars every year, but once somebody buys a set of speakers or a new amp, how long before they are in the market to replace them? That's the dilemma audio equipment reviewers face. They have to review what's new, week after week, even though there's more stuff being produced than 99.9 percent of their readers/watchers/listeners could ever possibly use (or afford). So, there's always some new "star" piece to hype. What we often forget is that our own ears and brains are the most crucial audio components. Your mind and body learn to adjust to what you're hearing, and a lot also depends on the format and how the equipment is sent up in a particular room. When people talk about giving equipment time to "burn in," often what they're really talking about are their own ears. It has little to do with the electronics. I'll just stick to my solid, beautiful, built-to-last collection of vintage '60s and '70s equipment, thank you. I haven't heard anything better -- especially for the money.
An oldie, but goody - "music fans use their equipment to listen to their records, CDs, whatever; audiophiles use their records, CDs whatever to listen to their equipment." My amp is from 1975, my turntable from 1982, the arm and cartridge from 1978 and the speakers from the mid eighties. I will only replace them if I find anything significantly better; the one item that I recently replaced was my 30 year old Philips CD player with a Rotel CD11 Tribute and that did bring a significant improvement in clarity and detail.
I love vintage gear, and have quite a bit. I know you're all into 'the sound'. I agree that modern components have done little to improve on it over the years. For me anyway the looks, build quality and just feel of the older stuff is equally important! To me that and the fact l'm listening to equipment almost as old as l am really enhances the experience! Merry Christmas from across the pond!
The older reviews would list the music and details of everything they heard, or missed, expectations and conclusions. Sadly now, last week's recommendation is surpassed by this week's review.. Yes many reviews are so construed you cannot believe a word . Keep up the great work Kelvin ..
Love the video and hit the nail on the head. A couple of months back I had the budget to purchase a new Amp, replacing my 30+ year old one. It was going to be either the Marantz or Denon (both owned now by the same big company, like IAG). However I found a wonderful place in West Yorkshire, who is a passionate audiophile and music lover. He sells fully serviced equipment, and will service your kit as well. So to cut a long story short, I bought a Mid 90's B+W Aura amp, and then my speakers (Goodmans Maxim 3's) finally started to fail after over 30 years of service, so bought a pair of serviced Tannoy 603 ones from the same place. So instead of a new amp I actually have even better second-hand gear which sound wonderful and will last another 30 years. It is a shame that all these hi fi companies have been swallowed up by big companies, so lose their whole identity. All those Mission, Wharfedale, Castle etc. speakers may be designed in the UK, but made in the same factory in the far east (okay, China). The 80's to mid 90's were really the heyday for Hi Fi, and we miss it. Finally those LS50's you mention, the guy at the place concurs, they are not that good and very expensive.
Hi buddy you are so right about modern hifi, I've been thinking about replacing my old Linn intek amp but I don't think anything in my budget will come close to it.
@@robmills537 Have you considered an upgrade path that uses the Linn Intek as a pre-amplifier. Then to save a bit of cash buy a used power amplifier. Some of the audio equipment from the 80’s and 90's is well engineered. Here’s a few ideas. Audio Systhesis: Desire, Musical Fidelity: P180 (ideally with the optional CRS power supply), Linn: LK280 with spark power supply or the Klout, Magnum: MF250 stereo or the MF125 mono blocks, DPA Deltec Precision Audio: DPA200S, AVI: Lab Series S21MA stereo, S2000 stereo or S000MM mono blocks, Linx: Pulsar stereo, or Stratos mono blocks, Roksan: Caspian M1 mono blocks, Meridian: 555 or 556, Exposure: VIII (mono eight), Copland: CTA-520.
Hi, are you willing to share the name of this place in West Yorkshire? I am also into old equipment and looking for a place that sells serviced equipment. Thanks in advance.
This is one of the few audio channels I watch, and for good reason with everything said here. The others I watch are more technical in restoring and building audio gear, but those are good as well since they’re mostly not selling a particular product. Also gives me a sense of what goes on in the inside of these units that I find helpful.
The L112 is a glorious speaker. Apart from scandinavian magazines i used to enjoy "the flat response" and Hifi World. Today my favourite how things sound writer by far is Herb Reichert :)
Spot on mate.🎉 Nice Boothroyd Stuart Meridian pre amp there, with their 2 power amps and Mission 770 speakers they're stunning combo. Friend of mine in Upminster had them, with Oracle turntable.
Yes spot on. My kit is almost 30 years old, I get it serviced and there is nothing that I prefer sonically. In fact some modern equipment has got worse imo Its all playing into the addiction of more, better, best.
I've had, and still do have, because I'm not good at selling stuff, all manner of amps and speakers accumulated since 1973 when I left school and got a job that gave me an income and allowed me to buy my first amp. The last bit of kit I bought new was the Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives. The system I've settled on, after all these years, and having tried many different combinations comprises a Sansui AU101 (1970's) with Snell Jii speakers (1980's). I've recapped the amp and replaced the transistors and some resistors to keep it up to it's original performance level and recapped the speaker crossovers. Okay, there is no remote control, but at my age exercise is good.
I think you're spot on, especially with the talk of features. They're very good at telling you the spec of a product, but ultimately for me is does it sound any good?
Spot on. In all fairness most consumers are fixed on features as well. Long ago we in Holland had the magazine Audio&Techniek which was honest, critical and technically skilled. Producers would think twice to offer them gear for free to test. They expect a kind of advertising, not honesty
On point, sir! But that applies to all kinds of areas. The problem is that all these woanna-be experts want to be teachers without ever having been students.
I remember the Quad ESLs I used to own. I miss this ESL model, now commonly referred to as the "ESL-57", especially with their wonderful midrange and treble. I did also own and like the ESL-63, with their bass & lower mids and with their more dynamic output, but still always preferred the ESL-57 in their gorgeous mid & treble. Later, I heard and really liked the Dick Sequerra application of the ESL-57s with the Sequerra Pyramid true ribbons at top and 2 decent subs all driven with 6 Mark Levinson ML-2 Class-A monoblock power amps. Thank you for stirring my trip down memory lane! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review, sir? No problem. Just buy a full page add in next months magazine". What HiFi magazine would do that? I surely can't think of one. 🤥 What's this week's greatest ever amp/ dac/ speaker or other cheap audio? Man, I can't think of a channel like that. 🤭
Another great and insightful video Kelvin its a shame we cant go into hi-fi shops and listen to gear like you used to but its the shrinking demand as people seem to hold onto their hi-fi they might swop ot a piece due to end of life but the demand for vintage is strong and keeps prices high. I myself replaced my hi-fi with vintage Monitor Audio speakers and Sansui Receiver after watching yoru videos they are in a class of their own to my ears. I sanded down and refinished the speaker casings due to their high quality thick real wood veneer plus I replaced the grilles, cloth and MA metal plates (tightened the screws for the drivers as you recommended) and a good thorough strip down, clean and deoxit of the Sansui with a new vinyl wrap for the case as close to the original as I could find and both look and sound (to me) better than anything else I have owned over the last 40 plus years considerng they are 50 years old themselves. Thanks for bringing a thoroughly enjoyable year of content again in 2024 its much appreciated by your subscribers, have a great xmas and happy new year.
I agree. If I may, I would also add that I have found hifi reviews to be difficult simply because there are so many variables: the listening room size, shape, sound reflection and/or insulation etc and that's before you have even started thinking about individual components. I'm 57 and for years I chased the "perfect sound" until I realised about 20 years ago that such a thing does not exist. Now I content myself with a system that gives me a sound I enjoy and appreciate - mine is an old system which would no doubt make many cringe, but I like it. Anyway - thanks for posting, on point as always - and a happy christmas to you all.
Some of the guff from What HiFi though. I remember in the 80s stuff like you should put a knot in your speaker cable to make it sound better. but it had to knot one way not the other. And that a speaker in your watch was enough to degrade the sound. Or more recently that you could tell the difference in audio/visual between a 'good/bad/expensive/cheap' digital cable. Gotta keep the advertisers onside.
You have just covered what I have been saying for years, I personally believe that hi fi has not come a long way in terms of sound at the top end for decades and the quality of reviews has declined faceted by feelings rather than facts - that's why I like listening to people like you that tell it like it is on the back of years of experience and not being scared to tell the truth! I have disagreed with you a number of times, even told you so on a couple of occasions and constructive criticism is always a good thing! Keep up the good work Kelvin, there are a lot of people out here who regard your work highly.
The last staw for me was the audiophile switch and audiophile ethernet cables that somehow make your streamer work better. What a crock. Same goes for coax cables.
Can we even trust our own ears? Maybe stuff we bought in the 80's sounds poorer than stuff we can buy today for a fraction of the cost simply because our hearing has degraded over the last 40 years? I do know what I like, and that's good clear mid range thumping base and highs that are not shrill... so I just eq stuff until it sounds the way I like it... The best improvement recently has been getting new releases of old albums that I love that have been remixed from the original masters and they now sound amazing, you can easily compare them on your own system, and it makes you realise the actual mix has such a huge part to play... The other thing I do when listening at volume is to put a few large cushions in the corner of the room, for me it stops the bass booming and just let's it thump 😉 Thanks for the video, great entertainment and some of the tips you share are excellent...
Cushions room treatment lol Some older speakers do still sound good, though I can usually pick up some colourations after a while. You notice more if you directly compare. Otherwise it's still very enjoyable
Having been in audio for over 40 years the Quads remain the finest speaker - Bar none - For me. And I've heard everything big and small. You have to accept some compromise, but far less than you imagine. Bass extension and absolute level. Neither a worry for most. Bass is extraordinary down to 44Hz. Goes very loud for me too. Midrange is unsurpassed. Edit: I have been in the high end industry the majority of those years.
I will elaborate on the change of times. In the past, you read ho-fi reviews in order to understand what your next upgrade or purchase will be. In modern days consumers visit the UA-cam reviews to confirm that their equipment is the greates available, not to evaluate a new product at all. If you have the auudacity to say that the LS50 sounds junk, you will have every LS50 owners on your case, even if the secretly agree with you.
I keep seeing these speaker reviews where the speaker is considered absolutely stellar - perfect in every way. Then someone takes some actual measurements and the phase alignment is completely off, off axis response has huge holes, the box resonates hard, there's ringing all over the place.... makes me wonder how bad the reviewer's hearing must be to miss all that. Measurements first. There's no point in listening to something that doesn't measure right. If you can't measure it, you shouldn't be reviewing it. *PERIOD*
Bad news can sell, your video is the best proof. We don't see negative reviews because UA-camrs fear to get sued: Erins audio Corner got threatened by Tekton to be sued if he doesn't delete his review, Golden Ear was threatened by dcs unless he deletes his review...
I will read and reread a review looking for the tidbits of truth, generally in a phrase or sentence in between the ostentatious verboseness of poetic grandiloquence meant to impress and induce a sale.
In a certain website I read maybe the first little bit of features the component has, skip all the music tests, because it's full of flowery descriptions about music I can't reference too, then I look at the measurements and conclusions lol
LS50s are a marmite speaker for sure. I was underwhelmed when I heard them at a hi Fi Show 3 years back .They are very stylish & available in many colours so a lifestyle product too. They do a powered version too now.
Spot on mate. The reviews then were better but there is no substitute for listening yourself. I worked for Bill Hutchison HiFi in Glasgow around 1990 and I used to watch people coming in armed with What HiFi under their arm. I want this amp/cd/speaker combo because this is the best sound. Every one of these guys walked out with different gear and had spent less money. I used to tell them to come in with 3 of their favourite albums and let them listen to what they wanted and then I’d play it through the gear I liked. I don’t think even one person left with what they thought they wanted. Because they got something that sounded better and saved money, they’d send their mates in. I only worked there for a few months but I still have most of the gear I bought when I was there. It was a fantastic job where I learned an appreciation for good gear and fantastic sound however my taste in music is still a bit dodgy. Keep up the good work.
I took notice of a review in 1980 and bought an Armstrong 626. A big mistake. So I bought a Sansui R50. Used it for 43 years. Replaced it with a Yamaha.
Very well said and this reflects my own thoughts on this subject . I bought my first Hi Fi system around 1972 . Over that period of time a few pieces of equipment have been and gone . I never got convinced with all that Linn Sondek and Naim hyped up school of thought Hi FI philosophy via certain magazines and dealers . Although i did buy a Linn LP12 turntable out of curiosity but i sold it on as i thought it was overated and should have been named the Sin Condek turntable . In my opinion even the world's oldest hi fi mag namely Hi Fi News magazine reviews and reviewers has gone downhill . However i will state that for me the original Quad ESL speaker is still my reference to this day . I am now 70 years old and will never be without with having at least one pair of Quad ESL's in my home . Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you !
@@stereoreviewx i should have mentioned that i returned to using my Garrard 401 turntable with an SME 3009 arm . I still use it today . Despite the fact that , yes it can have some minor rumble issues and that certain well known magazine reviewers of the 70's and 80's suggested chucking Garrard 401's into the skip because it was the turntable only suitable for your grandfather to use . The Japanese Hi FI enthusiasts did not think so and bought many of them up during this Linn Lunacy / Naim Nuttery period .
I found the Kef Q150s and 350s sound better than the LS50 for a fraction of the price. I don't enjoy most Elac speakers and subs. Some of my all time favorite speakers are cheap (not expensive) ones. Most of us get what you're saying. Well said, indeed!!!!
Hi Kelvin great video mate, I've just had a small operation on my left ear which is bandaged up so not much hearing there, so i have been playing CD's though my 1 box player and sitting close to it and enjoying all that I've played. So why do I need a proper Hifi to get the same pleasure?. Really it's all about the music, have a good Christmas mate.
There's a couple of You Tube hi-fi channels that I no longer watch because it is clear that they shill for their suppliers! Junk receives rave reviews with alarming regularity! Suffice it to say, the channels I mention are presented by American reviewers...
They say nothing , nothing bad anyway Because the equipment was sent to them for free for the reviewer to keep / sell . Just don’t say anything negative or ya won’t receive any more kit Oh and we’ll probably sue you . Hence ..It’s all good 😆
To me, it's like wine- I like what I like. If I like a receiver, amp, speakers, turntable,...then that's what I like- I don't need metrics. I just need to know if it's neutral, top or bottom end heavy. Does it sound good? I'll figure it out from there. I do have affiliate links on my hifi channel, but it's on the item I'm reviewing, if I like it. And even then, it's very low budget that I'm lucky if I make 10 bucks off it.
I agree with what you have said about fetures. I've been looking at upgrading my CD player this year, I've watched a number of reviews on ewetoob, and most of them waffle on about Bluetooth and other bits and bobs. Frustrating because i want to get a better sound and all I'm hearing about is what capacitor has changed from the previous model.
There are still CD players on the market that prioritise sound quality over features. Have a look at the players from Atoll, Exposure, Pro-Ject, Cyrus, Rega, Gold Note, ATC, Lyngdorf, T&A, Norma Audio, Primare, Micromega, Hegal, Gato Audio, Canor. This list should cover most price points. Alternatively, if your CD player has a superior quality transport (and features an S/PDIFF or TOSLINK digital output) then it is worth considering adding an external DAC. However, do not be influenced by the latest DAC chip hype.
Even the reviews were better back then, never mind the kit! That's why we all love your channel Kelvin - some integrity and honesty in a desert of sponsored noise ♥
One thing I've noticed is that reviewers lack the vocabulary to convey sound quality. Maybe it seems pretentious to talk about sound like a wine connoisseur, but some don't even make the effort. Today I watched a vintage stereo dealer talk about how big and beautiful some receivers are, but very little about how they perform.
You're on the money here Kelvin. As somebody who already has all the hi-fi I'll ever need, I can't say I'm that sad about it though. Reviews that don't give me an urge to go and buy something new don't distract me from listening to more music on my existing kit. I imagine we could all do with spending less time curating "things" and more time enjoying ourselves. Your 1970's turntable comment resonates too - I bought a Pro-ject one a decade or so ago. It was fine. I put a nice cartridge on it. Fun times. Then I inherited the family's mid-range 1980's Technics. It sounds better. No surprise, but hi-fi really does last a long time, and that makes it harder for manufacturers to differentiate/sell new products. Perhaps that's why people (reviewers and buyers) focus on features? Also, didn't the shop you're talking about own the magazine you're talking about? I'm pretty sure they bought it…
I’ve become very sceptical of UA-cam hifi reviews. Certain reviewers mostly review products from niche manufacturers where they have direct access to the CEO. Hmmmm, I wonder why 🤔
Many get items to keep, so they will say buy them. Even seen people “review” items they don't even have. Or others that don't listen to speakers but just use an oscilloscope then give a review
I got sucked into the hi-fi bubble in the 70s and what you said about the magazines is 100% true - they never said anything! Yes, there was a clever box in the corner of the review showing the frequency response of a speaker, but what does that tell you? Nothing! Your reviews are far more open and honest and give a feeling of the actual sound. A graph can't do that!
If you can understand the graphs, they are just as useful or more useful than a reviewers words describing sound using different ears, equipment, music and room then you are. Of course, many people can't correlate measurements into sound, so they say it's useless. Gear also doesn't have to measure technically ideal either to be enjoyed. In the end the only way to reliably get something you enjoy is to listen, and more importantly, settle. Otherwise it won't matter how many honest, open and down to earth people you listen to!
The thing is with hifi is everyone has different ears and tastes and the Equipment has to match with the other I have a pair of Richard Allan RA8 speakers on solid state amplifiers they sound OK but put them on valve amplifiers they sound so much better. Cheers Peter
As someone in my sixties , i often wonder how younger reviewers of hifi components set their standards on sound.Given some modern music is recorded in some instances at the top end with no headroom and some bass is taking over the recording completely , are the reviewers using these type of recordings as a benchmark ? I am aware that most reviewers test items with different music genres but i often ask myself have they really heard an acoustic guitar or a piano and just some electronic concoction
Spot on! The conclusion of almost all reviewers make on UA-cam is that this or that is "great" or "the best I've heard thus far". Very few negative remarks, even if warrented. I, on the other hand, would appreciate honest opinions. A product might not be garbage, but they are not all fantastic. Just tell me what you think...and why. Also, I don't know how there are so many exotic & expensive manufacturers out there. How could they sell enough units to stay in business? As you say, perhaps these companies have to merge to make the business work. Still fun to chase the best sound you can afford.
the differences in hifi have narrowed since the seventies, most modern non transducer stuff is much more similar now. I think reviews reflect this. Its the wobbly bits - the turntables and speakers (analogue) that are the parts that need most explanation and auditioning. In an average home a goodish sound is easily achievable and to go further is waste of time and money for most.
It's the justification for the price. Features add fast to the cost and thus make the price higher, which is "music" to their ears. I admit that for many years I fell to the mumbo-jumbo of differences in sound. Then came China to the rescue showing that there's no difference in sound between a $60 little amp and a hundreds of dollars western-made amp.
Most important is product safety. Audio gear that shocks people, catches on fire, has sharp dangerous edges, etc. should always be reported by reviewers to viewers. I buy UL (in the USA) rated equipment as some equipment appears experimental and is built in small quantities where safety may or may not be a priority. Reviews can make viewers aware of options. Most reviewers fail to make negative comments about equipment as negative comments would likely drive away free samples from sellers.
lol I’m glad there’s someone else who wasn’t impressed by the LS50. If you want to see a good bad review of it btw, Crinacle did a video where he says the much less expensive JBL 306p (I think) are better and people buy the LS50 because it’s a “lifestyle product”.
They can’t really say anything because they risk not getting review samples from manufacturers in the future. That makes it pretty much impossible to really review something. My eyes glaze over when watching UA-cam reviews. Kelvin is one of the huge exceptions. His description’s make it very easy to imagine what a piece of equipment sounds like.
Re the discussion about features - it's because you can talk about them without time consuming testing & comparison eg with wireless earbuds the reviews will generally not mention call quality outside with wind... simple to test and requires no experience. I imagine that testing good hi-fi kit requires much more knowledge, time & expense as you're wanting more than wanting to know if it's "loud and clear" 😀
I used to read and listen to a lot of online and magazines reviews and found most often the reviews were crap ls 50s awful warfdale denton awful soundartist ls3 5a dreadful proac 118 and d2 pretty average very disappointing but highly recommended in the end went for a refurbished vintage pair wish your chanel was hear from the start would have saved me a bloody fortune
You are spot on. I watched a review yesterday about a new amp, and the whole things was about its power and features not how it flipping sounded and what it sounded well paired with and I learned nothing apart from it has gold plated posts, who gives a shi*
Got to say, competition and independent brands produce superior product. A large corporation devoid of competition often produces mediocrity. Mr Kel for sure has the ah, fortitude to speak plainly, I love your ttude.
I work in the fashion eyewear business and I can confirl that all articles we have submitted have followed up with a payment and a gift! Why should HiFi be any different?
I think you're right about "reviewers". Everyone is just out to make money. I have mostly 1990s gear and most of it is much better made than the newer stuff.
Only just noticed today you can mow purchase a budget Blue tooth turntable for £219 (well known budget hi Fi brand) At least buyers just getting into hi Fi can start by just pairing it to a smart speaker rather than have to initially purchase an amp & speakers
Thanks! Great video! This whole HiFi, Audiophile, blah, blah, blah (no, not you) it just can be so ridiculous! I've come to learn that I'm not qualified as an "audiophile" because I can only afford "mid-Fi". This despite an entire lifetime attached, enthused, and participating in music, whether it be playing, singing or listening. Of course we can't trust what we read and see. Unless of course it's true. But, I never know if it's true - what's written and seen - until I make use of common sense. I have to listen, with my very own ears. Imagine that! Making informed decisions about musical playback by using my ears?! Crazy I am, I tell 'ya. I'm crazy! LOL
I agree, I don't like Kef LS50 meta either so I never made a video of it. My 2024 videos of products I love: - PS Audio FR5 speakers. My video: ua-cam.com/video/98YsmYNLBbY/v-deo.html - NAD C298 amplifier. My video: ua-cam.com/video/ncwCopnHJqA/v-deo.html - IsoAcoustics antivibration feet. My video: ua-cam.com/video/FISznh39zf4/v-deo.html - Cardas Parsec RCA cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/lXijf7TdF8M/v-deo.html - Cardas Clear USB cable. My video: ua-cam.com/video/tOkL0cxj_38/v-deo.html - iFi Supanova active noise cancelling power cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/1RFn7QTNQ8Y/v-deo.html - GearIT 10 AWG gauge speaker cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/_fy2TU1bzus/v-deo.html ----- source=Apple Music lossless quality
You made videos about such useless stuff like 'antivibration feet', 'RCA cables', 'USB cable', 'active noise cancelling power cables' and 'speaker cables'? Please tell me your are just kidding and make fun of that junk!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Trust me my friend, you absolutely nailed it. I am 61 years old and have loved Hi-Fi my whole life and you absolutely hit the nail on the head
Maybe someday, Kevin will
own some good speakers 😮
@CarlVanDoren61 I think you mean Kelvin, he owns a quite a few nice speaks
Well said, Kelvin! The modern 'reviewers' are mostly just influencers in an echo chamber, constantly amplifying (pun intended) popular myths, superficial opinions and outright woo. And people lap it up, because it's faster and easier than learning through their own experience. I'll give you and Michael Yates a fair hearing, because you both have plenty of experience, you don't earn a living from reviewing and you describe what you hear.
My favourite myth is "the vintage sound". Which one? The 'warm' sound of the NAD 3020? The 'detailed' sound of a Sony TA-F55? The shrieks of an Amstrad EX-333? Modern reviewers tend to pat us vintage owners on the head as if we're a bit simple - the fact that there's no money in it for them to promote 40-year-old kit may have something to do with their condescension, of course!
Hi Nev well put buddy I'm in total agreement with you.
You’re on the money. Many of the people that do these reviews are more entertainers than reviewers. I watch and many time chuckle at the antics. I love watching to see what’s out there as much as anything.
The biggest aspect for me personally and I don't doupt, many others in buying vintage, is having what we couldn't afford in our youth. Comparing with modern equipment is often irrelevant in that we are actually back in the mid to late 70s, living the hifi dream. It has so much more than just the sound. When I play a vinyl record, I'm listening to my vintage set up not the music itself.
I like vintage gear, well, stuff from the year 2000 era because pretty high end gear can be had for a fairly low cost, I can build what was a £20k hifi for about £5k
@@russellparker4568build meaning restore?
All spot on. Trust in Kelvin. Unfortunately though we can't listen to gear now before purchasing so we have to do our best to trust others before making the leap. And fortunately there are a handful of reviewers that do give in depth sound insights even though they are in the hi fi business. After a while you get a feel for their approach and can draw some conclusions about what they say. Ultimately it's all about what something sounds like to your ears with your gear in your room. If buying new then do so where there is a trial period and beware of the cost of return shipping!
Here is a true story, i worked in a well to do Hi-Fi shop in the 70/80's
and during that time all the enthusiasts would believe anything that was
written in the magazines.
One of the reps arrived and asked us if we wanted to buy some ex-review
gear, i instantly asked if it had been messed with, the rep laughed, messed with
it has never been out of the box !
And it was true, there were amplifiers, cassette decks etc that were still in sealed boxes
Where had they come from ? remember Hi-Fi for pleasure, well these were in the latest
issue with full reviews on gear that had never been opened.
Other publications were just as guilty of this.
Use your own eyes and ears, and take so called expert reviews with a big pinch of salt.
Hi Kelvin, you won’t get richer sounding off with a proper honest critique of modern kit so I’m not sure what hifi you could review oh I just realised you could talk a lot of sense and always tell how something sounds to you particularly with vintage gear .. you definitely nailed this video .. and I hope this post gives you a wry smile.. wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and thank you for all your hard work putting out videos in 2024, they are always appreciated and brighten my day
@eazydraw4681 I saw what you did there.😉😁
Eine interessante Erfahrung habe ich zum Thema Tests erlebt.
Als ich von Mofi einen Plattenspieler im Auge hatte lass ich mir einige Tests.
Im großen und ganzen waren fast alle Berichte gleich oder zum Teil vom Prospekt von den Hersteller abgeschrieben.
Da kam ich auf einen Osteuropäischen Testbericht .
Da wurde der Plattenspieler bis ins Detail beschrieben.
Auf die einzelnen eingebauten Bestandteile und wie sich das Klanglich auswirkt.
Über 8 Seiten lang war der Bericht.
Da kommt wirklich ein muss ich haben Effekt raus.
Inzwischen habe ich den Plattenspieler schon länger und habe den Kauf nicht bereut.
Es gibt halt doch noch gute Tests, aber leider oft schwer zu finden.
How often do most people buy new audio components -- or a whole new system? Some people buy (or lease) the latest model cars every year, but once somebody buys a set of speakers or a new amp, how long before they are in the market to replace them? That's the dilemma audio equipment reviewers face. They have to review what's new, week after week, even though there's more stuff being produced than 99.9 percent of their readers/watchers/listeners could ever possibly use (or afford). So, there's always some new "star" piece to hype. What we often forget is that our own ears and brains are the most crucial audio components. Your mind and body learn to adjust to what you're hearing, and a lot also depends on the format and how the equipment is sent up in a particular room. When people talk about giving equipment time to "burn in," often what they're really talking about are their own ears. It has little to do with the electronics. I'll just stick to my solid, beautiful, built-to-last collection of vintage '60s and '70s equipment, thank you. I haven't heard anything better -- especially for the money.
An oldie, but goody - "music fans use their equipment to listen to their records, CDs, whatever; audiophiles use their records, CDs whatever to listen to their equipment." My amp is from 1975, my turntable from 1982, the arm and cartridge from 1978 and the speakers from the mid eighties. I will only replace them if I find anything significantly better; the one item that I recently replaced was my 30 year old Philips CD player with a Rotel CD11 Tribute and that did bring a significant improvement in clarity and detail.
I love vintage gear, and have quite a bit. I know you're all into 'the sound'. I agree that modern components have done little to improve on it over the years. For me anyway the looks, build quality and just feel of the older stuff is equally important! To me that and the fact l'm listening to equipment almost as old as l am really enhances the experience! Merry Christmas from across the pond!
The older reviews would list the music and details of everything they heard, or missed, expectations and conclusions.
Sadly now, last week's recommendation is surpassed by this week's review.. Yes many reviews are so construed you cannot believe a word .
Keep up the great work Kelvin ..
Well said! Merry Christmas 👍from Lancashire😃
Exactly. I’ve unsubscribed to a lot of channels for this reason. But not yours.
Love the video and hit the nail on the head. A couple of months back I had the budget to purchase a new Amp, replacing my 30+ year old one. It was going to be either the Marantz or Denon (both owned now by the same big company, like IAG). However I found a wonderful place in West Yorkshire, who is a passionate audiophile and music lover. He sells fully serviced equipment, and will service your kit as well. So to cut a long story short, I bought a Mid 90's B+W Aura amp, and then my speakers (Goodmans Maxim 3's) finally started to fail after over 30 years of service, so bought a pair of serviced Tannoy 603 ones from the same place. So instead of a new amp I actually have even better second-hand gear which sound wonderful and will last another 30 years. It is a shame that all these hi fi companies have been swallowed up by big companies, so lose their whole identity. All those Mission, Wharfedale, Castle etc. speakers may be designed in the UK, but made in the same factory in the far east (okay, China). The 80's to mid 90's were really the heyday for Hi Fi, and we miss it. Finally those LS50's you mention, the guy at the place concurs, they are not that good and very expensive.
Hi buddy you are so right about modern hifi, I've been thinking about replacing my old Linn intek amp but I don't think anything in my budget will come close to it.
@@robmills537 Have you considered an upgrade path that uses the Linn Intek as a pre-amplifier. Then to save a bit of cash buy a used power amplifier. Some of the audio equipment from the 80’s and 90's is well engineered. Here’s a few ideas.
Audio Systhesis: Desire,
Musical Fidelity: P180 (ideally with the optional CRS power supply),
Linn: LK280 with spark power supply or the Klout,
Magnum: MF250 stereo or the MF125 mono blocks,
DPA Deltec Precision Audio: DPA200S,
AVI: Lab Series S21MA stereo, S2000 stereo or S000MM mono blocks,
Linx: Pulsar stereo, or Stratos mono blocks,
Roksan: Caspian M1 mono blocks,
Meridian: 555 or 556,
Exposure: VIII (mono eight),
Copland: CTA-520.
Hi, are you willing to share the name of this place in West Yorkshire? I am also into old equipment and looking for a place that sells serviced equipment. Thanks in advance.
@ look for criminal records and hi fi in Ossett
This is one of the few audio channels I watch, and for good reason with everything said here. The others I watch are more technical in restoring and building audio gear, but those are good as well since they’re mostly not selling a particular product. Also gives me a sense of what goes on in the inside of these units that I find helpful.
The L112 is a glorious speaker. Apart from scandinavian magazines i used to enjoy "the flat response" and Hifi World. Today my favourite how things sound writer by far is Herb Reichert :)
Spot on mate.🎉
Nice Boothroyd Stuart Meridian pre amp there, with their 2 power amps and Mission 770 speakers they're stunning combo. Friend of mine in Upminster had them, with Oracle turntable.
Yes spot on. My kit is almost 30 years old, I get it serviced and there is nothing that I prefer sonically. In fact some modern equipment has got worse imo
Its all playing into the addiction of more, better, best.
Planned obsolescence…😢
I've had, and still do have, because I'm not good at selling stuff, all manner of amps and speakers accumulated since 1973 when I left school and got a job that gave me an income and allowed me to buy my first amp. The last bit of kit I bought new was the Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives. The system I've settled on, after all these years, and having tried many different combinations comprises a Sansui AU101 (1970's) with Snell Jii speakers (1980's). I've recapped the amp and replaced the transistors and some resistors to keep it up to it's original performance level and recapped the speaker crossovers. Okay, there is no remote control, but at my age exercise is good.
There are a handful of online reviewers who give rather detailed reviews but I agree, many more of them speak in vague generalities.
I think you're spot on, especially with the talk of features. They're very good at telling you the spec of a product, but ultimately for me is does it sound any good?
Thank you for your honesty. Really appreciate it...
Spot on. In all fairness most consumers are fixed on features as well. Long ago we in Holland had the magazine Audio&Techniek which was honest, critical and technically skilled. Producers would think twice to offer them gear for free to test. They expect a kind of advertising, not honesty
yes
On point, sir! But that applies to all kinds of areas. The problem is that all these woanna-be experts want to be teachers without ever having been students.
I remember the Quad ESLs I used to own. I miss this ESL model, now commonly referred to as the "ESL-57", especially with their wonderful midrange and treble. I did also own and like the ESL-63, with their bass & lower mids and with their more dynamic output, but still always preferred the ESL-57 in their gorgeous mid & treble. Later, I heard and really liked the Dick Sequerra application of the ESL-57s with the Sequerra Pyramid true ribbons at top and 2 decent subs all driven with 6 Mark Levinson ML-2 Class-A monoblock power amps. Thank you for stirring my trip down memory lane! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review, sir? No problem. Just buy a full page add in next months magazine". What HiFi magazine would do that? I surely can't think of one. 🤥
What's this week's greatest ever amp/ dac/ speaker or other cheap audio? Man, I can't think of a channel like that. 🤭
I see what you did there...
Thank you for your clarity 👍
Another great and insightful video Kelvin its a shame we cant go into hi-fi shops and listen to gear like you used to but its the shrinking demand as people seem to hold onto their hi-fi they might swop ot a piece due to end of life but the demand for vintage is strong and keeps prices high. I myself replaced my hi-fi with vintage Monitor Audio speakers and Sansui Receiver after watching yoru videos they are in a class of their own to my ears. I sanded down and refinished the speaker casings due to their high quality thick real wood veneer plus I replaced the grilles, cloth and MA metal plates (tightened the screws for the drivers as you recommended) and a good thorough strip down, clean and deoxit of the Sansui with a new vinyl wrap for the case as close to the original as I could find and both look and sound (to me) better than anything else I have owned over the last 40 plus years considerng they are 50 years old themselves. Thanks for bringing a thoroughly enjoyable year of content again in 2024 its much appreciated by your subscribers, have a great xmas and happy new year.
You’re the best Kelvin, love your channel and perspectives given ❤❤
Your best video to date.
Did you see the review about stacking 3 sets of Ls50's on top of each other? They make fairly decent speaker stands if filled with sand!
😅
I agree. If I may, I would also add that I have found hifi reviews to be difficult simply because there are so many variables: the listening room size, shape, sound reflection and/or insulation etc and that's before you have even started thinking about individual components. I'm 57 and for years I chased the "perfect sound" until I realised about 20 years ago that such a thing does not exist. Now I content myself with a system that gives me a sound I enjoy and appreciate - mine is an old system which would no doubt make many cringe, but I like it. Anyway - thanks for posting, on point as always - and a happy christmas to you all.
Some of the guff from What HiFi though. I remember in the 80s stuff like you should put a knot in your speaker cable to make it sound better. but it had to knot one way not the other. And that a speaker in your watch was enough to degrade the sound. Or more recently that you could tell the difference in audio/visual between a 'good/bad/expensive/cheap' digital cable. Gotta keep the advertisers onside.
You have just covered what I have been saying for years, I personally believe that hi fi has not come a long way in terms of sound at the top end for decades and the quality of reviews has declined faceted by feelings rather than facts - that's why I like listening to people like you that tell it like it is on the back of years of experience and not being scared to tell the truth! I have disagreed with you a number of times, even told you so on a couple of occasions and constructive criticism is always a good thing! Keep up the good work Kelvin, there are a lot of people out here who regard your work highly.
Kelvin speaks a lot of sense to me, and I 'hear' his ear. Totally like the whole thing about this channel.
The last staw for me was the audiophile switch and audiophile ethernet cables that somehow make your streamer work better. What a crock. Same goes for coax cables.
Yesterday another great Video Kelvin.
Thank you!
Happy Christmas
Your right the reviews were far better in them days good review
Can we even trust our own ears? Maybe stuff we bought in the 80's sounds poorer than stuff we can buy today for a fraction of the cost simply because our hearing has degraded over the last 40 years?
I do know what I like, and that's good clear mid range thumping base and highs that are not shrill... so I just eq stuff until it sounds the way I like it...
The best improvement recently has been getting new releases of old albums that I love that have been remixed from the original masters and they now sound amazing, you can easily compare them on your own system, and it makes you realise the actual mix has such a huge part to play...
The other thing I do when listening at volume is to put a few large cushions in the corner of the room, for me it stops the bass booming and just let's it thump 😉
Thanks for the video, great entertainment and some of the tips you share are excellent...
Cushions room treatment lol
Some older speakers do still sound good, though I can usually pick up some colourations after a while.
You notice more if you directly compare. Otherwise it's still very enjoyable
Having been in audio for over 40 years the Quads remain the finest speaker - Bar none - For me. And I've heard everything big and small. You have to accept some compromise, but far less than you imagine. Bass extension and absolute level. Neither a worry for most. Bass is extraordinary down to 44Hz. Goes very loud for me too. Midrange is unsurpassed.
Edit: I have been in the high end industry the majority of those years.
Who makes the Quads ?
I appreciate your intelligent curiosity about audio and analysis of consumer culture.
I will elaborate on the change of times. In the past, you read ho-fi reviews in order to understand what your next upgrade or purchase will be. In modern days consumers visit the UA-cam reviews to confirm that their equipment is the greates available, not to evaluate a new product at all. If you have the auudacity to say that the LS50 sounds junk, you will have every LS50 owners on your case, even if the secretly agree with you.
"Bang on Olefson " Merry Christmas Buddy ,Have a great time and all the best from the Costa
Del Sol..🎉
I keep seeing these speaker reviews where the speaker is considered absolutely stellar - perfect in every way. Then someone takes some actual measurements and the phase alignment is completely off, off axis response has huge holes, the box resonates hard, there's ringing all over the place.... makes me wonder how bad the reviewer's hearing must be to miss all that.
Measurements first. There's no point in listening to something that doesn't measure right. If you can't measure it, you shouldn't be reviewing it. *PERIOD*
*Richer Sounds if anyone is interested in the Hi-fi chain.
It's called "puffing". So they huff and they puff and they blow these speakers out!
I remember when I started reading hi fi mags in the mid 80's the reviews were more on how equipment sounded and less on what they were made of.
Bad news can sell, your video is the best proof. We don't see negative reviews because UA-camrs fear to get sued: Erins audio Corner got threatened by Tekton to be sued if he doesn't delete his review, Golden Ear was threatened by dcs unless he deletes his review...
Wow interesting thanks
I will read and reread a review looking for the tidbits of truth, generally in a phrase or sentence in between the ostentatious verboseness of poetic grandiloquence meant to impress and induce a sale.
In a certain website I read maybe the first little bit of features the component has, skip all the music tests, because it's full of flowery descriptions about music I can't reference too, then I look at the measurements and conclusions lol
LS50s are a marmite speaker for sure. I was underwhelmed when I heard them at a hi Fi Show 3 years back
.They are very stylish & available in many colours so a lifestyle product too.
They do a powered version too now.
Spot on mate. The reviews then were better but there is no substitute for listening yourself. I worked for Bill Hutchison HiFi in Glasgow around 1990 and I used to watch people coming in armed with What HiFi under their arm. I want this amp/cd/speaker combo because this is the best sound. Every one of these guys walked out with different gear and had spent less money. I used to tell them to come in with 3 of their favourite albums and let them listen to what they wanted and then I’d play it through the gear I liked. I don’t think even one person left with what they thought they wanted. Because they got something that sounded better and saved money, they’d send their mates in. I only worked there for a few months but I still have most of the gear I bought when I was there. It was a fantastic job where I learned an appreciation for good gear and fantastic sound however my taste in music is still a bit dodgy.
Keep up the good work.
yeah nothing like working in a shop to really know
I took notice of a review in 1980 and bought an Armstrong 626. A big mistake. So I bought a Sansui R50. Used it for 43 years. Replaced it with a Yamaha.
Very well said and this reflects my own thoughts on this subject . I bought my first Hi Fi system around 1972 . Over that period of time a few pieces of equipment have been and gone . I never got convinced with all that Linn Sondek and Naim hyped up school of thought Hi FI philosophy via certain magazines and dealers . Although i did buy a Linn LP12 turntable out of curiosity but i sold it on as i thought it was overated and should have been named the Sin Condek turntable . In my opinion even the world's oldest hi fi mag namely Hi Fi News magazine reviews and reviewers has gone downhill . However i will state that for me the original Quad ESL speaker is still my reference to this day . I am now 70 years old and will never be without with having at least one pair of Quad ESL's in my home . Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you !
yeah i had a linn just didnt deliver thought it may have problems ??
@@stereoreviewx i should have mentioned that i returned to using my Garrard 401 turntable with an SME 3009 arm . I still use it today . Despite the fact that , yes it can have some minor rumble issues and that certain well known magazine reviewers of the 70's and 80's suggested chucking Garrard 401's into the skip because it was the turntable only suitable for your grandfather to use . The Japanese Hi FI enthusiasts did not think so and bought many of them up during this Linn Lunacy / Naim Nuttery period .
Many reviewers have literary/technical backgrounds, which helps in writing articles but not all have the critical skills required for assessing sound.
Very few of them have 'technical background'. If they had, they wouldn't write such a bul....t
the BS is relentless especially from the US, the use of terms like "endgame" speakers, or a real favourite " $100 amp destroys amps 10 x price"
I found the Kef Q150s and 350s sound better than the LS50 for a fraction of the price. I don't enjoy most Elac speakers and subs. Some of my all time favorite speakers are cheap (not expensive) ones. Most of us get what you're saying. Well said, indeed!!!!
Hi Kelvin great video mate, I've just had a small operation on my left ear which is bandaged up so not much hearing there, so i have been playing CD's though my 1 box player and sitting close to it and enjoying all that I've played. So why do I need a proper Hifi to get the same pleasure?. Really it's all about the music, have a good Christmas mate.
There's a couple of You Tube hi-fi channels that I no longer watch because it is clear that they shill for their suppliers! Junk receives rave reviews with alarming regularity! Suffice it to say, the channels I mention are presented by American reviewers...
It's much, much more than two IMHO.
Andrew robinson... can't stand that guy and his wife talking shite.
They say nothing , nothing bad anyway
Because the equipment was sent to them for free for the reviewer to keep / sell .
Just don’t say anything negative or ya won’t receive any more kit Oh and we’ll probably sue you .
Hence ..It’s all good 😆
To me, it's like wine- I like what I like. If I like a receiver, amp, speakers, turntable,...then that's what I like- I don't need metrics. I just need to know if it's neutral, top or bottom end heavy. Does it sound good? I'll figure it out from there.
I do have affiliate links on my hifi channel, but it's on the item I'm reviewing, if I like it. And even then, it's very low budget that I'm lucky if I make 10 bucks off it.
I agree with what you have said about fetures.
I've been looking at upgrading my CD player this year, I've watched a number of reviews on ewetoob, and most of them waffle on about Bluetooth and other bits and bobs.
Frustrating because i want to get a better sound and all I'm hearing about is what capacitor has changed from the previous model.
Ck out the PS Audio DSD MkII and SACD Transport.
I switch off as soon as I hear the word Bluetooth.
@@RM-lv9ng CD4 Quadrophonic🔥
Been into hifi for 40 years, i tested a couple of good Cd transports & dacs but a sony hap sounded just as good
There are still CD players on the market that prioritise sound quality over features. Have a look at the players from Atoll, Exposure, Pro-Ject, Cyrus, Rega, Gold Note, ATC, Lyngdorf, T&A, Norma Audio, Primare, Micromega, Hegal, Gato Audio, Canor. This list should cover most price points. Alternatively, if your CD player has a superior quality transport (and features an S/PDIFF or TOSLINK digital output) then it is worth considering adding an external DAC. However, do not be influenced by the latest DAC chip hype.
Even the reviews were better back then, never mind the kit! That's why we all love your channel Kelvin - some integrity and honesty in a desert of sponsored noise ♥
Can we be sure he's not on a kickback for lava lamp sales, though? Lol
@@nwr99nwr99 😂
@@nwr99nwr99 🤣🤣
One thing I've noticed is that reviewers lack the vocabulary to convey sound quality. Maybe it seems pretentious to talk about sound like a wine connoisseur, but some don't even make the effort. Today I watched a vintage stereo dealer talk about how big and beautiful some receivers are, but very little about how they perform.
You're on the money here Kelvin. As somebody who already has all the hi-fi I'll ever need, I can't say I'm that sad about it though. Reviews that don't give me an urge to go and buy something new don't distract me from listening to more music on my existing kit. I imagine we could all do with spending less time curating "things" and more time enjoying ourselves.
Your 1970's turntable comment resonates too - I bought a Pro-ject one a decade or so ago. It was fine. I put a nice cartridge on it. Fun times. Then I inherited the family's mid-range 1980's Technics. It sounds better. No surprise, but hi-fi really does last a long time, and that makes it harder for manufacturers to differentiate/sell new products. Perhaps that's why people (reviewers and buyers) focus on features?
Also, didn't the shop you're talking about own the magazine you're talking about? I'm pretty sure they bought it…
oh i dont know that ??
Great video. So much truth.
I appreciate your honesty. And your opinion.
You are absolutely correct!
I’ve become very sceptical of UA-cam hifi reviews. Certain reviewers mostly review products from niche manufacturers where they have direct access to the CEO. Hmmmm, I wonder why 🤔
Many get items to keep, so they will say buy them. Even seen people “review” items they don't even have. Or others that don't listen to speakers but just use an oscilloscope then give a review
All hi-fi set ups from $300 to $50,000 sound the same on my computer.
I got sucked into the hi-fi bubble in the 70s and what you said about the magazines is 100% true - they never said anything! Yes, there was a clever box in the corner of the review showing the frequency response of a speaker, but what does that tell you? Nothing!
Your reviews are far more open and honest and give a feeling of the actual sound. A graph can't do that!
If you can understand the graphs, they are just as useful or more useful than a reviewers words describing sound using different ears, equipment, music and room then you are.
Of course, many people can't correlate measurements into sound, so they say it's useless.
Gear also doesn't have to measure technically ideal either to be enjoyed.
In the end the only way to reliably get something you enjoy is to listen, and more importantly, settle. Otherwise it won't matter how many honest, open and down to earth people you listen to!
The thing is with hifi is everyone has different ears and tastes and the Equipment has to match with the other I have a pair of Richard Allan RA8 speakers on solid state amplifiers they sound OK but put them on valve amplifiers they sound so much better. Cheers Peter
And that's why I only trust Erin's Audio Corner. When he talks he shows the results of his tests.
As always, excellent. Ironically, Steve the audiophilliac has much the same theme this week!
Steve is part of the problem.
Simple really.....only trust your own ears....listen before you buy and enjoy this fabulous hobby
That’s the exact opposite of simple. How many speakers, amps or whatever exist (new or used) within your potential budgets?
As someone in my sixties , i often wonder how younger reviewers of hifi components set their standards
on sound.Given some modern music is recorded in some instances at the top end with no headroom
and some bass is taking over the recording completely , are the reviewers using these type of recordings
as a benchmark ? I am aware that most reviewers test items with different music genres but i often
ask myself have they really heard an acoustic guitar or a piano and just some electronic concoction
Spot on! The conclusion of almost all reviewers make on UA-cam is that this or that is "great" or "the best I've heard thus far". Very few negative remarks, even if warrented. I, on the other hand, would appreciate honest opinions. A product might not be garbage, but they are not all fantastic. Just tell me what you think...and why. Also, I don't know how there are so many exotic & expensive manufacturers out there. How could they sell enough units to stay in business? As you say, perhaps these companies have to merge to make the business work. Still fun to chase the best sound you can afford.
Listen to your ears and pay for what you can afford to hear. The hype is always the selling point.
true. in the end you ve got to try many hifi compments, trust your ears and find out what fits to you
the differences in hifi have narrowed since the seventies, most modern non transducer stuff is much more similar now. I think reviews reflect this. Its the wobbly bits - the turntables and speakers (analogue) that are the parts that need most explanation and auditioning. In an average home a goodish sound is easily achievable and to go further is waste of time and money for most.
It's the justification for the price. Features add fast to the cost and thus make the price higher, which is "music" to their ears.
I admit that for many years I fell to the mumbo-jumbo of differences in sound. Then came China to the rescue showing that there's no difference in sound between a $60 little amp and a hundreds of dollars western-made amp.
Most important is product safety. Audio gear that shocks people, catches on fire, has sharp dangerous edges, etc. should always be reported by reviewers to viewers.
I buy UL (in the USA) rated equipment as some equipment appears experimental and is built in small quantities where safety may or may not be a priority.
Reviews can make viewers aware of options. Most reviewers fail to make negative comments about equipment as negative comments would likely drive away free samples from sellers.
lol I’m glad there’s someone else who wasn’t impressed by the LS50. If you want to see a good bad review of it btw, Crinacle did a video where he says the much less expensive JBL 306p (I think) are better and people buy the LS50 because it’s a “lifestyle product”.
They can’t really say anything because they risk not getting review samples from manufacturers in the future. That makes it pretty much impossible to really review something. My eyes glaze over when watching UA-cam reviews. Kelvin is one of the huge exceptions. His description’s make it very easy to imagine what a piece of equipment sounds like.
Re the discussion about features - it's because you can talk about them without time consuming testing & comparison eg with wireless earbuds the reviews will generally not mention call quality outside with wind... simple to test and requires no experience. I imagine that testing good hi-fi kit requires much more knowledge, time & expense as you're wanting more than wanting to know if it's "loud and clear" 😀
Kelvin knows his onions 🧅 AND says it straight 👏👏👏👏👏
I love when a reviewer claims these speaker's are the best then next month theses are the best and so on.
What hifi magazine are you on about I wonder…. That sounds a bit richer to me lol.
I used to read and listen to a lot of online and magazines reviews and found most often the reviews were crap ls 50s awful warfdale denton awful soundartist ls3 5a dreadful proac 118 and d2 pretty average very disappointing but highly recommended in the end went for a refurbished vintage pair wish your chanel was hear from the start would have saved me a bloody fortune
You are spot on. I watched a review yesterday about a new amp, and the whole things was about its power and features not how it flipping sounded and what it sounded well paired with and I learned nothing apart from it has gold plated posts, who gives a shi*
Don't all amps sound the same if driven within their limits?
@jozefserf2024 no they sound very different
Got to say, competition and independent brands produce superior product. A large corporation devoid of competition often produces mediocrity. Mr Kel for sure has the ah, fortitude to speak plainly, I love your ttude.
I work in the fashion eyewear business and I can confirl that all articles we have submitted have followed up with a payment and a gift! Why should HiFi be any different?
I think you're right about "reviewers". Everyone is just out to make money. I have mostly 1990s gear and most of it is much better made than the newer stuff.
Only just noticed today you can mow purchase a budget Blue tooth turntable for £219 (well known budget hi Fi brand)
At least buyers just getting into hi Fi can start by just pairing it to a smart speaker rather than have to initially purchase an amp & speakers
Buyers getting into vinyl you mean .
There is also tape, CD, local digital files, streaming as a source.
Spot on - good video!
The mainstream world has become a unified clown show.
Since I started this hobby I am never satisfied and always looking for something that sounds better...
Fiction sells better than non fiction.
LOVE your work. What do you reckon on the B&W DM2 I KNOW YOU LIKE THE dm4 BUT ID LIKE YOUR OPINION ON THE dm2
You are spot on Thanks Kelvin
Thanks! Great video! This whole HiFi, Audiophile, blah, blah, blah (no, not you) it just can be so ridiculous! I've come to learn that I'm not qualified as an "audiophile" because I can only afford "mid-Fi". This despite an entire lifetime attached, enthused, and participating in music, whether it be playing, singing or listening. Of course we can't trust what we read and see. Unless of course it's true. But, I never know if it's true - what's written and seen - until I make use of common sense. I have to listen, with my very own ears. Imagine that! Making informed decisions about musical playback by using my ears?! Crazy I am, I tell 'ya. I'm crazy! LOL
yeah you and me too need to be arrested
I agree, I don't like Kef LS50 meta either so I never made a video of it.
My 2024 videos of products I love:
- PS Audio FR5 speakers. My video: ua-cam.com/video/98YsmYNLBbY/v-deo.html
- NAD C298 amplifier. My video: ua-cam.com/video/ncwCopnHJqA/v-deo.html
- IsoAcoustics antivibration feet. My video: ua-cam.com/video/FISznh39zf4/v-deo.html
- Cardas Parsec RCA cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/lXijf7TdF8M/v-deo.html
- Cardas Clear USB cable. My video: ua-cam.com/video/tOkL0cxj_38/v-deo.html
- iFi Supanova active noise cancelling power cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/1RFn7QTNQ8Y/v-deo.html
- GearIT 10 AWG gauge speaker cables. My video: ua-cam.com/video/_fy2TU1bzus/v-deo.html
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source=Apple Music lossless quality
You made videos about such useless stuff like 'antivibration feet', 'RCA cables', 'USB cable', 'active noise cancelling power cables' and 'speaker cables'? Please tell me your are just kidding and make fun of that junk!