Car audio equipment reviews
03-15-2005 | 02:07 PM
#1
Thread Starter
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
I am looking for feedback on what you like to read in Car audio equipment reviews.
Would testing/comparing car equipment in a lab type setting be more usefull (what sounds good in one car may not be relevent top another car)?
Or would you rather read about how equipment sopunds/works when installed into an exsisting car audio system?
Do reviews even hold any merit?
I have not seen many reviews accessable online. If anyone knows of some, please post some links.
As well, any info as to what you feel makes reviews usefull and worthwile please add to the discussion.
Thanks.
Would testing/comparing car equipment in a lab type setting be more usefull (what sounds good in one car may not be relevent top another car)?
Or would you rather read about how equipment sopunds/works when installed into an exsisting car audio system?
Do reviews even hold any merit?
I have not seen many reviews accessable online. If anyone knows of some, please post some links.
As well, any info as to what you feel makes reviews usefull and worthwile please add to the discussion.
Thanks.
)
03-15-2005 | 02:17 PM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 242
03-15-2005 | 05:10 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
03-15-2005 | 06:24 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
No worries Livin'... and thanks..
The advantage of lab reviews is that the conditions are 100% repeatable for comparison purposes.
In-car reviews are a nice way to go, but it is quite hard on your car to continuous swap products in and out, especially if it's 50-70 products per year (as in my case). My car has taken quite a beating with the limited number of products that do make it in there. My lab is much easier for me.
Do reviews hold merit? It of course depends on the reviewer. If you are reading something from a print publication, then I'd say yes. Often you need to decode the 'big picture' of a review as weaknesses or drawbacks may not be highlighted clearly, but they are always present, if simply by not being mentioned.
Reviews by most consumers are often opinion. There are very few 'consumers' who have the experience to properly review a product, or have a base of experience from which to compare. Those reviews often end up with comments like 'kicked ***', 'totally sucked' or references to what happened when they installed the product improperly (which they neglect to mention) and proceeded to blow up or melt down.
If you read woofer reviews in the new Road & Track Road Gear magazine, you will find that the reviewer uses a JBL 6000GTi to power the woofers, much more than what any of them could possible handle. He is also forced to mention in each review that he is fully aware of this and understands what to listen for when pushing a woofer too hard. Most consumers would just keep going untill the poor product being reviewed turned to ruble.
Online reviews are available from:
www.roadgearmag.com
www.caraudiomag.com
www.pasmag.com
with the latter having the most...
That all being said, I am always available to give people opinions and suggestions, or to perform private reviews on specific products.
Hope that helps...
The advantage of lab reviews is that the conditions are 100% repeatable for comparison purposes.
In-car reviews are a nice way to go, but it is quite hard on your car to continuous swap products in and out, especially if it's 50-70 products per year (as in my case). My car has taken quite a beating with the limited number of products that do make it in there. My lab is much easier for me.
Do reviews hold merit? It of course depends on the reviewer. If you are reading something from a print publication, then I'd say yes. Often you need to decode the 'big picture' of a review as weaknesses or drawbacks may not be highlighted clearly, but they are always present, if simply by not being mentioned.
Reviews by most consumers are often opinion. There are very few 'consumers' who have the experience to properly review a product, or have a base of experience from which to compare. Those reviews often end up with comments like 'kicked ***', 'totally sucked' or references to what happened when they installed the product improperly (which they neglect to mention) and proceeded to blow up or melt down.
If you read woofer reviews in the new Road & Track Road Gear magazine, you will find that the reviewer uses a JBL 6000GTi to power the woofers, much more than what any of them could possible handle. He is also forced to mention in each review that he is fully aware of this and understands what to listen for when pushing a woofer too hard. Most consumers would just keep going untill the poor product being reviewed turned to ruble.
Online reviews are available from:
www.roadgearmag.com
www.caraudiomag.com
www.pasmag.com
with the latter having the most...
That all being said, I am always available to give people opinions and suggestions, or to perform private reviews on specific products.
Hope that helps...
03-15-2005 | 11:21 PM
#6
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,093
hey Dave... i'm actually pretty pissed that i didn't get to meet you when i was out there in Toronto this past weekend! i wish i could have! time kinda ran out real quick, i though i was going to see you at the Performance Show,.. but we only got there on the sunday.. oh well next time ain't far away! 
Livin Loud
Livin Loud
03-16-2005 | 04:34 PM
#7
Originally posted by Dave_MacKinnon:
No worries Livin'... and thanks..
The advantage of lab reviews is that the conditions are 100% repeatable for comparison purposes.
In-car reviews are a nice way to go, but it is quite hard on your car to continuous swap products in and out, especially if it's 50-70 products per year (as in my case). My car has taken quite a beating with the limited number of products that do make it in there. My lab is much easier for me.
Do reviews hold merit? It of course depends on the reviewer. If you are reading something from a print publication, then I'd say yes. Often you need to decode the 'big picture' of a review as weaknesses or drawbacks may not be highlighted clearly, but they are always present, if simply by not being mentioned.
Reviews by most consumers are often opinion. There are very few 'consumers' who have the experience to properly review a product, or have a base of experience from which to compare. Those reviews often end up with comments like 'kicked ***', 'totally sucked' or references to what happened when they installed the product improperly (which they neglect to mention) and proceeded to blow up or melt down.
If you read woofer reviews in the new Road & Track Road Gear magazine, you will find that the reviewer uses a JBL 6000GTi to power the woofers, much more than what any of them could possible handle. He is also forced to mention in each review that he is fully aware of this and understands what to listen for when pushing a woofer too hard. Most consumers would just keep going untill the poor product being reviewed turned to ruble.
Online reviews are available from:
www.roadgearmag.com
www.caraudiomag.com
www.pasmag.com
with the latter having the most...
That all being said, I am always available to give people opinions and suggestions, or to perform private reviews on specific products.
Hope that helps...
No worries Livin'... and thanks..
The advantage of lab reviews is that the conditions are 100% repeatable for comparison purposes.
In-car reviews are a nice way to go, but it is quite hard on your car to continuous swap products in and out, especially if it's 50-70 products per year (as in my case). My car has taken quite a beating with the limited number of products that do make it in there. My lab is much easier for me.
Do reviews hold merit? It of course depends on the reviewer. If you are reading something from a print publication, then I'd say yes. Often you need to decode the 'big picture' of a review as weaknesses or drawbacks may not be highlighted clearly, but they are always present, if simply by not being mentioned.
Reviews by most consumers are often opinion. There are very few 'consumers' who have the experience to properly review a product, or have a base of experience from which to compare. Those reviews often end up with comments like 'kicked ***', 'totally sucked' or references to what happened when they installed the product improperly (which they neglect to mention) and proceeded to blow up or melt down.
If you read woofer reviews in the new Road & Track Road Gear magazine, you will find that the reviewer uses a JBL 6000GTi to power the woofers, much more than what any of them could possible handle. He is also forced to mention in each review that he is fully aware of this and understands what to listen for when pushing a woofer too hard. Most consumers would just keep going untill the poor product being reviewed turned to ruble.
Online reviews are available from:
www.roadgearmag.com
www.caraudiomag.com
www.pasmag.com
with the latter having the most...
That all being said, I am always available to give people opinions and suggestions, or to perform private reviews on specific products.
Hope that helps...
03-16-2005 | 11:39 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sorry Livin'... Would have been good.. I was working my tail off..
B-Burn... I understand your point of view. I can't speak for the other publications I have mentioned, but I cna certainly speak for myself.
The only potential for a conflict of interest in terms of the reviews would stem from my not having any morals or ethics. Indeed, it's blatantly obivous that the reviews happen because of advertising, in fact, they are often an extension of an advertising contract.
I will admit, I do got gently on some of the products, perhaps highlighting the positives more than the negatives, but I don't say anything that I can't back from my testing.
Where there would be a problem, is when a product was given a review it did not deserve. I'd say it was more than obvious, from my reviews, which products perform adequately, and which ones are impressive or stunning. That, in the grant scheme of things, is the point of the entire exercise.
B-Burn... I understand your point of view. I can't speak for the other publications I have mentioned, but I cna certainly speak for myself.
The only potential for a conflict of interest in terms of the reviews would stem from my not having any morals or ethics. Indeed, it's blatantly obivous that the reviews happen because of advertising, in fact, they are often an extension of an advertising contract.
I will admit, I do got gently on some of the products, perhaps highlighting the positives more than the negatives, but I don't say anything that I can't back from my testing.
Where there would be a problem, is when a product was given a review it did not deserve. I'd say it was more than obvious, from my reviews, which products perform adequately, and which ones are impressive or stunning. That, in the grant scheme of things, is the point of the entire exercise.
03-17-2005 | 09:18 AM
#9
Thread Starter
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
Thanks for the informative replies Dave (and veryone else).
For everyone out there, are they any measurements that are of interest?
If so, are there prefered methods of obtaining the measurements?
And for that matter are there any that you deam useless?
For everyone out there, are they any measurements that are of interest?
If so, are there prefered methods of obtaining the measurements?
And for that matter are there any that you deam useless?
03-17-2005 | 10:12 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
My pleasure...
Most measurements are useless, since they don't describe the sound of a product..
Whaty does matter (at least a bit)
Power ratings on amplifiers. CEA-2006 method or equivalent.
Frequency response on amps
Thiel-Small specs on woofers
Frequency response on mids (looking anomolies)
Most measurements are useless, since they don't describe the sound of a product..
Whaty does matter (at least a bit)
Power ratings on amplifiers. CEA-2006 method or equivalent.
Frequency response on amps
Thiel-Small specs on woofers
Frequency response on mids (looking anomolies)
