GO ahead and slam Sound&Vision if you want because they do take advertising money which most publications do and it would only seem natural to give a favorable review to companies with advertising clout (money)

But when you criticize Consumer Reports you are wrong, this is a publication that has been around probably longer than most of you (professional critics) have been alive, this is one of the best unbiased sources of information for products you may or may not be interested in, it is a tool that can be used for what it is, and rest assured this publication does not accept any advertisers or business money.

You don't have to agree with everything they print, but like asking questions on a forum, it is another way of obtaining information. And you can be sure it is not biased, they only tell the facts after extensive testing.

LQQK

To Azryan:
You appear to be an expert on everything! And everything 'sucks' unless it matches your opinion. You rant about biases yet you are the most biased of all. I've read numerous e-mails that you've sent in. Can't seem to avoid them. (the piece on video projectors was particularly tedious). I actually try to avoid threads with your 'messages' because I know what to expect. "The Gospel According to Azryan". Get a clue, get a life, possibly consider providing some information that someone can use, and stop using this forum as your own personal outlet.
Everyone else, sorry for the rant.
Mix (an actual industry professional)

I've found Consumer Reports to be one of the subtlely biased magazines I've every read!

I have never taken reviews of any kind all that seriously, especially magazine reviews. I just take them for what they are and get whatever I can from them then see for myself. It's kind of like different news channels being biased on political issues. I still watch all of them, digest the info and form my own opinions on each issue. I don't subscribe to any HT or audio magazines but I always pick up a few when I'm in the book store. Of the many I have read through the years, it's amazing how there are never any REALLY NEGATIVE reviews. It's always the same formula, 5 or so pluses for the product with one minus, the minus usually being something trivial like a feature missing on the remote. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to reading Sound and Vision's review either way.

As far as the hiss issue goes, I'll judge for myself. If I have to press my head against a speaker to hear it then I won't worry about it. If I hear it during the silent part of a movie or cd at normal listening levels, I'll just return it.

Rob

Damn, consumer reports is great for picking toasters, microwave ovens, and mini-vans. But for anything that is specialized, they suck. If they did a review of HT systems, I guarantee that a RCA HTIB would absolutely kill a Krell system with megabuck speakers, etc. They would rank a Caravan over a Ferrari.
Sound and Vision is very similar. Home Theater Magazine is pretty close. They used to be great, but both seem afraid to anger any advertisers too much.
Stereophile, Absolute Ear, Sensible Sound, etc, will give much truer reviews of audiophile gear.

I find Sound & Vision does some of the best reporting on convergence issues (ex: Home Theater PC, hard drive music boxes, etc.). The best info for hard core gearheads is on the web, but of all the print magazines, they're the only ones who consistently tackle these topics in a way average enthusiasts can use it.

-avi

I have a subscription for S&V but have not yet received my latest copy. Is this review available anywhere online?

Also, I'd guess that the review sample that S&V received is from the same beta unit batch(time period) as the final unit that us beta testers received, before ANY units started to actually ship to consumers. Lead time for a magazine to receive, review, write and publish a review can take up to 4 months.

------------------
Take Care,
merc

MixFixJ,

Don't read my posts then. Sounds like you're my biggest fan reading everything I write.

I've never even seen you here before. So the only post I've read from YOU is a rant that makes you sound like you know everything.
Just what you accuse me of. How moronic. I mean ironic.

Here's what you can do if you're so upset by the things I say (see, I'm even helping fight my evil ways..)
You can use that pea brain that decides to insult me, and instead tell me how I'm wrong with well thought out point that make me look foolish and stupid.

I'd imagine if you had ANYTHING to say that would contradict what I've written in the past you'd say it 'cuz clearly you'd love to attack me anyway you can.

Feel free. I can't stop, and would try. Be careful though, 'cuz if you're wrong, I'll nail you back.

I know I can be very confrontational at times, but when I think someone isn't making a reasonable point, innaccurate point, a point I disagree with, I'll probably point it out.
This BIG NEWS about Sound and Vision is total dumb IMO and stated details why. Let me add everything Outlaw's released has been reviewd by S&V. It was no suprise that the 950 was, and nothing meaningful gained from hearing they like it.

I'm challenging people to think beyond posting ads for useless print reviews.

Maybe you'd prefer to see only people who love and support eachother as a big beautiful community of audiophiles... but often points are brought up and then debated.
In my case 'strongly debated' when I feel the way as I do about how useless Sound and Vision is.

One point about how anything I said was wrong. One. Anything... I dare you to use that brain of yours next time you post.
You need a challenge to keep it working it seems.

I have to agree with Azryan on S&V. They never really say anything bad. They never really pick a winner even when they review three items. The only reason I like them at all is because they do review DVDs and music and will say if these suck or not.

Concerning CR -- this magazine lost me when it rated the Bosch dishwashers worst in cleaning. Bosch dishwashers rock! They also have testing methods that are basically unpublished. When I was looking for a refrigerator, they uses a 100 point list in their tests, but they didn't tell you what the 100 point list was or how it was scored. I could not, therefore, gauge whether they cared the same as I did or not about particular tests. They can also be very biased. For instance, when testing electric ovens (ranges + cooktops), they hated the flattop because they were expensive to replace if you broke the flattop and they had less heating power. I personally would not buy anything but a flattop because of its ease of cleaning. And, they aren't that bad, if you search brands, when heating. Therfore, CR's ratings were useless for me for refrigerators (I did my own tests and research -- CR actually rated this model high), dishwashers (I bought a Bosch, rated the worst in cleaning), and ovens (I bought a flattop convection oven, which CR rated low because of the flattop).

Hello All,
Az: You've lived up to expectation! Your response was both puerile and tedious. (you seem to bring out the word 'tedious' in me). But I'm truly not here to insult. I enjoy this forum and the opportunity it affords us to exchange hopefully meaningful information. As far as posts, you probably haven't seen many of mine because, as I said before, I really do avoid threads that contain your input. I'll give you this, you are knowledgeable about a few things. Good for you. It may get you a cup of coffee somewhere, sometime. I'm not here to give you my resume. I partially did it in another thread, and looking back, it sounded kind of pompous. I don't have anything against you personally. I don't even know you. I just find your style immature and irritating.
You are correct in that it is my choice to read your messages, or not. From now on I guess I'll choose 'not'.
As far as S&V goes, yes, it is an advertiser-owned rag. One of the reasons I come here is for more objective viewpoints and the opportunity to hear what people think. Az, if you're curious about my pedigree go to: c-e-i.com. I'm leaning against the plan table.
Everybody else!
I'm sorry for taking-up your time and will endeavor to only stick to the subject-at-hand from now on!
'Till later,
Mix

P.S. Az: 'Spell Check'