In article ,
wrote:
On Mon, 1 Nov 2004 09:50:14 +0200, "Iain M Churches"
wrote:

But doesn't a proper technical evaluation add increased credibility to
a review? and the outlay for such a test is not large. I wonder if
there are some politics also involved here?

As far as I can see the main factor is money. To conduct good tests
needs someone with access to good test equipment, the ability to use it
and preferably who understands what they are doing. This is expensive.
It costs very little to merely express an opinion.

I am inclined to agree. Although the 'nice thing' about being a reviewer is
that you can dismiss years of some-one else's hard work and experience in a
few mins, based upon little more than such 'opinions'.

Also the publishers will have done their market research and will
realise that almost none of their readership either read or understand
technical assessments, so comissioning and publishing them involves
spending money for no return.

To take that slightly further. I have had comments from people associated
with magazines that they feel that some/many readers *dislike* being
presented with too much 'technical' information as they find it annoying
that they don't understand it. Bit like the comment attributed to Hawking
and his editors that each equation in a book halves the number of sales.

Whether the above view is reliable or not, the problem is that some editors
and writers behave as if they assume it to be the case. :-/


The forward thinking manufacturers cut out interface problems altogether
by using active speakers. One amp for each driver with electronic
crossovers; reduces amp/driver interface problems, simplifies crossover
design and it should reduce costs. (Decent analogue crossover components
are expensive).

This is now very common in the semi-professional area, and has been
common in the professional arena for many years.

Meridian is the leading advocate of this approach in the field of Hi-fi.

Yes. My regret is that they don't make Electrostatics. ;-)

Fortunately, the newer speakers like the 988's and 989's are much easier to
drive than old 57's... :-))

Slainte,

Jim

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