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The Harsh Truth is that Audiophile Reviews Have Regressed rather than Progressed.

  • Writer: dbstechtalk
    dbstechtalk
  • 1 hour ago
  • 14 min read

"Honest opinions & reviews on audio related gear in a simple, basic way; limited edits, no flashy b-roll; not bloated with tech/spec terminology. If you seek honest audio reviews; you are watching the right channel. Enjoy the Music! Honesty is the best policy!" (About page on YouTube channel)

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For most of my 50 years, I've been deeply immersed in the world of audio. Music was ever-present in my household growing up; my mother played the piano and organ, my two sisters played the piano and guitar, and my father sang in a gospel quartet. While I briefly explored playing instruments, my real passion lay in recording them and enhancing their sound for audiences. For over 35 years, I've managed soundboards, set up microphones and speakers, and contributed to the design, wiring, and setup of a new sound booth at our local church. During this period, I've also engaged with thousands of audiophile reviews by reading and watching and posting. The nature of these reviews has changed significantly, especially in recent years, and I truly believe they are regressing rather than progressing.


From the beginning of my YouTube channel in August 2018, I stated that it offers "honest opinions & reviews on audio-related gear in a straightforward, basic manner." I'm a straightforward person with a modest education. I'm not the smartest individual and have limited experience. I'm not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I haven't conducted any scientific research, measurements, or detailed testing; just my own listening, comparing, and internet reading/research.

My real-life experience with recording, mixing, and mastering gear is limited. Since my teenage years, I've been involved with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.

I started the channel to share my experiences with the audio community in the way I know best. I am the same on camera as I am in real life, although I'm more shy in person than on camera. I won't edit or alter my speaking style because it's who I am and how I communicate. I won't change my video approaches because it's how I think and share information.

Beware, cringe video!

From the beginning, I mentioned that there would be minimal to no editing. This is because I want the channel to feel as genuine, real, and unfiltered as if we were in the same room discussing audio.

That's why I record my videos in a single take! My goal is to focus on the audio impressions and my personal experience, rather than on the aesthetics of editing or video quality, although those elements do hold some importance. Over the years, I've improved my video quality, upgraded microphones, and added pop-up links and chapters. However, I avoid cuts, placements, and elaborate editing for several reasons. Firstly, it's time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. My personal life is quite busy, and I don't have much time for all that. With a 40-hour work week, church, family, and personal time, I can't dedicate as much time to reviews and comparisons as I would like as is. Secondly, it detracts from the connection and emotion I aim to convey in a video. Lastly, I believe that elaborate editing distracts from the actual review, and I prefer subscribers and followers who are there for the audio impressions rather than just the impressive video quality.


From the very beginning, I aimed to keep the channel free from external influences such as sponsors and paid videos. In my opinion, being compensated for a review or video significantly affects the thought process. Even affiliate links and monetization can be influential, but I believe that being paid or sponsored increases the likelihood of a positive bias. I don't focus on the affiliate links I have; I don't even mention them in videos. These links are available for viewers who choose to support the channel by purchasing a product; the decision is entirely yours. All my affiliate links are located at the very bottom of the description. The product links I share are not affiliate links; to use my affiliate link, you must click the one at the bottom of the description and search for the product. YouTube monetization is driven by an algorithm that compensates content creators for their work; I have no control over the advertisers or how much they pay YouTube for ads. I leave all support decisions to the viewers.

For full transparency, I'm not getting rich from this, as I earn about $105 per month from monetization, memberships, and one-time gifts. I no longer have a Patreon because the processing fees weren't covered by the support funds.


The audiophile community consists of highly passionate and committed individuals who strive to obtain the finest audio reproduction and equipment. They prioritize superior sound quality and take immense pride in their audio systems.


With the increasing number of audiophile reviewers, it can be overwhelming, making it harder to distinguish genuine expertise from simple opinions. In recent years, audiophile reviewing has become fiercely competitive, given the vast number of people dedicated to assessing audio equipment.

Having a variety of voices evaluating different audio equipment can be advantageous for potential buyers seeking more dependable reviews that consider both objective and subjective aspects of sound quality. However, this also heightens market competition, potentially resulting in inflated prices and subpar products due to excessive hype around specific models or releases. Additionally, it intensifies competition among reviewers, which may lead to lower quality as they prioritize hype over context. Many argue that the presence of numerous audiophile channels fosters innovation among manufacturers and motivates vendors to provide better customer service. While having many voices contributes to a well-rounded perspective, there is a threshold where it becomes excessive and repetitive, reducing the quality of each review.


From my observations, truly outstanding reviews are characterized not by their volume, but by the depth and insight they provide into their subject.


In the end, the question of whether there are "too many" audiophile reviewers is subjective; the key is that reviewers maintain high standards and ensure accuracy in their product evaluations.


However, I believe it's evident that the audiophile community has an excess of reviewers, and the unfortunate reality is that audiophile reviews have regressed rather than progressed.

The reality is that many individuals are attempting to offer audio critiques without adequate knowledge or experience, compounded by the overuse of audiophile jargon without genuine understanding. This has resulted in a decline in review quality, making it challenging to differentiate between trustworthy and unreliable reviews.


Furthermore, the surge of new reviewers, forums, servers, and websites complicates the search for dependable information on audio equipment. While these reviewers and platforms can be beneficial for audiophiles and enthusiasts to learn and share experiences, they can also spread misinformation. This is because many posts and reviews come from individuals lacking the expertise of more seasoned reviewers. Consequently, the information they provide is less reliable or accurate, negatively affecting the audiophile community. Many of these reviewer channels and sites exemplify the blind leading the blind, or in the case of audiophilia, the deaf leading the deaf.

Additionally, numerous reviewer channels and sites foster a toxic, competitive environment where only one "top dog," their preferred reviewer, can dominate.

On the topic of toxicity, I'm going to explore this tangent. This view is NOT pointed at anyone in particular but at the audio community as a whole.


The audio community is rife with negativity across platforms like YouTube, Discord, Patreon, websites, and forums. I've had to leave many due to the pervasive toxicity, including attacks, bullying, and content that embarrasses the community.

While we all have different opinions and experiences, it's crucial to maintain respect and kindness. The audio world is expansive, offering countless paths to explore. Just because someone takes a different route or switches paths doesn't make them a target for hostility. We each have our preferred shopping sites, forums, Discord servers, YouTube channels, streaming services, programs, brands, genres, and artists. Disliking someone else's choices or hearing things differently doesn't justify being unkind. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with an opinion, respond with the same kindness, thoughtfulness, and constructiveness you wish to receive.

Treat others as you would like to be treated!

There is no room in the audio community for attacking someone based on age, weight, appearance, preferences, abilities, style, gear, music, or budget. Bullying and cyberbullying are harmful and, unfortunately, prevalent in our community. If you can't say something nice, think carefully before speaking. I urge everyone to consider their actions and words before engaging in online or vocal confrontations.


To my fellow reviewers, live streamers, and audio channels: why publicly criticize other audio reviewers, live streamers, and channels? This behavior only makes you appear arrogant and self-righteous. It's perfectly acceptable to express your thoughts and opinions on bias, subjectivity, objectivity, and the nuances of audio, but please do so constructively, without undermining others and creating rifts within the audio community. Reviewers, live streamers, and audio channels engaging in such conduct should be embarrassed, as it only portrays you as elitist. You are not superior; you are not contributing to the growth and understanding of the audio community. Those who follow these channels and engage in these activities should also reflect on their motivations. Participating in such actions reveals your true intentions.

If you claim a channel should be ignored or not taken seriously because the creator isn't as educated or knowledgeable as you consider yourself to be, or because they don't meet your subjective criteria, I will dismiss your arrogant opinion.

If you assert that you're superior to someone because you've experienced more gear, own better equipment, or possess rare items, and suggest they should be ignored because they're not you, I will disregard your conceited viewpoint.

When you produce snide, disrespectful, or factually incorrect content about creators' affiliations, collaborations, or monetization, and how these affect their sincerity and honesty, I will view that as your personal bias, not as fact.

Disparaging others and their equipment because it doesn't match your standards or measurements is a terrible way to treat people in the audio community.

Being judgmental and hateful is destructive, not constructive.

Music is meant for enjoyment.

Let's return to what the audio community is founded on: the enjoyment of music, appreciating others' experiences, and exploring gear within your means.

Open your mind and ears to love people and the joy of music, rather than being a biased, know-it-all, self-centered individual who only cares about yourself.

Get over yourself and start enjoying life as an audiophile by embracing the community experience.

I urge the audio elitists to try some genuine budget gear and discover a gem or two; you might be surprised.

We all have feelings, thoughts, opinions, and preferences, and everyone reacts differently, so be mindful of your words and actions. Please consider them before posting, chatting, or speaking on a livestream, in a review, or on a forum or server.


Okay, back to the main topic of discussion.

There are numerous styles of reviewing and sharing impressions on YouTube, forums, and servers. If a reviewer has a different experience than you, whether in terms of demoing, purchasing, receiving gear, or reviewing in a way you don't prefer, or if they compare products in a manner you find irrelevant, it doesn't automatically justify criticism or immediate dismissal. It's important to take the time to understand the content creator before forming a judgment. Reviewers and viewers alike have varying levels of ability, experience, budget, interests, and lifestyle, all of which should be accepted and respected. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with a review, your response should always be kind, thoughtful, and constructive.


For viewers, understanding the reviewers is crucial. As a reviewer, it's essential to inform the viewers about your experience and knowledge, enabling them to assess your understanding and explanations. This benefits both parties in the long term by enhancing discernment of audio gear and in the short term by expanding experience, knowledge, and comprehension.


For nearly eight years, I have followed a specific process for my reviews on my channel. I developed a Terms & Definitions glossary that complements my reviews. Additionally, I use the same reference gear consistently, some of which has been on my review desk for many years. I rely on this equipment and am familiar with its performance and sound. Here is a list of my current reference gear:


DAC:  

Mytek Liberty DAC II

Fiio K19

xDuuo XA-02Burson Playmate 3


Amplifier: 

Mytek Liberty THX AAA HPA

Aune N7

DROP SMSL THX HO150x

xDuuo TA-26s

Tor Audio Roger


USB Dongles: 

Fosi Audio DS2TRI TK-1Kiwi Ears Allegro MiniTanchjim LunaHiby FC3


Portable DAC/Amp:

SMSL DS20

Dethonray Clarinet

Muse Hifi M6 Double


DAP: 

Hiby R5 Gen2


Headphones: 

Audeze LCD-5

MrSpeakers Ether C

Sennheiser HD580 Precision

Sennheiser HD660s2

Audeze LCD-2 Closed

Austrian Audio Hi-X60

Audio-Technica R70x

Audio-Technica R50x

DROP Sennheiser HD8xx


In-Ear Monitors: 

Westone Mach 60

ThieAudio Oracle mk3

SoftEars RSV mk2

Tanchjim Origin

Kotori Audio Zephyr

Tin Hifi T2


Often I get asked about my review process, whether or not I have dedicated music that I listen to, certain gear, burn-in and measurements. I do have a review process that I follow for each and every product. Several years ago I posted a video on YouTube that documented my review process. This is a very old video, beware of the cringe quality.

Over the years, the processes mentioned in the video has been adjusted and tweaked. Even though the basics are the same some of the little things have been removed and others added. I thought it would be helpful to revisit my review process.

So here is the updated Step-by-Step Honest Audiophile review process.


How does the Honest Audiophile define a term that he uses during his review?

Here is a guide for you in the Honest Audiophile's own words. https://www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/the-honest-audiophile-s-terms-and-definitions-guide


I tend to prefer progressive classical, orchestral movie soundtracks, jazz, rock, heavy/hard rock, acoustic, country, and oldies. While I do listen to other music genres, I don't do so regularly.


Tidal Playlist link: 2025 THA Reference Music


So this is a the list of 87 songs I use to test every product. It includes a range of genres, recording qualities, and bit rates. Some are personal favorites, while others are not, but each serves a purpose. I hope this clarifies my music preferences, choices, and what I focus on when evaluating a product. Click on this link to get brief descriptions of what I am looking for in each song: https://www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/my-reference-music-tracks-2025-expanded-list


Audiophile reviewers are expected to possess a certain degree of expertise and experience in the audio field. However, this is not always the case, as the proportion of newer reviewers who lack experience and expertise is considerably higher than it was in the past. Although some audiophile reviewers offer valuable insights and helpful information, many do not have the experience, knowledge, understanding, and discernment needed to make their reviews genuinely meaningful and reliable.


Many, if not most, current audio reviewers lack experience. They often do not have a dependable reference setup, including a DAC, amplifier, headphones, and IEM, to compare against the products they review. Instead, they rely on equipment they have in for review rather than investing in a true reference system within their budget. When starting out, many reviewers have limited listening experience, and some continue to lack this experience even after years of reviewing. They have not listened to multiple systems and gear across various budget ranges. Their involvement with live music, whether as performers or sound technicians, is limited. Additionally, their music libraries are small and concentrated on a few favorite genres, songs and artists. They haven't invested in expanding their reference gear and music library, which affects their expectations and impressions of gear. This can lead to narrow-mindedness and bias, resulting in reviews that reflect the reviewer's preferences rather than the actual audio quality of the product. Consequently, they may not be able to fully evaluate a product's capabilities.


Besides lacking experience, many audiophile reviewers also lack knowledge. Grasping the technical aspects of audio can be difficult and often requires a certain level of technical expertise to fully understand. Unfortunately, many audiophile reviewers do not possess this knowledge, which leads them to make uninformed judgments or incorrect conclusions about a product’s performance. Although there isn't a standard test for becoming a reviewer, having a basic understanding of do's and don'ts is recommended. Reviewers should be familiar with how instruments and vocals sound in a live setting, as well as how equipment connects and functions at the most basic level. Knowledge is gained not only through research but also through experience. Both book smarts and street smarts are crucial in audio reviews.


Furthermore, many audiophile reviewers often struggle with comprehension. Although they might have a basic grasp of what constitutes good audio, they often find it challenging to effectively articulate the nuances and subtle details of a sound system. Many reviewers are unable to interpret what they hear, relying instead on graphs and measurements for guidance. Additionally, some reviewers lack audio comprehension and seek input from fellow reviewers, subsequently echoing those opinions in their own reviews. Many admit they can't discern differences in audio gear, leading to reviews that lack the necessary detail and specificity to truly assess a product's audio quality. Consequently, they struggle to accurately convey the differences between various audio components, making it hard for potential buyers to identify the best options for their needs. If a reviewer lacks expertise in a particular area, they should disclose this to their audience instead of promoting inaccurate and misleading narratives. Honesty is the best policy!


Also, audiophile reviewers frequently lack discernment, meaning they might struggle to accurately differentiate between good and bad audio. Given that audio quality is subjective, it can be challenging for an audiophile to identify what constitutes good or bad sound. As previously noted, many reviewers acknowledge that they can't always hear differences in equipment. Additionally, their reviews may be influenced by personal biases or preferences, which can result in evaluations that don't accurately represent a product's true audio quality.


In summary, many audiophile reviewers lack the necessary experience, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Consequently, their reviews might not accurately represent a product's audio quality, making it difficult for potential buyers to make informed decisions when purchasing audio equipment. To ensure their consuming reviews that are accurate and reliable, it is crucial for an audiophile to possess a strong grasp of audio technology, familiarity with a wide range of audio gear, and the ability to differentiate between good and poor audio.


As a viewer, ensure you subscribe to ethical reviewers with the appropriate expertise, rather than random enthusiasts who lack capability and start channels just because it's trendy and a quick way to acquire gear and a larger bank account.

Having subscribers and producing numerous videos doesn't equate to being skilled; such individuals often remain in an untrained bubble with little learning or improvement. Be cautious of reviewers' collective decisions and opinions, as they often resemble the blind leading the blind.

Reviewers driven by the desire to quickly release videos for hype do not prioritize quality content or accurate sonic impressions.

Starting a channel after experiencing only a handful of products is illogical.

Having subscribers and manufacturer support doesn't make someone an expert.


If you're thinking about starting to review or are already reviewing, ask yourself why. What motivates you to review? If your main motivation isn't to provide an honest, experienced, knowledgeable, comprehensive, and discerning opinion, should you be reviewing?


When engaging with audiophile content, consider the primary focus of the reviewer. Are they motivated by something other than providing a genuine, experienced, knowledgeable, thorough, and insightful opinion? Is it a marketing effort or a sincere, honest viewpoint?


I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one.


Remember to enjoy the music and that honesty is the best policy!


I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research.  I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear.  I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.

Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.


Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs


About Me:

Reference Music:


Recommended Gear:

Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)


If you like the content of this channel and want to see more like this in the future, please consider donating. All funds donated to the channel will be used to purchase headphones and audio gear for  the channel.

Venmo: @David-Sylvia-6 YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgMj7xJ1SDxGqqxZ5l3g_jg/join

If you would like to contact the channel please send an email to: dbstechtalk@gmail.com


Affiliate links:

ADV-Sound: https://adv-sound.com/?mct=8ENJK5lB promo code: DavidS10


 
 
 

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