Audeze LCD-3

[jvlgato]

I wouldn’t agree that Skylab is untruthful in his reviews. I agree that he doesn’t have the critical ear as we do in HC, and because of it, he tends to give good reviews to gear that we don’t like. He also doesn’t have the degree of technical knowledge that many of us do, nor does he care about that level of technical knowledge. And because of that, he can gloss over technical problems in design that most of us can’t. I don’t have that technical knowledge either, but I do know that my ears don’t often agree with his. And I also know that technical design does influence sound; even if I don’t have the knowledge, I like to read about it. And I can’t pretend that poor design or bad parts don’t matter because ‘the sum is greater than the individual parts’ or ‘synergy’ or something of that sort. So I read his reviews with that in mind.

But I do think he is genuinely reporting what he hears, and therefore not being untruthful, even if what he hears is in total disagreement with what we hear. Yes, I’m sure Skylab gets a rush out of the attention and validation. I just don’t think he does it to be dishonest, or to be a shill. He is also a charismatic guy, and people are drawn to that at HF. So yes, manufacturers like to have a charismatic guy with the ear and technical knowledge of a layperson report great things about their stuff online. It’s great for their business!

I think it’s important that those with a more critical ear and/or more technical knowledge call him out when they hear something that he doesn’t, or when he doesn’t state important technical info. The folks at HF do also need to see the more critical stuff in their threads. There might be someone who really gets it - maybe some who is new, or someone who doesn’t mind the HF noise, but does enjoy seeing the critical and informative posts. Kudos to you folks who can stand going over there and who are even willing to post there. I don’t have the patience.

But the vast majority of regular people (ie, HF) just aren’t that critical or knowledgeable, and don’t get it when someone enters such a post. Just as we don’t care for their attitude or posts here. That’s why HC is here, and why I prefer HC. J

[TMoney]

^

Great post. Couldn't agree more with what you've said and the points you made.

Edited November 2, 2011 by TMoney

[blubliss]

I would agree that he is not untruthful but he obviously prefers a woolier presentation witnessed by his previous love for beyers, not liking the HD800, and his sources, mostly NOS types.

To me, I would never take his opinions seriously because my preferences are completely different. I like the HD800.

One thing I liked about his review is that he said the LCD-3 was revealing of bad recordings. This is definitely not positive and I think will turn a lot of people off. I already have plenty of revealing headphones and I go to the LCD-2 for warmth.

[rhythmdevils]

I'd love to see you guys write some more critical and technical reviews.

[swt61]

Skylab is a ROCK STAR and you people should be ashamed for tarnishing his good name!

[blubliss]

I'd love to see you guys write some more critical and technical reviews.

we don't require the praise

[swt61]

we don't require the praise

You know, I think you just nailed it. That pretty much sums it up IMO.

[Voltron]

I'd love to see you guys write some more critical and technical reviews.

Read Tyll's reviews on innerfidelity.com, Whitney. He does critical and technical reviews constantly. He likes praise and web traffic!

[The Monkey]

I'd love to see you guys write some more critical and technical reviews.

Why?

[deepak]

I'd rather read a postjack review of a headphone.

I'll have to try that right now.

My Omega II also came in yesterday. Currently I'm powering it with the 840A via an SRD-7/Professional.

So without further ado, here is my official review of the Omega Deuce.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

STAX SR-007 (Omega II) ... A REVIEW AFTER 4 HOURS OF OWNERSHIP

A madman is one who is 'crazy as hell son'

postjack: 'hell yeah boy'

This phone is kickass yall.

I have finally come to the end of this essay. Have a good day, everyone. I'll be taking a

sabbatical from head-case after this exhausting write up. I'm going into the mountains

to like fucking meditate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[rhythmdevils]

Ok no offense fellas because I don't write reviews either (I don't like that many headphones and they would be more bitch fest than review) but I'm just saying that it's a lot easier to criticize someone than to do it better yourself. Maybe he could be more critical but the bigger issue IMO is the fact that he's one of the only people left on head-fi who writes actual reviews with words about SQ, the rest is mostly POV unboxing porn and rubbish impressions about comfort and looks.

Edited November 2, 2011 by rhythmdevils

[spritzer]

I personally wouldn't call his reviews "proper" since he often misses issues anybody with any clue would pickup upon. Take his use of a high Z source to review the Dorkstar which severely altered the frequency response.

If vendors offered me first auditions of new gear, what exactly would my motivation be to write a negative review?

No need to be negative if it isn't warranted but why should anybody writing a review not be critical? I guess I'm just odd but to me all equipment has some weak points and the sole point of a good review is to find and discuss said points. Take for instance a comparison of all the TOTL electrostatics, they all have issues and these would have to be discussed when reviewed.

[Aimless1]

John, great post.

rythymdevils, look at the membership here. Think back to those great reviews by Voltron or ASR or others, but note they're posted over there .... where they belong.

[jvlgato]

Take his use of a high Z source to review the Dorkstar which severely altered the frequency response.

Did you mean to say 'synergy'?

Edited November 2, 2011 by jvlgato

[RudeWolf]

Ok no offense fellas because I don't write reviews either (I don't like that many headphones and they would be more bitch fest than review) but I'm just saying that it's a lot easier to criticize someone than to do it better yourself. Maybe he could be more critical but the bigger issue IMO is the fact that he's one of the only people left on head-fi who writes actual reviews with words about SQ, the rest is mostly POV unboxing porn and rubbish impressions about comfort and looks.

Please don't do the ad hominem. Would it be right to have sex with children if Osama, Brevik, Gaddafi or any other of the modern prime evils would say that it's wrong?

My personal view of reviewer ethics is that if it's bad, send it back. But still that's just a compromise.

[blessingx]

I give Skylab a lot of credit for the time and effort. Most of us don't write reviews anymore (an Arete loaner just arrived yesterday and without yet unboxing I'm already kinda dreading taking the time to write up the results). My problem with Skylab, and it's been there for years, is our ears don't seem to have much in common. I used to respond about those differences to bring some balance to his conclusions, but his stamina is far greater than mine. So god bless him, and no, I don't expect much from the reviews.

[complin]

He is also a charismatic guy, and people are drawn to that at HF. So yes, manufacturers like to have a charismatic guy with the ear and technical knowledge of a layperson report great things about their stuff online. It’s great for their business!

I have to say I don't understand how you can say he is a charismatic guy, or that anyone can be from posting on a web site?

I could understand this if you had some sort of personal relationship with the guy or he was constantly in the media like say JFK or Obama

[The Monkey]

I agree with Ric and John. I don't begrudge Skylab; he seems to be pretty honest and as far as I know he seems to be taking care to be clear that he receives things for free to review. Having written a few longer impression posts, I share Ric's feeling: they're exhausting. So more power to Skylab. He and I don't like the same stuff, but who cares.

And I even understand the self-appointed "experts" posting their (mostly) dreadful drivel masquerading as "reviews." What I don't understand are the people who beg and plead for "reviewers" to finish their review so they can make a decision. wtf? And then the people who joyfully (and idiotically) conclude, based on someone else's review, "so I guess it is the best headphone after all!" What the fuck happened to critical thinking? To making up one's own mind? To giving a shit?

That's not to say I don't like reading impressions here. What it does mean is that one HC "Those suck!" is worth more to me than a bucketful of babbling bullshit from most other places (except innerfidelity).

[jvlgato]

I have to say I don't understand how you can say he is a charismatic guy, or that anyone can be from posting on a web site?

I could understand this if you had some sort of personal relationship with the guy or he was constantly in the media like say JFK or Obama

I live 10 minutes from him, have met him numerous times at local meets, and have been to his house for an afternoon of listening. He is a charismatic guy. And I also believe one can be charismatic in writing style, which I think that he is.

Most of us don't write reviews anymore (an Arete loaner just arrived yesterday and without yet unboxing I'm already kinda dreading taking the time to write up the results).

I actually would be very interested in hearing your impressions of the Arete!

[robm321]

Yep, what Ric said

[spritzer]

Did you mean to say 'synergy'?

Well either that or "lack there of"....

[complin]

I live 10 minutes from him, have met him numerous times at local meets, and have been to his house for an afternoon of listening. He is a charismatic guy. And I also believe one can be charismatic in writing style, which I think that he is.

I think you might be confusing respect with charisma?

I would say someone like Tyll is charismatic, judging from his videos, his writing and understated shirts

[jvlgato]

I think you might be confusing respect with charisma?

I would say someone like Tyll is charismatic, judging from his videos, his writing and understated shirts

No, I think Skylab is charismatic. He's also respectful, and well respected, and that's a HF thing, as well, but I think he's charismatic. Tyll is extremely charismatic, and I very much enjoy his writing and videos because of it. My ears also match much more with Tyll's ears, and so I tend to put more faith in his reviews.

Well either that or "lack there of"....

Heh, so ... 'antagonism'?

'... a phenomenon where two or more agents in combination have an overall effect which is less than the sum of their individual effects.'

Edited November 2, 2011 by jvlgato

[DouglasQuaid]

I'd love to see you guys write some more critical and technical reviews.

I wrote one. http://www.head-fi.org/t/577060/irvine-orange-county-meet-impressions#post_7843639

[Tyll Hertsens]

I appreciate the nice comments guys, thanks.

And I got to say writing reviews is a pain in the ass!