Erin Reviews Chesky LC1

[AnalogSteph]

Not a huge surprise, really. It's a fairly oldschool design for a cheap bread and butter driver. The 6, 8 and 10 PR-8 all seem to share the same motor, and I almost like the 10 more which has almost the same highs extension, even if Qts is starting to get concerningly high by this point (0.97 - magnet could use some doubling up, I guess). What can you even use that one in as-is, open baffle (but with only 3 mm Xmax?) or maybe TML?

The same motor assembly also seems to be used in the "cheesy spec" 6PF-8 (paper cone, foam surround), and I actually like that one even if it would be no help in the tuning department here (fs 73 Hz / Qts 0.79 - that makes a Visaton W170 @ 57 Hz / 0.69 look downright high-tech). Things get increasingly dire with the 8 and 10" versions.

 

[qguy]

Just came across this, is this bad because it is a 1000 USD or it just bad?

 

[dfuller]

Just came across this, is this bad because it is a 1000 USD or it just bad?

Because it's bad, not because it's relatively expensive.

 

[kemmler3D]

Just came across this, is this bad because it is a 1000 USD or it just bad?

Just bad, and the fact that it costs $1K makes it a bad joke.

 

[qguy]

So why the "glowing" reviews from several supposedly reputable magazines/websites ???

 

[Purité Audio]

‘Reviews’ are always glowing, apart from here.
Keith

 

[kemmler3D]

So why the "glowing" reviews from several supposedly reputable magazines/websites ???

Go see how many bad reviews those outlets publish vs. glowing, and you have your answer.

 

[qguy]

Granting that Stereophile has not formally reviewed the LC1, I read somewhere in the past that in Stereophile, someone ask why is it they seldom have bad reviews and someone from Stereophile mentioned that, basically before they start the review process, the equipment is basically a good example, so it is either a good review or a glowing review, plus it would not be a wise decision to have large part of the reviews to be bad, so they stay away from bad equipments as it won't make for a good magazine. From my experience, I have had 4 loudspeakers that Stereophile reviewed and the reviews were spot on versus what I heard.

Unlike some other magazine or sites, Stereophile publishes measurements which other outlets does not....

 

[kemmler3D]

Granting that Stereophile has not formally reviewed the LC1, I read somewhere in the past that in Stereophile, someone ask why is it they seldom have bad reviews and someone from Stereophile mentioned that, basically before they start the review process, the equipment is basically a good example, so it is either a good review or a glowing review, plus it would not be a wise decision to have large part of the reviews to be bad, so they stay away from bad equipments as it won't make for a good magazine. From my experience, I have had 4 loudspeakers that Stereophile reviewed and the reviews were spot on versus what I heard.

Unlike some other magazine or sites, Stereophile publishes measurements which other outlets does not....

Well, if we choose to be optimistic about how this works, we can say that only doing good reviews reflects a desire to highlight the good aspects of any given product. It's certainly better that they publish measurements than not, too.

If I want to take a pessimistic view, I'll point out that Stereophile has Advertisers and sometimes publishes good reviews of the sound quality of certain products where the outcomes described are basically physically impossible.

 

[Soniclife]

someone from Stereophile mentioned that, basically before they start the review process, the equipment is basically a good example

What are you saying here? It sounds like you are saying they are only sent golden samples, but I doubt that's what you mean.

 

[Madlop26]

So why the "glowing" reviews from several supposedly reputable magazines/websites ???

I went to last THE SHOW very briefly, able to audition only 2 rooms, this was one of them, my first impression: wow these small speakers sound quite well, then I took a look at Erin's review, after few minutes they were not sounding as good, cognitive bias at its best.

 

[ta240]

What are you saying here? It sounds like you are saying they are only sent golden samples, but I doubt that's what you mean.

I think they mean that they don't review equipment that they won't like. They choose to review things that they are pretty sure they will like at least somewhat.
I'm honestly fine with that. I read them for entertainment and I prefer to read positive things, so if they pass on the stuff that they don't/wouldn't like that is okay with me.

 

[ta240]

If I want to take a pessimistic view, I'll point out that Stereophile has Advertisers and sometimes publishes good reviews of the sound quality of certain products where the outcomes described are basically physically impossible.

Outside of Consumer Reports, there aren't a lot of publications that anonymously buy all the products they test.

Anybody that doesn't do that will always know, while they are doing the review, that the company and others will be more likely to send them products to review if their reviews are positive.

 

[qguy]

What are you saying here? It sounds like you are saying they are only sent golden samples, but I doubt that's what you mean.

Not "chosen" pieces from the manufacturer, but Stereophiles reviews equipment, they know will sound and measure good. They did review the Dynaco ST-70 II and that one was a negative review.

 

[qguy]

Since most reviews are based on personal opinion and does not have any measurements to back them up, does anyone know if there are any equipment that Stereophile reviewed and measured that was not in agreement with ASR measured reviews?

 

[qguy]

I went to last THE SHOW very briefly, able to audition only 2 rooms, this was one of them, my first impression: wow these small speakers sound quite well, then I took a look at Erin's review, after few minutes they were not sounding as good, cognitive bias at its best.

Can it be that the demo music was particularly suited for that loudspeakers? When friends come over I choose music that suits that particular speakers

 

[dfuller]

Since most reviews are based on personal opinion and does not have any measurements to back them up, does anyone know if there are any equipment that Stereophile reviewed and measured that was not in agreement with ASR measured reviews?

JA's measurements match reasonably well (minus his flawed LF nearfield stitch). Generally I don't put a lot of stock in the flowery prose that tends to see use in subjective reviews.

Can it be that the demo music was particularly suited for that loudspeakers? When friends come over I choose music that suits that particular speakers

That is entirely possible - there's a lot of "audiophile music" that is particularly more friendly to... perhaps let's say "poorer" systems. The arrangements tend to be very sparse and generally don't have much low end.

 

[qguy]

JA's measurements match reasonably well (minus his flawed LF nearfield stitch). Generally I don't put a lot of stock in the flowery prose that tends to see use in subjective reviews.


That is entirely possible - there's a lot of "audiophile music" that is particularly more friendly to... perhaps let's say "poorer" systems. The arrangements tend to be very sparse and generally don't have much low end.

The subjective sections has its values, if you know how to interpret them, basically I search for where the mid range is forward or warm, if the mid bass is elevated and sparkling highs (reads as bright) or if the highs are subtle but present I stay away from speakers labeled as very neutral as this tends to sound thin to my ears. All my speakers reviewed by stereophile were spot on the subjective section, the measurements I just look into the sensitivity and impedance

 

[Penelinfi]

You can often be impressed by many speakers upon first listen. It is discovery, something fun and new.

Once you start going back to your same old songs and the newness wears off, is when you start hearing the things you don't like as much. And can happen with almost any speaker. Just find the one that has minimal "issues"

 

[qguy]

Just find the one that has minimal "issues"

that is my mantra, as no speaker is perfect I find the "issues" and determine if I can live with them