The most overrated and underrated audio products you tried/owned?

[Blew]

Overrated: Vinyl, streaming
Underrated: CD

An immense variety of every type of music available in a wide variety of master releases in a robust physical digital format capable of producing as high fidelity as you'll ever need available everywhere for a comparatively very low cost.

Yet most people seem to either go for pure convenience of streaming (sacrificing variety, control, ownership, and in most cases fidelity) or pay through the nose for a physical format (that's objectively lower fidelity, analogue, much less robust, and with much less variety). I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!

 

[Poman123]

Overrated: Vinyl, streaming
Underrated: CD

An immense variety of every type of music available in a wide variety of master releases in a robust physical digital format capable of producing as high fidelity as you'll ever need available everywhere for a comparatively very low cost.

Yet most people seem to either go for pure convenience of streaming (sacrificing variety, control, ownership, and in most cases fidelity) or pay through the nose for a physical format (that's objectively lower fidelity, analogue, much less robust, and with much less variety). I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!

I go to a thrift store in Collegeville, PA that gets so much media donated that they sell their cds 5 for a dollar. Half of my classical collection came from those donations. Good times indeed.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Overrated

2 channel systems that don’t use at least two subwoofers

Spending a lot on speakers

SINAD chasing (up to a point)

WiiM EQ features

Non Coaxial speakers (except for Ascilabs).

Underrated

AVRs

EQ

Investing in 4 plus subwoofers

Dirac Live with properly integrated and aligned subwoofers presented as a single signal.

WiiM streamer and non EQ features

Using 16 plus channel USB interfaces and a computer for EQ, especially for home cinema despite the extra ADC in the chain.

T.racks DSP mini pro

Using T.racks DSP in the audio chain of Denon & Marantz AVRs and stacking delays in conjunction with A1 Evo Acoustix.

Buying speakers for their smooth directivity and EQ-ability (Polk XT 20).

Using a single bookshelf speaker in the intended orientation for a centre speaker.

Coaxial centre speakers

Using coaxial speakers for Atmos

Using a mic stand with extension poles for mounting Atmos speakers and using the Auro3d angles.

Kef speakers

 

[Aure]

Overrated:

Phillips Fidelio X2 (HR)

Philips Fidelio X2HR Review (headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fidelio X2HR open-back headphone. I bought mine on sale for US $116 but current price is US $145 including Prime shipping on Amazon. The X2HR reminds of Grado headphones if they grew double in size and substance: Let me warn you that if you...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I own the X2 and K712 and I still like them for certain types of music. However, the X2 is sibilant and the K712 is a bit lifeless. For close to £300 in the UK they are totally overpriced in my opinion. I bought them for £180 years ago for listening to classical and jazz and they served their purpose but they have been replaced by several Hifiman headphones, particularly the Edition XS which can now be bought for around £200 in the UK. (I paid £350 a few years ago and was still delighted!).

Underrated:

I have four Chromecast Audio devices around the house and bought them new on sale in Maplin Electronics in the UK for £15 each about 8 years ago. A true bargain!

Good evening, I really don't find the Fidelio sibilant. However, once the heat wave is over, I'll try listening to it again while keeping your comments and Amir's review in mind.

This headphone gives me a lot of enjoyment. I bought it in nearly new condition for around €60 after eight or nine years without owning a good pair of headphones. At that price, I think Amir would probably have recommended it.

I agree with you about the Chromecast Audio. I use it for network streaming with a PC running Daphile as the server, and it's been working very well for me.

 

[MattHooper]

Overrated? There too many. Vinyl comes to mind, Tubes. Most of the wares from the High End Audio sector, High Rez downloads...

Underrated: AVR.

It helps to realize what is inside a middle of the road AVR, something like the Denon AVR-X3800-H.

I agree with AVRs being underrated. At least among audiophiles. My Denon AVR 2809 has been serving me well for many years and my surround system sounds spectacular powered by the Denon.

I sometimes use the Denon to power my two channel speakers as well.

Though every time I do when I switch back to my tube amps (and vinyl)… I’m reminded of what I was missing … so we are going to differ on your first paragraph

 

[Petrushka]

Overrated:
Philips TDA1541. It's just an old DAC. No magic extra "analogness" to it.
Vinyl. They make these things available in your local Target or Walmart, but take away Blu-ray or other more modern formats. No hate to anyone who likes it, but it's crazy how mainstream it's become again.
Underrated:
Cables. Now hear me out, it's not for the reason you're thinking. It's because thrift stores don't usually know the difference between an expensive cable and a cheap one, and they price them the same, so you can get some nice finds from time to time. It's one of the only electronics related areas that you can still get a deal in these places. Example: I got two pairs of 4ft long Monster cable M1000I Mk2 at a thrift store a few weeks ago for $3 per pair.
Old AVR's (probably not underrated, but I'll put it here anyway). What a great way to save on a two channel analog audio setup. You can get performance better than the 70's receivers for a small fraction of the price, just at the cost of looks (That is if you mind the looks of the AVR's. I like them, so it's not even a drawback).

In my experience, Monster cables outlast the device you attach them to, because you can’t get them off.

That was some years ago.

 

[Petrushka]

Overrated: Vinyl, streaming
Underrated: CD

An immense variety of every type of music available in a wide variety of master releases in a robust physical digital format capable of producing as high fidelity as you'll ever need available everywhere for a comparatively very low cost.

Yet most people seem to either go for pure convenience of streaming (sacrificing variety, control, ownership, and in most cases fidelity) or pay through the nose for a physical format (that's objectively lower fidelity, analogue, much less robust, and with much less variety). I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!

In my experience, the most underrated format is FLAC CD rips.

You get everything. Lossless compression, metadata, compact, easy to backup, and the S/N is as good as it needs to be.

 

[EERecordist]

I have no regrets on equipment I have purchased and used. I have been fortunate with my audio community and my experience.

I would say the vintage Philips GA212 and the Revox linear turntables are underrated. I gave my GA212 with a V15 IV and EPI 100s to a friend for her garage sale.

I would like to see a Klippel test of the original Philips motion feedback speakers I saw at the AES.

Vintage has a cycle from current/cool, to shunned, to rediscovered and cool or nostalgic. Architecture is about 50 years, clothing 20. What is the audio cycle in years?

 

[Robin L]

I was thinking of this the other day. I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD 579 'phones, also the Drop 6XX. Used to have the HD 599s, didn't like them at all. What makes the 579 stand out is that is that they are so good at movies. It sounds like there's a mild hump in the speech range, the mids and upper mids. It's not annoying or exaggerated, but it does make dialog more intelligible. Also, they are very comfortable. They are open backed, so don't expect deep bass, but it's about the same as any other Sennheiser open backed headphone in that regard.

 

[Blew]

Overrated:
Sennheiser HD600 & HD650 (those audiophile darlings basically have no bass)

They are excellent for detail, but lack of bass is a well-known limitation. I wouldn't say they are overrated at all, but their value depends on your use case.

In my experience, the most underrated format is FLAC CD rips.

You get everything. Lossless compression, metadata, compact, easy to backup, and the S/N is as good as it needs to be.

You don't get the physical experience of selecting a recording from a shelf, putting it into the player, and browsing the artwork and lyrics while you listen. I find that almost forces you to pay attention to the music than you would otherwise. I also rip my CDs to FLAC on my NAS and stream all around the house and to my mobile when commuting, but I still love the physical aspect of listening to the CD.

Used to have the HD 599s, didn't like them at all.

I have the 599SE and I didn't like their sound when I first got them but later discovered they are excellent for EQing to taste.

 

[SGiniS]

Overrated:
- ls 50 meta (well sounding, but it's not the right speaker for many IMHO)
- Genelec Subwoofers (they are very good and I love so much the engineering, but if you are not working, you will have better results with multiple others subwoofers for less space -> you can have 2x 12" sealed subwoofers for a little less space than 1x 7370)
- NAD (mesure well, but I had too many bugs and in general they make way too many empty promises for my taste)

Underrated:
- Bluetooth option (to host friends is a must for me)
- Kef Kc62 (works so well with dirac art and for small/medium living room)
- 2 or more subwoofers (reducing bass unevenness around the room is just too important for me)
- Small speakers (ok "No replacement for displacement", but it's very easy to overestimate your needs)
- Genelec 80X0 series (I know they are beloved by many, but I feel like nowadays they are an even more amazing deal if you can accept not having the latest model)

The main thing I learned is: No matter how fun it is to chase the perfect system, if you don't stop listening to music and enjoy what you have you, you will waste money and be less happy than people with a worse system who listen to a lot of music

 

[Aure]

The main thing I learned is: No matter how fun it is to chase the perfect system, if you don't stop listening to music and enjoy what you have you, you will waste money and be less happy than people with a worse system who listen to a lot of music

Personally, I've found that the simpler an audio system is, the more you end up enjoying your music. There's no need for endless "optimization" or all the audiophile voodoo that is so often unnecessary.

Think about your actual needs, find a source you genuinely enjoy, position your speakers properly (I've said it many times before: the manufacturer's recommendations are often an excellent starting point), and do what you reasonably can to optimize your room—whether it's a living room or a dedicated listening room.

Not long ago, on another forum that I've since left, I wrote:

"One of the most memorable listening experiences I've ever had was at a former colleague's house. He owned a pair of vintage Elipson speakers. I don't remember the exact model, but they were something like the Symphonie 1814.

I can't even remember the electronics anymore—perhaps a Marantz CD player—but I do remember that his speaker cables were just ordinary red-and-black electrical wire from a local hardware store.

He talked far more about his CDs than about his hi-fi system. I started discussing speaker placement and room acoustics, and he just smiled politely, as if to say he couldn't care less. His wife had apparently found the speakers at a flea market years earlier, and they'd simply been sitting in the living room ever since. He had absolutely no idea how good his equipment actually was.

At the time, I remember thinking that he had figured it all out. His real passions were music and painting."

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Overrated:
- Our hearing, especially mine as I age.
- Vinyl. I love the experience, but it's a PITA and rarely sounds better than a well-recorded CD.

Underrated:
- Speaker placement & tinkering with minute adjustments in position until you get the sound you want.
- Making sure there is space behind your ears at your main listening position (too many people sit against walls and think their speakers will make up for this).
- Watts. It's hard to have enough of them to account for dynamics and headroom.

 

[SGiniS]

Personally, I've found that the simpler an audio system is, the more you end up enjoying your music. There's no need for endless "optimization" or all the audiophile voodoo that is so often unnecessary.

Think about your actual needs, find a source you genuinely enjoy, position your speakers properly (I've said it many times before: the manufacturer's recommendations are often an excellent starting point), and do what you reasonably can to optimize your room—whether it's a living room or a dedicated listening room.

Not long ago, on another forum that I've since left, I wrote:

I fully agree with you and your former colleague, but with a small caveat: The system can also be very complicate (I really like over engineering everything), but it has to be the easiest as possible to start music and it has not to be a chore to have it into the room.

 

[DavidMcRoy]

Most of this is categorical or conceptual as opposed to any particular product

OVERRATED:

HiRes Audio
Vinyl
Wires
Cables
Non-Class D Power Amplifiers

UNDERRATED:

Streaming
DSP for Speaker/Room Correction, especially in an active speaker design
Dipole Speakers (between 50Hz and 300Hz or so)
Coaxial Drivers (above 300Hz or so)
D'Appolito Driver Configuration
Speaker Placement/Aiming
Room Treatment
Nelson Pass's H2V2 Harmonic Distortion Generator Circuit (if you're inclined to make things sound more entertaining and "easy on the ear," rather than simply transparent)

 

[Audioagnostic]

Overrated: Vinyl, streaming
Underrated: CD

An immense variety of every type of music available in a wide variety of master releases in a robust physical digital format capable of producing as high fidelity as you'll ever need available everywhere for a comparatively very low cost.

Yet most people seem to either go for pure convenience of streaming (sacrificing variety, control, ownership, and in most cases fidelity) or pay through the nose for a physical format (that's objectively lower fidelity, analogue, much less robust, and with much less variety). I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!

"I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!"

Shh don't say this out loud...

 

[jsrtheta]

Great thread. I am fairly new to the hifi rabbit hole but have owned 6 sets of bookshelf speakers so far.

Overrated - Monitor audio bronze 100 6g. Purchased these used and immediately disliked them. There's a weird hole in the upper midrange and even after EQ, bass is no better than polk xt20 or es20 which are both smaller speakers. IMO these should have been priced at around 300 USD new, their original MSRP is bonkers. They do look cool though.

Underrated - Monoprice DT-5BT. For a teenager or garage setup, you can't beat these for $120 a pair. I was genuinely impressed by the sound and refuse to sell them even though I have moved on to passive hifi speakers. They sounded miles better than sony ss-cs5's.

Also the RSL ia255. $110 for a non load dependent amp with physical controls is amazing. I love this little amp

I have used Monitor Audio for years. I find them to be excellent, but their Bronze-level speakers are always to be avoided, IMHO. But the Silver series speakers are outstanding. (The Golds are beyond my reach.)

 

[jsrtheta]

"I don't get it, but I'm happy to collect CDs at good prices while it lasts!"

Shh don't say this out loud...

Vinyl is someone smart's idea of a joke. There is no excuse for it.

 

[jsrtheta]

wild, I get ~zero a day, definitely no whelming at all

Ditto.

 

[jsrtheta]

Overrated:
- Our hearing, especially mine as I age.
- Vinyl. I love the experience, but it's a PITA and rarely sounds better than a well-recorded CD.

Underrated:
- Speaker placement & tinkering with minute adjustments in position until you get the sound you want.
- Making sure there is space behind your ears at your main listening position (too many people sit against walls and think their speakers will make up for this).
- Watts. It's hard to have enough of them to account for dynamics and headroom.

To me, choosing vinyl means you don't care about accuracy or fidelity.