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Are there any Audio Magazines for the realist?

Danimal

Danimal

Just a man...
Does anyone publish an audio magazine that deals with equipment in our price range? I have looked at Stereophile and I am flabbergasted by the cost of some of the equipment. A lot of it is real exotic equipment that the majority of people cannot afford. What about some of us regular Joe's?
 
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I've noticed that a lot of the British mags make more of an effort to include the more affordable gear. Like "What Hi Fi" and "Hi Fi news and Record Review". Some Borders carry them. There is usually one or two lower priced things reviewed in Stereophile or Absolute sound each month, but I'm getting really annoyed at them calling $5000 turntables and amps "bargains". Give me a break...I don't really care what things cost, and love reading about the unattainable things, but be realistic in your assessment of prices people.
 
Danimal said:
You are correct. I should have used the words "poor people". :D
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Not "poor people" just the general public. The vast majority of us have kids to feed and other priorities we can't spend exhorbitantly on audiophile equipment.

I wish more publications catered to the common man.
 
Follow the money...

Nothing personal, and not meant as any kind of slam, but signatures suggest many would not buy much new stuff even at "common man" price levels. Myself included. I just don't buy that much new stuff, particularly audio gear, because I can't afford new of the stuff I really want.
 
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Danimal said:
Does anyone publish an audio magazine that deals with equipment in our price range? I have looked at Stereophile and I am flabbergasted by the cost of some of the equipment. A lot of it is real exotic equipment that the majority of people cannot afford. What about some of us regular Joe's?
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NO:no:

That's why we love Audiokarma!
 
Is "The Sensible Sound" still being published? That was their whole mission as I recall... attempting to reconcile audiophile desires with more mainstream budgets.

Edit: Apparently so: The Sensible Sound.
 
It's not just audio magazines. Pick up a "Holiday Wish List" issue of any men's magazine or technology magazine and you'll see $300,000 sports cars, $15,000 custom computers, and $10,000 appliances. I'm not sure who the editors of those magazines think their readers are...
 
GOYA:
Thanks for mentioning Affordable$$Audio. Other than the occasional "can't resist", the staff does stick to reviewing gear the average joe can't afford. The guys would like to do more vintage, but it's hard to get a piece for a month or two without having to buy it.

One thing to notice is that Stereophile tries very hard to incorporate the word "affordable" on the cover of each issue. And, in credit to them they have recognized the need to come back to earth in order to slow the rate of subscriber losses.
 
Just order all current mags and place them in a box with a lock, then give wife or friend the key and tell them to hide it, only to tell you where the key is 7-10 yrs later............then it will be affordable and also pretty much new to you. I love new gear, love the mags and even travel to the shows. The only way to get what you want is just look up old issues or re-visit them in some current issues.
I have the Stereophile "Products of the year 1999" in my coffee table in my man cave as a joke so when it gets asked why its there I say "Cause I can finally think about owning some if it"
 
chadnliz said:
Just order all current mags and place them in a box with a lock, then give wife or friend the key and tell them to hide it, only to tell you where the key is 7-10 yrs later............then it will be affordable and also pretty much new to you. I love new gear, love the mags and even travel to the shows. The only way to get what you want is just look up old issues or re-visit them in some current issues.
I have the Stereophile "Products of the year 1999" in my coffee table in my man cave as a joke so when it gets asked why its there I say "Cause I can finally think about owning some if it"
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Good idea.
 
chadnliz said:
Just order all current mags and place them in a box with a lock, then give wife or friend the key and tell them to hide it, only to tell you where the key is 7-10 yrs later............then it will be affordable and also pretty much new to you. I love new gear, love the mags and even travel to the shows. The only way to get what you want is just look up old issues or re-visit them in some current issues.
I have the Stereophile "Products of the year 1999" in my coffee table in my man cave as a joke so when it gets asked why its there I say "Cause I can finally think about owning some if it"
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*snicker*...the Bryston gear in my sig is all fairly new to me,but was first read about and lusted after in stereophile years ago..it took some waiting,some job changes and some pay raises...but victory is mine
 
whoaru99 said:
Follow the money...

Nothing personal, and not meant as any kind of slam, but signatures suggest many would not buy much new stuff even at "common man" price levels. Myself included. I just don't buy that much new stuff, particularly audio gear, because I can't afford new of the stuff I really want.
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While that may be true with some audio enthusiasts, it seems like common sense to me that if you're publishing a magazine on audio equipment (or any other product) you would focus on the products to fit your largest demographic.
 
I'm glad the audio mags set the bar high. I think this hobby has alot to do with how your introduced to it and your personal mentality than we think.

I walked into an audio store when I was a kid and I saw and heard what was possible. I worked towards the ideal from day one. Is it cheap? who cares. Move toward your vision and ideal.

The audio mags provide an opportunty to see what is possible and the good dealers still around let you hear it. Then move toward it at your own comfort level. I'm glad I've heard the reference ARC, Boulder, Simaudio, JM Labs, Wilson Audio etc. It has shown me whats possible.

If your gear makes you happy and your not planning on moving up any ladders then I doubt the audio mags have locked on you as their target market anyway. So avoiding them is probably a Win/Win.

marc mc
 
Part of what has led me through this hobby has been attempting to attain the un-attainable. Mega dollar gear that sounds great, hell it may be 15 years old but if its in good shape odds are it sounds the same as it did back then.

I have my sights set on a set of seperates that an AK member owns, I want them badly. Easily the most expensive gear I have ever considered buying, but retail new was astronomical (what we paid for my wifes current car).

I see where your coming from though.
 
Minishark said:
It's not just audio magazines. Pick up a "Holiday Wish List" issue of any men's magazine or technology magazine and you'll see $300,000 sports cars, $15,000 custom computers, and $10,000 appliances.
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I was taken aback the other day when i heard on a NPR program that the average income of an Amazon shopper is $100,000 a year.

I thought...really? I know a lot of people who shop at Amazon, but I'm pretty sure i don't know anyone who makes $100k/yr. Who are all these people and what do they do for work?

I suppose if there are enough high incomes to make that average on Amazon, there must be plenty of people who can buy an eight thousand dollar turntable. I just don't know any of them.
 
Well I've certainly been left behind in the salary department, but I think you'd be surprised at how many people (or families) earn $100,000 and how hard it is to support a family on that (including saving for colleges and retirement) in many parts of the country.
 
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