Has the focus of the forum shifted? Is it the marketing, promotion and cheerleading arm of selected companies? Has advertising changed the landscape?

[Elliot G.]

As a paying member, an advertiser, a contributor, a dealer and a distributor I want to know when the forum became the marketing and cheerleading arm of certain selected companies? I have no issues with people talking about their products, their tech etc. but it seems more and more evident that there is more happening here. It seems to me and others I have talked with that the Forum is favoring certain companies and products over others. This is fine personally IMO , we all the right to like what we like, however when the Forum is used to market one product over others, I believe this is a bridge to far.

 

[A-Line]

High end audio is a cottage industry that caters to a very small community, those that are serious about musical reproduction. Prices reflect that.

My concepts are of music and the enjoyment of that. I like certain brands but don't get too caught up with the hype of current technology or the nostalgia associated with vintage hifi either.

Back in the 1970's and early 1980's shopping for hifi was a experience moreso with the retailers and the customers vs any marketing.
How things are perceived now regarding high end hifi vs advertising is no doubt quite scattered..

 

[JiminGa]

As a paying member, an advertiser, a contributor, a dealer and a distributor I want to know when the forum became the marketing and cheerleading arm of certain selected companies? I have no issues with people talking about their products, their tech etc. but it seems more and more evident that there is more happening here. It seems to me and others I have talked with that the Forum is favoring certain companies and products over others. This is fine personally IMO , we all the right to like what we like, however when the Forum is used to market one product over others, I believe this is a bridge to far.I

As a paying member, an advertiser, a contributor, a dealer and a distributor I want to know when the forum became the marketing and cheerleading arm of certain selected companies? I have no issues with people talking about their products, their tech etc. but it seems more and more evident that there is more happening here. It seems to me and others I have talked with that the Forum is favoring certain companies and products over others. This is fine personally IMO , we all the right to like what we like, however when the Forum is used to market one product over others, I believe this is a bridge to far.

I'm not exactly sure when but there are definitely a handful of companies whose marketing does get amplified here. It's never overt which actually makes it worse. I do believe there are members here (and I could be wrong) who appear to have undisclosed secondary agendas and use these forums to their advantage. With you Elliot I know when you are over the moon about Shunyata or Goebel that you are a dealer and I take that into account when I read your posts. It doesn't mean you're BSing. You should like what you sell. I can't do that with theirs. I am a big fan of Gryphon and Rockport. Anyone who reads my posts knows that but I have never received any accommodation from a dealer or manufacturer. I am "biased" by my experience. Take it or leave it. When I start hosting Rune, Josh and John at my house and set up an invite list to demo their gear with others I am effectively acting as their agent. As it happens John will be here in December but we won't be talking shop we'll be listening to music, sharing some Tequila and there won't be any "invitees". Elliot, the reason I'm here is to learn from others and in turn to teach what I have learned in pursuit of even greater joy listening to music. I think there are a number of others on WBF who do not share this goal, which is fine, but I'd like them to explicitly state what theirs are.

 

[Elliot G.]

Jim, I have no issue at all with people talking about the gear they have, their thoughts, their likes and dislikes. The subject I am broaching is not that. It is a concerted effort to push product. I am not Shunyata, I am not Riviera, I am not EMM . I am the Gobel representative but I do not do those things. As a forum member and advertiser, which I pay for by the way, it seems that some get very different treatment than others. I do believe that full disclosure is REQUIRED. Its not different with a reviewer, if you get the stuff for free, at deep discount, if your paid for your opinions , if you are paid for your effort to market this is required to have any degree of truth and respect. Have fun with the Rockport and Gryphon guys . I know Rockport is also a paid advertiser on this Forum.
Honesty should always come first IMO
one last thing all the things that you or I talk about we own and its actually in our room. I am not going to wax on a speaker that Oliver is building that I have never seen, never heard and have no idea when it will come. I am a realist. I speak from my heart about what I personally experience. No one pays me to say anything, no one forces me to say anything. I am the boss of me PERIOD. I understand that isn't for everyone but thats who I am .
Peace!

 

[JiminGa]

I'm not exactly sure when but there are definitely a handful of companies whose marketing does get amplified here. It's never overt which actually makes it worse. I do believe there are members here (and I could be wrong) who appear to have undisclosed secondary agendas and use these forums to their advantage. With you Elliot I know when you are over the moon about Shunyata or Goebel that you are a dealer and I take that into account when I read your posts. It doesn't mean you're BSing. You should like what you sell. I can't do that with theirs. I am a big fan of Gryphon and Rockport. Anyone who reads my posts knows that but I have never received any accommodation from a dealer or manufacturer. I am "biased" by my experience. Take it or leave it. When I start hosting Rune, Josh and John at my house and set up an invite list to demo their gear with others I am effectively acting as their agent. As it happens John will be here in December but we won't be talking shop we'll be listening to music, sharing some Tequila and there won't be any "invitees". Elliot, the reason I'm here is to learn from others and in turn to teach what I have learned in pursuit of even greater joy listening to music. I think there are a number of others on WBF who do not share this goal, which is fine, but I'd like them to explicitly state what theirs are.

 

[JiminGa]

Jim, I have no issue at all with people talking about the gear they have, their thoughts, their likes and dislikes. The subject I am broaching is not that. It is a concerted effort to push product. I am not Shunyata, I am not Riviera, I am not EMM . I am the Gobel representative but I do not do those things. As a forum member and advertiser, which I pay for by the way, it seems that some get very different treatment than others. I do believe that full disclosure is REQUIRED. Its not different with a reviewer, if you get the stuff for free, at deep discount, if your paid for your opinions , if you are paid for your effort to market this is required to have any degree of truth and respect. Have fun with the Rockport and Gryphon guys . I know Rockport is also a paid advertiser on this Forum.
Honesty should always come first IMO

I totally get that and I agree. Maybe read between the lines a little bit

 

[Elliot G.]

I totally get that and I agree. Maybe read between the lines a little bit

I know you know

 

[JiminGa]

Jim, I have no issue at all with people talking about the gear they have, their thoughts, their likes and dislikes. The subject I am broaching is not that. It is a concerted effort to push product. I am not Shunyata, I am not Riviera, I am not EMM . I am the Gobel representative but I do not do those things. As a forum member and advertiser, which I pay for by the way, it seems that some get very different treatment than others. I do believe that full disclosure is REQUIRED. Its not different with a reviewer, if you get the stuff for free, at deep discount, if your paid for your opinions , if you are paid for your effort to market this is required to have any degree of truth and respect. Have fun with the Rockport and Gryphon guys . I know Rockport is also a paid advertiser on this Forum.
Honesty should always come first IMO
one last thing all the things that you or I talk about we own and its actually in our room. I am not going to wax on a speaker that Oliver is building that I have never seen, never heard and have no idea when it will come. I am a realist. I speak from my heart about what I personally experience. No one pays me to say anything, no one forces me to say anything. I am the boss of me PERIOD. I understand that isn't for everyone but thats who I am .
Peace!

Jim, I have no issue at all with people talking about the gear they have, their thoughts, their likes and dislikes. The subject I am broaching is not that. It is a concerted effort to push product. I am not Shunyata, I am not Riviera, I am not EMM . I am the Gobel representative but I do not do those things. As a forum member and advertiser, which I pay for by the way, it seems that some get very different treatment than others. I do believe that full disclosure is REQUIRED. Its not different with a reviewer, if you get the stuff for free, at deep discount, if your paid for your opinions , if you are paid for your effort to market this is required to have any degree of truth and respect. Have fun with the Rockport and Gryphon guys . I know Rockport is also a paid advertiser on this Forum.
Honesty should always come first IMO
one last thing all the things that you or I talk about we own and its actually in our room. I am not going to wax on a speaker that Oliver is building that I have never seen, never heard and have no idea when it will come. I am a realist. I speak from my heart about what I personally experience. No one pays me to say anything, no one forces me to say anything. I am the boss of me PERIOD. I understand that isn't for everyone but thats who I am .
Peace!

Also, wouldn't it be great if people stopped commenting on things that they haven't heard? Even if they have its in the context of a particular system/room interaction. I actually appreciate your passion but I'm also originally from Philly.

 

[Elliot G.]

Also, wouldn't it be great if people stopped commenting on things that they haven't heard? Even if they have its in the context of a particular system/room interaction. I actually appreciate your passion but I'm also originally from Philly.

my Dad was from Philly BTW. I agree totally

 

[PeterA]

Elliot, do you have any examples you can share with us?

10 or so years ago, when I joined the forum, it seemed like a place for hobbyists to share their knowledge, experience, and joy of the hobby. That was before it was really commercialized.

Now there are manufacturers discussing technology on people’s system threads, denigrating some stuff and promoting their own. There are dealers posting photos and stories of their latest installations. I see a lot of marketing and promotion and less sharing from hobbyists.

The tone has certainly changed. I do not think there is any going back. I’m not sure it is progress.

 

[Elliot G.]

Zellaton and my ascent to Soulution

The audio journey is certainly a twisting road. Just a few years ago, I believed that the combination of my Wilson speakers and the wonderful Tenor electronics would be my end game. However, my introduction to Zellaton quickly changed that belief. Gideon Schwartz of Audio Arts had been a...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Elliot G.]

read it and you decide. This IMO is only the latest example

 

[PeterA]

read it and you decide. This IMO is only the latest example

I read a few pages Elliot and got the gist of it. It is these products this week different products next week. I don’t pay too much attention to new gear. I think you and I have different perspectives because you’re a dealer selling new gear and these are competing products on what has become a marketing platform.

I tend to read different types of threads.

 

[Joe Whip]

Elliot, I am born, raised and a lifer Philadelphian and agree completely with your position. Too many folks seem to think or aspire to become one of the worst concepts to come out of social media, an influencer. Hence, what you are seeing now.

 

[Elliot G.]

I tend to read different types of thread

That's wonderful enjoy your weekend, I am thrilled to know that. You truly made my day

 

[Stevet]

As a paying member, an advertiser, a contributor, a dealer and a distributor I want to know when the forum became the marketing and cheerleading arm of certain selected companies? I have no issues with people talking about their products, their tech etc. but it seems more and more evident that there is more happening here. It seems to me and others I have talked with that the Forum is favoring certain companies and products over others. This is fine personally IMO , we all the right to like what we like, however when the Forum is used to market one product over others, I believe this is a bridge to far.

I have two initial comments about this post. First, this is a discussion which needs to take place on a regular basis on this forum so that members can be aware as possible and sensitive about who is saying what and what his/her motives and experience are. Second, this speaks very, very loudly to the fact that before you buy something, especially something new and expensive, you really need to do your own research and listen, listen and listen again and also learn who you can trust and when you should be skeptical.

 

[JiminGa]

Elliot, I am born, raised and a lifer Philadelphian and agree completely with your position. Too many folks seem to think or aspire to become one of the worst concepts to come out of social media, an influencer. Hence, what you are seeing now.

Where in Philly?

 

[JiminGa]

Elliot, I am born, raised and a lifer Philadelphian and agree completely with your position. Too many folks seem to think or aspire to become one of the worst concepts to come out of social media, an influencer. Hence, what you are seeing now.

Oh my gosh I just saw Wayne. I was born in Berwyn and lived and was married in Wayne!

 

[JiminGa]

I know you know

Yes substitute my Rockport for Lampizator.

 

[Holli82]

Elliot, the reason I'm here is to learn from others and in turn to teach what I have learned in pursuit of even greater joy listening to music.

I went to med school in Philadelphia so I hope I’m not out of line quoting Jim.