Who has greatest power in influencing audiophiles in today's world? Dealers? Magazines/ Reviewers? Forums? Shows? Social Media Stars?

[Elliot G.]

BTW some of you may think they are not influenced and perhaps that is true for you. It is not true however for everyone and that is why advertising, marketing and all the shows etc happen because they do influence many buyers and potential buyers.
This is also very true for WBF whether people want to admit it or not. On this site there are quite a few major instances of it, just saying.

 

[PeterA]

BTW some of you may think they are not influenced and perhaps that is true for you. It is not true however for everyone and that is why advertising, marketing and all the shows etc happen because they do influence many buyers and potential buyers.
This is also very true for WBF whether people want to admit it or not. On this site there are quite a few major instances of it, just saying.

I know that I am certainly influenced by some of the wonderful posts and system descriptions and videos on WBF. How can one not be at least impressed by some of them? I also appreciate the exposure of unusual and rare items. There is much to learn from some of the members who have technical knowledge and from those who have vast experience. For the most part, it is a good exchange of information and at times quite entertaining too.

 

[Anton D]

This is a tough question, and I still don't have a definitive answer.

I use shows, friends, and chat forums as my main 'nudges' to look further into gear.

If someone here mentions a piece of kit in my budget range and there is some enthusiasm in the responses, then even more so. I like my fellow hobbyists and enjoy discovering things this way!

My local Hi Fi Club is a great source of comparison and we do shoot outs, so, again...other people's excitement and enthusiasm can rub off on me.

In the past, I would have added the audio magazines, but, for me, there has been a sea change over the past 10-15 years that has lead me away from those. Just a general feeling, nothing specific.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

advertising, marketing and all the shows etc happen because they do influence many buyers and potential buyers.
This is also very true for WBF whether people want to admit it or not.

...I don't get any audio mags, although I have occasionally. My local shop was OK, but not great. I can drive 65 miles for a much better shop, but one can't do that all the time.

I primarily read online. WBF and Audiophile Style. I look in on Jay from time to time.

I have been to one show, CapFest last year specifically to hear the VSA speakers. I poked around a bit.

How would I even know what's possible...what's out there...if not for reading around online (for me)?

Does WBF influence me? Sure. If not for WBF and AS...who the hell is Taiko and what's an Extreme...and now an Olympus?

What's a Von Schweikert and who the hell is Gary Leeds?

WestminsterLab? Is that an English dog breed? I love Labs.

Yesterday, I ordered a pair of Ralph's Class D monos for an upstairs system. I enjoy his tech replies here. A real guy...in Minnesota, no less. Well, no one's perfect.

I poked around online reviews, and read Tim's review, which I enjoyed and was helpful to me. I had 3-4 Class D monos on my list, and I can't hear ANY of them without making a deal, and returning if they stink. Ugh. Hassle City.

So, sure, marketing outlets have impact. I don't know how one would even understand the possibilities without some ads and marketing.

And from there, you have to use your sniffer. Who is full of crap. Who is posing as an expert. Recognize zealotry for what it is, and act accordingly. Works for me. So far, so good. And met some fine people as well.

 

[Lee]

BTW some of you may think they are not influenced and perhaps that is true for you. It is not true however for everyone and that is why advertising, marketing and all the shows etc happen because they do influence many buyers and potential buyers.
This is also very true for WBF whether people want to admit it or not. On this site there are quite a few major instances of it, just saying.

When I was at TAS, we heard from many manufacturers who said a review moved boxes.

 

[thedudeabides]

Consumer culture and those who know how to play it well win the game .

From a purist perspective, I would argue that winning is, in reality, losing.

 

[Ron Resnick]

When I was at TAS, we heard from many manufacturers who said a review moved boxes.

I get inconsistent reports from manufacturers regarding return on investment in terms of sales from magazine advertising.

 

[ctydwn]

Ron, again. You bring up Jay for the first time in this thread, express some platitudes then take issue with ways he does business. @facten asks for Jay to be able to respond in all fairness. now @facten’s post has been deleted

your post 120:

“4) I object to some of Jay's activities and arrangements only because they are not disclosed. I would have no trouble with any of his activities and arrangements if they were fully and fairly disclosed to his viewers. Disclosure is my only issue.

For example, if a manufacturer agrees with Jay to send to Jay its component with the understanding that Jay will "review" it and thereafter put it on Jay's sales website for sale, and then split the sales proceeds, if any, with the manufacturer all of this should be disclosed.

Jay's Audio Lab has an arrangement with [manufacturer] pursuant to which Jay will review the [name of manufacturer's component] on the channel and then list the component for sale on the Jay's Audio Lab website and attempt to sell it, and then split any sale proceeds with the manufacturer.

This is all that is required to cleanse the entire affair.”

So simply asking @facten’s question again below. i assume it is ok to bring up Jay given you have.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron, again. You bring up Jay for the first time in this thread

Synaxis brought up Jay implicitly.

express some platitudes then take issue with ways he does business.

My enumerated points were crisp and clear. There is no need for this generalized characterization, which is far less precise than what I actually wrote and somewhat misleading.

@facten asks for Jay to be able to respond in all fairness. now @facten’s post has been deleted

Jay knows me well, and he knows that I do not support his membership ban here. If he sends me a reply that he would like me to post I would be happy to post it.

 

[bonzo75]

I know that I am certainly influenced by some of the wonderful posts and system descriptions and videos on WBF.

Video influence is actual experience, next to listening to it. Can you say you were influenced by the systems you heard? Well technically that is true, but is different from the influence being referred to here.

Posts sure, it could be used to influence you, but at least you will be able to separate out, to a large extent, commercial vs non commercial ones. Which some people cannot, I sometimes meet people and they refer to their decision based on posts of people who are known dealers. I ask them, did you know he is dealer for that brand? They don’t, because they are not as active forum regulars, and the posts or threads just came up in a google search. That is all it takes. Only experienced forummers look at a poster’s history and affiliation, and those are few

 

[treitz3]

Ron, again. You bring up Jay for the first time in this thread, express some platitudes then take issue with ways he does business. @facten asks for Jay to be able to respond in all fairness. now @facten’s post has been deleted

@ctydwn - for the record, that post was deleted by the author and no one else. There is no conspiracy theory that needs to be spread.

Jay knows me well, and he knows that I do not support his membership ban here. If he sends me a reply that he would like me to post I would be happy to post it.

Ron, damn son. As an owner.....never mind. Sometimes, you just don't get it.

That said, it has already been disclosed to the members of the WBF that Jay will not ever be a member, that the reason why is not up for public knowledge and any response from him posted will be deleted, with administrative action taken against the poster. This is NOT up for debate and no further discussions about this will be tolerated, period.

Tom