How Long Should A Reviewer Listen Before Putting Pen To Paper

[MylesBAstor]

[Rust]

I voted one week, but more accurately it should be both one week and as long as it takes. Initial impressions are important, what does it sound like out of the box. What should anyone spending money be prepared for on first listen. The as long as it takes determines if a component stays the same or changes over time for better or worse. Is it reliable which admittedly isn't as much a problem it used to be fifty years ago.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

One week is still “first impressions” and those often are incomplete or or insufficient. I can’t think of how many times my thoughts on a piece of gear changed dramatically between the first couple of weeks to three or more months later. Other than taking some notes and keeping track of what I listened to, I don’t start writing until I’m sure my opinions won’t change any more.

[1morerecord2clean]

I have owned equipment reviewed prematurely by reviewers with sound characteristics which I know from personal long term experience change with enough play time. So is the review accurate?

[Steve Lefkowicz]

The review may have been accurate based on what was heard, but the conclusions would have been based on incomplete data.

[The Sound Master]

As far as I know, the reviewers of my tapes (results all between A+++ to A-) listened two to four times* before getting a final result. I don’t know what this means in time.
* One reviewer wrote „I listened with my wife (orchestra musician) and after ending the 33 minutes we winded back and listened again“ regarding my „Opern Gala“ with opera highlights. So this took 66 minutes. 😂

[astrotoy]

Depends on whether I have another copy of the album. If I do (typically it will be vinyl or sometimes hirez digital) then it is pretty easy to compare. If I am not familiar with the material in the album, then it is much harder, sometimes impossible. Larry

I assumed this was talking about reviewing music, not equipment.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

As far as I know, the reviewers of my tapes (results all between A+++ to A-) listened two to four times* before getting a final result. I don’t know what this means in time.
* One reviewer wrote „I listened with my wife (orchestra musician) and after ending the 33 minutes we winded back and listened again“ regarding my „Opern Gala“ with opera highlights. So this took 66 minutes. 😂

I assumed the question referred to equipment. I rarely do music articles but those I have done were usually after four or five listens. Also depends on whether it is new music and I’m writing about the music or a reissue and I’m writing about the sound quality. But then I’ve really only written maybe seven or eight music reviews in the last 25 years.

[Metamatic]

Equipment - if a new unit - minimum of two months and if it needs a little longer so be it.

music - at least 6 listens, especially if it doesn't grab you. Some of my fav albums were the one's i said WTF after 2 listens.

[El Magnifico]

I guess that first we have to describe what we mean as "accurate". Each and every reviewer has his/her own bias, beliefs, system, acoustics, ears, musical education, etc. Too many variables involved as to be "accurate". Accurate for whom? The rewiewer? The listener? I'm my own "reviewer". It's interesting and entertaining to read reviews as it can give you an idea of what to expect, but the last word on it comes from the end user himself. I have seen reviews done on the same component from 2 different authors and boy, oh! boy...it never match! I belief that's part of the game too. Some people use the reviews to validate their purchases and to tell their friends "Hey!, I just got the Cabronator 5000 from This Audio and look what Mr Review wrote about it". I have seen that so many times... Anyway, I love the way some writers ornament their experiences and it's fun to read. When I write mine, I try to do the same. Regards.

[Beaur]

Well, I'd like to know the entire journey. Since most of this is subjective, I'd like the initial impressions right after plug-in all the way up to when nothing more can be squeezed out. Always good to see the journey a component takes in a system.

Beau

[cpp]

Is this addressing reviewers that actually document their reviewers in a recognized magazine or a online magazine or some of those youtubers that think they are reviewers.