...It’s also important to consider a reviewer’s preferences, biases and listening abilities when reading a review. Sometimes, it can be argued that products are excessively praised simply because the reviewer doesn’t know any better.
Well put. I write reviews based on my subjective "take" on the sound I'm hearing, and try and describe the sound as honesty honestly as possible, taking my preferences into account where I can. That being said, people should always read my reviews in conjunction with my known likes and dislikes, and factor in that not all reviewers have access to every model in the market (either owming or auditioning), so there will inevitably be gaps where we/they just haven't heard any better.
Like
@PinkyPowers says, our (reviewer or not) integrity and the hobby in general is best served by sharing our experiences openly and honestly.
It is a bit similar to people complaining about hype, but then I ask... If I have been looking around for IEMs that have a natural/realistic tonality as a priority, and I have had IEMs such as the UE18+ Pro at the top of my wish list, how can I not get excited (hyped) by the prospect of the Phantom? At the end of the day, I got into this hobby to find audio bliss and the Phantom might just well get me there!
Again, nicely put. Personally, I'm more stoked about the Legend X and the hybrid sound EE are developing - I'd love to hear both models (Canjam London, or if
@Jack Vang makes some review models available on this side of the pond at some point are looking like my only two chances at the moment, though) but for my current listening preferences, it sounds like the Legend X would be right up my street. Hype is fine, as long as there is a healthy dose of perspective and/or realism thrown in from time to time too.
On the point of listening preferences, it's important to note that these can change over time, or even by mood and circumstances. Over the last few months, I've found myself reaching for my bassier IEMs, as I've been looking for more low end presence in my music. Switched to the Zeus last night to "refresh" my ears for some upcoming reviews and ended up losing three hours listening to whole albums with a stupid grin on my face.
Listening is a subjective hobby, so for most of the gear discussed in threads like these, it's almost always more a case of "will it work for me" rather than just "will it work", as technical competence is pretty much a given. And even then, what works for someone now might not necessarily be what works for them forever, as their audio tastes refine or change.