Favorite audiophile magazines suggestions

[serpico]

I was looking the other day for a audio only mag, like Stereophile, the other day with no luck. Many home theatre mags. Is Stereophile worth it to purchase? Any other favorite mags or is the internet your best choice?

 

[xenithon]

I read the Stereophile, as well as the UK rags Hi-Fi News and Hi-Fi Plus. (these are all print)

 

[Omega]

They're fine if you're looking for news. If one is looking for unbiased reviews and commentary, it is wise to realize that "objective" and "makes money from ad revenue" seldom go together.

I prefer sites like Head-Fi to magazines...it is easier to spot one's biases. And I prefer the opinions of other picky consumers who must spend their money to review the stuff. Plus, when was the last time you sent a question to the editor and got two responses within an hour?

Edit: **well, almost an hour**

 

[Wodgy]

Stereophile is the only magazine (outside of more niche publications like Voice Coil) that publishes a full set of measurements for much of the gear they review. For that reason alone it's worth the money.

 

[Dork Knight]

I digitally subscribe to Stereophile, which works out about $1.33 per issue (as opposed to over $11 per issue with Borders in the UK) but I don't subscribe or purchase other audio magazines.

 

[krmathis]

I only read one audiophile magazine.
The Norwegian magazine Fidelity - Skandinavisk Hi-Fi blad

 

[PiccoloNamek]

Why, The Audio Critic of course. Nothing else is worth reading. I suppose it really isn't an "audiophile" publication, though, because their philosophy is to perform "exhaustive laboratory measurements and double-blind listening tests, which are provable and accountable".

 

[fran]

Stereophile, HiFi+ and HiFi World are all available as a web based subscription.

Stereophile is good for mainstream stuff with good distribution channels (ie the equipment, not the mag!). Many "character" or personality writers.

HiFi+ (AKA HiFi plush) has a more unusual range but its usually high dollar stuff.

HiFi World is my favourite of these. It has a good range of moderately priced gear, has reviews on a fair amount of chinese stuff, has a good emphasis on DIY and vinyl. They run projects based on kits that they sell, eg a valve pre and speakers.

Fran

 

[HiWire]

I enjoy Stereophile, HiFi+, The Absolute Sound, Ultra-High Fidelity, The Inner Ear Report and Canada HiFi (the last 3 are Canadian). They have a fairly high level of writing and analysis, which I can respect, if not necessarily agree with. I find the other Brit mags (HiFi Choice, News, World, etc.) are sometimes on the level of Sound & Vision - more consumer-oriented. Also, they're less applicable because some of the equipment they review isn't distributed here. You have to take all the writing/marketing with a grain of salt - sometimes, they are no more knowledgeable than we are. The voyage of exploration and discovery is fun, though.

 

[serpico]

Thanks for the Canadian resources. Looks like inner ear website is gone.
Grain of salt? Just like every other opinion in life!

 

[SR-71Panorama]

Tone Audio is online and free.

Welcome To Tone Publications

 

[xenithon]

I like TA, but often find the advertising far too overwhelming. I can understand the need for adverts, but they seem to occupy 60+% of the magazine.

 

[serpico]

Thanks for the Tone Audio link.