The new head-fi sell out on ear buds, IEM and next headphones.

[LTUCCI1924]

Now head-fi lets Co manufacturers post on their ear buds, IEM and next will be headphones. We already have manufacturers post on amps. The common head-fi member will get lost in the shuffle. Its nice to ask rep about their products here but when that product is over hypes and just plane lied about its just very misleading and many of us buy into the hype and spend our money on these things. headphones and ear buds plus IEM are for us to evaluate Thu trial and ERA and post our thoughts on them, We are not in this to make money but to enjoy our Hobie. How many of us have bought amp,earbuds,IEM that our sponsors said was just great only to be very dissapointed and sell. Now these guys are members that post on this stuff. Same Same on you head-fi.

 

[Febs]

Let me be the first to say this:

Lou, what the hell are you talking about?

The Head-Fi terms of service contain strict limits on what manufacturers can say in the main forums:

Quote:

# Member of the Trade" includes (but is not limited to) manufacturers; individuals selling items he or she made for more than the cost of parts and/or actual shipping charges; individuals selling items acquired for the primary purpose of resale; individuals performing services (like modifications or any other service) for which the price charged is more than the cost of parts and/or actual shipping charges; dealers; distributors; manufacturer's representatives; importers; magazine and e-zine writers. # "Main Forums" are those forums within Head-Fi not specifically designated as areas for commercial advertising by Members of the Trade. ... # A Member of the Trade may not--via the forums, Private Messaging, or Head-Fi's e-mail relay function--volunteer any information about a specific product that he is selling or making, in response to a general request for information about a type of product or in any other discussion in the Main Forums. # A Member of the Trade may not post announcements, advertisements, sales information or the like about a product he makes or sells in the Main Forums, via Private Messaging, or via Head-Fi's e-mail relay function. # No advertising by Members of the Trade that is not pre-approved by the Head-Fi administrators is allowed in the member forums. Some sponsors have Branded Sponsor Forums in which they will be allowed to advertise their wares. There will also be designated areas and forums where sponsors and non-sponsors alike will be able to advertise their wares. Head-Fi is most definately NOT anti-trade. In fact, trade members are a welcome and vital part of the Head-Fi community. However, Head-Fi's Main Forums, its Private Messaging System, or its e-mail relay function are not to be used for unsolicited self promotion and advertising of audio products or services. ... # A Member of the Trade may not review (or make any subjective assessments of) his or her services and/or products he or she manufacturers, represents, sells.

As far as what manufacturers say about their own products in sponsored threads, well, that is marketing and promotion and you should treat it that way. Of course a seller is going to hype his or her products. Unless there is actual fraud, I don't see what there is to complain about. You just have to treat marketing hype for what it is. Caveat emptor.

 

[laxx]

He's talking about how Reps from companies are replying on the boards about their own product.

 

[Febs]

And what exactly is the problem with that? If someone asks "what is the difference between the Shure E500 and SE530?" and Sugarfried responds by saying, "there is no difference," that is useful to everyone. I would certainly rather have that type of response than a dozen responses from people identifying differences that don't actually exist.

Now, if someone said, "what's the best IEM for hip hop" and manufacturers jumped into the thread and started touting their own wares, that would be a different story, but I haven't seen that happening at all.

 

[Vicomte]

Wha?

 

[FooTemps]

hizzawhaa?

 

[lmilhan]

sub·jec·tive
[suhb-jek-tiv]
–adjective

1. existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought (opposed to objective).

2. pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual: a subjective evaluation.

3. placing excessive emphasis on one's own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc.; unduly egocentric.

4. Philosophy. relating to or of the nature of an object as it is known in the mind as distinct from a thing in itself.

5. relating to properties or specific conditions of the mind as distinguished from general or universal experience.

 

[Garfing Sharks]

Little does everyone know, this board is actually owned and operated by The Bose Corporation.

 

[Duggeh]

¬ _¬

 

[lmilhan]

Forgot to mention:

The number of products I have seen advertised with a slogan something like "our product really, really sucks!" is exactly Zero. Although I can think of quite a few products that should have a slogan like that.

But I can't fault a manufacturer for advertising their products in a favorable light. Of corse they are going to 'hype up' their products. It is ultimately up to you (the consumer) to decide if you agree or not. And apparently in this case, you don't agree - which is a-ok. But to call 'shame shame' on a manufacturer for 'talking up' their own product, or Head-Fi for allowing such sponsors doesn't make sense to me

Maybe you need to look on the bright side; whatever headphones you are disgruntled over I am certain you have already sold. And I am guessing that you didn't tell the person who bought them from you that you thought they sucked. Plus you always have your KOSS UR-40s to fall back on.

 

[Garfing Sharks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmilhan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Of corse manufacturers are going to 'hype up' their products. It is ultimately up to you (the consumer) to decide if you agree or not.

This is true, but a lot of people come here for recomendations on headphones that they've never heard before. They try and get the best decription about them from people that are honest and (somewhat) unbiased (impossible), because they don't have a way of trying them out for themselves.


So I'm guessing the concern is that, people will be missleaded by people who are trying to take advantage of the fact that they've never had a chance to hear their products. Because really, the only way you can determine if you agree or disagree with a manufacturer about their hyped products is to hear it for yourself.


I don't know, I'm just trying to understand everyone's opinions.

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now head-fi lets Co manufacturers post on their ear buds, IEM and next will be headphones. We already have manufacturers post on amps. The common head-fi member will get lost in the shuffle. Its nice to ask rep about their products here but when that product is over hypes and just plane lied about its just very misleading and many of us buy into the hype and spend our money on these things. headphones and ear buds plus IEM are for us to evaluate Thu trial and ERA and post our thoughts on them, We are not in this to make money but to enjoy our Hobie. How many of us have bought amp,earbuds,IEM that our sponsors said was just great only to be very dissapointed and sell. Now these guys are members that post on this stuff. Same Same on you head-fi.

I've noticed this as well. Ive seen Ray, Tyll, Jays and others (with all do respect) post comments in threads that were not MOT threads. But, I have not seen those members blatantly hype or "shill" up their own wares. So, I think its a good thing to get manufacturer/retailer feedback, so long as it not blatant marketing hype to lure in consumers.

Hype and excitement (FOTM madness) is fun, and is partially what makes audio-gear related forums so much fun. But readers should beware that no headphone is perfect. They all have their flaws, it just takes a while for people to realize them. My advice to members is to wait out the FOTM madness. Let it pass for a couple months, eventually the negative comment threads will surface and the cans show up on the used F/S forum. At that point you will have the positive/negative and the used market to consider.

But seriously, go easy on this topic Lou... it can be a touchy subject. Wouldn't want you to do anything rash and get banned.

I enjoy reading your impressions and comments, especially since we both have the UR40 as a reference point.

 

[lmilhan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfing Sharks /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is true, but a lot of people come here for recomendations on headphones that they've never heard before. They try and get the best decription about them from people that are honest and (somewhat) unbiased (impossible), because they don't have a way of trying them out for themselves.

Oh no doubt! I am one of those people.

I have no feasible way of test driving any headphones beyond what is available on display at Best Buy *vomit*. So for me it is trial and error. Before I buy a new set of phones, I do extensive research here on Head-Fi, read other's opinions - giving the most weight to those opinions that are similar to my own, and to those who listen to the same genres of music that I do and prefer music presented through a pair of headphones the way I do. But in the end, no matter how much research you do, it is always a crap shoot. The hobby is so subjective, and you ultimately need to decide with your own ears.

Head-Fi is a great resource to use to make a very good 'educated guess' on whether or not you will enjoy a certain pair of headphones. But Head-Fi recommendations are far from being 100% perfect all the time (see definition of 'subjective' above).

The best way to deal with the crap shoot is to do one of the following:

1) The best thing to do is audition Headphones before you buy them. If this is not feasible (which it probably isn't for many people) then move on to numbers 2, 3 and 4.

2) Buy used, then if you don't like the phones you should have no trouble reselling them here on Head-Fi.

3) Buy new from a reputable dealer that offers a very good return policy (most of the Head-Fi sponsors fall into this category). You don't like the phones? - return them and get your money back!

4) Buy them new from a dealer that doesn't offer such a great return policy, but offers rock bottom prices. If you don't like the phones, you can sell them on Head-Fi for little to no loss.

 

[Ice Max]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmilhan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Head-Fi is a great resource to use to make a very good 'educated guess' on whether or not you will enjoy a certain pair of headphones. But Head-Fi recommendations are far from being 100% perfect all the time (see definition of 'subjective' above). The best way to deal with the crap shoot is to do one of the following: 1) The best thing to do is audition Headphones before you buy them. If this is not feasible (which it probably isn't for many people) then move on to numbers 2, 3 and 4. 2) Buy used, then if you don't like the phones you should have no trouble reselling them here on Head-Fi. 3) Buy new from a reputable dealer that offers a very good return policy (most of the Head-Fi sponsors fall into this category). You don't like the phones? - return them and get your money back! 4) Buy them new from a dealer that doesn't offer such a great return policy, but offers rock bottom prices. If you don't like the phones, you can sell them on Head-Fi for little to no loss.

also a good way to know what you like is to go to a Head-fi Meet. there helpful as you get to form your own opinion on whatever headphones are available, as well as meet fellow headphone enthusiasts!

 

[Elephas]

I don't consider posts by Members of the Trade to be undesirable or inherently "bad" for us. As long as they are identified as MOT, everyone can see that they're involved in business-related activities and may have specific interests when making posts. Some of the most informative and interesting posts I've read are by MOTs.

I'm more concerned by members who might be excessively enthusiastic over one specific brand. Some posts by regular members can seem to me as no different from what a marketer of the product would post. By posting often and in any and all threads related to the brand name, some of these members can dominate the "chatter" in the forums with biased views.

Of course, we're all biased and who's to say what's excessive enthusiasm and what's not excessive. I also think there's nothing wrong with being a supporter of a brand, or a fanboy. It seems it's part of human nature to want others to like what you like, as well as to belong to a group, such as "Team Grado."

It's ultimately up to each individual reader to determine the credibility, accuracy, truthfulness, intent, etc. behind each post. The site rules are there for good reasons and there's usually a balance between opposing views, but each person has the responsibility to think for himself.