What Magazine ??? (1 Viewer)

[SeanA]

I have just recently gotten into Home Theater, and much of what I have learned so far is thanks to this forum and all the friendly help from its members. I have decided I would like to subscribe to a home theater magazine, and hope I can get some help and suggestions as to which one would be best for me. I noticed there are three magazines advertised here:
Home Theater Builder
DVD etc.
Widescreen Review
Which one of these magazines (or maybe there are others) offers the best in terms:
- Easy-to-understand and unbiased reviews of HT equipment ?
- Articles on upcoming technology and new models ?
- HT tech articles that even newbies can understand ?

 

[Ted Lee]

for the criteria you listed, especially articles that even newbies can understand, i really like soundandvision magazine.

i think they do a great job of explaining new technology in ways everyone can understand. they review gear across the sprectrum...including stuff an average joe (like me) can afford.

the only thing to note about this (and just about every other ht magazine) is that they almost *never* give a product a truly negative review. they may skirt around the edge, but they'll never come out and say, "this sucks!" i guess they have to keep their sponsors happy, but it still irks me.

 

[Jack Briggs]

It's not quite as simple as that, Ted. But that's another thread.

Sean, as a beginner you might find DVD Etc. helpful. Also, I'd suggest Sound & Vision, which features articles often aimed at newcomers to the hobby (the magazine started life as HiFi/Music Review in 1957, and morphed over the years into HiFi Stereo Review and Stereo Review).

Widescreen Review assumes a more sophisticated level of technical prowess and knowledge among its readership. You could say the same of The Perfect Vision, but that magazine's impeccable standards of journalism and film criticism make essential reading for newcomers and veterans alike.

Though unfairly weighted toward exhorbitantly priced equipment (the more expensive, the better the review), Stereophile Guide to Home Theater features excellent commentary by Michael Fremer and other columnists.

 

[SeanA]

Ted & Jack,

Thanks for the excellent advice. I am pretty much an "average Joe" as Ted said when it comes to HT, so I think "Sound and Vision" is where I will start. (I actually had a subscription to "Stereo Review" for a couple of years when I was back in high school... many long years ago !!!) I think I would get depressed looking at all the high end stuff in "Stereophile Guide".... kinda of like looking at a car magazine with all Ferraris and Aston Martins. In time, I may be ready to try "Widescreen Review" or "The Perfect Vision".

Thanks again !!!

 

[Ted Lee]

you're welcome sean.

funny jack recommended sght - i also subscribe to that one. it's a nice mag to see the higher-end of life, but just about everything they review i could never afford.

but, the subscription is pretty cheap and it's nice to know what else is out there.

but s&v is a definite winner.

It's not quite as simple as that, Ted. But that's another thread.

if sean doesn't mind us hijacking his thread, i'd be curious as to your viewpoint jack. i may have simplified it somewhat, but i defintely feel that (ultimately) it's the money talking...

 

[Jack Briggs]

Ted, it would be an interesting topic to explore, though I'm not sure which section that would be in. Threads about magazines have tended to end up in the Software section. If you can start a good discussion about your observations concerning possible bias in magazine equipment tests and reviews, feel free to do so and I'll be happy to chime in. Try not to make it a bashing-type thread, though. I did that once in regard to a certain magazine, and I've regretted it ever since. Offer constructive criticism, unlike what I did. (I have been reading consumer-audio magazines since the late 1960s, and I certainly have opinions about some of the reviews I've seen over the years.)

Sean, I think you'd find The Perfect Vision of interest now, especially the film and DVD reviews.

 

[Ted Lee]

hey jack.

it's no biggie. i've seen those other threads too and they usually say the same thing.

i respect your posts and was just curious as to your personal point-of-view.