Buyer Beware: The Non-Recommendation Speaker Thread (Snake Oil Welcome)

[MinusTheBear]

List all the snake oil you know about here from white van speakers to non-legit company's so we can all make our online shopping much safer.

 

[mazersteven]

Someone already posted a list. I think it was Seth.

EDIT: I did a two second search using the search feature, and look what I found.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=330765&postcount=1

 

[jostenmeat]

Acoustic Response Series 707
Acoustic Image 3311 / 3312
Acoustic Lab Technology
Acoustic Monitor
Acoustic 3312 Studio Monitor
Acoustic Response


Advanced Sound Technologies AST X2 1055

Audiofile 583LR
Audiofile 835LR
Audiofile THX 6.1
Audio Tech

Dahlton KV 1500
Dahlton KV 2500 TI Speakers
Dahlton AV 5.1 THX

DanWave DW-6
DanWave DW-606
DanWave DW-607
DanWave DW-608
Dan Wave DW-1000

http://www.divincisound.com

Divinci Sound
DiVinci Innovative Sound & Bass
Divinci Sound D6 D-6
Divinci Sound DV7010 DV-7010
Divinci Sound DV6030 Dv-6030
Divinci Sound DV505 DV-505
Divinci Sound DA6.1 DA-6.1
Divinci D-52
Divinci DV-606
Divinci DV-607
Divinci DV-608
Divinci DV-1420
Divinci DV-1450
Divinci DV-1412
Divinci DV-1450
Divinci DV- 607
Divinci DV-2150
Divinci DV-2100

Denmark
Denmark Loud Speaker E830LR

Digital Audio DHT 5.1
Digital Audio SL-3810
Digital Audio DA 2000SL / 2000CS
Digital Audio 2000
Digital Audio 2002
Digital Audio 2012 7.1
Digital Audio Professional Speaker Systems SL-3810
Digital Audio Skyline 900-SL
Digital Audio SL-3910 Speakers
Digital Audio 2003 DA 5.1 Pro-Series III
Digital Dogg Audio
Digital Pro Audio
Digital Pro Audio SL-T 2.8
Digital Research 5.1 Pro Series
Digital Research DA 5.1 Pro Series III
Digital Research DR-1000
Digital Research DR-2810
Digital Research DR-1610
Digital Research DR-1611
Dogg Digital

Dynalab

Epiphany Audio speakers

Elite Audio
Elite Audio EA-505
Elite Audio EA-608
Elite Audio EA-1620
Elite Audio EA-7012

Epic Sound 7.1

Fleetwood Audio

Genesis
Genesis Media Labs

Genesis G-6.1 Digital Series
Genesis G-505
Genesis G-506
Genesis G-507
Genesis G-608
Genesis G-609
Genesis G-610
Genesis G-1420
Genesis G-1620
Genesis G-1630
Genesis G-2810
Genesis G-2815
Genesis R-2810
Genesis G-2840
Genesis G-2850
Genesis G-2870
Genesis G-2875
Genesis G-2880
Genesis G-2885
Genesis G-2950
Genesis G-2960
Genesis G-6030
Genesis G-6035
Genesis G-6040
Genesis G-7012

http://www.genesismedialabs.com


Grafdale

Hauffman

Innovative Sound Digital Pro Audio

Kirsch K3
Kirsch K10
Kirsch Prodigy K803

http://www.kirschloudspeakers.com

Linear Phase studio monitors

http://matrixaudioconcepts.com

Matrix Audio Concepts
Matrix MX-1300 MX1300 MX1300S
MX-404
MX-550
MX-6160
MX-2060
MX-605S

Millenium
Millenium MTS-2006p
Millenium MTS-2208
Millenium MTS-2328
Millenium MTS-2300
Millenium MTS-2605
Millenium MTS-3100
Millenium MTS-3200
http://www.mtsspeakers.com

Omni Audio

PSD (2.8)

PTS PT-5500S
PTS (Precision Transducer Systems)
http://www.ptswoofers.com

Palermo VA6.1
Palermo VA 6.1

Paradyme

Pro Audio
Pro Dynamics Pro Platinium Series
Pro Dynamics PD-9600
Proline Acoustic
Protecsound PT-5000 digital surround sound system speakers

Samurai 518

Skyline AD-900SL
Skyline Digital Denmark 800 or 900 "series"

Studio Tech (Pro Poly Series)

Theater Innovations (Ti 5100)
TI-440MR TI~440MR
TI-440R TI~440R
TI-440M TI~440M
TI-5100 TI~5100
TI-5150T TI~5150T
TI~1250 TI-1250
TI~1255 TI-1255
TI~1300 TI-1300
TI~1650 TI-1650
TI~1655 TI-1655
TI~6000SD TI-6000SD
TI~6100 TI-6100
TI~1750 TI-6200
http://www.theater-innovations.com

Theater Logic
http://theaterlogichomecinema.com/
Theater Logic L5ti
Theater Logic L6
Theater Logic L8TI 5.1
Theater Logic T 2400
Theater Logic T 2450

http://www.trtheaterresearch.com

Theater Research TR-501
Theater Research TR-900
Theater Research TR-1120
Theater Research TR-1400
Theater Research TR-1410 Digital Sound Speakers
Theater Research TR-1620
Theater Research TR-2380
Theater Research TR-2810
Theater Research TR-5210 Professional Home Theater
Theater Research TR-5160
Theater Research TR-6000
Theater Research TR-6100 Digital Sound/5.1 Home Cinema
Theater Research TR-8010
Theater Research TR-8810
Theater Research Pro Series III Professional Home

Ultra Digital Labs

from **Newbies don't get scammed,White van speakers**
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=990066

additional white van brands listed here:
what are some common speaker brands that get sold in the back of white vans?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748929

 

[Sheep]

Definitive Technology.

SheepStar

 

[furrycute]

Snake oil, I can definitely think of a few that frequent audioholics

AV123
SVS

Definitive Technology.

SheepStar

 

[jostenmeat]

Haha, I wonder if they'll come out with names like

AV321
Axium
Aperian
Elementel Designs
Acsend Acoustics


LOL, I just googled Acsend. Some listings have bad spelling! lol

 

[jostenmeat]

From my 2nd attachment above, I still remember someone said he got duped and bought some speakers that had boxes labeled as Liquid Cool.

LOLOLOLOL

 

[jliedeka]

A great anti-subjectivity article at Zaph Audio. Warning, sacred cows may have been harmed in this article.

Jim

 

[Sheep]

Snake oil, I can definitely think of a few that frequent audioholics

AV123
SVS

I can think of a few useless morons that frequent Audioholics...

furrycute
codexp3



SheepStar

 

[Sheep]

Someone already posted a list. I think it was Seth.

EDIT: I did a two second search using the search feature, and look what I found.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=330765&postcount=1

Missed this post. That search button needs to be like.... 20 times larger.

SheepStar

 

[mazersteven]

I can think of a few useless morons that frequent Audioholics...

furrycute

I second this recommendation.

 

[ScottWChicago]

Snake Oil

Great, now I am more confused then ever. Who should I trust

 

[mazersteven]

Great, now I am more confused then ever. Who should I trust

Why confused?

 

[ScottWChicago]

Nieve

The majority of the audio websites I have seen that do reviews all have advertising from the companies they review. This to me is a conflict of interest. Not saying they are wrong regarding their views, but being a newbie it puts the doubt in my mind.

 

[mazersteven]

The majority of the audio websites I have seen that do reviews all have advertising from the companies they review. This to me is a conflict of interest. Not saying they are wrong regarding their views, but being a newbie it puts the doubt in my mind.

I understand where you are coming from. But that is why the forums are full of guys like myself and others that have auditioned speakers and gear and can help you with your purchasing decisions. If you spend enough time on the forums you'll figure out who's thoughts and recommendations are useful and valued.

 

[Adam]

The majority of the audio websites I have seen that do reviews all have advertising from the companies they review. This to me is a conflict of interest. Not saying they are wrong regarding their views, but being a newbie it puts the doubt in my mind.

I understand where you are coming from. But that is why the forums are full of guys like myself and others that have auditioned speakers and gear and can help you with your purchasing decisions. If you spend enough time on the forums you'll figure out who's thoughts and recommendations are useful and valued.

Yep, I agree. Take things with a grain of salt, but you can generally sort fact from fiction if you spend much time looking.

My advice would be to audition gear (if you can) and buy from someplace or someone that you trust and that will take the stuff back if you don't like it once you get it home. I'm a big fan of no-risk purchases. If I can return something, then I don't need to hesitate in trying it out.

 

[jliedeka]

I'm an objectivist so I would definitely look at measurements as an important data point. I like the NRC measurements on SoundStage and the ones at Stereophile. If you know what to look for, the numbers tell you all you need to know. There are very few reviewers I would trust without measurements. Maybe Doug Schneider, but I can't think of anyone else.

Jim

 

[mazersteven]

There are very few reviewers I would trust without measurements. Maybe Doug Schneider, but I can't think of anyone else.

That's sad, because the audio forums have some very knowledgeable members, with incredible amounts of knowledge, and ready to answer any question you ask.

 

[codexp3]

I can think of a few useless morons that frequent Audioholics...

furrycute
codexp3



SheepStar

Nice personal attack. I disagree with you on a topic or two and I'm branded a moron? I’m not even going to argue, you’re not worth my time.

The Definitive line of speakers is far from snake oil. I’d like to know how you arrived at this conclusion.

 

[fredk]

The majority of the audio websites I have seen that do reviews all have advertising from the companies they review.

Unless you have huge sums of money, advertising dollars only buys so much, and only from certain places.

Advertisers are more likely to get review space and probably, less harsh criticizm of less than stellar products. It may get you an average review rather than two thumbs down. Average reviews don's sell products.

It is a fine line magazines have to walk to maintain credibility with their readers, and maintain a revenue stream (how many here pay to read what audioholics publishes). No readers, you have to close up shop. No advertisers, you have to close up shop.

Very seldom does money buy glowing reviews, and when it does it is for advertising sums much larger than most companies allocate to any given publisher.

There is a language in the review world that you can start to recognize where the reviewer is panning the product without outright calling it bad. One I saw recently was: "certainly as good as many of the other speakers in its price range". Thats much nicer than calling a product unremarkable or average, and much less likely to offend.

One other thing to keep in mind is that reviewers will seldom review outright crap. There is no gain in that. If you review outright crap and call it good, the credible companies will shy away, as will readers when they figure out your reviews are completely out of step with everyone else. If you review crap and call it crap, you may or may not gain readers, but not the all important advertising dollars.

To dismiss all reviewers as unreliable is as foolish as to dismiss all board posters as unknowledgable. There are good and bad in both worlds.

Fred