While I encourage people to use this as an opportunity to get some things off their chest, please BE RESPECTFUL while doing so. PERSONAL ATTACKS will NOT be tolerated! The average ZF viewer is old enough to know how to behave like an adult.

This rant is too tame, no swearing, not enough drama!

I'm a professional video/audio engineer, 30 years experience, both analog and digital. I have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of pro equipment (not bragging, it's just my work stuff, and I got a lot of it second-hand at very good prices) but I own precisely zero "audiophile" interconnects. Why? Because they make so little difference. I use Belden and other quality brands, but these are not particularly expensive. Spending hundreds/thousands on cables/isolation platforms etc. is crazy. You'll always get a far bigger improvement spending that cash on better hardware! Audiophile cables are the biggest scam out there. Literally for people with more money than sense. The resurgence of vinyl is also totally crazy. Vinyl is a nice, nostalgic experience, but horrendously flawed as a playback medium. How anyone can be so smug and satisfied with a format where the last track on an LP sounds (and is, measurably) lower quality than the first track...jeez...it really makes no sense why people rave about it. The best turntable set up in the world will never sound as good as a decent-quality CD player. Anyone claiming otherwise is letting the romanticism of the vinyl experience cloud their judgement. By FAR the stupidest audiophile nonsense has to be "audiophile" power cords. Literally hilarious. So the power travels through hundred/thousands of feet of ordinary copper cable, but that 3-foot piece of pure silver (or whatever) power cord is magically gonna improve the quality of the Mains power? Give me a break!!! ABSURD! That really is 100% pure snake oil.

Thanks For your Honesty ! 🎉I’ve been checking out a Bunch of you guys , thinking of getting back into the Stereo environment of vinyl /CD /streaming that we all enjoyed in the late 60’s & 70’s . There’s a Ton to decide on mixing old with new technology . Money is tight for most of us …. Retired ppl , But the joy of listening to what we all really enjoyed back than going to concerts buying the live albums playing it with your pals was like a repeat “almost“ like being there again together. Thanks to you & the cheap audio guy !☘️your both my kind of guys ☕️/🥃. 👍

Here's a fun "behind the scenes" Fact! What you're watching is actually my third take of this otherwise unscripted video. In my first take, I was practically raging at the camera - microphone clipping and all! I decided that was a bit.... too dramatic, so I filmed the video again with the goal of throwing in some humor. Well, that didn't work out so well as my humor is dark and dry AF. So I decided to give it one more go by taking more of the chill route. :D

Sean, I luv it you and Cheap Audioman put what has been needed to be put out for quite some time. Im proud of the fact that not only did you talk the talk but you walked the walk and admitted your own faults. Keep putting out outstanding content as usual. Your experience and connects in the Audio industry have put you in a great place for a video like this, thanks.

Thank you,thank you,thank you! How refreshing to hear from someone who has undoubtedly forgotten more than I could ever hope to learn about an interest that I have become more passionate about than could have ever even imagined prior to delving into it. Little bit by little bit I have taken a hobby of mine by perusing mostly social media sites trying to understand how this often very technically challenging interest (at least for me) works without getting too bogged down that it becomes more of a frustration than a genuine hobby that I enjoy. You sir have given me at the very least some hope that there are people with a conscience who are not reluctant to admit that they were at one time in their life someone that was failing in a particular area of who they really are and decided to do something about it. I enjoy how you present yourself and the knowledge you possess that is also part and parcel of who I am or at least aspire to be. You have found something that you are very good at and my wish is that it should continue for you regardless of how some lesser souls that might not have the same wherewithal may perceive what you have to say. Namaste . ✌️☮️

I really appreciated when you hit on the industry providing more information so people can dial their systems and set up’s in and also on backing up on what they say their audio is delivering. Thanks for the aha moments with these shared perspectives and insights.

One of the things you mentioned toward the end, where when you were young, new to the industry you thought you knew more than you really did, and got away from this as you got older and more experienced.. It's called the Dunning Kruger effect and it's a fairly common thing where a person who's brand new to some field will tend to over access his/her own knowledge in that field. It's an interesting phenomena. It's our ego coupled with the fact that we don't know what we don't know yet.

Thanks for acknowledging Cheap Audio Man, as I follow both you guys and my initial perception of your video was that you were going to ape his content. Kudos for being transparent, and I also liked your take on the same topic. Great video.

As someone who is brand new to the whole world of high-end audio, I really, really appreciate this video. I found your channel because your video on the SB-1000 Pro and SB-3000 Micro popped up in my search results. I've now come back to see if you've reviewed other specific things because I really appreciate your well-balanced, measured reviews. Funny, too, that Cheapaudioman was the inspiration for this rant, because he's the other one that I've gone back to multiple times. Thanks to you both for providing accessible information to a total novice in a way that doesn't make me feel like a complete idiot.

Probably the 3rd-5th video of yours I’ve seen. This one made me subscribe. I’ve been subbed to cheapaudioman and Steve for a while now, you’re my third audio channel. Thanks for great the content!

Rant #1 Is so spot on! Its amazing and not a surprise why really well built products never catch on because they DO NOT COMMUNICATE with their potential audience. I couldn't find information on some new items I bought and then the manufacturer wouldn't engage. Makes it hard for me to be nice! Spot on Sean.

This is the most wholesome content in the community I’ve seen in quite some time. I hope everyone begins to move in this direction and appreciate the passion together instead of infighting about stupid $#¡+

I just could not let this slide by -here goes: I find your video extremely well done for Subject, clarity, well spoken and even joy and kindness. I just add our hobby/passion and practice as audiophiles, we do need the laugh (at our selves) once in a while too! Happy listening everyone!

Wow, nicely done Bro! I really liked your closing comment, that kind of brought us all together : )

This vid exemplifies your knowledge and experience in this field. Plus, your good communication and relatability skills. Much respect 👍🏼👍🏼

Great video. I appreciate you doing this video and appreciate you for it. I’m still new to this community, 1-2 years or so, but I DEFINITELY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WANT TO KNOW! Your video expressed some of the things that I want to know & learn.

Love the video! Some great points, especially the 1st one asking manufacturers to make videos demonstrating their products. I know REL does this but unsure if others will follow as many will find it difficult to prove their marketing claims!

Yes, Yes and YES!!! Well said sir! A wise man once said "It doesn't matter how expensive, how advanced, what brand, how much gear you have, what only matters is what your ears tell you".

Sean, you are the very best of the best in what you say and believe. I for one believe these type of rant videos are absolutely necessary. Thank you for your passion to help this industry.

Rant #2 is so spot on! It’s happened to me and I was super bummed when I found out.

I haven’t watched this yet but I will. Real life calls. But I did watch Randy’s and I like the fact that you support each other’s channel. Really cool. Class act

You, CAM, Audiophiliac, and Darko are my favorite audio channels, and a big part of that has to do with the combination of passion and honest grounded-ness.

So many people need to hear this rant in the context of their every day lives. Not just hifi. 👏🏻

I love watching this video once a year or so. For me. It just puts everything into perspective.

Great comments Sean! You are spot on regarding all of your points and your requests for others to pull their heads out of their ass and provide meaningful content. I agree 100% about product changes; I have experienced this and dumped products because of this; hope the manufacturers are listening. I have recently removed myself from 3 reviewers because of their “know it all” attitude. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to remind us of obvious truth. Looking forward to your next video be it a rant, review or a discussion; I like all of your stuff because you tell like it is and you’re honest.

There is an old idiom at least five centuries old that says, “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

I am glad people are finally saying things like this. I listened to Randy's rants your go right along with what he said. I also like that you talked about audiophiles and some of their beliefs that go against the sharing of knowledge. Once again thank you for saying these things.

I have learned one thing from the many years i have been into audio equipment. Cost doesn't matter. Just because something might cost thousand, doesn't mean it's price is justifiable. I had many years ago a all Audiolab system, the speakers were a pair of Castle Avon's. That system sounded so good, no system i have owned since has had the same emotional effect on my as that system. The sound use to give me goose bumps, ant the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. What i'm saying is, if it sounds good to you that is all that matters

This is great, lots of great points, and admitting to have been there, then developed, makes me like you even more 👍 Honesty and kindness...great values😊

I love your comment about ‘ manufacturers should give more (video) information about how to use their products and how to make the best of it. There are a lot of you tubers without self reflection who give an ‘expert opinion’ on products based on crappy testing, bad equipment and personal preferences.

I like these zero fidelity and cheap audio man crossovers (pun intended lol)

Well done. Glad to see and hear someone admit there human. I’ve always been loyal to honesty ( sometimes to a fault ) . Been in this hobby now for 2 yrs , watching your reviews for 1 yr now. I’ve purchased gear based off of KZfaq reviews . After a while of watching reviews, U come to an understanding of who is serious and who is not , when producing a review. So , I now have 3 favorites and a few that I’ll check in on from time to time. I too am as guilty of judging personality over content. If the content is informative and true , then I no longer care of ones delivery or personality. All that took was a little humbling of myself. I replaced my passing judgment on a review, with making an effort to recognize & appreciate the personal time & effort it must take to produce a review. I am grateful for all reviewers. They are of great help to my decision making. Lastly , I wish there was a channel for beginner - aspiring audiophiles . Not dedicated to entry level products , but more to teaching the meaning of audio verbiage, with videos of connecting the same product to different applications . I.e using a portable dac in a 2 ch home rack mount system with separates or using same dac for headphones. Or why put this cable here or don’t connect to xyz terminal and why . Learned allot from u-tube reviewers with you being one of my go to guys. Keep it going. SEAN from NJ

Your idea about manufacturers doing adverts and advice….. that would be a game changer for any manufacturer that does it

Here's my rant (or a small part of it): Reviewers, PLEASE stop telling me that tone controls aren't necessary, that we're better off without them. For specific reasons, I NEED both tone and balance controls (I have partial hearing damage in my left ear; I listen to early recordings from the 1930s to '60s that sometimes benefit greatly from tone adjustment). Stop arguing against features just because YOU don't use them. Does it hurt to have them?

When people hear 1 bad review out of 20 good reviews and think that only the bad review is true. The viewers then think this reviewer is the only good guy in the scene and no one else should be trusted.

this was so well structured it was not a rant at all, great opinions i can stand by :) i heard that first time was a catharsis and successive runs became more calm and collected. my biggest gripe with hifi at the moment is ported designs, people think that you can get extra bass for free. sound quality comes first(it is hifi after all), then extension of bass, subwoofers or dsp does the extension.

Well said, Sean. Another great, enlightening lecture on hi fi audio. I first got interested in listening seriously to music when I was 25, 26 in the very late 1980s. At that time when hi fi equipment was considered it was about brand name, and high prices to this audiophile standard; whatever that phrase meant. However, as time went by it was more than very high prices; and prestigious brand names.

" stop having an opinion about something you have no experience with" - i loved this one. I have been saying this on my channel for a very LOOONG time. Many people love to be opinionated about the lambos of that the world yet their reference point is a Hyundai. Seriously!

Good stuff, Sean. It's all about enjoying the music, first and foremost! Of course we want it to sound great, but there are a few who get caught up in the specs, looks, $$$$, etc....... Have fun! That's the most important thing........

Well said. I’m in New Zealand and we have some real clowns who run audio shops. They think because they have been selling it for thirty years they know all the answers to what you are seeking without listening to you. I think more and more of us are relying on people like you to help us make a decision where to look for new products. Your frustrations with the industry are so valid. Never heard you say press that button I want to hit ………… subscribers. Well done. Love your natural style.

Rant 2 - It's pretty serious. You should name such manufacturers if they have a history of such practices.

Thanks Sean! Few people on the hifi train are as frank as you are, and I think it's good to do some public soul searching. Benefits anyone who's willing to look in the mirror. At the end of day, figuratively and literally, after all is said, done, and analysed, everyone kicks off their shoes, flops into their cushy chair and lose themselves in the warm embrace of their favourite music. And in that state of bliss, no one is conscious of just how lovely the highs, lows or mids are. Just the music.

Well done, as per usual for you Sean. I think you took a good tone. A calm and rational rant, heartspoken from lots of personal experience, with sound advice well supported by sound, logical reasoning...Damn it! After all it's just Audio, not an important factor in current world crisis's of wich there are currently lots. But conducting ourselves thoughtfully even in these types of matters..matters.

Your approach to this subject is measured and balanced. Like a good audio system!

25 years in this hobby has kept me humble simply because there is so much to learn. I’m still learning.

It was funny coming across your channel today as I had stumbled onto Cheap Audio Man's channel yesterday and left somewhat lengthy rant. I'll keep this one shorter. One of the behaviors I've noticed over the years is that a large percentage of "audiophiles" don't actually listen to music. They listen to 5 to 15 second bursts of SOUND. The same passage from one system to the next as if that will give them any clue of the overall performance of a the system, and do it with about 10 recordings. Used to drive me nuts. I used to sometimes not change any configuration and they would swear there was a difference! One thing that always worked was to play system B slightly louder than system A and sure enough, system or amp of system B was "better". So I sold them the usually more expensive B.

Great job Sean. Points well made with a respectful attitude.

Oh my! This is superb video!!! Thank you, Sean! I've noticed something about myself 😊 Also, linking to rant #2, I want to share my story with IFI Neo iDSD. I bought it as a gift to my bf and it was almost straight away after the launch in 2019. It is in use as for a table set up with computer and active speakers alongside with headphones option to switch as needed. Everything was great until a new firmware came up - improved performance, fixed issues and better this and that. After the update switching between speakers and headphones changed - can't mute headphones output because speakers stop to play. But not completely - if you make it loud - you can still something disturbed. Contacting IFI - long correspondence back and forth, finally they're admitting new behaviour - but no option to roll back an update. They sent us a new Neo iDSD with a new hardware (!) for which this firmware update was released. Issue become worse - now the noise in headphones. After almost 6 months debates they finally agreed to send us old hardware build of Neo iDSD with old firmware. Issue resolved. Now we can't expect any improvements from firmware and can't trust IFI further on. So sad.

Amen Brother!🙌 Thanks for this, agreed 💯%

I believe Rel subwoofers does the best with short videos explaining there products, and which sub will work best for your set-up /environment .

Fantastic video, Sean. All excellent points, but I especially couldn’t agree more with your first point, when so many brick and mortar stores are closing down, and there’s really no way to audition a product. Many thanks for this vid, Sean.

Sales and Manufacturing could learn so much from watching this video! Who would have known that music would lead to evolving from a jackass grandstanding know-it-all and robbing yourself of learning to a humble person that is able to learn from that and grow. Keep up the good work and shooting straight from the hip!

I thought that if I bought good speakers and a good integrated amplifier I would get good sound. Wrong! This journey has been frustrating. Thankful for guys like you, Randy, Andrew, Thomas, Jay, etc.

Beautifully expressed. Nothing more valuable than honesty!

Thank you for this wonderful video and your honesty.

Interesting rant, hopefully some of the manufacturers audio stores are tuned into what you said. I like the point you made about pairing electronics with specific speakers would make it a whole easier for the consumer to make better purchasing decisions. It would be win/win for seller and the consumer, how novel is that!

Regarding rant #1, you're spot on. I'm in the market for dual subwoofers and love, I mean love, how REL breaks down what makes the sub good and in what environment it works best. Nearly 100% based on how they describe their various, I'm heavily leaning towards REL's S series in my choice.

Thx for this. You're AWESOME

Great video! I enjoyed the Cheap Audio Man video and yours was icing on the cake. No where is this industry guilty of all you points more than portable audio and headphone/Iem segment. I hope people really take your points to heart

I've watched this one several times. Why? This one is soothing end inspiring at the same time. Nice job, @ZeroDidelity :)

You gained a sub for this. Nice to see more people calling out the industry with logical shortcomings.

Hi Sean, the points made are very relevant and as someone who cannot go into a shop (store) and listen to the multitude of Hi-Fi gear around I solely depend on your judgement and experience. My kit is made up of all your effort’s from your reviews and explanations of other related topics such as cables, connections etc which is also important when considering any product(s). Thank you for all you do.

Very good honest rant, that addresses some important issues in the hi-fi industry, from someone who knows it well. Keep up the great work of discussing things that help the industry improve the customer knowledge, understanding, and appreciation, creating an all round better hi-fi experience for everyone.

right on man! looking forward to part 2...

People poo pooing all over equipment they've never actually heard has got to be one of the most common things you see in forums or posts wherever etc, or worse having a opinion on how somthing sounds based purely on specs 🙈, spot on points as was the cheap audiomans 👍

I love listening to everything. Its all cool. Its all fun.

Yeh, I too watched cheap audio man’s video and as with your video, agree with and approve of the contests. I do think that a good number of veteran audiophiles will by now have wised up, and although not consciously thinking about it, will be aware of the validity of your words. I’ve been into audio since the early 80s. I knew nothing when I started my journey as an end user. 40 years later, I know considerably more than I did back when. I’m now far more confident of making informed purchase decisions, but, I still have a heck of a lot to learn and I know that if I’m still around in 40 years time, I will still not know everything and still have a heck of a lot to learn. I think a major stumbling block for many novice audiophiles is that you can ask 1 question of 10 people, manufactures, retailers, reviewers Etc. And get 10 opposing answers. I have 1 question I’d like you to answer please. Define the over used term ‘high end’? I have put this question to many KZfaq reviewers, the only man so far, brave enough to tender an response is OCD hifi guy Mike. I respect your opinion and would love to hear your response.

Oh snap…. First I see Cheap Audio Guy rant and now Zero!!! Go get’em!!!

Those speakers are so pretty! Good stuff, Sean. 👍

Good rant and great insight. If only the concerned individuals were this willing to learn self-awareness.

I just want to know if the Polk R500 top end has more detail or better than the elac uni-fi reference speakers? great rant!

I like your honesty and desire for balance. There’s always something to learn. I had, at one time, sacrificed my sheer love of music for audio gear and the pursuit of rainbows. Obsessiveness and self-justification is at the heart of any of the bitter rebukes.

While we are ranting.. i have one! when you post a picture of your gear on facebook needing advice for an input plug and you get criticised for not having cable management and no matching colour cables🤣 relax! This is by far the best and honest youtube clip ever !!!

AMEN! Every single point you make during this "rant" I'm violently shaking my head in agreement. I particularly agree with the lack of creative use of video and the internet by manufacturers in demonstrating and explaining their products to customers in clear and easy way. EVERY manufacturer of almost EVERY product could and should do this- step by step "how to" videos would be more than welcome.

Finally someone saying what's its all about & it was coming to a head. Kudos to both for starting this ball rolling. Now who next ........ 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐

We needed this talk with dad.

Whats your view on stock jumper plates? Do you swap them out for jumper cables? I have been looking at some online and there crazy expensive

Shawn/Sean, You have grown, and that's why I have come to respect you. Lots of things about reviewers have bothered me, but nothing bothers me more than seeing the same couple of reviewers slap each other on the back and mock the thoughts and feelings of other people who are just being honest about their experiences. Thanks for making this video as we should all look at our behaviors once and a while and ask ourselves just what is it that we can change to make ourselves and what we love better than it has been.

Hey Sean. Any chance you will be reviewing either the 1723s or 1723 Arendal tower speakers? For 2 channel reviews I've only seen their monitors. Value to performance ratio may be top tier. Maybe.

This is great, thank you. I just hope that HiFi industry doesn't end up at two extremes: smartphones and a few extra wealthy people trying to find an excuse to expend their money.

@Zero Fidelity... Any experience with BAT amps and Pres? Had a used local sale come up for a vk255se power amp vk43se preamp that has a pretty sweet price. Have no clue if this is good stuff or not.

This was less of a rant and more of a "sit down"... a firm admonishment with many good points.

As far as speaker breaking goes I heard Andrew Jones talking about it and he said something that made perfect sense to me. He said the part of a speaker that really needs to break in is the spider because it's doped linen or something very similar. The surround and the pole piece and the motor structure doesn't really have to break in it's just that one piece, the spider. He went on to say that it doesn't take hundreds of hours it takes maybe an hour or two and then if you let it sit it'll stiffen back up again. That made sense to me.

You are right about grandstanding. We forget, that above all else it is the love of music, music played thru decent and to your budget, a good Hi Fi system. This is precisely;y why I started in 1971. I wanted to hear rock and roll real loud, played thru good speakers and electronics. At some point, I might have lost sight of that, but I had $$ and was selling equip left and right to all of the people I knew and who trusted me. Became a "gear head",it was fun looking back on all of it. Don't lose sight of what the hobby is all about, the music!!! and nobody has all the answers, it is, in the long run, your taste and budget and what's important to YOU!!

Thanks, helps me on my audio journey.

9:31 wrap-up points were spot on. Cheers!

Great video Sean. Thank you.

What a brilliant approach 👍 Cheers from 🇩🇰🤘✌️

Excellent editorial piece Sean! I agree with you on all points. I must admit not even being a reviewer I have still been guilty of some of those points. Thank You much for another awesome make you think video.

I've been ranting about setup for the Klipsch Heresy tonight, so the first point hits home. Set up properly, in the corners of a largish, lively sounding room with vaulted ceiling, the Heresy is a true giant killer that can fill a massive volumes of space with high DB output, but it's a wasted effort to stick them next to your TV in normal living room with 8' ceiling.

This maybe out of topic but did you have a chance to review Yamaha m-5000 and c-5000… just curious… and if you did can you share with us your take about those two? Thanks a lot

Ok.. Much respect! It just rose by a tremendous amount! From someone that is new to this stuff, it is hard watching videos from you tubers when you can't be certain on how honest they are being. We know nothing about them, other than what they tell us. And lets face it, money talks in this world. I guarantee a lot of people watch a video and think, "Is he saying that because he doesn't want to be cut off from future compensation/deals, from said company". I have watched several videos from a certain youtuber that always says that the product he/she is reviewing is the best ever! Only 6 months later that product is garbage now. Maybe their opinion changed for someone and they were being honest? Who knows, but it's very confusing for newbies who rely on youtuber's reviews to help them out. Especially when things can cost into the 10's of thousands of dollars just to "try it out". Needless to say, I just can't trust anything they say anymore, whether it's true or not.

Another great video. Enjoyed the straight shooting. I love it when you go into the comments section of a video (of a product you know well) and there are opposition brand fanboys on there dissing the product. You ask them a question about the product and they call it crap and disappear like magic. Haha, why do they do this, seriously? Audio products are not a football teams.

BRAVO. Loved all your points but especially the first: a company telling/suggesting to the consumer how to get the most out of their particular product. As a newbie, I really wish that speaker manufacturers would give us suggestions on what amps, integrated amps, and the such to pair their speakers with, and if that company makes their own amp, so be it. I mean have to test the speakers and why not share some info on the gear they used? Why shouldn't a speaker brand shake hands with an amplifier company? It would surely take the guess work out of things. Bravo Sawn. Stay Cool

Wew! excellent clarity and honesty, well said friend

Hi, I don’t know if this place is inappropriate for this question. But, I am unable to decide which amplifier should I buy to drive a pair of JBL TL260 limited edition tower speakers. Appreciate your recommendation.

Hey bro what is that red speaker behind your right shoulder is it Kef or B&W the tweeter looks like a B&W tweeter, Great video my bro.

Great video, and you gave Cheap Audio Man it’s due.