SBAF free advertising for Massdrop?

hello,

sponsorship does not equate to receiving/expecting positive bias.

providing selective review samples to selected reviewers is not (necessarily) deceitful, more along the lines of smart (note: MD sells TEAC "stuff", and they have an odd fascination with picking locks.)

i, for what it's worth, think that successful vendors in this industry should support (with money) those community sites wherein they have received positive exposure.

and i, for what its worth, think that if said vendors are selling crap, they should expect those community sites to publish unfavorable information without succumbing to retaliation or de-funding.

but, then i'm old, can't hear too good, and expect the best from folks. YMMV

 

@Bill-P certainly man and I'd review something for CEETEE as a friend too cause he's a part of the community and gives a lot to it. But massdrop is a whole lot more than him, the community member and close friend to many... and it bugs me that we're conflating the two: Ceetee the man, the good friend, and massdrop the company that depends so heavily on other people's innovation and even on communities like this to get the word out.

 

Massdrop provides people with good deals. Word of mouth and good service do the rest.

I like watches. When I found my Seiko Dive watch I could go retail or go online and enjoy a better price at Creation Watches. I saved at least 150 to 200 Euros by bypassing retail and official dealers (because import duties make good products expensive).

You inform yourself of the terms and conditions. Accept the risks and you can find a good deal. If I were to live in the U.S. I would use Massdrop whenever something good came up. I like a good deal too and word of mouth here is positive.

It is really that simple.

 

If he still has your number, Marv still shouldn't need to call you; you should just know what to do.

 

hello,
@brencho

thank you.

 

@jexby Don't you get it dude, I think his supremely patronizing post made it abundantly clear that tiny sbaf matters little and makes even less than an infinitesimal impact on MD (yet they continually seek reviews for their site, to get the word out, whatever), but don't forget we can call him up for some spare change to keep the lights on, or to buy ourselves a snack.

 

@Will I don't think you are understanding the point of the thread.

You can see reviews from trusted ears as endorsements and they should be compensated accordingly.

I for one have worked with many new instrument makers who ask for advice on the performers side of things. I have become friends with many of them but the boundaries are clear on certain aspects(monetary).

Of course when I am helping them, I am not thinking about charging money and counting hours and billing them. we are just trying to arrive at something good in what we are both passionate about.

This entails to consulting and answering their questions on what I think about their instrument, what can be done to improve it.

I have gone through different tailpieces, different woods, different strings, adjustment of the sound post. One time a Maker's model was changed from a grofiller model to a half grofiller model and strad b modelled arched top because it helped with the better with projection and timbre.other considerations are which strings to use, which endpins might help etc.

At the end of the day, when I play a good modern instrument, I am enthusiastic and I share my opinions on anyone who is looking to purchase a cello. Am I now a shill for the maker? Not really. makers ask if it's ok to take sample audio clips or videos so they can show people their instrument quality to convince prospective buyers to commission instruments or try existing ones in their shop. A good budget modern instrument goes for at least 40k, so it's still a lot of money.

The customers ,if convinced, also ask me directly what I think of the instrument/bow and ask what I think about it. They need assurances before they decide to even purchase it.

Because of the media usuage...I'm sure I get some exoposure too but, the person who is reaping most of the benefits is the maker/vendor with their product.

I usually don't have to bug these makers about monetary matters. If they use my material/opinions to promote their product, they do pay up because it's legally the right thing to do.

I think sbaf is working in the same role here with trusted ears and trusted members and should be compensated for their opinions and recommendation. I agree with @brencho about massdrop reaching out first. Think it's time for a change.

I wouldnt underestimate this community's input on the products. I don't see 100 glowing endorsements from Jude or Steve guttenberg aka "audiophiliac" having as much weight imho.

 

Budget- 40k?
My cello was like $3000, used though. I suppose it is just a Chinese made, but Decent one.

Edit: though I suppose I am not a professional cellist

Edit 2: @brencho good point. I won't delete this post as deleting is stupid, but yes.

Edit 3: I'll contribute my opinion on this matter: I don't think any monetary compensation should be necessary. I mean, these people are choosing to do the reviews. Why should massdrop give them money? I get it's a lot of effort, but no one is forcing them to do it. I think introducing money would add to much complication, and fear of bias.

 

This conversation is getting dragged in deeper waters, and rightfully so.

Just because not a lot of members buy MD gear, doesn't mean guests don't check out reviews here, and that in itself helps drive sales, guaranteed.

@Will your comment seem like a firm slap in the face to members here.

Since @CEE TEE has joined MD, the quality of your audio gear has jumped at least 10 fold, if not more. Not by coincidence don't ya think?

 

@spwath STFU you're out of your element.

 

And a drone

 

I'm sorry if I'm being much too forward, Will, but your response reads like a product copy. Honest, raw response refined in 1000000°C to burn off all unwanted stuff, seasoned with secret homemade flux and Lord above only knows what, then folded over a septillion times like Good Japanese Steel™. I've read so many product copies that I hate the damn stuff, and maybe that's just how you write as a consequence of the job, but it doesn't exactly scream sincere.

Nobody here can drive meaningful traffic? That sounds like a bit of a backhanded compliment. Perhaps I'm underestimating the size of the personal audio market but last I checked even people on Reddit occasionally talk about us on here and drive up product engagement. Perhaps it's not on the scale of tens of thousands, but anyone who thinks Torq's word on DACs isn't valued on, say, head-fi of all places, is wrong.

Also, that people on here who have scary amounts of experience, have superior listening skills, and are willing to evaluate gear is a great resource. That there are those offering the above for free is awesome, but if used in a commercial setting it may be within the bounds of delicadeza to recompense them for their time; to do so may incite a conflict of interest though, which would suck, though I'm sure some would happily pass.

EDIT: typos and stuff

 

Eventually...



(At least that will be the perception. For what it's worth, I'm good with Marv taking sponsorship money.)

 

Much too forward? Nah dude, you're fine. That's just how I write, for better or worse. I mean it all sincerely and positively.

Meaningful traffic is hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals. Even Head-Fi, the largest english language audio community, has ~400k registered accounts. Unbox Therapy, a single product promoting youtube channel, has 11mm subscribers. This individual youtuber, has an audience which is ~20x larger than the largest english language audio community. So, this isn't a backhand to SBAF, it's recognizing that there just aren't that many people on individual enthusiast websites. The same can be said for EDC websites, or Mechanical Keyboard websites, or any individual enthusiast community. Not trying to make anybody feel bad, just putting a scale on the map.

Torq's POV is valuable because he's spent years developing a consistent, respectable, and understandable review style. If he posts on SBAF, or Head-Fi, or Massdrop, it doesn't matter, Torq is Torq no matter where you read his thoughts. His words are valuable in these audiences no doubt, but they're understandable by people in other audiences, that combination is what helps bring people into the Audiophile community.