View Full Version : Hi-Fi World November edition
Floyddroid
28-09-2012, 10:15
is it just me or does the November edition of Hi-Fi world seem thinner? I seem to be leaning more towards the opionions and assistance from my AOS colleagues which i don't feel is tainted by advertising and the media circus. I think that such publications are having less and less influence on the hi-fi buying public from what i am hearing via the forums. In many ways the internet has done them in! :eyebrows:
Mr Kipling
28-09-2012, 11:30
Probably a What Hi Fi reader with a Stanley knife.
Why Novembers in late September?
Not unusual. mags like HFW have very small circulation, as does WTF in the wide scheme of things (compared to the men's gadget mags for example). if the manufacturers see falling circulation, they don't advertise and so on and so on. In fact, mags like this one are bound to suffer with all of us spouting all manner of crap online. Thing is, the truth is easily separated from ego's online, by and large, since suspect products are often widely used and opinions shared over many systems, individuals and rooms. Opinions by self-opinionated guru's in shops and god-like mag reviewers of old count for less and less these days, thank goodness :)
Audio Al
28-09-2012, 13:36
RIP all magazines
With the internet you don't need them for reviews of for advertisers
I have stopped all my subscriptions now,
one mag I had was nearly 65% adverts and I was asked to pay for this
:scratch::mental::mental:
hifi_dave
28-09-2012, 15:23
I did note that there are fewer contributors now.
hifi_dave
28-09-2012, 16:13
Just checked - October and November are both 114 pages.
Why Novembers in late September?
It increases the 'shelf life'. Most monthly magazines of all types do it.
Wakefield Turntables
29-09-2012, 16:07
Perhaps with two members of staff leaving HFW and them not printing the "old classics" section, may save HFW some dosh. Noel Keywood appears to have taken over the role of editor so thats one less salary to pay. There does appear to be lots of free lance writers, are these more or less expensive than having a full time member of staff? I'd hazard a guess at cheaper. So, could HFW be coming leaner to be more finicially viable :scratch:
hifi_dave
29-09-2012, 16:33
Freelance must be massively less expensive than full time staff, what with minimum wage, holidays, sick pay etc, etc. Get a hobbyist to write a few hundred words, bung him 100 quid and let him play with the toys. Job done.
isuckedmandelsonslemons
29-09-2012, 16:35
Freelance must be massively less expensive than full time staff, what with minimum wage, holidays, sick pay etc, etc. Get a hobbyist to write a few hundred words, bung him 100 quid and let him play with the toys. Job done.
A few hundred words for a hundred Quid. They wish.
A few hundred words for a hundred Quid. They wish.
In the 80/90s HFN paid £150 for 1,500 words. HFW would pay in kits for DIY supplement articles.
isuckedmandelsonslemons
29-09-2012, 18:04
I find that a staggering amount of money for the 1980s. What do they pay now?
I find that a staggering amount of money for the 1980s. What do they pay now?
It didn't seem like a lot at the time. Pay rates are lower now...when writing for the US it's not worth getting paid due to the cost of cashing $ cheques (checks).
isuckedmandelsonslemons
29-09-2012, 18:33
I'm trying to think what I earned in the 1980s. It does seem a lot. And how would it be less now ?
Prices are about double since the early 80s.
Alan Sircom
29-09-2012, 19:34
I'm trying to think what I earned in the 1980s. It does seem a lot. And how would it be less now ?
Because the rate is between £100-£175 per thousand words today.
In the 1980s, the rate was predicated on the concept that a thorough review would take roughly around four working days to process (listening, measurement, fact finding and/or a telephone interview with the designer, and the write up). Although the time spent running in, fine-tuning the system, doing comparisons etc increases the time spent running the review exponentially (if we billed every hour spent in 'finessing' the review from delivery to collection, you might be looking at many more days) the 1980s time scale for a review seems a fair assessment of the amount of work going into the process.
It still takes about the same time to process a review (although email speeds things a lot) but the rate has not increased to account for inflation.
isuckedmandelsonslemons
29-09-2012, 19:57
Thanks.
Because the rate is between £100-£175 per thousand words today.
In the 1980s, the rate was predicated on the concept that a thorough review would take roughly around four working days to process (listening, measurement, fact finding and/or a telephone interview with the designer, and the write up). Although the time spent running in, fine-tuning the system, doing comparisons etc increases the time spent running the review exponentially (if we billed every hour spent in 'finessing' the review from delivery to collection, you might be looking at many more days) the 1980s time scale for a review seems a fair assessment of the amount of work going into the process.
It still takes about the same time to process a review (although email speeds things a lot) but the rate has not increased to account for inflation.
Why not? Cost of living in the 80's was peanuts compared to today. My first ever pint was cider when I was 18 :), that was 31 years ago and it cost 45p, rates for writing reviews should reflect the current cost of living surely? Or is the fact that Malcolm Steward is always telling me how rates are poor and pleads poverty (jokingly I hope) a sign that reviewers pay is stuck in the dark ages?
isuckedmandelsonslemons
29-09-2012, 20:30
A few hundred words for a hundred Quid. They wish.
Which is why I posted this earlier.
Pay reflects the health and wealth of an industry surely, rather than acting with a social conscience
Audioman
29-09-2012, 21:25
Hasn't anybody noticed that pay for most has hardly gone up since the 1980's. That's why people borrowed more and more and now consumer spending levels are way down. A contracting sector such as hi-fi reviewing is hardly likely to buck the trend.
How many reviewers who aren't full time staffers don't have a day job or are independently wealthy? None. I'd be quite happy to spend some spare time listening to some new kit and knock out 2000 words for £300 quid. I wouldn't consider it work at all.
Alan?...;)
Alan Sircom
29-09-2012, 23:10
How many reviewers who aren't full time staffers don't have a day job or are independently wealthy? None. I'd be quite happy to spend some spare time listening to some new kit and knock out 2000 words for £300 quid. I wouldn't consider it work at all.
Alan?...;)
Actually, we still have several full-time freelance writers in the UK. They tend to write in a number of different fields, but their specialism is audio. I'm not sure how sustainable that career path is going ahead.
Like any hobby made into business, the reality is less fun than it seems. Unless you work from home, you need to spend a day off awaiting the delivery. Then another one, because the distributor forgot to send it on the day they intended. Then you discover your system doesn't match the DUT, and you need to call the distributor who calls the manufacturer and ends up sending you a range of products that fit better, and they don't arrive on time, then I get on your case for not getting the product in on time.
The first 2000 words are relatively easy. Keeping it fresh when you've just done your 20th cable in a row is when the problems kick in. And, whatever you write will be pulled apart by those who hate every word you generate because simply putting words on a page makes you a corrupt tool of the manufacturers in their eyes.
Still interested?
Alan - It's three hundred notes. Of course I'm still interested :lol:
Seriuosly, though, every job has its drawbacks but there are a lot worse ways to make a living. I know because I've done most of them. However I take your point about cable reviews. That could get tough. But I'm a professional, I rise above these things...
In terms of time invested it simply doesn't pay. I do it for fun and as a distraction. Also as Alan suggests works well, I work from home. Also, I only review items I find interesting. I must have reviewed over 50 items, not one has been foisted on me.
isuckedmandelsonslemons
30-09-2012, 05:05
Alan, I'm seriously very interested. Could do stuff with a slightly different angle. I'm a bit of a hifi beginner compared to most on here but I do have a number of attributes you may be interested in:
1. I have plenty of time for listening
2. I'm happy to work for those rates
3. I can write a bit.
4. I'm more than happy to be hated. I'm used to it.
5. I don't mind everything I write being criticised. Why else would I post on here?
6. My spelling is eggsel exel excele egcel . . . Good.
When can I start?
isuckedmandelsonslemons
30-09-2012, 05:05
In terms of time invested it simply doesn't pay. I do it for fun and as a distraction. Also as Alan suggests works well, I work from home. Also, I only review items I find interesting. I must have reviewed over 50 items, not one has been foisted on me.
Dream job.
hifinutt
30-09-2012, 05:43
The first 2000 words are relatively easy. Keeping it fresh when you've just done your 20th cable in a row is when the problems kick in. And, whatever you write will be pulled apart by those who hate every word you generate because simply putting words on a page makes you a corrupt tool of the manufacturers in their eyes.
well , have no fear i reread my hi fi plus mags and hi fi world many times over and past editions and thouroughly enjoy them although it must be galling to have ones integrity called into question
i was intersted to read a review of a famous amp recently in stereophile that was a bit negative and it caused a right old stink so not an easy job to be honest and still retain support of manufacturers
isuckedmandelsonslemons
30-09-2012, 18:33
Have I got this job yet? I'm assuming the letter is in the post.
Have I got this job yet? I'm assuming the letter is in the post.
Sorry, Harry. He's offered it to me. I'm doing 2 reviews a month for £100, a free subscription and the understanding that a blind eye will be turned to me keeping the cables if the manufacturers forget to ask for them back.
Wonder if there has ever been a reviewer who doesn't believe in cable difference?
Beobloke
01-10-2012, 11:52
Wonder if there has ever been a reviewer who doesn't believe in cable difference?
There is currently. I'm not naming him but going to listen to his system has been something of a wake-up call for most who have experienced it!
:eyebrows:
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