Changes at HFW

[Floyddroid]

I notice in the most recent edition of HFW that they have returned to their previous postal address. I wonder if sales are in decline?:(

[Martyn Miles]

I notice in the most recent edition of HFW that they have returned to their previous postal address. I wonder if sales are in decline?:(

I gave up with HFW, and HFN. News was a mag full of high priced kit, apart from the odd interesting article on classic components. I suspect both will eventually close. The audio market is shrinking and will never recover. As the youth of today grow older, they will not be buying separates.
What they will get nostalgic for I don't know...

[walpurgis]

I've been buying HFW for donkeys years, but I'm now thinking of not bothering. It never seems to feature equipment I'm likely to buy these days.

I see you handle Ming Da Steve. Have you got your hands on the MC-9 TVC pre-amp yet? I've had one for over a year and it's an amazing sounding bit of kit.

[loo]

haven't bought a hifi rag in years flip through them at kings cross once in a while and never see anything that makes me want to buy one ,
seems to me they are compiled by people
Paul

[Beobloke]

seems to me they are compiled by :wanker:'s
Paul

How charming. Thanks for sharing that opinion.

[Marco]

Paul, that was a rather unkind and unnecessary remark. Therefore, simply on the grounds of common decency, I'd be obliged if you removed it. Cheers!

Marco.

[tannoy man]

I Love HI FI Mags, Ive been Buying Them since 1974

[Wakefield Turntables]

I once sat down and realised that I was buy 15-20% of the same magazine every month when I was still buying HiFi World (which used to be my favourite mag). At was at that point I stopped buying it. With regards to HFN, I still get this and look forward to it dropping on my doormat every month. I stopped buying HiFi+ as well when I realised that I would never probably end up buying any of the kit because i) some of it never appears in the UK & ii) some of the prices were just plain stupid. I've realised that retro and DIY audio is far more fun than chasing "the next best thing" in audio. Oh, Adam, I enjoy your articles so ignore the other bloke.

[Beobloke]

Oh, Adam, I enjoy your articles so ignore the other bloke.

:kiss: :D

I just thought it was a rather unpleasant thing to say, given that the reviewers I know are all very knowledegable and passionate about what they do. That's not to say that I agree with every word they say all of the time, but I know that they are sincere in their reviews.

I wasn't taking it personally, nor will I lose any sleep over it. Personally, I'm not aware of having met Paul but I'd be happy to buy him a pint and have a chat with him over it at a hi-fi show. If he thinks I'm a :wanker: after this, then fair enough!

[Audioman]

Hi-Fi news is a good read these days though I only pick it up a few times a year. It is now owned by a large Bath based publishing group who also own Hi-Fi Choice. If they were to rationalise I would bet on Choice getting dumped. Hi-Fi World is a small independent which has lost it's best writers IMO. Looks like owner Noel Keywood has been forced to rationalise. Frankly he has managed to survive so far against the odds and if he decides to retire I can't see anyone buying him up. On that basis I would give it only a few more years. This will be a sad day as until a year or so ago I bought practically every edition.

[Beobloke]

Oh, and to return to the original point, Hi-Fi World's offices have moved recently as the old building they were in is being knocked down to make way for luxury flats, apparently.

[loo]

Paul, that was a rather unkind and unnecessary remark. Therefore, simply on the grounds of common decency, I'd be obliged if you removed it. Cheers!

Marco.
sorry did not mean to offend


How charming. Thanks for sharing that opinion.
Hi Adam, sorry if you took offence , I do not know you or who you write for but I am sure you show great journalistic integrity in your work, It was just a general snipe at an industry that seems to crave advertising revenue over reader satisfaction.
Paul

[DSJR]

Of all of them, I used to like HFW, even if it showed a certain naivety in it's writing sometimes (already politely discussed with DP when he posted here?). I must admit that HFN almost makes me physically sick when I look at the cheap-innards gear with humungous price tags that seems to populate every issue these days. I'm sure I was told that Ab Sounds' Ricardo has an interest, although, as with a central London dealer he 'owns?' there may be foreign money invested.

Sorry to also spoil the fun, but Martyn Miles' comment about the slow decline on the audio industry is on the right lines, so anything 'new' and 'interesting' to report on has to be extremely expensive with built-in cachet. I doubt much if any of it sells in the cash strapped UK these days and if it does, it'll suffer huge depreciation in the first years of its life - in my opinion and experience...

[Marco]

sorry did not mean to offend


Hi Paul,

No problem, and many thanks for removing your remarks. I'm sure that there are plenty of wankers in the audio industry (I certainly know a few!) but unless you have genuine grounds for grievance against someone, it's inappropriate on the forum to refer to people in those terms, no matter whether they are members of the trade or not.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[Kember]

Hi Paul,

No problem, and many thanks for removing your remarks. I'm sure that there are plenty of wankers in the audio industry (I certainly know a few!) but unless you have genuine grounds for grievance against someone, it's inappropriate on the forum to refer to people in those terms, no matter whether they are members of the trade or not.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.

Actually, if my wife is to be believed, it is the hi fi consumers who deserve the epithet, or at least me: I know she only does it to embarrass me, but when we are out shopping she has been to known to call across the aisle to find out if want a copy of my w**kmag, to whit HFN or HFW…she enjoys the looks I get from other shoppers...:)

Peter

[Floyddroid]

I subscribe to Hifi world and look forward each month to it's delivery. I have met Noel Keywood on a couple of occasions and i found him to be a really nice guy. I understand fully the world has now become automated by the internet and for people of a certain age who don't enjoy hard copy it is but a preference to stare at an LCD screen. My original post was an enquiry born of genuine concern. I have a feeling that sales of Hifi publications in general may be in decline. I have bought HFW since it's inception having every issue from the first to the most recent in my garage. I am afraid i have to take the opposite stance and dread the day (which is inevitable) that they cease to exist, because that really will herald the passing of an era. I for one will remain loyal to my monthly purchase of HFW and remain concerned that all is well. The editorial staff et al have done a great job there for many years and still are. Lets not forget that without hifi there wouldn't be hifi forums. In many ways forums are but a modern extention of many publications on any given subject and no doubt see the remaining audiophiles in the world (myself included) to their graves. Though i would suggest that the remaining publications are given the respect they deserve until their demise, as they paved the way and kept the fires burning for many years. As Mr Gump once said, "That's all i got to say bout that"!

[Floyddroid]

Thanks for that Adam. An informed opinion. Much appreciated.
Oh, and to return to the original point, Hi-Fi World's offices have moved recently as the old building they were in is being knocked down to make way for luxury flats, apparently.

[synsei]

I subscribe to Hifi world and look forward each month to it's delivery. I have met Noel Keywood on a couple of occasions and i found him to be a really nice guy. I understand fully the world has now become automated by the internet and for people of a certain age who don't enjoy hard copy it is but a preference to stare at an LCD screen. My original post was an enquiry born of genuine concern. I have a feeling that sales of Hifi publications in general may be in decline. I have bought HFW since it's inception having every issue from the first to the most recent in my garage. I am afraid i have to take the opposite stance and dread the day (which is inevitable) that they cease to exist, because that really will herald the passing of an era. I for one will remain loyal to my monthly purchase of HFW and remain concerned that all is well. The editorial staff et al have done a great job there for many years and still are. Lets not forget that without hifi there wouldn't be hifi forums. In many ways forums are but a modern extention of many publications on any given subject and no doubt see the remaining audiophiles in the world (myself included) to their graves. Though i would suggest that the remaining publications are given the respect they deserve as they paved the way and kept the fires burning for many years. As Mr Gump once said, "That's all i got to say bout that"!

I couldn't agree more Steve, the hifi rags certainly played an important part early on in my life. Once my Dad left home (taking all his gear with him) the various publications kept me up to speed with developments and kept my enthusiasm alive until i could afford to buy my own gear. Besides, who doesn't like looking at and reading hifi porn, eh? :D

[Colin]

I bought world for years, but I'm afraid to say when all the cable reviews started, and each month some new £1 k cable was needed to bring the best out of my system, it was obvious I needed a re think, so I had one, and cancelled the mag.

[Floyddroid]

I couldn't agree more Steve, the hifi rags certainly played an important part early on in my life. Once my Dad left home (taking all his gear with him) the various publications kept me up to speed with developments and kept my enthusiasm alive until i could afford to buy my own gear. Besides, who doesn't like looking at and reading hifi porn, eh? :D

Cheers Dave indeed. Porn eh? Now there's a thing. Yet another profession killed off by the internet. Is there no end to the tyranny?

[Joe]

HFW is perhaps the single most boring thing I've ever read, and I speak as one who did Economics A level.

[anthonyTD]

Hi All,
I too grew up surrounded by the usual hi fi mags of the day,and in that respect, i hold my Dad solely responsible for the way i turned out! :eek:
But seriously, over the years [certainly before my internet experience] i spent many an hour scouring through Hi FI World, Choice, News and Plus and dare i say, a few others, etc, so, i too am genuinely concerned about their inevitable demise, which is why i am hopping that internet forums such as AOS, and others will eventually provide a convenient and safe haven for all the good reviewers out there who wish to continue on their quest to help and enlighten the general public on all matters HI FI related' well into the next few decades at least.:)
Anthony,TD...

[Clive197]

It is with great regret that so many of you slag off HFW or HFN and occasionally HFC. These three magazines have for so many years provided me with huge entertainment and informed opinion. Yes, not everything in the garden is wonderful and I don't agree or like everything that is written, so I just don't bother reading the item, but you can't blame the magazine staff writers just because you can't afford some of the gear reviewed and there are people out there who can, maybe it's a bit of jealousy. If you don't like the mag, just vote with your wallet and stop snipping at hard working staff.

Now WHAT HIFI I voted with my wallet years ago!

Clive

[chris@panteg]

I still quite like HFW and HIfi news , buy em occasionally though not every month .

[Joe]

It is with great regret that so many of you slag off HFW or HFN and occasionally HFC. These three magazines have for so many years provided me with huge entertainment and informed opinion. Yes, not everything in the garden is wonderful and I don't agree or like everything that is written, so I just don't bother reading the item, but you can't blame the magazine staff writers just because you can't afford some of the gear reviewed and there are people out there who can, maybe it's a bit of jealousy. If you don't like the mag, just vote with your wallet and stop snipping at hard working staff.

Now WHAT HIFI I voted with my wallet years ago!

Clive

I speak as I find. I bought a copy of HFW to wile away the time on a train journey. Within the first minute or so, its turgid prose had sent me to sleep. Every so often I'd try reading an article, only to nod off again.

I used to buy HFN for the classical record reviews, but they cut those right down and thus lost my interest.

Now, HiFi+ I do like, because Alan Sircom can actually write in an interesting way, plus he reviewed an HMHB album, so he can do no wrong in my eyes, and the reviews of £10,000 cables are at least good for a laugh.

[Audioman]

I speak as I find. I bought a copy of HFW to wile away the time on a train journey. Within the first minute or so, its turgid prose had sent me to sleep. Every so often I'd try reading an article, only to nod off again.

I used to buy HFN for the classical record reviews, but they cut those right down and thus lost my interest.

Now, HiFi+ I do like, because Alan Sircom can actually write in an interesting way, plus he reviewed an HMHB album, so he can do no wrong in my eyes, and the reviews of £10,000 cables are at least good for a laugh.

I do think the writing quality in HFW has deteriorated since Adam and David Price left. I think main thing is that there is now more digital/computer audio stuff than vinyl. I note that all the analogue reviews are now being done by Tony Bolton. In the past the magazine was very much hobbyist and vinyl based and this has continued to diminish in spite of a growing public interest in that area due to forums. I do agree about Alan Sircom and remember him from his days when HFW was in it's infancy. Unfortunately Hi-Fi+ does still pander towards the stupidly expensive and often unobtainable if unaffordable as it has to appeal to the US and Far East markets to survive. I'm sure Alan is constrained by the policies of it's now American owners. Unfortunately not enough content for the money for me so I am not tempted back to it.

Hi-Fi News has the best balance of content now in spite of the proliferation of uber expensive equipment reviews. I do think the reviewing standards remain high but a few more real world product reviews could help UK sales for it and the other mags. I think one problem is there is a lack of original and interesting budget hi-fi at the present. I'm sure they get sent more uber expensive stuff to review as the designers need the publicity and someone to wax lyrical in order to successfully target the small number of buyers these are aimed at.

[system7]

I met Noel Keywood of Hi-Fi World (http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/) many years ago, and can confirm he is a very pleasant and thoughtful man. He was at the time working out of a London house with a young staff of about 8.

There is a lot to running a magazine aside from stacking up some equipment and having a listen. People want frequency response and some idea of how it sounds with Jazz, Rock and Classical music, but strangely have NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER in the equally important phase alignment of the loudspeaker drive units. The commercial and business side is also a large part.

It is a pity that DIY audio has almost disappeared in the UK, with shops like Maplin no longer doing it. HFW used to champion that. I have read so many reviews of loudspeakers, which NEVER discuss the all-important crossover that decides its sound. Or the drive unit choices in general. In the end, these magazines only take you so far.

Of course, the designers want to keep their secrets, the reviewers agree not to pry to closely, but in fact there are very few secrets. It's just they're not telling. Otherwise you'd not need to buy the next issue or buy the next loudspeaker. I kid you not. :lol: