From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!houxm!houxa!houxi!whuxk!wjm
Newsgroups: net.audio
Title: audio mags
Article-I.D.: whuxk.151
Posted: Thu Mar  3 16:56:48 1983
Received: Tue Mar  8 00:50:07 1983

There are three widely read audio magazines as Marty Shannon noted.  They are
"Audio", "High Fidelity", and "Stereo Review".  At present, I subscribe to all
3, but will probably drop my "High Fidelity" subscription when it expires
next year unless they improve it.  Comments about each magazine:
"Stereo Review" is the largest circulation audio magazine and for most peoples
needs probably the best single magazine.  They have the best record reviews
(both classical and popular), excellent test reports (mostly on mid-priced
equipment, with a bit of high end thrown in), and very good general audience
articles on how to set up and maintain a high fi system.
"Audio" is the most technical of the three and tends to be aimed at a more
high end audience (their test reports tend to favor higher end equipment).
They have the best classified ads, and tend to favor hardware (equipment,etc.)
over software (recordings - they only review a few audiophile recordings each
month).  One especially useful feature of "Audio" is their annual equipment
directory (in October for home equipment, and in the spring for car equipment)
which lists all manufacturers goodies by category (receivers, amps, turntables,
etc.) and gives comparative specs. (Keep in mind that these specs are supplied
by the manufacturers and are not verified by "Audio" lab reports).
"High Fidelity" is aimed for the same audience as "Stereo Review" but falls
short of the mark.  The issues tend to be much smaller (between 80 and 95
pages most months) and a sizeable portion is devoted to video (here a personal
prejudice of mine appears - I'm not a videophile and would prefer to leave
the video to video mags).  They have excellent test reports (generally the
same type of equipment as "Stereo Review" - in fact thats why I subscribed,
to get a second opinion on equipment)., and are the most music oriented of the
three.  Their record reviews tend to be quite extensive (and quite good) but
the price you pay is that very few recordings get reviews.
One thing to keep in mind is that all of these magazines offer substantial
discounts to subscribers - typically 50% off their "posted" subscription
price (and about 65% off the newsstand price).
                                              Bill Mitchell
                                              Bell Labs - Whippany NJ
                                              (whuxk!wjm)