I can't really add anything to this, having read it, all the relevant views are there.
I will say that I have my own VERY strong views about snake oil type things, sometimes strongly slating the peddlers for there factually inaccurate claims and gross obscene pricing. And I think they need exposing and the claims rubbishing. Indeed, it is practically a kind of libel to say untruths, so hyping and then getting disappointed is in a round a bout way talking mistruths and misleading. To add insult, these cost a bomb relatively.
WRT libel it HAS to be untrue. if you say something that is personal opinion, that is ok, provided it doesn't damage someones reputation. To say Naim are grossly expensive means I have seen them inside, and there is not much and no magic, and the pricing is obscene for what you get. My opinion. Factual. The fact it delivers is some consolation, but materially, its way overpriced.
Its a fine line, also it depends on what you say, this forum is great, full of individual opinions, and hifi is ALL opinion I would say ( an opinion!!) its all personal, you can get such great info on this forum, and its really helpful for sifting thro all the crap.
Indeed, to say forums are full of that is libellous in itself, as it damages them and is untrue. So RG watch what you write.
HIFI marketting is really quite dirty, as does all the politics of the companies involved, and this is what I really object to. Unsubstantiated gross marketting hypebole, hyped up fantastic, best yet, best ever, better than last month. you see it everywhere and if you believed it, a few yrs old products would be unlistenable. why can't we sue the mags for this? It wrong, its a kind of hidden slandering of the older stuff that is totally unfounded.
I think RG has a point in general, as with all things, there is some truth, there probably are forums like that, however, again it can be construed as an attack on free opinion and censorship by the industry that wants to gag opinions
bit of a cheek if you ask me. Select your mag carefully, bribe the reviewer, pay adverts, get a fab review, then try to stop any honest people on forums trying to say, no this kit was kak, load of rubbish, don't buy it, the mag was wrong, very morally and ethically dubious.
Its almost as tho they have a superiority complex like our mags have the monopoly on truth, and can write whearas forums can't.
Some of these companies have got arrogant and too big for their own boots.
WRT messenger, very interesting. I like his reviews, sure what suprises me is he has this huge system, likes huge speakers, yet I have some old hifi choice and they have a kind of rating system....excell, VG+, VG, G, G-, etc., and PM's has the least in favour of the Es and VG+, he doesn't exaggerate, he tells the truth by and large, and I have bought speakers recommended elsewhere listened and found that something I don't like PM has also said. SO I find him very accurate with his ears. He also for his sins with big speakers, gives incredibly balanced reviews of smaller and cheap ones.
When you see a mag every month pushing hard a product and having the latest one of the same make in next months mag, you get very cynical. HFW with origin live, though I do accept OL are decent enough.
To sum up, for a maker to say, the best you have every heard, you pay 1000s, get it back and its not, and then post on a forum saying as much, what is wrong with that? It applies to cables as much as cds.