I've yet to see this pet peeve of mine addressed in this RnR section - you're reading an equipment review in one the high end audio magazines and the reviewer is recounting about how the team from the factory worked so hard to get the equipment setup just right in his listening room. Wow, that's great! But then there is no mention of whether this outstanding treatment is extented to all customers or just those whose opinions will be published in a major audio magazine.
Now I can understand the need for setup assistance when the equipment under review is a mega-buck 100+ pound statement speaker system but many times the equipment under review is far from this level of performance or cost and still the manufacturer feels the need to give things that personal touch. Gee, that's so great, I can't even get the UPS guy to put the package inside my doorway!!
My suggestion - full disclosure of exactly just how much setup assistance comes with the listed purchase price of the equipment, either via the factory or the dealer. If setup will cost the buyer extra then state that as well.
For all of those Stereophile readers out there, just how many of you have ever had any manufacturer come into your home to setup a newly purchased piece of equipment?
I've yet to see this pet peeve of mine addressed in this RnR section - you're reading an equipment review in one the high end audio magazines and the reviewer is recounting about how the team from the factory worked so hard to get the equipment setup just right in his listening room. Wow, that's great! But then there is no mention of whether this outstanding treatment is extented to all customers or just those whose opinions will be published in a major audio magazine.
Now I can understand the need for setup assistance when the equipment under review is a mega-buck 100+ pound statement speaker system but many times the equipment under review is far from this level of performance or cost and still the manufacturer feels the need to give things that personal touch. Gee, that's so great, I can't even get the UPS guy to put the package inside my doorway!!
My suggestion - full disclosure of exactly just how much setup assistance comes with the listed purchase price of the equipment, either via the factory or the dealer. If setup will cost the buyer extra then state that as well.
For all of those Stereophile readers out there, just how many of you have ever had any manufacturer come into your home to setup a newly purchased piece of equipment?