LETTERS

Where are the measurements? Hail classic gear. S&V style.

I’ve just received the September 2018 issue of Sound & Vision magazine and was pleased to see the new-look graphics. But I was also surprised and disappointed to see that measurements are no longer published in the review section. Proper measurements are integral to evaluating the performance of an audio component and their absence not only leaves your reader at a disadvantage, but also detracts from the overall quality of the review and the magazine as a whole. Will S&V no longer publish measurements going forward? A. Lal via email

I have just finished reading through the September 2018 issue of Sound & Vision. What happened to the laboratory measurements that used to be included in the equipment reviews? I am very disappointed by this change, which is one for the worse, as those measurements provided very useful quantitative information. Ideally, I would like to see them back again. Witold Waldman Melbourne, Australia

Please bring back the graphic results/ measurements from the test bench segment. While anecdotal assessments by the writers are okay, they are a subjective account. For example, a reviewer might praise a subwoofer’s performance, but I want to see a frequency response graph to assess its “linearity.” I also want to see a graphic showing a TV’S pre- and post-cali- bration results. Phil Treinen via email

I fully understand the disappointment some readers will feel about the removal of audio measurements from Sound & Vision. Measurements are a useful accompaniment to a subjective review that helps to keep the reviewer honest and on-track. That said, the audio measurements Sound & Vision routinely published following its merger with Home Theater magazine in 2013 have been straight measurement data with no analysis, which apparently was a condition of the magazine’s arrangement with its audio technical editor. That stands in contrast with Sound & Vision’s video measurements, which are detailed, and often contain interpretation to help readers relate to what’s appearing onscreen. While I regret that audio measurements will no longer continue (though there is a possibility they might resurface for special tests), I’m glad that we are able continue to provide in- depth measurements of TVS and projectors, along with analysis of those measurements. As for the graphs, we are currently working on expanding our visual representation of video measurements. Because of space considerations, however, these will most likely appear in the online version of the review rather than in print.— AG