I find it goes both ways. Often times I’ve read reviews and heard the product in question, only to find it nothing like the reviewer made it out to be.
My first big disappointment came when I once read a favorable Joe Meek VC3Q review in Home Recording magazine. Soon afterwards, Guitar Center had these in a clearance sale, so I bought one. I rushed right home, plugged in my Rode NT1 (one of the decent sounding older ones) and started tracking. But, to my surprise and amazement, there was nothing but one-dimensional mud. Fortunately, I was able to sell it without taking too bad of a beating.
OTOH, lots of reviews are spot on, like the good reviews I read about the Aardvark Q10 and the Studio Projects B3.
But folks - sound is objective and ears are fickle, so you’re bound to not always get a "correct" opinion about what you'll like, even from an experienced reviewer. As far as forums like this go, I think a lot of folks here including myself, will start spouting off first impressions of something before spending nearly enough time with it, let alone comparing it to similar products.
To get the best idea of what you like and don’t like, you’ve got to hear it yourself! Now, if you’re on a remote, foreign island with no music stores and a slow dial-up modem, then it’s just going to be a gamble because other’s opinions are all you have. For all others, do this:
1. Get the 3D Audio CD’s and study them every day for a couple of months.
2. Go to “The Listening Sessions” and download everything there. Also purchase all of TLS’s soon-to-be-released CDs. Study these every day for a couple of months as well.
3. Get manufacturer’s demo samples when available. For example, Royer and Studio Projects have demo CDs you can request for free and Rode has several mp3s you can download from their website.
4. Go to the mp3 clinics here and at other forums, and start listening. Find the one’s you like and correspond with folks who made them to learn what mics/pres along with what positions and settings were used. You might just be surprised at what you find, not to mention you’ll make new friends with similar passions.
5. Lastly, go to your local music store when it isn’t crowded and ask if you can demo their mics and pres. During the slow hours, most sales guys are bored and would love to accommodate you. Don’t just listen with headphones, either - ask if you can lay down some tracks and burn a CD to take home and mull over. BTW, when you're ready to make the purchase, don’t forget to at least attempt to buy it from that same store. Most places will compete with internet prices. This will insure future help and assistance.
The bottom line is, if you just go by others opinions, you are headed for certain disappointment.
