Putting ourselves in the buyer’s shoes
Audio-2G was born out of the combined expertise of two Italian journalists who have spent several years working in print media. In that time, we saw firsthand the advanced experience of our magazines’ readers who have been (as well as continue to be) practicing and dedicated audio enthusiasts. In more recent years we have additionally discovered the newfound potential through the Internet to reach a broader audience with a wider variety of audio interests and experiences. This Internet audience is overall less bound to preconceptions tied to analog audio culture, and instead find their way to us when seeking advice on making audio gear purchases.
Therefore, our idea is to put ourselves in the buyer’s shoes. We do so through subjective listenings and with a careful attention when reviewing audio products so as to best recount the story of the sound and the emotional response it may bring up for listeners. We are also dedicated to providing detailed information about the origin of the reviewed product: who builds it and why did they design it as they did. These analyses are further enriched by our ability to dismantle and take apart the device itself so as to give our viewers an exclusive tour that unveils the product’s technical highlights in a fun and easily understandable way.
Identifying the right product for potential buyers
One of the questions we want to answer in our reviews is: Who is the ideal buyer of this product?
The answer to this question encompasses considerations related to the market positioning of the product, its design, and its compatibility with a wide variety of listening environments and domestic spaces. We also focus our attention on a device’s compatibility with potential buyers’ economic means as well as whatever hardware they may already have in their home. A 100 Euro DAC might be an improvement for those who are accustomed to using the headphone output of their PC, but this very same 100 Euro DAC might not be satisfactory for those who are instead accustomed to high end audio systems.
In order to remain consistent in our assessments and reviews, Audio-2G tests always take place in the same two listening rooms. One of these rooms exclusively employs a higher-end audio system, while the other instead utilizes ancillary equipment beginning at an entry-level or median price range.
Reviewing by listening
Although we both possess a technical background, Audio-2G has elected to exclusively assess and review products according to their listening experience as opposed to measurable metrics. We neither produce measurements of the products, nor publish those carried out by the manufacturers. Our videos instead strive to report our, at times conflicting, opinions.
Methodology
Listening Spaces
Audio-2G has two listening rooms, both acoustically treated with Astri Audio products: Room A is 40 square meters, while Room B is 20 square meters. Both spaces have resident audio systems that serve as our reference point during listening tests and are informed by a wired data network (optical and copper). Each system belongs to a different overall price range. A dedicated server room houses the noisiest equipment such as three NAS, servers, firewalls, etc.
Procedure
The tests we conduct for the Audio-2G YouTube channel follow a precise methodology: if the devices are new, they are run-in for at least one week consecutively, after which time they are then placed inside the audio system of one of the two listening rooms. In order to make the evaluation as consistent and homogeneous as possible, we try to make only one replacement at a time. The component under test is listened to during multiple sessions, both single and paired, and a standard evaluation form which we have developed over the years is then filled out.
The technical analysis of the devices is carried out, where possible, according to the indications provided either by the manufacturer or directly by the designer.
Shooting
Only once we have effectively understood the strengths (and weaknesses) of the component as well as its sonic personality, do we then move on to the shooting stage which is carried out in a single session. The shooting and editing are done without the involvement of third parties.
