How does The Audio Stuff score audio gear?
Every review carries a single score from 0 to 10 plus a one-word verdict, and each verdict owns a score band no other tier shares: Reference 9.2-10.0, Highly Recommended 8.2-9.1, Recommended 7.0-8.1, Mixed 5.5-6.9, Pass 0.0-5.4. The bands do not overlap, so a score names one tier. The single exception is a score exactly on a tier's floor (9.2, 8.2, 7.0 or 5.5): that makes a product eligible for the tier, and the verdict may hold it one tier lower where price, competition or reliability argue against the higher one. A review that breaks the rule fails the build. The scale is normalised across categories: every score is built from the same weighted axes and anchored to a published reference list in its own category, so a 9.0 is the same standing whether the product is a headphone, a DAC or a pair of speakers. What earns the points on each axis is category-specific - tonal balance on a headphone, measured noise on a DAC, a measurable or audible effect on an accessory - and each category hub lists its criteria. The reference list updates as new gear earns its place; older scores can move when a new benchmark arrives.
No - never. Brands have zero editorial input on reviews. Pre-publication review of drafts is never granted, and we never accept payment to influence a verdict. The site carries no advertising, no affiliate links and no sponsored placements, so there is nothing a brand could withdraw to retract one. The wallet of the reader is the only one we are looking out for.
Do you buy gear yourself or accept manufacturer loaners?
Both. Most flagship and reference-tier gear is loaned by manufacturers or distributors, and a loaned unit is flagged in the review header, beside the byline. Mid-tier and budget pieces are usually purchased outright, often used. Either way the review still gets written, the piece still earns the score it deserves, and the unit goes back when the loan window closes.
How long does each audio review take to complete?
Two weeks minimum on the chain in real daily use - typically four to eight weeks for flagship gear, sometimes longer. Reviews are compared against multiple reference pieces, across multiple sources, in multiple genres, before a score is committed. There are no first-impressions reviews and no demo-room verdicts.
Can I submit audio gear for review?
Yes. Email contact@theaudiostuff.com with the unit name, asking price, return window, and a short pitch on why it deserves coverage. We will respond before anything ships. There is no guarantee of a positive verdict, and we do not commit to a publishing date until the listening period is complete.
What does 'Reference' mean in the verdict scale?
Reference is the highest verdict on the scale. It means the piece is a benchmark in its category - the unit that other gear in the same class is judged against. Reference is not the same as best for everyone (price, taste, system context all matter), but it is the unequivocal best at what it sets out to do, with no meaningful flaws holding it back at its price tier.
What audio gear brands does The Audio Stuff cover?
We review gear from any brand making noteworthy products - established names like Sennheiser, Focal, KEF, HIFIMAN, and SMSL, alongside specialist manufacturers like Ferrum, Holo Audio, Eversolo, Schiit, Topping, and Audeze. Category, merit, and reader requests drive the review queue. Brand relationships do not.
Do reviews use measurements or just listening tests?
Both, in that order of weight. Listening is always primary - over weeks, on multiple chains, against published references. Measurements (frequency response, distortion, output impedance, jitter, sensitivity) are added when they reveal something audible or contradict the marketing claims. We do not chase graphs over what the gear actually sounds like in a real room.
How is audio gear compared head-to-head in a review?
Two ways. Same chain, different gear - swap the DAC, swap the amp, swap the headphones - same source, same recording, same volume-matched level. And A/B comparisons against the published reference list at the same price tier. Every review names the comparison units explicitly so the verdict is reproducible if you have one of those references on hand.
