Buying Guides/Dual

[EdMuse 10+ year member]

Two things--one thread.

First of all, I have bene hunting for some sort of impartial buying guide to car audio. Something that does product comparisons based on objective tests, sort of ala Consumer Reports (who doesn't seem ever to have reviewed car stereos). Any ideas?

Second, before my latest round of shopping for a HU, I had never heard of Dual before. This, I generally see as a hint about the quality of a company's gear: if they're not a well known brand, it says something about them. Still, I wonder, how do they rate up?

-EdM.

Click to read more...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

First of all, I have bene hunting for some sort of impartial buying guide to car audio. Something that does product comparisons based on objective tests, sort of ala Consumer Reports (who doesn't seem ever to have reviewed car stereos). Any ideas?

Internet and forum searching.

There is on comprehensive guide with objective tests, that I'm aware of.

Second, before my latest round of shopping for a HU, I had never heard of Dual before. This, I generally see as a hint about the quality of a company's gear: if they're not a well known brand, it says something about them. Still, I wonder, how do they rate up?

They are not very good.

 

[EdMuse 10+ year member]

Internet and forum searching.
There is no comprehensive guide with objective tests, that I'm aware of.

Yeah, that's what I've been doing. Problem with it is that, if someone isn't trying to sell you their product, then most people are reviewing the one product they've just proudly (or not so much) purchased. So the reviews seem to say that the unit is the best on the face of the earth, or it's absolute garbage, with no middle of the road. Also, since most people only buy one, or at least one at a time, there's no basis for comparison.

RE: DUAL...

They are not very good.

As I thought. Probably going to go with Kenwood, anyway. I was just curious.

-EdM.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

I've considered making a product review database, my only quirk would be the lack of traffic therein.

 

[swimfreak26 10+ year member]

Yeah, that's what I've been doing. Problem with it is that, if someone isn't trying to sell you their product, then most people are reviewing the one product they've just proudly (or not so much) purchased. So the reviews seem to say that the unit is the best on the face of the earth, or it's absolute garbage, with no middle of the road. Also, since most people only buy one, or at least one at a time, there's no basis for comparison.

Visit forums like this, but dig around a bit and ask some questions. Chances are that quite a few people have dealt with the equipment you would like to know about, and you can generally find some objective reviews.

Warning: Don't get sucked into the boners that fly around with a certain product at any given time. If there is a lot of hype surrounding something, continue to do your research on the initial products you wanted to learn about.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

Warning: Don't get sucked into the boners that fly around with a certain product at any given time. If there is a lot of hype surrounding something, continue to do your research on the initial products you wanted to learn about.

QFE! QFTW!!

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

This, I generally see as a hint about the quality of a company's gear: if they're not a well known brand, it says something about them. Still, I wonder, how do they rate up?
-EdM.

Not always true. A great company like RE may be well known and loved on these forums, but to most people who aren't informed it would seem like a company such as Dual.