Vote

Cancel my subscription (just kidding)! After all, EmapUSA owns Stereophile, so why would have they to avoid such ads? Please also think that FHM readers can also read some ads for Stereophile, so welcome to new audiophile gals and pals! Don't you think so?

The BMW ads are debatable. OK, many audiophiles own cars, and audiophile magazines might be the best (only?) way to reach them. But not FHM. Isn't there ANY place in the world that is free of sex? Audiophiles are always makung fun of Brittany Spears. It's not that I'm a prude, but if I want to see blobs of silicon in print or online, it's not all that hard to find. But worst of all, I really don't want to have to limit my kids' (ages 10 & 7) access to Stereophile, and they are the next generation of potential audiophiles. By the time they are old enough to look at this stuff without their eyes bugging out, they may be permanently into MP3s.

I think even asking this question is ridiculous. Just because I like audio equipment doesn't mean I'm not interested in other things too. If automobile advertisements help keep Stereophile's editorial content coming every month then what's the problem?

As of matter of fact, the overall quality of Stereophile is declining after the EMAP/Petersen takeovers: magazines are getting thinner, creditable reviewer are gone, Denon receiver featured on cover, and now BMW and FHM ads. Come on guys, this is an high-end audio magazine. So let's keep it as one. If you guys are tight on the $, I don't mind paying a little more subscription fee. But can I get my Stereophile I used to know?

I already read FHM magazine, and I'm sure other readers own BMW's, so it strikes me that we _are_ part of the target audience.

As a small business owner, I see the need to pay the bills - as does the marketing staff of Stereophile. Since it is my best interests to have the magazine stay in business, as long as they don't sacrifice editorial content for ad space, let them sell big bucks ads to whomever wants to go after our demographic. At least we won't be hearing tired accusations of 'selling out to the advertisers!' Won't be having an automotive section of Recommended Components soon, I trust.

After years of surfing the net, I seem to be immune to advertising - don't even see it unless it has a really striking graphic or better yet, an attractive woman.

Many of us like to dive into Stereophile without the typical deluge of ads that can be see in any magazine. For me it is an immersion experience where I put on my audiophile cap and think of little else. I always liked the fact that even the adds contributed to this immersion. Now one sees cheeky ads of scantily clad women and cars. Hell, I might as well be looking at Newsweek. Ruins the whole thing enough for me that I have comtemplated canceling. Just throw a few more of these my way and I might.

Advertising dollars help keep the publication afloat.

Who the hell cares? An ad is an ad is an ad! Jezz, it must be a slow day at Stereophile if this nonsense is the best you can do for a topic!

I am just fine with the new ads. While I would rather see advertisements from audio companies, the reality is that almost all the costs of publishing are paid for by advertising. In addition, if Stereophile is reviewing a product from a company that does not advertise then the (sometimes) inferred preferential treatment given to advertisers components cannot occur. The more non audio ads, the less potential for conflict exists. In addition the interest from non traditional advertisers likely means that these advertisers believe the number of readers is significant enough to justify the cost. This should mean that the audiophile population is increasing, which in turn gives the equipment manufacturers more incentive to build the stuff we all love.

Any advertiser is a good advertiser as long as he does not influence the magazine's content. Stereophile and the rest of the high end audio industry should maybe take this as a lesson and start spreading a few ads in magazines not directly tied to high end audio.

Thank you for making this a topic for the weekly vote. I do not have any argument with the BMW adverts as they are of a decent quality (both cars and adverts), but adverts for naked women brings DOWN the tone of this magazine. Journals which purport to have authority and status do themselves an injustice in introducing this type of advertisement, as they do when they introduce bad language (which is regrettably increasing in Stereophile to my great disappointment). Whilst I may be stretching the analogy, one is not likely to see such advertising or language in National Geographic, or other esteemed journals. From limited experience I don't even recall seeing these things in the car mags—perhaps in motorbike mags, which seem to presume that their readership is comprised of sex-crazed bikers. Even though many may disagree with me, and even though the company owns both and wants to increase circulation, I maintain that sex-adverts have NO place in Stereophile. Furthermore, if you wish to engage more women as readers and hobbyists this practice is either in disregard for them as women, or there is hypocrisy in the alleged desire for their involvement. The inclusion of high-class advert's for BMW or other high-class products does not bother me much (if at all), but to introduce advert's for sex-oriented products, along with the unnecessary and magazine-degrading use of foul and blasphemous language may be what eventually leads me to cancel my subscription.

Whatever

Sometimes these kind of Ads catch my attention, but most of time I don't care.

I read multitudes of other types of hi-end magazines and am surpised it took so long for other industries to catch on to the marketplace here in Stereophile.

This is not a magazine I would let my kids read to interest them in music and high-end audio under these conditions.

I want Stereophile to stay in business; if that's what it takes, it's OK with me.

Every month, as I read letters in the magazine, and see the lunacy that surrounds this particular issue, I wonder why I just don't write in with the "CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION!" letter. I'm ashamed that people in the hobby, fellow subscribers, are so narrow and so naive. What these guys find so offensive, I just don't see. I think these are the Mensa members, who blew a gasket over the NHT ads a couple of years ago. They saw a naked black guy and became deeply disturbed, I don't want to say anything, but a few things come to mind . . . Oh, and let's not forget the "CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION" letter that follows the use of ADULT language in the magazine, these are the same guys. Get over yourselves, BOYS, this is a big peoples' world, and how money is made in this world, is by going out to get it. It's not a stretch to put ads for BMWs in a high end audio magazine and it's not beneath a magazine, like this one, to sell something that's not a Kotex ad, but a totally related item—AND most of the readers of this magazine probably would like a BMW, get it? Thats how they make money. I have a flash for you boys, It's become pretty clear that high-end magazines can't live on the high-end alone. These piddly little, un-informed, wet blankets will never get it. Don't CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION, just throw more interesting advertising around, a nice looking chick, and the word FUCK here and there, so these letter writing, know nothing, prigs, can vacate the premises, and leave the adults to our own devices.

They're okay as long as they contribute to the financial foundation of the magazine, don't displace audio ads, and don't compromise the editorial integrity.

I love Stereophile and the Guide, and you must do what you have to do to pay the bills, and keep the magazines going!!

Hey, you could review New Wave Hookers for all I care. Let's face it the demographics are there foo all to see. Anyone who can dump 5K or more on a stereo amp can probably swing the lease payment on a Bimmer. Of course, the smart audiphiles get a Honda and get a better amp.

Why is it a big deal? You know, if people were to just pick up this magazine and see all of us quirky audiophiles whine over an ad, doesn't that make us look stupid and petty? I mean, outsiders already think we're crazy for oohing-and-ahhing over $2,000 cables and such. I say, "Get a life!" to all those who want to cancel their subscription over the stupid and petty issue of a car ad.

I want Stereophile to stay in business; if that's what it takes, it's OK with me.

FHM and BMW are fine. It's when you start seeing ads for penis enlargement that you need to worry!

BMW and other quality products I have no problem with. The FHM thing is a little bothersome. If Stereophile readers aren't their target market, they (the advertisers) will go away. Don't worry about the handful of crybaby readers that will always find something to object to.

Don't care, if you stick to articles and commentary about sound in the home environment exclusively and permanently retire the "car tunes" effort and don't add any Dr. Ruth type material as a marketing tie-in with the men's magazine ads. Can wine and cigar ads be far behind? If so my thoughts are similar for these persuits also.

I do feel however that more of the high roller makers of high end gear should not be letting a auto maker out do them in advertising in an audio magazine, but we all know it's big buck advertising that gets the print to stand! Do the men's magazines advertise Stereophile? I would also take BMW over KLH any day of the week! That pun is for your many jaded audiophiles who let this type of thing put a burr up there @'s.

It is your right as the publisher to subsidise the magazine in whatever way you see fit. That said - it is also the right of those who choose to not view these ads to not purchase the magazine. Please maintain your standards of class and elegance or those who subscribe to your magazine will not continue to do so. The BMW is acceptable, but say a honda (Which I drive) would be sub-par for your magazine.

As long as it pays the bills. Hopefully the extra dough will mean more high end reviews!