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It bothers me a bit, I guess it would bother me more if it was an ad for contraceptives, unless of course, they were being used in an acceptable analog fashion! (Perhaps a turntable suspension system)...Why not keep it to audio goods?

An ad is an ad. Just as long as 900 numbers don't start to appear

Many readers seem to think the price they pay for the mag can cover the cost of the mag! How silly that is! A mag needs to make money! Any ad welcome! I have faith in the editorial team that they will not allow any distasteful ads.

Why not get some cross pollination

I welcome ads for quality cars and anything else that anyone wants to advertise in Stereophile&3151;including images of alluring women. It's about time we audiophiles became part of the bigger world. In addition, many of the ads from high-end manufacturers are hopelessly amateur. They probably scuttle as many sales as they create.

More car, liquor, and sex ad revenue means less audio ad revenue, which equals independence from audio manufacturer influence. That brings you guys back to the way it used to be: honest audio reporting!

FHM? Keep the car ads...is Ferrari advertising?

An ad is an ad.

Does the FHM ad bother me? Are you kidding? :-)

There's always going to be that group of audio windbags who will get there panties in a twist over one perceived slight or another. It might as well be an add for a nice looking car that costs almost as much as the speakers they are lusting for.

Do people really cancel thier subscription over this type of stuff or are you guys making it up to make us laugh?

god, don't you have something different to worry about?

If it helps support the hobby I love, no problem.

Stay on subject!

I only care about the content and the price of the magazine.

Who the hell has time to care about things like this?

BMW is now helping fund my audio addiction. Ads by equipment makers raise prices (to cover marketing budgets), whereas the Bimmer does not. And BMW is correct in their demographical assumptions. I'm currently thinking about buying a 5 series.

I wrote JA and he responded prompty. I can't imagine how busy he is. First, I love Stereophile and think JA and his staff do a great job. Keep up the great work and writing. The BMW ad is appropritate as they are trying to reach an audiance that CAN afford to drive BMWs. This makes great marketing sense to me. Second, on FHM JA had no choice as 's owners mandated he run the ad. Any one who has a boss can relate to this. The A/V atricles don't bother me, nor do the soundcard reviews. Anything that performs at a quality level consistent with the highest levels of audio reproduction should be considered. As I told JA, I hope they don't come out with a Swimsuit Issue like SI. I never heard of anyone winning the argument over the literary merit of Playboy with his wife. When the magazine comes in a brown wrapper, only then will I get nervous. As for now, I just don't sweat the small stuff.

Car Ads A.O.K. Sex Ads? I am interested in stereo, not sex in a stereo magazine.

I know I know, just like any other aquired assit, you say that your boss is making you do it. You are owned by a mass corporation. I understand you have to meet thier quota, but have some standards. You have to draw the line some where. Personally I think the Ads make you look just like any other audio mag, if that is what you want, then you are doing a great job

I don't bitch much. I really don't care just so long as it stays one or two per issue.

Anything that help share the costs of production and keeps the subscription price down is welcomed by me.

Do you really think your readers are also FHM readers? Good lord! Or are we potential poseurs in a BMW? If this is so, I hope you are wrong. I understand that advertising is a large part of your business and if these companies want to pay you in order to reach your audience, so be it. But I don't have to like it, do I?

Whether you admit it or not, yours is a lifestyle magazine.

If Stereophile makes money with these ads what do we care. I care about content, not about covers or ads.

It is advertisement, a commercial, enticements to sell you stuff. If you don't like the ads, don't buy their stuff. Where did the law that only audiophile ads must be seen in audiophile publications come from? Gee, get a life!

Advertising dollars pay the rent. I've never understood why folks get so bent out of shape on an ad. Why not turn the page? Try it - it works!

Well, BMW is a classy product. FHM is questionable. If you look carefully at the FHM issue pictured in one of the recent ads, I think one of the articles is entitled "Blow my ears out!" or somesuch nonesense. Gimmie a break, guys. Look to Rolex, Mercedes, National Geographic, The Economist . . . there have to be hundreds of companies who would like to reach your readers, whose products appeal to educated and "classy" individuals.

I am not glad to see BMW, but better than Valtrex or Kotex! PS. I think a lot of your subscribers must be Freaks. How many Car & Driver subscribers would cancel subscriptions for a Bose ad. About 0.

I understand the desire to broaden readership. But hopefully not at the cost of content dilution. BMW ads make good sense. Their buyers are a higher income, higher educated demographic- exactly the people we want to entice into the fold. FHM demographic is lower income, lower education levels, more mass market oriented. There exists a huge gulf between what FHM readers are familiar with and what consitutes normal fare for Stereophile. I think it is no surprise that the issue containing the FHM ad had a cover picture of JBL and Infinity speakers. Not Krell, Conrad Johnson, Cary or any of the other usual High End names. Which do you think are more recognizable to the FHM demographic ? And therein lies the problem. In order to reach the FHM demographic, Stereophile will have to publish material that is of interest to these potential readers. What their purchasing habits have shown is an overwhelming preference for mass market/ box store junk. For Stereophile to succed here, the mag will have to embrace mid fi and lower, and risk alienating the existing readership. There is hope. The FHM demographic is more interested in Home Theater and computers than 2 ch. And luckily SGTHT includes more mid fi components in it's reviews. Perhaps SGTHT should be the vehicle to reach out ? Sorry for the ramble.