They are real. I've submitted several in the past that have made it up.
They are just personal opinion & experience. The reviews from like magazines are usually kind of biased - why tinkle off a potential advertiser, so they tend to pad some of the bad over the good and typically won't review what they feel is bad in the first place.
Best reveiws are IMO from the people who use and/or own the equipment. Then take it how you percieve it. My favorite site is
www.prosoundweb.comYou'll probably get more reviews & advice there on pro sound equipment than anywhere else, just don't tell them you are doing karaoke, they tend to not be real big on that since these guys do pro/semi pro sound for live bands.....
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Yes, I say "backing track gigs and small combos" .