I go to 2-3 per year. I go mostly for the fun and camaraderie. Hanging with people with a shared passion is always great and you learn a ton. You get up close and personal with tons of brands (and the people behind the brands) that may not be available locally or that you read about in magazines. You also get to experience some ultra sick systems that aren't normally set up elsewhere. Everyone always mentions the rooms and the limitations, but every show I go to there is something that stands out. And if it stands out in a sub-optimal hotel room, it just may be of interest to you. See you at the Florida Audio Expo!
Why do you go to audio shows?
- Thread starter bluegrassphile
- Start date
I only visit shows if they are within max 2 hours driving. I'd like to go to Munchen and Krefeld but visiting a show that far away costs a lot, hotel room getting there and back etc.
Don't think my girlfriend would like it if I were to spend 1000 euro on just visiting a show.
Don't think my girlfriend would like it if I were to spend 1000 euro on just visiting a show.
CPP
Active member
I try to go every 2 or 3 years to see friends, see the new stuff that's about it, but lately the cost is getting nuts.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
We have been together since November 2001. So I doubt that we'll be taking the vows anytime soon. We do have a cohabitation contract.
W9TR
Active member
There is no substitute for actually seeing the gear in action. Speakers are probably the hardest to evaluate but at least you can narrow the field a bit. I know that if it sounds good at a show I can really make it sing in my home.
Angalfaria
New member
- Joined
- May 1, 2019
- Messages
- 26
:congrats::exciting:
I displayed at CES high end audio when it was at the Alexis Park Motel complex. I was in with my business mentor Bob Crump. He represented Parasound and the JC series which he helped design. First year we had Sound Lab speakers and the second year it was Rockport with Andy Payor. I was just a minor part of it.
Most rooms were terrible due to contaminated AC.
I have not attended any show since then. Maybe time to do so.
Most rooms were terrible due to contaminated AC.
I have not attended any show since then. Maybe time to do so.
Dizzie
Well-known member
I was there too and at the St. Tropez next door. The "good old days" weren't so good.
So true. We went over to the Show every day for lunch. Lots of good exhibitors there. I stumbled into a small room with a slight built older man running it. I sat down and it was a oasis of great sound. It was music I was not familiar with. The man was from Brazil and didn't speak english very well. I actually went back there three times. Turned out it was the old man who started Audiopax.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Explain cohabitation contract
... is that like being married without saying the vows 
...KeithR
Active member
I'm going this weekend to the Long Beach show to hang out and hear a few new speakers (Tune Audio and Stenheim) - I used to want to visit every room and now see around half the stuff and relax more, hit the record bins etc.
Once you've done the show circuit for a few years, it becomes more of a friend and audio family affair.
Once you've done the show circuit for a few years, it becomes more of a friend and audio family affair.
I'll also be at the show in Long Beach and I've made myself a cheat sheet from exhibitors list posted on the T.H.E. Show website. I've written down the suite numbers of just the rooms I want to visit, that way I can spend more time in those and I wont be trying to enter the rooms I don't care about.
the professor
Well-known member
I can't believe I missed this thread.
My first show was when I was 16 and got my Dad to drive up to Chicago for CES. The dealer that I hung around and bought stuff from gave us a couple a badges. I went as Byron.
After that my dealer would get me my own badge so I could go. When CES stopped the summer Chicago show I would go to Vegas to CES. By then I was old enough to gamble and drink - win win!
So after 45 years of going to shows, for me, it's great to see new gear. Listen, but mostly it to meet other crazies, make new friends, and harass old acquaintances from past shows.
I totally agree with Mike's post - it's a sample, to see what you might want to hear at a friends, or a good dealer....
Going to a first show can be an overwhelming experience. HAVE FUN!!!!! I remember Mikes first CES. He was sooo intense, and he couldn't believe my show style. But now - other than taking pics for us here and reporting, he is much closer to my style. (sorry Mike, I'm a bad influence)
My first show was when I was 16 and got my Dad to drive up to Chicago for CES. The dealer that I hung around and bought stuff from gave us a couple a badges. I went as Byron.
After that my dealer would get me my own badge so I could go. When CES stopped the summer Chicago show I would go to Vegas to CES. By then I was old enough to gamble and drink - win win!
So after 45 years of going to shows, for me, it's great to see new gear. Listen, but mostly it to meet other crazies, make new friends, and harass old acquaintances from past shows.
I totally agree with Mike's post - it's a sample, to see what you might want to hear at a friends, or a good dealer....
Going to a first show can be an overwhelming experience. HAVE FUN!!!!! I remember Mikes first CES. He was sooo intense, and he couldn't believe my show style. But now - other than taking pics for us here and reporting, he is much closer to my style. (sorry Mike, I'm a bad influence)
My first CES was in the 90’s, but I will never forget my first audio show with you. Neither will the bartender!!
My first audio show was in the 80’s with my Dad. Hearing Apogee speakers for the first time was a mind blowing experience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
the professor
Well-known member
Jim Treanor
New member
I learned early, at the first one I attended in Washington, D.C. in 1966, that shows were not the place to go to listen--certainly not to Bozak Concert Grands crammed into a postage-stamp-sized hotel room. And I haven't been to one since 1990--at that, my attendance there was only to help out an audio dealer and good friend I'd worked for years before. To me, shows are great if you're into eye candy or hope to have the opportunity to talk with someone in the industry who's demo'ing there.
the professor
Well-known member
Yes, Mike has some really good stories about me at shows.
I would say embarrassing but . . . .
em-bar-rassing --- yup --- em at the bar harrasing friends. Guilty as Charged.
I would say embarrassing but . . . .
em-bar-rassing --- yup --- em at the bar harrasing friends. Guilty as Charged.
KeithR
Active member
The Stereophile/Home Entertainment shows in NYC back in the early 00s were killer - and you had the bonus of high end video really making its first push. Like Sony G90s with Faroudja scalars, Seleco, Runco etc. Plasma had just been introduced as well.
puroagave
Active member
The stereophile shows on the West coast circa early '90s were the best. Imagine Infinty IRS Vs, Apogee Grands and Martin Logan Statements at the same show with the best requisite gear of the day, all vying for best sound. Not much like that today. Munich maybe, depending on the particular year.