International HiFi Show, Melbourne - Impressions

[Guest Sime]

Ultimately, that is entirely up to the industry (exhibitors). We have shown what we can do as organisers.

This show came about entirely because of the request of a number of representatives part of the now defunct Australian HiFi Association. It was at least two years in the making.

The industry likely can't sustain two shows. Not at least in the same city in the same year. The majority of punters probably don't even want two shows a year.

Let's see what happens.

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To a point, I hope it dosnt, and for the reasons you said above and not to over capitalize a good thing. It would be good for my benefit, but not for the show as a whole.

[TFJ100]

As exhibitors, Dave and I tried really hard to cater for all the music tastes that would enter the room and I think you've nailed the dilemma that us and other exhibitors were faced with. You simply can't please everyone and so the choice of safe, middle of the road albums are the the norm. We were certainly happy to play whatever album the guest wanted to hear if we had it and we accommodated many who had brought their own CDs and vinyl and played them for them.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

Without wishing to extend a slight off-topic point, I would have thought it is in the interests of the exhibitors to be playing music which makes the systems they are selling sound good. I have never liked jazz until I found some jazz tracks were helpful in allowing me to compare systems. Either that or I really am turning into an old middle-of-the-roader.

 

One of my learnings from reading this thread and  seeing different opinions is that I may have made some hasty judgments. I spent my 3 allotted hours ducking into rooms and making fairly quick calls on what I systems I liked and what I didn't, when those impressions could easily be incorrect. I may not have factored into account the fact that if someone  was playing a poor pressing/recording, I could easily have thought it was the system creating the outcome, not the music. I would say 80% of the people who went also had to be judicious with their time and would do the same. 

 

At the end of the day, the music I choose to compare systems is slightly different to the music that I listen to for the pure love of the music. So, while I thing it is great to bring your own music, I would suggest you bear in mind the Exhibitor's needs when you choose what to bring (especially if you never plan to contribute to the bottom line of the companies exhibiting - they might have real live potenial customers in there!).

 

. 

[BruceS]

I am taking a chance here as I respond to member Luc on page 13.

I am assuming that member Luc is not trying to provoke gullible people but is writing with an open enquiring mind and soul.

I have a previous long post elsewhere on this thread and three long posts on the same subject over on the audio circle.

Let me address the underlying (wrong) assumption.

All sales people and exhibitors who want to stay in business play the music that makes their products sound good!!!!

That's why there was so much bland jazz playing in so many rooms!!

No one will ever play music that makes their products sound bad!!

My neo doo w0p acapella music tested mid range for me.

No one else had that playing.

One exhibitor told me a number of times that he liked the music and asked if he could play the track again!!

Don't think he had ever heard it before but he also recognised that it made his system sound great!!

At that same room the person before me on the CD playing que was playing crescendo music.

Obviously wanted to hear how that system coped with that.

One room that was playing the same old non system testing jazz but on my test CD, and, after playing it he was embarrassed when he handed my CD back, because he and everyone else in the room heard that his very famous, massively loved very expensive speakers failed dismally!!

Some people come to shows to look but most come to listen.

You can get a great cross section of equipment in a close environment with the ability to keep going back - something you could never do in a dealer's show room.

Sure, the requester's should respect other listeners and only ask for a single track to be played - that is exactly what all of the other people with test tracks did!

I will say that no room refused to play my neo doo *** a cappella track.

In fact everyone did it with a smile!

That's maybe a dozen different rooms.

No, everyone does not like my favourite music just like I don't like everyone else's - the words are patience and tolerance!

I guess that this is all so obvious but that is my observation for most of Saturday.

That is my audiophile friend Tim's observation also.

 We go to HiFi shows to hear difference not sameness!

Member Luc, I am sad that you had an unfortunate experience with thoughtless people and their CDs.

I suggest that you take along a favourite CD at the next show and hear the differences!!

Hope my reflections are of value.

Bruce

[New Sensations]

Well done, Marc. Good show indeed. Lively vibe with some good sounding exhibits.

 

Those complaining about bad sounding rooms should keep in mind that most exhibitors work exceptionally hard to make the best of a challenging situation. Hotel rooms are far from ideal. Often smaller than any of us would like, their acoustic make up is largely unknown until load-in.

 

What punters hear at audio shows is primarily a combination of the speakers and the room. The latter's influence should not be underestimated. And as hungry as Strayaaa is for audio gear and demos, a show is far from an ideal location for a 'consumer' audition. As someone said elsewhere in this thread, shows are mainly about eye candy and (I would add) a chance for manufacturers and distributers to play meet and greet (aka shoot the s-h-i-t). For the punter, it's a way to mentally mark products for further investigation. That's where store- and home-based auditions come into their own. 

 

Wanna get a handle on how an amplifier or turntable sounds at a show? Unless the exhibitor is doing A/B swapping right there in front of you, fuggedaboutit. Claims that "That 'table or DAC sounded really good/bad" is more a case of wishful thinking than proper assessment. Many pinches of salt are required.

 

That said, if getting the best sound possible from a less than ideal hotel room is the name of the game, I don't know why more exhibitors don't use room correction software/hardware. In this respect, Bill McLean had a clear advantage when showing off his Magnepans. I also heard that VAF were using a DEQX to 'correct' their loudspeaker demos - anyone catch sight of it? I didn't. Room was too busy!

 

Not sure about the anonymous/trouble-making nature of the tip off re. electrical certification. A Sydney-side exhibitor mentioned to me 10 days before the show that VIC law meant his electrical connections would need to be tested by the hotel before he could kick off his demo for the weekend.

Edited July 5, 2016 by J_o_h_n

[Rob181]

@@Luc...one could say that is a slap in the face with a wet fish...

[Guest]

Well done, Marc. Good show indeed. Lively vibe with some good sounding exhibits.

 

Those complaining about bad sounding rooms should keep in mind that most exhibitors work exceptionally hard to make the best of a challenging situation. Hotel rooms are far from ideal. Often smaller than any of us would like, their acoustic make up is largely unknown until load-in.

 

What punters hear at audio shows is primarily a combination of the speakers and the room. The latter's influence should not be underestimated. And as hungry as Strayaaa is for audio gear and demos, a show is far from an ideal location for a 'consumer' audition. As someone said elsewhere in this thread, shows are mainly about eye candy and (I would add) a chance for manufacturers and distributers to play meet and greet (aka shoot the s-h-i-t). For the punter, it's a way to mentally mark products for further investigation. That's where store- and home-based auditions come into their own. 

 

Wanna get a handle on how an amplifier or turntable sounds at a show? Unless the exhibitor is doing A/B swapping right there in front of you, fuggedaboutit. Claims that "That 'table or DAC sounded really good/bad" is more a case of wishful thinking than proper assessment. Many pinches of salt are required.

 

That said, if getting the best sound possible from a less than ideal hotel room is the name of the game, I don't know why more exhibitors don't use room correction software/hardware. In this respect, Bill McLean had a clear advantage when showing off his Magnepans. I also heard that VAF were using a DEQX to 'correct' their loudspeaker demos - anyone catch sight of it? I didn't. Room was too busy!

 

Not sure about the anonymous/trouble-making nature of the tip off re. electrical certification. A Sydney-side exhibitor mentioned to me 10 days before the show that VIC law meant his electrical connections would need to be tested by the hotel before he could kick off his demo for the weekend.

 

Thanks John. It was great to see you there.

 

Just to clear this up - and the last thing I will add on the matter (I really don't want it to overshadow what was a fantastic event), all exhibitors were required to read and acknowledge they understood the now compulsory electrical safety regulations relating to public and trade shows in Victoria, and all were well informed prior to the show.

 

Some turned up unprepared - however most did so on the understanding we would have someone on hand to perform testing and tagging prior to the event opening (which we did).

[~Spyne~]

As exhibitors, Dave and I tried really hard to cater for all the music tastes that would enter the room and I think you've nailed the dilemma that us and other exhibitors were faced with. You simply can't please everyone and so the choice of safe, middle of the road albums are the the norm. We were certainly happy to play whatever album the guest wanted to hear if we had it and we accommodated many who had brought their own CDs and vinyl and played them for them.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

Agreed, the best 20 minutes I had at the show was listening to A Perfect Circle's Thirteenth Step album in your room, Keith.

Being a relatively new recording it certainly suffers from the Loudness War issues, however it is better than many modern, commercial releases. Bonus, it's one of my favourite albums and I didn't even have to bring it in, it was one already in your collection!! Pity it's not to everyone's taste, as I saw a few walk in and then immediately walk back out, but that's what you get in every room from time to time - not everyone likes the same music.

 

I also heard some Damien Rice, INXS, VAST, Rage Against The Machine and London Grammar in various rooms. So there was definitely variety away from the normal audiophile music across the show and many exhibitors were happy to play something a punter brought in, from what I saw.

[Gee Emm]

thats the one. Was a great track

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Come Together, was the track

[Guest Sime]

Agreed, the best 20 minutes I had at the show was listening to A Perfect Circle's Thirteenth Step album in your room, Keith.

Being a relatively new recording it certainly suffers from the Loudness War issues, however it is better than many modern, commercial releases. Bonus, it's one of my favourite albums and I didn't even have to bring it in, it was one already in your collection!! Pity it's not to everyone's taste, as I saw a few walk in and then immediately walk back out, but that's what you get in every room from time to time - not everyone likes the same music.

I also heard some Damien Rice, INXS, VAST, Rage Against The Machine and London Grammar in various rooms. So there was definitely variety away from the normal audiophile music across the show and many exhibitors were happy to play something a punter brought in, from what I saw.

Listening to that album now (perfect circle) thanks for the tip.

And it's demo worthy indeed.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Sime

[ThirdDrawerDown]

Hi Marc - I know you want to close off the discussion about event management and electrical safety but can I add a comment as someone who was trained as an safety inspector for one of the state OHS regulators - the prior notice to exhibitors etc that you provided, coupled with a test and tag double-check was reasonable, prudent and I couldn't see the Public Safety inspectors getting agitated; credit to you, your exhibitors and the hotel. On the other hand, the 240v exposure Addicted to Audio saw two years ago at a separate event would almost certainly result in a Prohibition Notice being served. You can call WorkSafe beforehand about your event and ask for the inspectors to come and take a look.  Large events like the Grand Prix do this. If test and tag can be said to be a job creation program then it must also be said that it's a continued fit-for-society program with a purpose because it does prevent people from being hospitalised, disabled, or worse.

[Newman]

I agree with both Luc and Bruce. If you want to hear your own music at a show, bring along something that is excellent quality and reasonably widely likable. Accept that a hifi show is like a sampling and tasting food festival, not full restaurant menu and service, and don't demand such service, nor carp too much about the samples being dished up in plastic cups and paper plates. Go there to enjoy the activity of sampling and tasting.

I have a mate whose test track for evaluating system performance is horribly recorded and produced heavy rock, and his test of system excellence is whether it makes this track sound excellent to him. He is not alone: a lot of audiophiles think the job if a hifi is to make a silk purse of a sow's ear, not to render a sow's ear and a silk purse equally open to detailed consideration for what they are. Audiophiles like my mate would pretty much ruin the experience of the show for almost everyone else if they insisted on having their test tracks played, rather like going to the Grand Final and standing in the grandstands the whole time in front of those seated behind.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Newman

[captain.j]

I'll probably end up getting myself a polaris board with the three cables tomorrow.

Living Sound in Brisbane are advertising this package for $899. Is that good value?

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[Guest Sime]

Yes, one of my favorite albums (Tesseract of course) have some heavier parts in it, and some system/headphones can't hold it all together well. My 805's have no issues, but my LCD2'S just barley get there. Note, the album is recorded well, exceptionally actually, but demanding.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Sime

[Munce31]

Living Sound in Brisbane are advertising this package for $899. Is that good value?

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Does that include 3 premier cables. If so, then it's exactly the same as the show special.

Up to you, if you think it's good value, but it works for me.

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[Guest Sime]

Living Sound in Brisbane are advertising this package for $899. Is that good value?

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Considering RRP for all that is just shy of $1200.

I paid $820 for mine if I made up that package, $400 for the board and $140 per cable.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Sime

[audiofeline]

...I take safety seriously, if I see imminent or potentials for harm I will speak up to have it rectified. It's in my nature as a human being. .... Now how do you think what I would feel if I didn't take action and someone did get hurt? Definately not on my watch!

The worst that is done here is some broken egos, the covers that were removed from the equipment gets put back on, the potential and risk of electrocution is then removed, no one gets hurt, a successful exhibition!

 

At my compulsory OHS course at work we were taught that OHS is everybody's responsibility - when a safety issue is observed steps should be taken immediately to appropriately manage it.  Thank you for having the courage and conviction to this responsibility.  There may be instances where I can be annoyed at being inconvenienced due to safety concerns, but ultimately I can live with an inconvenience but I can't live with being fatally electrocuted. 

[Guest Sime]

I'm glad OHS never came to one of my gigs I put on, no one ever got hurt, but it was far from legal

[audiofeline]

.... I also heard that VAF were using a DEQX to 'correct' their loudspeaker demos - anyone catch sight of it? I didn't. Room was too busy!...

 

See post #8 http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php/topic/105350-win-a-pair-of-vaf-i91-loudspeakers/

 

Philip Vafiadis (VAF):

 

And we're able to fill what was the biggest room at the show. Like I said at the show, the Evo 1 are an important speaker, and not just for VAF. Their performance transcend what was previously believed possible in a speaker as small as they are. No eq. No DSP. Just pushing engineering,

[~Spyne~]

Listening to that album now (perfect circle) thanks for the tip.

 

Note that the intro to The Noose is deliberately compressed - it opens up very nicely after about a minute. It, along with The Package and Vanishing are the standouts for me.

[audiofeline]

... If test and tag can be said to be a job creation program then it must also be said that it's a continued fit-for-society program with a purpose because it does prevent people from being hospitalised, disabled, or worse.

I believe that test+tag has also created a much greater general public awareness of electrical safety, which is a good thing.

[Guest Sime]

Note that the intro to The Noose is deliberately compressed - it opens up very nicely after about a minute. It, along with The Package and Vanishing are the standouts for me.

Lullaby has some nice sub testing bass.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Sime

[blybo]

Does that include 3 premier cables. If so, then it's exactly the same as the show special.

Up to you, if you think it's good value, but it works for me.

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Damn, I was wanting to get in there to see if they were doing specials, but the door was always closed "mid demo" when I went passed. I've seen the demo before and already have 1 board but want another but only 1 cable.

[Munce31]

Damn, I was wanting to get in there to see if they were doing specials, but the door was always closed "mid demo" when I went passed. I've seen the demo before and already have 1 board but want another but only 1 cable.

The second demo I attended, I just walked in [emoji3]

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[BruceS]

Just want to add something extra.

A real complement to the folk here and over at the audio circle.

Yes, I and some other people made general unidentified general negative comments, AND, no one wanted to stand around and kick any of the (to me) lesser performing really expensive speakers.

Of course (so good) no one asked me in my posts specifically about the 'ordinary' speakers.

So good!!!!

(Would not have told them anyway!!!)

I think this real audio maturity.

Reality is that different speakers appeal to different people, then add to that the room influence!!

There has been a real positive vibe about the show.

So great!!!

In a world full of negative people us audiophiles are showing everyone how its done!!!

A great spin off from all this positiveness is another (even better - if that is possible!!) show next year!

Interestingly, for those who were not following my posting over on the audio circle is, I think, a US company who were so excited that they hope to have a stand (with Melody) at next year's show.

So good!

Such a great show - almost wondering about going for two days next year!!!

Look, I can't resist congratulating Marc again for doing such a fantastic job.

Well done (again) Marc and another big thanks from all of us!!

Bruce

[Saxon Hall]

^ you sound pretty enthusiastic. Maybe you could post more often here. It's nice to have some different contributors for a change