Room setup is variable at the show. I noticed that some took time to use some room treatments and set things up properly. Others just looked as though they were dropped in place with a rudimentary attempt at proper speaker placement. Let's face it, too, hotel rooms and large ballrooms are atypical compared to where we listen at home. The exhibits are a mixture of manufacturer rooms and dealer rooms (sometimes both, like a dealer with a manufacturer's rep.)
My point? You can get an idea of what something might sound like, but if it were an expensive purchase, I definitely would follow up with a visit to a local dealer to hear them at length. Serious auditions are something that AXPONA really is not intended for. It is good, though, for gathering information. Talk to the reps and the salespeople. Ask the questions. It is worthwhile.
I did find that Friday afternoon was when rooms were beginning to thin out. I forget which room it was on the 12th floor, but I heard a really nice setup with Focal speakers and Pass Labs monoblocks. One of my favorites at the show was the room with the ProAc Response D48R (I forget the dealer's name unfortunately)--great music, a tuned room, and others at the show were recommending it.
I took a USB thumb drive with me last year but never used it. It also doesn't hurt to ask the rooms if they have some of your choices on their servers--they might, and will usually be happy to play it.
My point? You can get an idea of what something might sound like, but if it were an expensive purchase, I definitely would follow up with a visit to a local dealer to hear them at length. Serious auditions are something that AXPONA really is not intended for. It is good, though, for gathering information. Talk to the reps and the salespeople. Ask the questions. It is worthwhile.
I did find that Friday afternoon was when rooms were beginning to thin out. I forget which room it was on the 12th floor, but I heard a really nice setup with Focal speakers and Pass Labs monoblocks. One of my favorites at the show was the room with the ProAc Response D48R (I forget the dealer's name unfortunately)--great music, a tuned room, and others at the show were recommending it.
I took a USB thumb drive with me last year but never used it. It also doesn't hurt to ask the rooms if they have some of your choices on their servers--they might, and will usually be happy to play it.