How to listen /audition at audio shows?

I was at one a few weeks back (nary a mask anywhere) and was again reminded of the importance of being organised.

With so much going on, you really need to know beforehand how best to use your time.


For the first hour or so, I was having trouble distinguishing large sonic differences between the various rooms.
Nothing initially seemed to stand out in an easily identifiable bad way this year and that certainly has not been my experience previously at shows!


I can’t also remember seeing so many folks using their phones as cameras this year. It can seem a little obtrusive but if done with some discretion it will help with preserving memories afterwards.

It’s also best not to be too shy or reticent. Often the designers are there in person and most will appreciate a few choice questions.


Most will also accommodate requests for tracks. Allan Hendry of Monopulse even handed out a couple of sheets with his favourite 100 tracks to select from!


The main problem is just how fast time flies when you’re having such fun!

Here’s a detailed write up by Ian Ringstead in HiFi Pig

https://hifipig.com/uk-audio-show-2021-show-report/#more-141151

@dynamiclinearity,

"If a system sounds good at a show it is good. If it doesn’t sound good you can’t be sure what’s going on and if it’s a product that interests you, you need to hear it in other venues."
I strongly suspect this is true but usually you don’t really have the time.

At one level a show is like a tournament of a kind with some folk trying the hearts out to be the best in show. That was certainly in evidence at that last show a few weeks back.

More than a few systems featured the use of certain well known isolation products. Some of the rooms such as the Kerr Acoustics room even went as far as use strategically placed panels in an effort to counter possible unwanted room resonances.

Whatever it takes, you the exhibitor owe it to yourself to present your product in the best light possible.

I’m sure many of us have heard show systems perform at way below what they might be capable of, and at this level, that really is unfortunate for everyone concerned.