Attended the Hi Fi News show only. Not because I thought it would be better, but because it had a complimentary bus and the other show didn't.
I'd have liked to see both, but to look around the one I did properly, took too long.
They aren't the best places to listen to kit, but I did see/ listen to some things that really stood out.
The Wilson standmount speakers created the most incredible 3D sound-stage. It was something to behold, although at the cost..
The Panasonic Blu Ray player display didn't really allow you to see too much, and spent most of it's time talking the format up over HD-DVD.
The new Quad electrostatics probably weren't at their best, so I wasn't overwhelmed as I hoped I might be. Probably needed a closed door policy and a bigger space - you should see the size of them though.
AMR were pushing their new wares hard, and had the most over specced CD player I'd ever had explained to me at length. It was very interesting.
Otherwise, I got to listen to Ken Kessler before he apparently exits stage left from Hi Fi journalism (bit of a shame) and got more out of it than my one previous trip.
I read elsewhere the other show was better, so at the end of the day whether that was true or not, I was the loser.
Hope they either merge or run at different times of year next time.
We went to both HiFi shows this week,and a very confusing affair it was indeed.The HiFi News show seemed to be lacking some major players such as Naim and Sonus Faber to name but a few, all preffering the London Sound and Vision show in the hotel across the road.The dts demo at the HiFi news show was excellent with a very good explanation of all the new and up and coming formats/HD DVD ,Blu Ray etc.For fans of two channel the first floor was the place to be.However the small rooms were not ideal for listening ,and the fact that some one decided to turn off the air con made listening an uncomfortable experince, dispite this the music coming from some of these rooms was heavenly and made it all worth while,over all a good show.
The London Sound and Vision show over the road seemed a much more comfortable affair with a relaxed atmosphere and larger rooms to settle down and listen.Leema Acoustics impressed as did Oxford Audios Dem of the Dartzeel Sonus Faber combo leaving every one open mouthed and wondering how we could ever afford them. Finally the Lumley turntable Boulder amp combo demonstrated in the Sounds of Music suite was perhaps the closest I have come to HiFi heaven...PURE JOY.I hope next year they will try and combine the two shows a little better to save all the confusion as to which product is where, if the two shows were better integrated or on different dates this may well prove beneficial.
Heathrow is a terrible place for these shows. I actually live in London and it takes me longer to get there by public transport than it does for me to get to the Bristol show.
It's got to be a different venue. Birmingham would be much better. Certainly easier to get to than the Heathrow hotels, & I say that even as someone living in London. Generally cheaper to get to than Bristol as well.
Good point. It's interesting that High End shows are becoming more regional and more inclusive of local dealers but slightly smaller than the old Heathrow event - Is this a good thing?
Also, we exhibited at the What Hi-Fi? show and really enjoyed it. We saw loads of folk who don't normally attend shows and spoke to many a visitor that didn't own a hifi system. For us this was a great opportunity to evangelise about our industry. But what was it like for the visitors with prior hifi experience?
The kit was better at Heathrow but Bristol was the better venue. Birmingham would be good because they could roll it in to the vintage show. I'm not particularly interested in specifically local dealers except for second hand kit when they start to become useful.
HiFi News have cancelled their show and there now is just one show at the Park Inn. We ahve booked to be there and many of the exhibitors from the Renaissance are also attending.
looks as though sense may have prevailed at last.
And, of course, we're doing the What HiFi show, the Practical show in MCR, Bristol, The MCR airport show, PLASA, DMC and DJ top 100.
Oh the life of a HiFi distributor! We look forward to seeing you all at these shows.
I really do now believe that I come from a different planet, in the past 8 months, I have purchased two power amp modules from Autocosture, without hearing them, Magnat speakers (vintage 650), without ever hearing them and last week a Marantz DV6001 without ever seeing it or it's picture quality. However end results are, the best AV system I have ever heard or seen, and all with no 'snake oil cables' so I do wonder at the sense many Hi Fi shows and exhibitions proclaim, two points come to mind:
1] At a show, you are hearing gear in 'unfamiliar' surroundings.
2] At a show, you are hearing 'pressurised expectations' from the sales people etc.
Mostly the room acoustics are far from good, and they are most important.
Neither of these conditions are conducive to 'good sound' and therefore probably distracting from your overall enjoyment or really 'hearing the equipment'. To me 'room acoustics' are way ahead of 'cables' in determining your final sound, and a very important part of any demo.
IMO the real results come from understanding the theory, understanding the technology and finding companies that offer the theory and technology, then their products will probably fulfil your wildest dreams, without ever visiting a show, however that is only my personal theory, and that is probably because I come from a different planet.
If you would like to visit ‘my planet’ the one I have gained a good living from over the past 15 years then take a look at fisherproducts.co.uk
Many folk go to auto shows but are unable to drive the cars they see.
It's all about seeing a wider range of products than is normally available at your local retailer and having a friendly chat with the manufacturer or distributor. Most of us are real people who care about the customers that use our products and we like to interract with them rather than hiding behind the internet.
Not everyone is out to rip people off and some of us just like to help. Needless to say, our staff like to get paid so some profit is necessary.
