OK, go back and see my thougts about Montreal. Now take NY and multiply my sentiments by 5 !!!!!
Man oh man, this show sucked the really big one.
- yes, our room was simply superb. The main system with the monos and the Loreleis settled in by Friday, and sounded awesome. Had to control the volume there a bit, of course, since we actually chopped off a good deal of the already small room, and listened more in a nearfield application, but man, it was good.
- the pictures. What can I say ? hehehe
- the show quality and the quality / number of exhibits. Way, way down from past years, and easily one of the worst shows there ever was in terms of number of products displayed (only 2 floors for the high end, plus of course the bottom floor big rooms, where $ is to be made with rooms up to $ 60,000 for the show ) What I don't get is the fact that these are the same environs year after year, and the sq just falls off. That's why you have Bobby at Merlin, for example, whose room is awesome, and he just repeats the same year after year, same room, same components, same room treatments. No surprises there and it just works.
- My theory is (and keep in mind that I'm doing this for 18 years now, and that I'm pretty arrogant at this point in regards to my experience and my ears, and setup and tweaking abilities) that regardless of good or bad electronics or room acoustics, most people at these shows simply don't have a clue as to how the system sounds best. It's way too easy to cross sonic problems off as a room problem, boominess, or too much echo. No., because all you have to do is adjust setup and volume of the music played. That is considering that the components are any good. If they're not, then all bets are off anyway.
- With so many rooms sounding so bad on most materials, let's go a step further. I won't name any names whatsoever, period. Don't want to get into a pssng contest here with others, BUT if there are designers and manufacturer that don't get the setup under control, then I would have a serious questionmark about their tuning abilities as well. Tit for tat.
- traffic: way, way down from past shows. Same happened in Montreal. The interest in the shows, displays, our hobby in general seems to be going backwards. Probably just a fact that there are too many of them. Paople are simply overloaded. In addition, I don't think that having the same show at the same venue each year is helping to expand the interest. People need a break, and because of Montreal / NYC for the past years, you can see the results. Personally, I'd love them to go between east - west every year, but organizers made it clear to me that SF won't happen again because of last year's disaster with the San Francis. So,. it'll be NYC at the Hilton every year now, and I can see attendance and interest going down next year even more.
- As for Montreal, they're pretty set with their location, and actually, it's a good one. Access, size, etc. is good, and in all regards, it's a better show than NYC, in my opinion. Ifg you have a chance to go there, and have time for only one show, that's the one to go to. Besides, a weekend in Montreal is only about 30 % of $ of that in NYC !!!!!
As for the NYC show, I don't like the Hilton location. It's a pain to get stuff into the city, and just the parking was $ 50./ night !!!
The best solution for us manufacturer would be a show in a nice hotel big enough in either Jersey or Long Island. Would be easier on us, and has to be less expensive. I'm sure that the hardcore audio / videophiles would still attend, but you'd also see some fresh and new paople there because of proximity and interest, if marketing is done right.
- business: man, this show must have been the lowpoint of this short millenium. I have rarely seen this many long faces of exhibitors after the show. Probably talked with over a dozen - 15 others, and they're all rethinking last year,. because of the poor sales at this show.
As for me, Montreal was below par, and this show was even worse. However, I know that there will be tons of sales coming after the show becauise of the pictures. Nevertheless, I honestly think that only about 10 % of all will recover the investmnet of attending the show, and let's face it, it's expensive. The NY show cost me in the neighborhood of $ 8,000 once it's said and done !!!! 2 more thoughts here on this subject: 1. I have no idea as to how the big rooms with teh ultra expensive $ gear did. Figuring that there are so many super expensive companies vying for the same few customers, some of them must have done the jackpot thingy if there were some sales. 2. I have also heard a manufacturer being overjoyed, and how he made out like a robber. Not buying it, especially knowing their products. Putting on a "man we did great" kind of face and put on a spin to look good might save your face a bit, but you still have to pay the bills and you still spin bs.
- customers / business. Well, obviously, there is much, much less impulse buying these days. Big difference from past years, and one has to ask as to why ? Higher oil prices alone is too easy, as is the question of economy problems. I'm sure that there are other reasons for it, and you have to be pretty brave to tackle this issue and come to an honest bigger picture in your mind if your livelihood is in this industry.
My 02 cents and my conclusion on all of this above is simply in the problem of what this industry wants and how it projects itself. The jerk-off of swansong, ultra expensive products chasing the elusive customer is still there and growing. It is amazing to see how the regular, average customer is being pushed aside. I mean, how many real world systems for under $ 2,000 where at the show ? Man, take even $ 5,000, which for most attendants is just a dream ! Is it any wonder that regular brands like Sony etc. sell their $ 2,000 systems all day long ? No, because there is still the snobbish attitude towards the mass market in the high end manufacturing basis. Everybody wants to make a buck off of it, of course, but nobody wants to get into the trenches and really serve the regular customer right. I don't mean to have Chinese made big but inexpensive gear or cheap to make digital amps that are being sold cheap enough for customers, but still have a 500 % profit margins. All of this is niche dealings. I mean true affordable, honest, and real life applicable systems. Very, very few out there, and that's why you see less and less people coming. It's great for me to go to a car show and look at Lambos every year, but at some point it kind of bummes me out and pisses me of that I'll never be able to afford them. Then ultimately, this feeling changes into one of being indifferent, and voila, that's what happens right now.
Also, who in their right mind will shell out $ 20 K for a speaker that you hear under show conditions instead of going to one of the dealers etc. and being pampered there for that kind of sale ? Just don't get it.
So, with all of these negative assessments, ( and believe me, they are as honest as they can be. I have done over 60 major shows. and about over 150 all in all with seminars, etc. over the past 18 years !!!) it's still a far cry from the really bad years in the early 90's. I'm just having problems with this industry being unable to do the right things and seeing the big pictures. Not as to where trends and technology goes, but looking at the average guy in an honest way. that's why I do internet and factory diect, and that's why there are so many new guys doing the same. It's a much, much better way IMO, and more people oriented even without the eye to eye contact.
Lastly, yes, the show sucked overall, and yes, we managed to have a very decent one after all, but one of the biggest impressions that I was left with is teh sheer amount and vocal, active showgoers that wore an "AudioCircle" badge. Right on, and it made me proud.
Late,
Klaus
