[MaxCast]

Geardaddy said
Spence, I agree with this sentiment and the desire to extract potential "secondary gain" from the equation.    While this would be kool, it would also make things harder from a logistical standpoint.  I tried hard to find    exuberant end users and that was just not happening.  This still could be a possibility but makes it harder.   

Then I think the best way to accomplish this is through local audio groups, just like lonewolfny said.  You can "showcase" a product at someone's house or other venue.  Great link, Chris 

Wasn't there a Midwest Audiofest a few years ago?
Lima, OH

There was a Midwest audiofest in Lima OH prolly 5 years ago.  It was held for 2 years in a row.  I think it stopped because of all the time involved and no $$


                                       
  AudioCircleFest anchored by AudioCircle sponsors 

[Marbles]

I really enjoyed those Midwest Audiofests 

FWIW, the Ridge Street speakers sound best when brought way out into a room (imo).  That is not the case with most other speakers, so in a comparison, identical placement of speakers would hurt one or more of the "entrants".

[TomS]

Well, I've been watching this one and actually restrained myself for 10 pages or so...but here goes. 

I think modeling the success of some of the bigger and longer running RAVES/local clubs accommodates this well.  Each time I read the "after" threads it's about the FUN everyone had, pictures of great food, and/or some crazy liquor induced faux pas.

I really like the friendly pitch-in/GTG idea, which seems like the original spirit, even if some are dealers or manufacturers (just like NY Rave) present.  For example, I (and Marbles) am somewhat centrally located here in NE Indiana, relatively equi-distant from Chicago, Detroit, Indy, Cinci, Dayton, etc. though a stretch to WI.  In very close proximity are some brilliant manufacturers such as Bob (SP Tech), Robert and Steve (Ridge Street Audio), Klaus (Odyssey), Phil Bamberg (BESL and now, AV123), others further in Chicago, Steve (SAS), Gregg (Reality) and Detroit, Jim Salk.  I had a great time at Marble's house a couple years ago and met some of these terrific people.  There are a couple groups in the Detroit area already doing this, where I met Mark Schifter, Mark Seaton, Jim Salk, and Dennis Murphy.  Bob did this in Denver during RMAF at a local home/dealer in Denver to great accolades from attendees.  We all have much to learn from the vendors, so we should embrace them rather than somehow pit them against each other or worse yet, exclude them if they choose to attend.

On the Emerald Physics front, yesterday Clayton and I discussed showing the CS2's myself for this regional area simply due to lack of a dealer presence.  I don't know if that would develop into a commercial interest or not, but I know I would enjoy doing it for AC friends and serious seekers here in the right context.  I've already done it quite often for Merlin, Onix, ACI, GR, and I would gladly do the same for Bob at SP if I was fortunate enough to have a pair here.  On the other hand, I'm less keen on packing the whole setup and moving it to hotels unless it was my day job, but on occasion I might consider it.  As long as the time is my own terms, it's no big deal.

For the vendors, it's a great opportunity for exposure.  As I told Clayton, ID marketing these days is the modern  equivalent of an audio "Tupperware party".  Maybe even good deals if stuff is for sale or freebies at the event.  I still use RSAD's reference CD that Robert handed out as a freebie at Rob's house (sorry, no Poiema's).  And then there was that lead on a power amp someone told me about, etc....

...and in the end, it is ALWAYS good fun.

Tom

[Rick Craig]

Wasn't there a Midwest Audiofest a few years ago?
Lima, OH

Yes, in fact, I went to it. AudioKarma is hosting a Detroit show in the spring.

[bpape]

                                       
  AudioCircleFest anchored by AudioCircle sponsors 

Now there's a great idea.  I bet you could get some serious interest in that.

Bryan

[TomS]

                                       
  AudioCircleFest anchored by AudioCircle sponsors 

Now there's a great idea.  I bet you could get some serious interest in that.

Bryan

Yeah!

[ted_b]

Wasn't there a Midwest Audiofest a few years ago?
Lima, OH

Yes, in fact, I went to it. AudioKarma is hosting a Detroit show in the spring.

Yes, the AK show in Detroit this past Spring was a nice show, a mini-RMAF, probably fifty rooms on two floors.  Got to hear some great stuff, lots of DIY, and some hi-end mfg'ers and big audio concerns were there (MacIntosh, Harbeth, Manley, ARC, etc.).

[bigkidz]

lonewolfny beat me to this.  I met him over the past few years at a few RAVEs in the NY/NJ area.  The RAVEs simply allow us to get together, play music, listen to new gear and have fun.  If you want to bring something over for everyone to hear, everyone is agreeable.  We simply do it for the love of it and the fun of it.  I have met some really nice people/friends at them.  I was also exposed to more music that I never would have known about.  If someone brings over a unit that you like, then you can arrange to have them bring that piece over to your home and hear it in your system.  Everyone opinions vary at the RAVEs as to what each person prefers, the RAVEs are not a pissing match.

Going to the RAVEs has really opened up my eyes to how important a room is to the sound and also how important system matching can be.  Swapping out CDPs, preamps and amps, etc., gives you ideas to what each manufacturer offers.  My system is out a friends home now and it sounds better in his home that it ever has at mine.  With all of the time I spent tweaking the system in my home, it sounds better in his without all the fuss.  Because of this, I have a new perspective on what I need in my system to change the sound for the better.

Have fun with the hobby people and Happy Listening.

[MaxCast]

AKfest is pretty fun.  I'm going this year and plan to spend 1.5 days.   

bigkidz, I sure envy you RAVE guys and other regional circles.  Not only the equipment, but also the different music you get exposed to must be tits!   

[Geardaddy]

I think we are rolling in the right direction guys.  The RAVE concept is a good one...but it can also be interposed with a mini-fest like AKFEST.  I will try and do some more scratching and see what can be organized.  I too have learned a ton and heard a lot of great music through this kind of process, so it would be fun to expand on it.  I know both the Wisconsin and Chicago Audio Societies have been really receptive to this and helped get this ball in the air.  The whole thing will come down to battling logistics, intertia, etc....

p.s.  I am glad this thread is becoming what it was intended to be and is shedding the adversarial tone...

[James Romeyn]

spence has a good idea....get a regional group together and you can hear many systems....and have "Rave's"...
How do you think I got to hear all these speakers......

Because you bring the beer?   

[lonewolfny42]

spence has a good idea....get a regional group together and you can hear many systems....and have "Rave's"...
How do you think I got to hear all these speakers......

Because you bring the beer?   

No Jim....I bring the Cannoli....the beer is already there....

[mcullinan]

spence has a good idea....get a regional group together and you can hear many systems....and have "Rave's"...
How do you think I got to hear all these speakers......

Because you bring the beer?  

No Jim....I bring the Cannoli....the beer is already there....

So what are the best speakers youve ever heard and how drunk wer you at the time. I find a ratio of 3 beers to a set of speakers to be the Golden space. If you go to a 13 to 1 ratio you onli end up humping innocent rave members.. achem....

Einstein: E=MC2
Me: Beer + Mood + Musical Choice + chair comfyness + more beer = Ear Nirvana

[lonewolfny42]

Mike....

I find a ratio of 3 beers to a set of speakers to be the Golden space.

Thats a good ratio...one I use quiet often....

So what are the best speakers you've ever heard...

There is no one best speaker...if there were....everyone would own it.
There are many good speakers.....one just has to listen...

[Geardaddy]

 aa so, now that the variable of beer is out in the open,  I thought that in order to adhere to the strict scientific standards that were alluded to earlier in this thread, we need to establish certain criteria that would make this speaker showcase bona fide.  We need to make sure that beer or any alcohol does not interfere with our objectivity  , and if in the unfortunate circumstance that it is present, we need to control for this variable.  We should stratify listening groups into those that are waterlogged with bear and those without out beer.... I wonder if beer would make one more prone to enjoying a first order crossover (Intuitive Design) versus a 3rd order crossover (Ridge Street Audio) versus a 4th street crossover...(SP Tech).....Anyway, our sphincters should be extremely tight for this event, otherwise no valuable information will be elicited....

[TomS]

aa so, now that the variable of beer is out in the open, I thought that in order to adhere to the strict scientific standards that were alluded to earlier in this thread, we need to establish certain criteria that would make this speaker showcase bona fide.  We need to make sure that beer or any alcohol does not interfere with our objectivity  , and if in the unfortunate circumstance that it is present, we need to control for this variable.  We should stratify listening groups into those that are waterlogged with bear and those without out beer.... I wonder if beer would make one more prone to enjoying a first order crossover (Intuitive Design) versus a 3rd order crossover (Ridge Street Audio) versus a 4th street crossover...(SP Tech).....Anyway, our sphinters should be extremely tight for this event, otherwise no valuable information will be elicited....

Beer simply makes them appear more attractive.  Not sure what happens when they actually "speak".

[Geardaddy]

Beer simply makes them appear more attractive.  Not sure what happens when they actually "speak".

 

That was a little naughty Tom (but someone had to do it I guess....it was sitting right there over the plate)

[Geardaddy]

There is yet another more serious issue to broach within the context of this thread.  An audiogeek whose opinion I trust emailed me in response to AK Fest portion of this thread.  He said the sound at those shows was less than desirable and a little amateurish and inferior to RMAF, etc.  To be honest, people have ripped trade shows for poor sound quality from their inception.  If we are going to design speaker raves or mini shows well, how can we do a better job standardizing listening conditions, treating rooms, etc.  One thing that intrigued me about threads pertaining to the Emerald Physics room at the recent RMAF was how they obtained good sound without room treatments and relied rather on the speaker's DCX unit.  Is there any way to employ room equalization technologies to improve our shows?

[TomS]

Beer simply makes them appear more attractive.  Not sure what happens when they actually "speak".

 

That was a little naughty Tom (but someone had to do it I guess....it was sitting right there over the plate)

Someone had to do it.  Just thank Homer S

[TomS]

There is yet another more serious issue to broach within the context of this thread.  An audiogeek whose opinion I trust emailed me in response to AK Fest portion of this thread.  He said the sound at those shows was less than desirable and a little amateurish and inferior to RMAF, etc.  To be honest, people have ripped trade shows for poor sound quality from their inception.  If we are going to design are speaker raves or mini shows well, how can we do a better job standardizing listening conditions, treating rooms, etc.  One thing that intrigued me about threads pertaining to the Emerald Physics room at the recent RMAF was how they obtained good sound without room treatments and relied rather on the speaker's DEX unit.  Is there any way to employ room equalization technologies to improve our shows?

My comment at RMAF about the CS2's was more along the lines of - How could they sound that good without any treatments at all?  The EQ was stock, so there wasn't really anything unusual done for that particular room.  Also, while the DCX can do a little EQ, that's not its primary function.  The EQ they use is just a part of their standard design.  With that said, I think they respond extra-ordinarily well to having treatments in the room (I wouldnt' be without them), just as most other speakers do.

I'm not sure trying to level the playing field by EQ would be very practical, though to each his own from a manufacturer's standpoint.  If it's a part of their design and they offer that service to the consumer somehow either through home visit dealers/tuners or provide self service functionality through built-in measurement (Tact, DEQX), it's fair game.

You just have to do the best you can with rooms.  I've spent many months tuning my room to the speakers I have and others do the same.  Doing that in a general way is very tough.  DayGlowOrange's attempt at the Toronto GTG was the most noble attempt I've seen at it, but the logistics of it must be horrific.

The designers are all very knowledgeable about how to sync their speakers to each room, but every situation is different for them too.  Just let them decide how to get the most out of them.