[Brian Cheney]

The RM 30 placed eighth at the "Best of CES" judging for High End Audio.
The winner was a $9000 Meridian processor, which is more of an HT piece (HT has its own category) but hey, there were fewer entrants in High End.

As the head Tech TV judge explained to me the panel felt the RM 30 was too similar in technology to the RM/X which won last year.  Besides they thought it would smell bad if VMPS won every year.   Since there were 215 exhibitors and 23 nominees, eighth place for the modestly priced RM 30 looks good to me.

More on CES later.

[warnerwh]

Congratulations, that's pretty good actually. Certainly is good to see that your engineering talents have become recognized. I'm sure you appreciate it too.

[Dunedain]

Good job, Big B.  

Once again, VMPS speakers trounce many a competitor.

Although the judging criteria is kind of goofy.  What, if you
have the best sounding gear year after year you suddenly
don't get to win any more?  If the other companies don't
like VMPS winning all the time, then they should go make
better sounding stereo equipment (and in many cases,
for much less than the ridiculous prices they currently ask).

I say, if VMPS has the best sounding high-end stereo components
every year at CES, then VMPS should win every year!  

[azryan]

Great job on the RM-30's Brian!

I think easily the best value/performance speakers of the show.
You deserve an award for that I think!

Speaker orders might be a good award I think?

You were really great about letting me play several tracks and control the volume. Many rooms were the total opposite and few were as welcoming.

Here's my rundown of the show in the 2-chan forum...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=7418.msg63272#63272&sid=df4c0ca005e31888fc6aa5f2514e4928#63272

Pretty overwhelming show. SO MUCH STUFF. Cool though.

[jgubman]

Very cool, glad you placed so highly. The RM-30s & trinaural did sound very good in the few minutes I listened to them!

I'm a little curious about the judging. To my ears, the Talon Firebirds w/ the diamond tweeter (~$35k, I forget which room, they were in a few) had a sound that was very hard to beat. Both the Talons and the RM-30s sounded MUCH better than the tiny Final electrostats that came in 3rd (highest for a speaker).

So, does the tiny price tag of the Final setup (I believe the rep said the entire 5 speaker package came in under $2k) tip the judge's scale in their favor or is the judging done purely on innovation/sound?

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but my vote for very best sound was over at THE show in the big Halcro multi-channel room (Wilson MAXXs biamped w/ Halcro dm68s). Never heard multichannel music sound so good.

[ekovalsky]

Congralutions, a ranking well earned.  Another 1st place finish for the VMPS room and people would be crying conspiracy!

Now that I've been to CES, the significance of the prior two years' awards has really sunk in.  It is hard to image how big CES is until you spend three days wondering around the Alexis Park, Hilton, and particularly the endless convention center.  Being chosen #1 of everything at CES is simply amazing.

[Rob Babcock]

I bet the Meridian rig that won was sweet.  Still, it's a shame that politics dictates that the Title has to be spread around.

[Sedona Sky Sound]

Supposedly, the actual three judgng criteria are:

Wow Factor: Does the product create an entirely new market or category, or does it completely change the economics or capability of an existing category.

Usability and Usefulness: Does the product actually solve a real problem or address a real need. Will customers purchase it, and if they do, will they be ecstatic about their new device.

Value: Is it affordable, within the constraints of the category, or is it just so expensive that no one will ever buy one?

When you are filling out the entry form, the main three questions are:

1) What problem or need does the product address/fulfill?
2) Describe the product’s unique and novel features.
3) Describe how the product creates a new market or category or changes the economics or capability of an existing category.

Technically, sound quality is not one of the judging criteria. However, I doubt no product that actually sounded bad would make it past Jim (the primary judge and the only Audiophile on the panel).

My best guess is that the RM40 won 2 years ago since it nailed question 3. The RM40s totally changed the economics of what fantastic sound should cost. While most manufacturers were saying the entry to "high-end" audio was $15k+, Brian came in and proved them all wrong.  

The Trinaural last year fulfilled both questions 2 and 3. It was completely unique and created a whole new market. The fact that it sounded fantastic was a huge plus in its favor (especially with the RM/Xs which again redefined what was possible at a pricepoint that was a fraction of other reference products).

Talking to Jim even before the listening sessions began, the Meridian processor was going to be the thing to beat. The little planar speakers were supposedly pretty amazing though: huge sound, $2k for a 5.1 setup, and were UL rated (i.e., not enough voltage to kill you like all the other planars on the planet). I think that if the judges had been following the score-card to a tee, they probably should have won (the product basically nailed all three questions).    

Time to start preparing for next year   .

Julian  
www.sedonaskysound.com

[jgubman]

Thanks Julian, that makes a lot of sense.

I wonder why Shifter's R-DES digital bass equalization doodad didn't score higher, seems to be a fit w/ 1, 2 and 3 also.

Although, if they were ignoring the judges like they ignored me the two times I tried to get info on the product, I can understand....

[azryan]

CES's web site shows -

winner -Meridian, G68 Surround Processor, $8,000 to $9,000

Finalists:
Sunfire, True Subwoofer EQ Signature, $1,995
Final Sound, Model 80 Electrostatic Speakers, $2,000

The Final site shows a Model 90 and 100 but not 80 and the mains at the show were very large not the small size of the 90 and 100 on their web site.

Is anyone sure the $2,000 is for the full 5.1 set-up that was on display (incl. Adire subs)??

I find that hard to believe, but I didn't look for prices when I was in the room.

[jgubman]

Azryan, Final had 2 systems that I saw. One was a very large main, and the other was a package consisting of small (~2') electrostats that were meant to be mounted directly to a wall (via supplied mounting bracket) or placed on an extended tripod. They did sound much larger than their size, but nothing breathtaking. Of course, it was a very loud room w/ the adire stuff adjacent, and it was hard to get a really good demo.

The company rep told me the small 5 speaker system was under $2k.

I don't *think* it included the adire sub, but I didn't ask. Either way, I think the adire is only a couple hundred

[lkosova]

I agree with Julian and jgubman.

The Finals were not that bad and had a great price point and they were DIFFERENT. Subs were included.

For Big B to place 8th and just to have presence ,show's the respect that he has gained over the last 5 years or so at CES.
 Even if he goes into another speakers room and tell's them that their speakers have no resolution!!!!!

I also liked the the www.flyingmole.co.jp amps for home automation but think what you could do with a home theater  with these!!!  

http://www.flyingmole.co.jp/en/products/dpam1616/index.html

Silverline had a nice sounding room as did Jeff Joseph.

But the was a lot of really bad sounding rooms,speakers etc. Martin Logan should be ashamed of the sound of the room.  

Most overlooked room was the Rocket Onix Reference room. The little reference speakers were very impressive.

Larry

[ekovalsky]

"Even if he goes into another speakers room and tell's them that their speakers have no resolution!!!!!

Add Eggleston Works to the blackball VMPS list  

Larry, could you suggest a first Fareed Haque CD for me?

[lkosova]

Larry, could you suggest a first Fareed Haque CD for me?

Manresa at www.fareed.com  He teaches locally but when he starts to tour he is all over the place.

He has many styles but this is a safe cd to start with.

ENJOY!!!

There was a rumour that this is out of print and he makes copies off of the master. I am just letting you know.

Larry

[Juan R]

I like Masedonia, great acoustic guitar sound.

[ekovalsky]

I bet the Meridian rig that won was sweet.

Super sweet  

The G68 processor and G98 DVD transport are in my future.  I've been putting off getting into home theater but the wife is starting to apply the pressure...

[lkosova]

I've been putting off getting into home theater but the wife is starting to apply the pressure...


What a great women!!!!!!

Larry

[Val]

Like in public education, you know, the judges didn't want to destroy other manufacturers' self-esteem.

[guest1121]

I've been putting off getting into home theater but the wife is starting to apply the pressure...

If you're willing to allow your wife to be DNA cloned, I am sure we can make you a millionaire in no time at all by marketing you to desperate HT- and audio-loving males all over the world.