Have you ever been to an audio (or audio/video) show?

As we wrap up the Home Entertainment Show for another year, it seems appropriate to ask if you have attended HE2002 or any other audio or audio/video show.

Have you ever been to an audio (or audio/video) show?
Yes, many times
17% (47 votes)
Yes, a couple of times
20% (55 votes)
Yes, once
17% (47 votes)
Never
47% (130 votes)
Total votes: 279

COMMENTS
leonardo gondim's picture

San Francisco, 1997. And you could even visit Napa and Sonoma, for great wines, to match a great hi-fi show that will remain for always in my memory.

Mario Torres's picture

I've been to a few shows, all of them in New York. They are quite a lot of fun—and informative. The shows are a good place to see a lot of manufacturers' products under one roof, and you often get to meet the products' designers and ask them questions about their gear. It usually isn't possible to properly evaluate equipment under show conditions (compromised room acoustics, cramped demo rooms, crowds, unfamiliar music), but the shows are still a good venue to get a good idea about equipment performance. I attended HE2002, and I enjoyed it a lot. I did get useful info and ideas for improvements and upgrade ideas for my music-only (two channel) system. I would like to add a new turntable and SACD player, as well as new cables and interconnects.

J.Liguori's picture

HE2001, too crowded to go back in 2002.

Colin's picture

I would like to, but only if I was on my own schedule and pace.

Chris's picture

Attended the S'pore Audio Video Exhibition (SAVE) a couple of times. Too crowded to get any accurate assessment of the sound from the equipment.

Todd R's picture

Hi-Fi '99 in Chicago. Please come again, I need another one.

B-A Finlan's picture

When is it going to be in Boston?

Rick Shapiro's picture

I would not pay to see snake oil!

Jim Germann's picture

This was the Toronto show, but each time I've gone, it seemed to shrink in scope. A Pity!

Lazy Boy Smith's picture

Don't need to go. I subscribe to Stereophile.

Bob's picture

I attended this year's HES—for 30 minutes. Far too many pushy geeks without a life for my taste. Crowded rooms, rude people, no ability to listen and really examine the hardware. To think I could have bought a CD and had change left over for the price of admission.

Tom Warren's picture

I really enjoyed the sixth and seventh floors of the Hilton. Room after room of great sounding speakers, tube and solid state gear, analog and digital, two-channel stereo. Audiophile heaven. Also bought some top quality, hard to find, vinyl.

Spinner's picture

I have attended numerous hi-fi shows over the last three decades. My first shows were in Europe during the late '70s. It amazes me how far hi-fi has come and the designs today are fabu. I love the resurgence of analog and the fine tables out there.

Norman Bott's picture

That might be truly frustrating. All those beautiful toys with those large price tags.

Washington Irving's picture

I haven't yet, but I would sure like to! Now if only there was a discounted shuttle-service to New York from North Carolina.

mediaseth's picture

I would like to go, but there's always something in the way. It's either geography or some other important event.

Eric Jansen's picture

I have attended the Stereophile show when it has been here in Los Angeles, They are great shows. When is it coming back to LA??

James Cordasco's picture

I have been to many audio shows, but the best were in the early sixties in NYC. The demonstrations were by the actual heads of the companies. Saul Marantz demonstrated his 10B tuner to me. Avery Fisher showed his equipment and Rudy Bozak demonstrated his speakers. Ah, the good old days, no video, just good music.

Travis Klersy's picture

I have never heard of one happening, on any scale, in Minnesota (sigh).

Bruno's picture

Every year I go to the Montreal hi-fi show to see (more than to hear) the newest gear. Somehow, the most expensive setups always turn out to be the most disappointing ones. Best sound at the show this year: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista CD player with Phoenix Acoustics 15W tube amps and Meadowlark speakers. Most disappointing: top of the line complete Linn setup with the new Komris. Was the gear really new and fresh out of the boxes? Or was it the room acoustics that were that bad?

Bill McMilan's picture

When are you coming to Columbus, OH? They have the space.

Al Marcy's picture

I have attended a meeting of audiofiles. too loud. thanks anyway.

Al Earz's picture

Unfortunatly living in Colorado I would have to fly to NY or Vegas. The thought of traveling to be among large crowds and hustle bustle never did appeal to me. Thought I would love the opportunity to see the latest products all in one place, I beleive the sound quality would not be as good as in my dealers showroom. So I must be content with reading Stereophile and visiting the local dealers for personnal auditions.

Bill Crane's picture

I have always attended, but two in a row in NYC was too much so I skipped this one. Move the show to LA next year. NYC is ridiculously expensive: $145+ a night to sleep in a noisy box. No thanks.

Chris L.'s picture

2001 and 2002 (the Hilton is six blocks from my office. The best part of the show is meeting the people who run these companies.

D.  Zang - Chicago's picture

I became interested in Audio in 2000. As far I know, Chicago has not hosted any audio shows since then. When will audio shows come to Chicago?

Louis P.'s picture

HiFi 1986, (missed 1990), 1996, and HE Expo 2001 and 2002 in NYC. Those were some of best weekends I've ever had. It's great to hear tons of stuff I could never audition otherwise, and there are a lot of great people around, fellow audiophiles and presenters alike. Please keep NYC in the regular rotation!

Anonymous's picture

Copy protection is, essentially, breaking the rRed Book standards, as well as deny purchasers 'Fair Use'.

Braden Sprecher-Reinke's picture

Bring a show to the midwest (Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee) and I'll attend.

T.  Ransfer's picture

Yes, once. A long time ago. My dad and I checked out a show on Long Island. I was most impressed with the Wharfedale speakers at the time. Little did I know that I would live in circles with speakers as good and better one day.

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