Thirty-six years ago, I was 23. Why does that matter? Because that’s also when the Montreal audio show had its inaugural year. 36 years is a crazy milestone to reach for any annual event, especially one centered around a hobby as niche as ours. I’m not just saying this to gloat about my hometown audio show, as proud as I am of it, but to point out how our hobby is, after all these years, still very much alive and kicking.
The Montreal audio show had one of its best years last year, and this year’s edition, so far, looks promising. I see it as proof that our hobby, and the love of good sound, will always be a priority to some. As long as there are people who listen to music, and an industry—manufacturers, retailers, the press—willing to work together and support each other for the common good, our hobby will remain vital.
I was surprised to see how many tasty audio treats were being launched or otherwise exhibited this year. I was also surprised to see flocks of people waiting outside locked exhibitor room doors 30 minutes before the show’s opening like groupies camping on a sidewalk for tickets to a rock concert. The fire still burns.
