What Can an Audio Manufacturer Do to Blow Listeners Away?

[stehno]

Seems like there is a huge oversaturation of brands in the audio market. Many companies like to take their products to shows, but the sound there is so mediocre, that no one really stands out.

And most dealer set up are not that great either.

What can manufacturers do to demo their products - so people are blown away with their sound and get people to crave it?

Excellent question. First off mfg'er's generally are really no different than many of the enthusiasts interested in their products.

I can think of a few things right off the bat that could put an exhibitor's sound head and shoulders over many.

1. Employ superior (as opposed to none or inferior) passive, dedicated, and bi-directional filering line conditioners for each component.
2. Many hotel room have a single dedicated 20 amp circuit so whatever an exhibitor intends to demonstrate including associated lighting, when added up, should not exceed 18-20 amps. At the very least dynamics will suffer. And if digital is used, all the more important that passive, dedicated, and bi-direcitonal filtering line conditioners be used - lest the bi-directional digital noise induces its harm on every other piece of gear.
3. Speaker placement.
4. Ensure every cable and component is at least 4 - 6 inches off the carpet.
5. Ensure every cable, fuse, AC plug, IEC connector, and inlet is cryo-treated using the superior full-immersion method.
6. Always play music that challenges the system's limits including volume levels closer to the perceived live performance volume levels.

Assuming the products being exhibited are reasonable or better, these strategies are perhaps the best assurance that the exhibitor is putting their best foot forward for maximum muiscality in a make-shift listening environment. And compared to how little effort some exhibitors put into their display, these alone just might be enough to "blow away" the casual listener compared to many other rooms.

Then again, these are universal best practices for all - not just exhibitors at shows.

 

[gleeds]

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/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

100% agree.

 

[Hi-FiGuy]

It's true that show sound is mostly mediocre, and I agree that there is no point for a manufacturer to demo if they can't get great sound.

Yet there were some standouts at T.H.E. Show in SoCal 2023. One of them was the PranaFidelity room where Steven Norber achieved excellent sound (as is routine for him). I test-drove the Dhyana speakers with all the recordings I wanted to listen to, and at. the end I bought a pair. I am super happy with my purchase.

Home demo is another option. For example, I demoed both my Octave preamp and amp at home courtesy of Goodwin's High End and they are keepers.

Far as I am concerned he owned the show the first or second year of the show also, was pretty blown away

 

[gadawg58]

I never rule things out because of how it sounds at a show but I have decided to do a home audition of something I heard at a show that I really liked. I agree that most show sound is not ideal ... but many dealers show rooms aren't ideal either. Best to have a dealer who can help with an in home demo. I think the thing the manufacturers could do is help ensure their dealers are supportive of in home demo's of their equipment as some dealers just don't get excited about it or they try to make it seem like they are doing you a favor. I have excluded equipment from consideration because I couldn't get an in home demo. This stuff is just too expensive to not be sure you're going to love it. Just my 2c.

George