2. speakers
  3. 1102451546

Ultimate best convention, can it happen

Searching for best sound system one's budget allows. One man's world class top choice #1 system may be another man's disaster. How does one go about finding the most pleasing set-up for oneself if listening is utterly the only way to really know what's right for "me", when it's obvious that it's nearly impossible to hear even a fraction of what's out there, especially within one showroom. Also audio magazines have not been the most reliable source. What do we do then ??????? WHAT ABOUT A 2 CHANNEL SYSTEM TOURNAMENT CONVENTION!! Does this exist and if not, why not? There are no shops in the world that can represent enough companies to truly give the customer a satisfactory buying environment, and running from one showroom to another ensures enough time has passed to not be able to recall well enough the sound of the previous system. Let's organize an event that will set up guidelines on set-up and price range in which manufacturers, shop-owners and even private owners participate in a show down of who's got the best sound. Enough time will be devoted to ensure proper room treatment and placement of speakers unlike the past conventions that have been rushed and also let's ensure closed door sessions with a maximum number allowed per session, rather then a zoo like environment in which people walk in and out in front of the equipment without regard for the engaged audience. How can the designers and engineers approve of the set up in these rushed conventions when they have devoted so much time inventing and redesigning these works of art. Then have a panel of judges that can rate the best speakers, amps, cd players, phonos and synergy of systems in all different price ranges. The costs can be covered through admission charged, which I am sure the public would be happy to pay! Rules would help keep the playing field fair, and visitors can join like-minded individuals and form groups that move from room to room together listening to same genre of music so that the same material will be used on the different setups as they peruse the many rooms with systems set up for this event, with a prize for the winners. Exhibitors setting up systems pay to exhibit knowing they have a shot at winning prizes. Ok I am a dreamer who isn’t? But honestly who wouldn’t want to be there?
pedrillo
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
your suggestion would not ensure "the best" 50 stereo systems, only any 50 stereo systems.

you asked a question, i'll give you my ideas.

first, try to describe what would constitue the best sound for you, regardless of cost. after you have ascertained in your mind your desired goal, listen. go to as many dealers as possible. go to a show. visit friends. you probably won't hear anything that meets all of your standards. you may find one stereo system that comes close. try to understand what it is about that stereo system you like and analyze the components in that system.

perhaps, the system is out of your price range, and yes there is the matter of the room. nothing is perfect.

maybe you would select a component or two from such a system--hopefully the speakers and then figure out what to do from there.

you have resources. you can speak to dealers, serious hobbyists and manufacturers and then evaluate the suggestions.

after you make your purchase you still may not be satisfied.

the point is to learn as much as you can by exposing yourself to as many systems as possible.

unfortunately your idea is not realistsic.

you may get lucky and find a dealer who will allow you to listen to a stereo system and then change one or more components until you finally reach a point where you like the sound. if you spend a lot of time with that dealer, you probably will be obligated to buy something.

good luck.
jsadurni
210 posts
 
I used to think that people have different preferences, until last year when 5 audio friends inlcuding me went to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.
We went to most rooms we always disagreed (as we ussually do)on systems some like this one better some the other, same as always...untill we got to the Genesis room: Instantly all of us agreed that this was the best system we ever listened to. There was no fault with the system in that room. Tone, soundstage, dynamics everything was just amazing way better than all the other rooms, (we visited almost all of them).
The other rooms had certain good things and other not so good. The far second not unanimous winner was Avantgarde with amazing soundstage, some liked Avalon some liked MBL none liked Von Shweikert.

The system was very expensive Genesis 201 speakers with Top of the line even more expensive swiss amp, etc.

I guess you dont go to a concert at La Scala and say, "well the violins were too bright for my taste"...

Yes I think we can all agree if the sytem is good enough and we dont have a separate agenda.

All the Best
pedrillo OP
560 posts
 
any comments on the genesis 201's
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
there is another benefit of such an undertaking, if it ever materialized, namely the opportunity to compare perceptions.

it would be interesting to see how convergent or divergent are descriptions of a stereo system from multiple listeners.
i have another idea. suppose some volunteer with a big room would invite a number of people to audition his/her stereo system and invited the guests to bring a component. we could have a potpourri of combinations of stereo systems which would be a lot of fun.
More to discover