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Tips for first time audio show attendees (like me)

I figured I’d post this in the “Music” topic because the Music is really what our wonderful hobby is all about, right!

In another discussion I started recently asking for advice on how to deal with a expensive failed CD player, I received some great suggestions.
Also in that thread I mentioned I was going to my very first audio show this coming April. A few veteran audio show Agon members added some great audio show tips along with thoughts on my CD player dilemma. I really appreciated their audio show advice which I plan to use at next month’s AXPONA.  
 

I wanted to share those tips, which other first time audio show attendees may find useful, and ask veteran show goers to add their tips so we can all get the most out of these rare opportunities. 
 

Here are the tips from my other thread:

1.  Prior to the show, layout the booths you want to visit.  The show/booth floor plans and which companies will be in each location is already available on the AXPONA website  

2. Start at the top floor.  It’s much easier to take the stairs down to a lower floor. Also, the elevator situation can get ridiculous.

3. Sunday morning is a good time to go as the crowds on Saturday are pretty intense and greatly inhibiting toward actually hearing any gear or interacting w/ the reps of that gear.

4. It’s not unusual to get significant discounts at AXPONA.

5. Don't forget to go back to the far left of the Axpona main show floor, there are usually 3 or so rooms that have used equipment.

6. It’s fairly common for vendors to offer the demo components at a significant discount after the show.

Veteran show goers, please add to this list. All suggestions of what to do or even what not to do (like talking while a demo is playing and listeners are in the room) are appreciated!

ezstreams
simonb
36 posts
 

Top tip. Once you have sorted out what is what choose a room where you really like the sound. Then when you get really tired towards the end of the day and want to go go and sit down there for the last hour or so. Most people have gone by then :)

 

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,931 posts
 

Bring your own food and water. The last (and only) time I was there, they were charging $10 for a bottle of water (must have been "audiophile quality").

decooney
2,564 posts
 

Bring good walking shoes. If you have company, try not to lug someone along with you who might not like listening to each room as much as you do. This can be an unhelpful distraction if they want to continually exit the rooms sooner than you prefer - and you might miss out on a setup or music tracks that help you to focus on a room/system/setup with components you are considering for yourself.  

tablejockey
4,403 posts
 

If you're in the buying mode ready to take action on something and have CASH, don't be afraid to ask(especially on the last day, near closing)

I'm glad there isn't a local audio show going on right now. I just looked at my bank balance and see my tax refunds got deposited.

Exactly 7 days from the time I did them online. Looks like the IRS/state are actually doing positive things for us plebians in a timely fashion for a change😂😂😂!

The above suggestion of bring your own bottled water and wear good shoes are the best tips.

Be prepared to hear/see a combination of sensible knowledge & BS along with some questionable music choices to demo.

deep_333
2,420 posts
 

Ask some guy showcasing a killer sounding rig to play some not-so-great recordings as well, different genres, let you determine how it holds up.

(I am sure it is 2 recordings on repeat all day long all over the show....Don’t get fooled. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, even a dumass rig may sound good on 2 recordings)

Pull some chair closer up in midfield at the hotel room to get a better idea of how it would sound (ballpark) even if you plan to set it up in a more "optimal" room in your house. In general, the sound you get in the hotel room is also what you’ll get in a living room or whatever...unless you spend a small fortune on a purpose built room with competent treatments. Don’t let the guys at the shows blame it all on the hotel room, don’t accept some getaway from jail for free card. 

"It’s always your fault and your room’s fault, never my fault", says the speaker daddy showcasing his speaker at the shows.

Hope that helps some ’first time attendees’... laugh in the process of initiation...

 

 

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