High-end Audio at CES 2007
Yes, it is that time of year when, instead of dreaming of dancing sugar plums, manufacturers, dealers and motivated audiophiles dream of vast numbers of exotically populated (with audio equipment, …you guys…) Las Vegas hotel rooms.
First, we have to learn to type 2007 and not 2006.
We are, of course, planning on going ourselves. Take a few photos, listen to some tunes.
Will probably still use the first track on Radiohead’s Amnesiac as my test track.
For one, it is seemingly hard for most systems to get the dynamics and imaging right, not to mention some subtle shades of electronics in the midrange.
For another, it is not classical, jazz, close-mic’d female vocals, or pop rock – and so it freaks a lot of people out [but they are so easy to freak out, so not much of an accomplishment]
The ‘main’ ‘official’ part of the show is in the Venetian this year – but I think it is no longer where we will focus our energies – as more and more people migrate to T.H.E. Show.
And, well, there you have it. Any ideas or suggestions about what you would like to see in the show report? Anybody? Or do you want to be surprised? 🙂
Mike,
I’m looking forward to the show as well. I plan to attend both CES and T.H.E Show.
I’ll have to keep an ear open for Radiohead while I’m there. Maybe I’ll bump into you and Neli 🙂
– Steve O.
Hi!! would like your appreciation on the new Revel ultima 2 line-up. According to revel it it supposed to be a way above the old model…
You have the best pictures on the web in regard to show reports.
You don’t make a single penny taking all those pictures,must be real passionate about the hobby!! Aside from the pictures,I do like your input on how the sound is in each rooms..looking forward to your next assignment.
Guy;-)
Hi Steve,
People seem to bump into Neli a lot more often than they bump into me… not sure why that is…
Listen for Radiohead and look for someone taking a lot of photos [which allows me to spend quite a bit of time in each room, making obnoxious click and whirring noises… not quite the stealth mode press core here… :-)]
Hi Guy,
Good to ‘see’ you.
We got some good pictures of the new Ultima 2 at CEDIA – but didn’t get to hear them. I think the old Ulima’s looked a lot cooler – but I can see why some people might think it was too bold a statement.
The other Steve, not the one above, who helped us out at RMAF owns Revel Studios.
Thanks for the feedback – we’ll keep an eye out for them [usually, however, Revel just has a static display in the main convention halls – but not always].
Take care, guys,
Mike.
May I ask if you can give us your impression of the ‘new’ Apogee..they will be at the CES this year…
Definitely.
While we do not have much experience with the ‘old’ Apogee, we can certainly listen and compare to the other great speakers of the day.
Certainly has somewhat of an… one might say legendary… reputation to live up to…
Thanks,
Mike.
On the CES and/or THE Show conundrum, Audio Note will be at THE Show after many, many years of the same room at CES. The Venetian’s exhibit rooms looked like a sonic disaster waiting to happen, and the rules on moving gear and getting near your exhibit room with your demo gear have become increasingly draconian over the years. (“You can use a folding luggage cart to move that 150 lb crate, but not a handtruck. We’d be happy to be move it for you for a king’s ransom.” Etc…)
It’ll be interesting to see who lands where. I may wander over to the Venetian to check things out, or I may just ask Mike and Neli ! 😉