Comments on the CES 2008 High-end Audio Show Report
Yes. Please. Corrections. Clarifications. Say whats? People feel free to post your comments, questions here [also, feel free to email them as well].
There will be a lot more posts on the show here too, just as soon as the main report gets much more complete. Someday.
Thanks.
Another year and another missed opportunity.
First let me say that I enjoy your little space on the web. Entertaining to say the least and obviously the best source for really kick ass pictures.
I say missed opportunity because one of the things I was hoping for this year was to land in the same room at the same time so as to observe you all observing the show. And it actually happened! And ever since getting back I have been impatiently waiting to see what you wrote about the room. Only to see that you dont even remember the room having sound!!! Arg!!
Well, since this is the place for corrections, at least I can help in that area. It was the Continuum/Bat/Scaena/etc. (29-220) room that we managed to land at the same time. So, to clear some of the “confusion” of that room…..
a) Those placards with the company names were effecting the sound seeing as how they were sound absorbtion panels. (see name at bottom of panel)
b) The little black unidentified box was the crossover for the subs. (I had to ask myself.)
c) Yes, there WAS sound. But you cant be fooled by the needle on the record. Take a closer look at the cd player in your pics and you will see that it was playing as well. And if I remember correctly, the sound was Frank Sinatra. (Cant blame you for not remembering. I find him forgettable as well.)
So, another year and another missed opportunity. Why do I care? Oh, dont actually. Just have sometimes been curious what the hell you guys were thinking from time to time. Sometimes wonder if your collective heads were up your collective arses (or the ears, at least.) (And I do say that in jest.) based on the way you describe equipment I am familiar with. (isnt this hobby fun?? hehe)
But, you did like the Hansen room. So now I at least have confirmation that you really may have an idea of what good sound is!! (jab jab)
Thanks, btw, for going above and beyond with your reports. AF is the first place I look after each and every show! Kudos!
On second thought…… I need to correct my corrections.
The preamp shows that the record was indeed playing. And the record shows some sort of orchestral piece. Frankie must have come up next because I swear I was hearing him in that room.
Either way, I dont remember the Continuum sounding good in any room if it was making any sound at all. Big disappointment.
anyway………..
Hi Craig,
Correcting your corrections, huh? Are we related?
Yes, we usually like the Hansen room, which usually not only produces a nice Impressive sound, but can be Emotional, a little bit Sophisticated – and always enjoyable.
But you disagree with me (me!) sometimes? I think instead of asking people “How’s it going” I will ask them “Do you know your sonic preferences?”. Unless we are in an airport.
The point being [I always seem to have to explain my points. And I just refuse to explain my explanations of my points.] that I can imagine someone who likes systems that are Impressive To The Exclusion of Everything Else thinking that we are wrong, wrong, wrong when we say that BAT Wilson systems are not what we would call great.
Not that this person is you. Or anybody on this particular planet.
Our approach of No Major Flaws [within the context of technology available today] may not be appropriate for people who want The Most Impressive, or whatever, no matter what the other stinking, egregious, smack-me-about-the-head flaws are. 🙂
But that is fine, they can see that we think it is Impressive, and stop reading right there. See? Our reviews save people Time as well as money. How cool is that? 😉
Too bad about the Continuum, isn’t it? With all their tables at the show this year it was so obvious that they are just ‘good’, not ‘great’. Have to say that they haven’t sounded any better [nor worse] at previous shows, either.
Thanks for the jabs! and the kind words.
Take care,
Mike.