Munich High End Show 2017

[skatbelt]

First time visitor to the Munich High End. I expected big but it was even bigger. I managed to complete 75% of my to-do list in my two-day visit. My main focus was loudspeaker reproduction. Good (or promising) sound to my ears and taste:

 

- Lumin / WestminsterLab with Vivid speakers

- Bryston room although I thought it was held back by Bryston's own speakers

- Kharma room

- Trinnov room with Vivid speakers

- Illusonic (this room was more concept oriented but if you - like me - aim for ultimate transparency in living room listening environments this is the way to go)

- EAR Yoshino room

- Boenicke room

- Marten room

 

Most other rooms I visited, including Nagra, Magico, MSB, VAC, Joseph Audio, Harbeth, Wilson and T+A where underwhelming. A lot of them featured unrealistic sound, singers heads with the dimensions of elephants heads and instruments all over the place. Often no depth, no focus, muddiness, harshness and no real definition in the bass region although bass overkill was a problem in most rooms. 

 

On a meta-show-level, I totally agree that something has to be done about the music being played. Let's start a petition to ban Nils Lofgren, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and all the other 'audiophile' rubbish including compositions for timpani's and Irish flutes. I also noticed that almost every room played safe and simple stuff. No big orchestral, symphonic works for example. And in most rooms there was no chance to influence the playlist.

 

Another thing that always bothers me in these shows is the one-brand or fixed brand combinations. I understand this for commercial reasons but if I want to listen to, for example, a loudspeaker I would like to listen to it with a very good source and matching amplification instead of forced (partner) products.

[skatbelt]

2 hours ago, George Hincapie said:

 

Outside. Now.

 

I don't want to fight with one of the greatest domestiques of all time!