Article: Munich 2022 Show Report

[Priaptor]

I'm looking forward to getting back to these shows. Interesting comments among those who have gone to Munich and recently Axpona among the various sites.

 

Just my observations.

 

What some love others hate and there is no dearth of opinions. The objective v. subjective argument, so often debated here is alive and well when judging by comments across the spectrum. Some have the best room that others claim is their worst room. Bias by owners of products and dealers, no matter how hard they try to conceal by claiming faint praise on other products, is clear among many of the comments on audio sites. 

 

It is obvious that these shows have so many variables and mix so many variables from show to show it's a wonder how anyone could judge just one component of a system. Whether it be the room, source, amplification, wires, etc. The one constant is that these systems are so good today, that any one of them could satisfy any of us when properly set up in a good room regardless of what we choose individually. Other than seeing and "hearing" a product at a show at that instant with a unique set of variables, the challenge posed of what to buy based on the complexity of so many variables is unique in the luxury market. I can understand how the OCD amongst us (most) could go nuts. 

 

Deniro summed up today's high-end audio in the movie Heat when he said, "Don't get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds". While the analogy is a little over the top, it does bring up a point when I see some emphatically putting down say MSB to praise the WADAX or vice versa. I mean, come on, especially based on a show?? Same goes for horns, panels, electrostats, cones, etc. 

 

Just my POV, but I have looked at these shows as the ultimate "live catalogue". 

 

Chris, thanks as always, for the levelheaded review and insight of your experience without the over-the-top dogma some seem is necessary. 

[Priaptor]

Just now, The Computer Audiophile said:

Thanks for the kind words. I really struggled with this one because everyone knows I’ve spent a good bit of money on Wilson speakers and the company advertises on AS. I’m sure some will write off my best of show award, but I have to call it like I see it. The flip side of that coin is not talking about brands I own or advertise with me. That would be such a disservice to everyone. I know you understand all of this, but your comment made me think of it. 
 

I thought the Rockport room left a lot to be desired. I know those speakers are great, but not at this show. It happens. 
 

Shows are fun. Music is fun. But, purchasing decisions made using show reports or experience are foolish. My show report is only a start for someone, not the definitive word. 

Couldn't agree more. One of my favorite systems of all time was my WATT/PUPPY with Spectral gear and a SOTA turntable. It was really a great system, not just for 1991 but it would kill in today's world, and I had my room tuned perfectly for it. Of course, I, after being enticed by my reseller and Wilson made the BIG mistake of wanting "more". An expensive and foolhardy mistake that led me to their then top of the line (back then) X1 and expensive Mark Levinson gear. Sometimes, as the expression goes, the enemy of good is better and I see too many people chasing what they think they want (GUILTY AS CHARGED) rather than making what they have better, the camp I now reside in.

 

The real question is, could any one of your subscribers (me included) be happy with Wilson, Magico, YG, name your speaker, with name your turntable, with name your amp/preamp/digital source, when the product is properly setup in a properly setup room while listening to the music instead of perseverating on the gear?  I know, I have learned my lesson in this crazy "hobby" of ours and as I get older just focus on listening and enjoying, of course, unless my reseller is successful in enticing me with something I never thought I wanted or would buy LOL. Also, as in politics, everything is local. I have a particularly good reseller who I have been a customer of for years, who has serviced me for years and is very capable in getting me to where I want to be and he stands behind his products and WHEN NOT IF there is an issue, always fixes in a mutually agreeable way. Have I and he made mistakes? Yes but he has always worked with me to fix them. He is also extremely capable of room setup and will be by many times to fine tune the system and room. So if he sells Brand X and not Brand Y, given the high end in today's world, it's not so much about the "brand" but about how to get whatever you buy to sound good with components that work together in a system and within a properly tuned room for the product one buys. 

 

One of the reasons I enjoy reading on this site is because people here tend to focus on what they have as well as the music they listen to whereas on most other sites, its dogma, hyperbole and the never ending search for audio nirvana which so many believe is achieved with changing gear rather than optimizing what they have and being exposed to new music and new genres of music and just chill and enjoy rather than critically listening to the equipment with the same "audiophile recordings".