For whom the bell tolls

First impressions did not bode well, on arrival I was informed by the staff on the main gate that the hifi show was ‘round the back’ and was not allowed to use the front car park or entrance. So feeling a little like a second class citizen I turned round and made my way to the back door of the hotel. Are hifi enthusiasts considered to be too much of an embarrassment that we are not even allowed in the front door of a hotel anymore? So what next, are news agents going to start selling hifi magazines in brown paper bags under the counter?  The ridiculous thing is on entry to the rear car park I was then directed to a parking space at the front of the hotel.

The regular email updates informed me that the show was sold out and new and exciting events had been arranged to take the show experience to a new level. Industry lectures and a live auction by David Palmer of cash in the attic fame. I couldn’t wait!

Right the show... I don’t know if old age is creeping up on me and my memory is getting worse but it seems to me that each year I say the same things, less exhibitors and fewer visitors. This year was no exception, one side of one corridor and a “market place” consisting of a small handful of companies selling their wares. Surely this show format has had its day. Maybe it’s time for the show organisers and manufacturers to sit down together and come up with a new approach to showcase the amazing and diverse hifi products available today. I do think that the Park inn has past its sell by date as a hifi show venue, with rattling ceiling tiles / picture rails in most rooms it was not conducive to providing a fitting environment to showcase the cream of world hifi and because of this it is near impossible to make any judgement on the quality of equipment on show. There are so many more fitting venues around London that could provide an amazing setting more in keeping with the quality of equipment on display. I know a lot of emphasis is put on the affordability of this venue but the days of needing such a large hotel as well and truly past. There are numerous smaller boutique hotels that would provide a much better environment and could easily cope with the visitor numbers.

It is a sad affair when what is billed as the premier enthusiasts show is consigned to the back of a hotel with a handful of exhibitors. With some of the main attractions of previous years conspicuous by their absence.

Ok whinges aside there were some positives. A promising looking new brand of British turntables and loudspeakers, Analogue Alchemy, well I say British, made in Britain by an enthusiastic Russian partnership. The great looking David Wiener Collection iPod and streaming products on display in the bit perfect/ MIT room and the best acoustic room treatment products I have ever seen in the Voxativ room (see picture above) as well as some good looking racks in the Deco audio room and the exquisitely finished Vivace loudspeakers from Germany.

I would actually say that there was a general optimism from the exhibitors this year with less doom mongering than last year, which was good. What was not great to see was the number of staff standing there texting in the rooms rather than speaking to customers, this was the case in 3 out of the 21 rooms, come on guys make an effort!

 One thing that struck me as I sat down to write this report is am I looking at this show the wrong way, have the Chester group inadvertently come up with a new direction for the hifi show, could this be the future? The first of its kind, the first lunchtime show, designed specifically so you can go round it in the time it takes for your toasted cheese sandwich to turn the perfect golden brown or is it as i expect just the signs that this format of hifi show has finally run its course. A shame, some truly interesting products let down by a poor venue and lack of promotion. I don’t know if it was my imagination but on the walk back to the car I am sure I heard bells tolling,