I know I have said this many times but really getting the opportunity to seriously listen to anything in a show setting is truly stretching it. Shows are good to see, sniff and kick the tires, get an idea what is out there , how it looks and feels and get a sampling of its sound. Serious products of which I consider Wadax one need to be heard in a well set up mature system that has been dialed and broken in . The show rooms are POPUPS. They have limited time, mediocre at best electricity, internet and power and usually a smorgasboard of delights stuck together to try to make a system. Many of these arrangement are based on dollars and opportunities rather than on a very serious reason for them to be together. If they are usually together the other factors are still there. In Munich they get a couple of days to set up the rooms. Those rooms however are not at all made for sound, they are glass and metal . The rooms in US shows range from mediocre to terrible as they are hotel rooms and not designed for sound. THis is not sour grapes its just reality. Those who want a serious deep drive into the passion and soul of these products wont get it at a show. They are fun, informative, a place where the Industry meets, you can hang with others of the same interest, meet you favorite designers etc but they are not the end all for sound.
THe truth is that virtually nothing gets sold at shows. Those who want something are almost always going to hear it in the way that makes the most sense. This is in thier dealers showroom or perhaps their own home.
Last thought the more that is expected is IMO inversely related to how hard it is to do it. I mena the better the gear the more likely is that you wont truly hear the capabilities. Very large systems truly take a lot of time and resources there is no easy path. I consider it building a formula 1 race car, it takes everything and anything you don't address you will haunt you eventually. All great systems are works in progress, I know mine is.
