Who’s going to the Florida International Audio Expo?

[Elliot G.]

Eh, at least everyone has the same bad room acoustics to work with.

Tom

if that was true it would be fairer and make sense but alas it is not. The sleeping rooms are the same size and are equal in their issues however the larger rooms spread out over the entire Hotel and a whole different kettle of fish. They are no where near the same in dims and issues.
The ability to tame these is not for the weak and require a team. If you fail to plan you will plan to fail and there were examples of that IMO.
If I am being honest if these were clients rooms I would probably ( for some) tell them to put the gear elsewhere LOL

No judgement on the products but only on the result.
One room with a very expensive speaker had all kinds of banners and signs and posters and stuff, not sure about treatment and a very large speaker with expensive gear and a large turntable was playing music at like elevator levels. I went in three times and the third time I asked if they could make it louder so I could hear the system. Making a long story short after a few minutes he did and the room exploded with feedback.
He then said they have issues but they had NO options or solutions and for me then why play it at all? I asked why not a digital or tape choice and the answer was "I only like records" . Oh well ... only get one chance to make a first impression

 

[Audiohertz2]

Sounds like they were using a technics TT

 

[Audiohertz2]

 

[Popspin]

High-Fidelity Harmony: Bending Wave, Tone Imports

Old friend Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports and Elliot Goldman of Bending Wave are experts at show setups. While some exhibitors take perfectly good gear and set it up willy nilly, Jonathan and Elliot are old school, big eared/serious listening guys, and the sound of their room at the Florida...

www.stereophile.com

Here is the link on Desktop version
Elliot

HibElliot: I’m just a lover of this hobby, I don’t make my living in it like you do. When friends write a positive column about you, backed up by facts as this one is, (I know, I heard it) that’s fine and understandable. But there’s no mention in that post about other systems.
I am not saying the Estelon room was perfect. I have several aspects of the performance I wouldn’t want in my space. But the defficency identified is not generally a characteristic of the speaker. Could have happened; a person experienced with the Extreme would know better.
This isn’t a case of just criticizing a product, it is misleading. No hurt feelings here. I don’t need validation from others to know what exists or doesn’t exist.
My favorite speaker of the show was the larger Stenheim.
I’m checking out of this subject.
Goodbye

 

[gleeds]

I’d like to see the post.
Whomever said it. I still disagree. I can criticize the speakers, set up and room too but flat and lifeless is not what my ears heard.
Still liked your room.
Have a good day.

Bob, the big Estelons are impressive loudspeakers, especially as you have them configured at home. There are so many variables at shows; if the Stereophile reviewer heard them on day one or early day two, that could significantly impact performance. With Von Schweikert speakers, we do all we can to get them in the room as early as possible. Nonetheless, our systems always sound best on Sunday. Next time I am in New York, I'm jumping on the train to experience your system.
Enjoy

 

[tony22]

There are so many variables at shows; if the Stereophile reviewer heard them on day one or early day two, that could significantly impact performance.

I have to agree with Gary here, @Popspin. Anecdotally, I went into the Oneiros room three times between Friday and Saturday to hear Jerry Bloomfield’s new speakers. My audio bud was with me as well. To be frank, I was not engaged with what I was hearing. It sounded distant, flat, thin; my friend agreed. I had to leave early on Sunday, but my friend stayed and went in to listen again on Sunday. He told me they had been transformed, and sounded wonderful. He spoke with Jerry to ask what happened. The answer was simple - the ARC and DS Audio gear they brought were both literally out of the box new for this show, and needed all that run in time to finally show what the (already burned in) speakers could do. Now, I won’t question why they wound up using fresh out of the box gear, but if I were a reviewer and had heard these speakers only on Friday, or Saturday, I think my comments would have been ultimately off the mark. Sometimes exhibitors are stuck with a less than advantageous situation.

 

[Elliot G.]

HibElliot: I’m just a lover of this hobby, I don’t make my living in it like you do. When friends write a positive column about you, backed up by facts as this one is, (I know, I heard it) that’s fine and understandable. But there’s no mention in that post about other systems.
I am not saying the Estelon room was perfect. I have several aspects of the performance I wouldn’t want in my space. But the defficency identified is not generally a characteristic of the speaker. Could have happened; a person experienced with the Extreme would know better.
This isn’t a case of just criticizing a product, it is misleading. No hurt feelings here. I don’t need validation from others to know what exists or doesn’t exist.
My favorite speaker of the show was the larger Stenheim.
I’m checking out of this subject.
Goodbye

I’m in the business the comments about my room and my work were great and I copied and pasted it. That’s my livelihood !
The other statements were one persons opinions and his or her findings at the show. I don’t see the big deal as their response is just as viable as any other one that visited . The person commented on the results of that display, in that room , with that gear at that time.

 

[Elliot G.]

I have to agree with Gary here, @Popspin. Anecdotally, I went into the Oneiros room three times between Friday and Saturday to hear Jerry Bloomfield’s new speakers. My audio bud was with me as well. To be frank, I was not engaged with what I was hearing. It sounded distant, flat, thin; my friend agreed. I had to leave early on Sunday, but my friend stayed and went in to listen again on Sunday. He told me they had been transformed, and sounded wonderful. He spoke with Jerry to ask what happened. The answer was simple - the ARC and DS Audio gear they brought were both literally out of the box new for this show, and needed all that run in time to finally show what the (already burned in) speakers could do. Now, I won’t question why they wound up using fresh out of the box gear, but if I were a reviewer and had heard these speakers only on Friday, or Saturday, I think my comments would have been ultimately off the mark. Sometimes exhibitors are stuck with a less than advantageous situation.

The same facts are true for every single room. All the gear is disconnected, new, bounced around etc.
BTW that was not the issue or the only issue with that demonstration and to characterize it as such is truly disingenuous.
I have no idea what that speaker can or can’t do and no comment on its sound or quality but they could not play the system at listening levels because of huge feedback issues in the room. To attempt to listen to a million dollar system with a 650k speaker at music levels found in an elevator is absurd.

I hope they have a better opportunity to show what they built but IMO and many others they blew the chance to make a great first impression

 

[tony22]

Elliot, my opinions and those of my friend, reported to me, are only those - opinions, relative to the situation. Could / should they have done better? In that room? I’m not sure - but let’s say sure, okay. All that’s being stated here is a one day vs another opinion.

 

[Elliot G.]

Elliot, my opinions and those of my friend, reported to me, are only those - opinions, relative to the situation. Could / should they have done better? In that room? I’m not sure - but let’s say sure, okay. All that’s being stated here is a one day vs another opinion.

Tony we are all allowed and encouraged to think and speak freely.That is all I know and my opinion and your opionion can certainly be different. Its allowed and its cool!

 

[Lee]

I thought the Oneiros room was one of the best at the show in terms of midrange purity. It was very natural and effortless. I thought the overall presentation was very open sounding. It was especially nice on the John Martyn Air LP. Some of that was likely due to the ARC monoblocks. I would have preferred the speakers more into the room from a setup standpoint. There is no doubt that having ARC amps that were not broken in was a real handicap. I know this as I have the same preamp and know it really needs 250+ hours and gets better all the way to 500 hours. The room was horrific as well. I spent a lot of time in the room. It sounds like they will have a better room at Axpona. I would not make any summary judgments based on this show. I also believe the Audioquest Dragon cable was new as well.

 

[gleeds]

Lee, glad to hear there was promise in the product.

I just spoke with my colleague Walter Swanbon of Fidelis who is supporting the Oneiros team as their US rep. Given our friendship I was curious to know how the weekend went. He shared his experience with me this past weekend which was one of promise but also frustration. No doubt Axpona will be better and perhaps the first time anyone hears the Oneiros at anything resembling it's potential.

- The room plan did not clearly reveal what they expected
- Ceiling heights varied from 8 feet at one point to less than seven feet at another
- The floor was a suspended, not concrete death to most super speakers
- The only source was vinyl given room partners was VPI DD, however given the suspended floors and rack issues the system would evidence acoustic feedback much past 80db

Walter let me know Oneiros means dream in Greek mythology. As a fellow promoter of high- end audio products including leading edge speakers with Von Schweikert I want to wish Walter and the speakers designer, Jerry Bloomfield every success. I'm of the view that entrepreneurs willing to invest their hard earned capital and push the technology envelop makes us all better and expands the possibilities for the hobby we love.

 

[Ron Resnick]

As I talked to people returning from the show there is a lot of negative commentary about the hotel. Apparently the hotel is under renovation, but they are keeping it operating to generate some money while they renovate.

I have heard reports of: sinks in common area restrooms not working; inadequate staff generally, including inadequate bartending staff; closing breakfast at 9:00 AM to minimize food outlays; literally rancid mushrooms at breakfast; uncooked pancakes (pancakes with blobs of mix) at breakfast; running out of napkins; running out of metal utensils; electrical brown-outs during the show in the exhibit rooms; intermittent air-conditioning in some exhibit rooms; and running out of toilet paper in common area restrooms.

 

[Ron Resnick]

The only source was vinyl given room partners was VPI DD, however given the suspended floors and rack issues the system would evidence acoustic feedback much past 80db

One attendee told me that they couldn't play much past 70dB (according to his SPL meter) without getting acoustic feedback.

 

[gleeds]

One attendee told me that they couldn't play much past 70dB (according to his SPL meter) without getting acoustic feedback.

Correct, Ron, that was the main issue.

 

[Ron Resnick]

As additional reports roll in it appears that exhibitors were very happy with the show overall. Apparently attendance was up very significantly over the prior all time high attendance.

Next year exhibitors and attendees will enjoy the renovations taking place this year at the hotel, and the 2026 show should be spectacular in all respects!

 

[Kingsrule]

Really not much feedback from this show...seems kinda of weird

 

[Ron Resnick]

Really not much feedback from this show...seems kinda of weird

I've gotten quite a bit of feedback. The show was a big success.

 

[Alrainbow]

Wow that's a big change from before , no food issues and toilet paper lol that's a bad combo .

 

[Synaxis]

One attendee told me that they couldn't play much past 70dB (according to his SPL meter) without getting acoustic feedback.

I was told that this issue was due to the very poor set up they did of their turntable and not knowing how to isolate it correctly. In fact I was told they did not believe this until it was proven to them.