Times AV Revolution Show - Mumbai - 26-10-2007

Will se what pix I can take.

Going tomorrow! Anyone else going??

Did anyone visit. Any pics. What brands have participated.

Anyone, some insight pls. Is it worth visiting.

Regards
SNV

I'd gone It was....completely useless

Almost completely silent show.

AVI (are they called A2V now?) are giving a discount on the 600 S3 speakers (while stocks last).
The ProFX guys seemed the only ones with any interest in the show. They had the biggest setup amongst the speaker guys (smaller only then Sony), with a very wide range displayed: KEF, Polk, Denon, QED, and JMLabs. They even had a firang guy to talk about the JMLabs speakers. They also had setup a demo small area with kef surround setup. It was nothing special. Most of the times, their guy kept fiddling with the modes on the Denon reciever, setting it to 7ch Stereo while playing a DTS movie, and using DPL IIx Movie Mode when I asked him to play just stereo.

The Sound Advice guys from Inorbit were there with Energy, Mirage, and Cerwin Vega. Then they was Cinebels with Jamo, Designer Audio with Wharfedale and Quad. The PSB/DefTech stall was still being set up when I was there. And...I might have missed a few.

Much more impressive was the Recliner stall, with the comfy recliners and massage chair. The recliners start from around 28K. [ot] Is it a good thing acoustically to have a full head rest? Won't all the sound from the rear get blocked? [/ot]

As expected, Sony, Samsung and Panasonic with their array of LCDs and Plasmas were much more interesting. Samsung had a 70" LCD playing from a Blu-Ray disc. Droolllllllll.
Panasonic had an even bigger (100"?) Plasma, playing off a digital cable box connected via component. Still, the image was nice and sharp. The other Samsung LCDs were probably playing upscaled DVDs, as they looked quite horrible.

The Sharp stall had an InFocus PJ playing a DVD of "Hulk". Standard Def is so out of vogue now

Bose and Sony had demo rooms in the so called "sound proof" Area. Didn't bother to go there.

All in all, I picked up a few price lists which could be useful, plenty of brochures which I hope will fetch some money from my raddi walla, and a few polythene bags from the ProFX stall, which my mom snatched from me.

zhopudey schrieb:

few polythene bags from the ProFX stall, which my mom snatched from me.

From your decription i guess we can conclude that that was the most imp take-away !

Ohh yes, very good quality bags. I spent almost half an hour there staring at the speakers, so the booth babe gave me a bag hoping I would go away Then I went and stood on the other side, and got another bag from the booth babe on that side.

Zhopudey wrote

Bose and Sony had demo rooms in the so called "sound proof" Area. Didn't bother to go there

There were only 4 so called demo rooms near the entrance. To put it quite bluntly they were godowns/store houses converted to demo rooms by putting a floor carpet and a few chairs. the brands on demo were Bose, Designer Audio, Sanen and Qod.

I had been to the first 3 and felt quite upset and walked away to the next Exhibition which was quite interesting to me, The Broadcast Show.

The Bose salesman first played a track from a DVD where they demonstrated side to side and front to back soundstaging on their Lifestyle system. The track was from some Chinese movie where the seperation was quite prominent and the impact provided by the Accousticmass subwoofer.

He then stated that the Lifestyle system could also be used to listen to your favourite music ..........as though the audience did not know. He then played a stereo track which sounded awfully harsh. When I asked him why the system in Stereo mode sounds worse than a transistor radio, he claimed the AdaptiQ system which is the software used to setup the system to the accoustics of the room had not been set up correctly. So much for BOSE.

The Sanen salesman played Hotel California in Stereo mode with the sub woofer ON. The room was booming so much it was difficult to sit in it for long, the general public was impressed ! This is what everyone here terms as "High End Audio".

zhopudey schrieb:

and a few polythene bags from the ProFX stall, which my mom snatched from me.

And I did'nt get even a single bag!
Why do some people have all the luck?

Hey ! seems to me I got luckier !

very good cheese cake at the cafeteria !

Did anyone check out the lithos stall ? The new full range speakers with the tymphany drivers show a lot of promise.....

manek.

Behram schrieb:

There were only 4 so called demo rooms near the entrance....the general public was impressed ! This is what everyone here terms as "High End Audio".

Thank you, sir! Your post extinguished any regret I might have had for not attending.

zhopudey schrieb:

Ohh yes, very good quality bags. I spent almost half an hour there staring at the speakers, so the booth babe gave me a bag hoping I would go away Then I went and stood on the other side, and got another bag from the booth babe on that side. :)

Bags from Booth Babes

K

Heh heh, I gave them back the bag when the booth babe handed one to me.

Anyway, FWIW, I guess zhop and Behram have pretty much described everything.

My highlight of the show had to be the Tymphany driver based speaker from Lithos. Obviously, it was difficult to 'demo' this speaker at the stall but my initial impressions were decent "tone" and an excellent, excellent build quality. A proper demo attheir 'room' is on the cards!

Also spotted was the Gamut phi3 at the BOOM stall. But alas, all one could do was see it.

I missed the demo rooms. As mentioned earlier, there were only 4. We opted against them and decided to go to the rather elaborate food stall. Cold chicken s'wiches, a cheese cake and some ice cream later we were on our way out!

AAH, BUT WE CERTAINLY DID DEMO A SYSTEM THAT DAY!

While we were on our way out, we met another forum member who mentioned something about a "line array" that he was going to demo. A confusing 20 minute drive later we reached Gokuldham College where they were setting up a sound system for some live show later in the evening.

There it was - this massive PA system, fronted by a LINE ARRAY of Sonodyne speakers (Abhi Pani, are you listening??!!) An array of 7 inch drivers that belted out some really crisp and clean midrange - pretty darn good for an outdoor/live system.
We also got to meet Anindya Mukerjee - owner of Sonodyne and had a bit of a chit chat with him. (Drat Abhi, I forgot to take his autograpgh for you! )

Anyway, Anindya confessed to "sneaking in" on our forum from time to time and reading what all we had to say. And yes, he's impressed by the quality of discussions we have here.

So that's that!! That's pretty much all that happened on Saturday afternoon at Goregaon!


P.S.: Show organizers, we want to HEAR music. NOT SEE IT!!

Shahrukh schrieb:

[u] There it was - this massive PA system, fronted by a LINE ARRAY of Sonodyne speakers (Abhi Pani, are you listening??!!)

Hmmm...listening bhai !!

Heard just now that A2V & others were actually begged to take part and were given the space nearly free. Our shows just get better.

One of my friends mentioned it was the worst show he ever visited and was a big flop. Promised he would never vist any audio shows anymore atleast in India.

Shahrukh schrieb:

AAH, BUT WE CERTAINLY DID DEMO A SYSTEM THAT DAY! While we were on our way out, we met another forum member who mentioned something about a "line array" that he was going to demo. A confusing 20 minute drive later we reached Gokuldham College where they were setting up a sound system for some live show later in the evening. There it was - this massive PA system, fronted by a LINE ARRAY of Sonodyne speakers (Abhi Pani, are you listening??!!) An array of 7 inch drivers that belted out some really crisp and clean midrange - pretty darn good for an outdoor/live system. We also got to meet Anindya Mukerjee - owner of Sonodyne and had a bit of a chit chat with him. (Drat Abhi, I forgot to take his autograpgh for you! ) Anyway, Anindya confessed to "sneaking in" on our forum from time to time and reading what all we had to say. And yes, he's impressed by the quality of discussions we have here. So that's that!! That's pretty much all that happened on Saturday afternoon at Goregaon! P.S.: Show organizers, we want to HEAR music. NOT SEE IT!!

The Line Array sounded better than most so called high end audio.
Deaf.

yes,

sonodyne did have a good sounding product.

manek.

So the show was a letdown in terms of 2 channel audio.

Has anyone here met Papa Mukerjee (sonodyne founder). Possibly one of the greatest audio genius of our times.

How was the babe quotient at the show

I had met Mr Mukherjee in Cal once. But it was just a hi - hello kinda thing.

The babe quotient was er... decent. Only, there was this 15 minute long conversation with one pretty lady who insisted that QED's silver anniv and their XT range are the same.

She also insisted I try on the Denon headphones and played something thru' a Panasonic discman. When I took the phones' off in about 10secs (I'm a very patient guy) she smiled at me as if to say "wasn't that the BEST you've ever heard thru cans??".

Sony had cuter girls.

As a show organiser, let me share with you guys....

Hostesses today want a MINIMUM of Rs 1000 per day to stand at a stall.

The 'babes' category are Rs 1500 +

Our college girls are Very demanding now-a-days....

Any guy wants to wax their legs and pose as a babe ? Easy money ...

Any guy wants to wax their legs and pose as a babe ? Easy money

Ampnutji, organise a show and I'll wax whatever you say!

Amp_Nut schrieb:

As a show organiser, let me share with you guys.... Hostesses today want a MINIMUM of Rs 1000 per day to stand at a stall. The 'babes' category are Rs 1500 + Our college girls are Very demanding now-a-days.... Any guy wants to wax their legs and pose as a babe ? Easy money ... :D

And how much for a 'firang' babe?

....as i mentioned earlier.....orange cheese cake was the best part of the show

manek.

Manek schrieb:

....as i mentioned earlier.....orange cheese cake was the best part of the show manek.

Hungry Parsee is dangerous Parsee, beware audio companies that fail to deliver the goods, make sure at least the food does not fail, or else the moderator bawa shall poke the tweeter and kick the woofer.
A/V Revolution, ensure that the next show has a sit down Parsee meal because we can't take your shitty show ordeal.
Deaf.

deaf....

your last post :-)

Kamal schrieb:

Any guy wants to wax their legs and pose as a babe ? Easy money Ampnutji, organise a show and I'll wax whatever you say! :D

Nice one kamal.

Come on Guys;
Was the show really that bad ?
Or are you guys just bitching for the sake of it !!!
The JM Labs 'chief designer' was here too [Mr. Baker].
I missed the show & I actually felt very bad about it.
No one has posted any snaps.
A.N. & Myself would like to see.
We could even post a full report on the international show report pages. Sound Stage / Enjoy the Music / Audiogon / Stereophile Blog etc.

Detailed report with snaps would be appreciated.

Thanks,

p.s. so many distributors are playing 'musical chairs' yet, no one comes here to show off their 'new toys'
Brand Distributors are swinging partners left right and centre and yet no one comes here. Strange.....

I asked a company that was there at the show, as to how the show was for them.....

I was told "GREAT ! After the show we had many come down to our showroom..."

I asked a company that was there at the show, as to how the show was for them..... I was told "GREAT ! After the show we had many come down to our showroom..."

Really? Was that company dealing in some good flat TVs by any chance? Or some other nifty gizmos??

Seriously though, like Bhagwan said, there was nothing to make me go "wow"! No "new toys"!!

Shahrukh said :

Really? Was that company dealing in some good flat TVs by any chance? Or some other nifty gizmos??

On the contrary ! .... This company is the "High Priest" of Indian High End Audio in India . Probably the only one that can offer Ex-Stock, Speakers worth almost Rs 10 Lakhs a pair, in a choice of veneers ... also their own Demo rooms...

Aha! I think I know which company you speak of.
But AN, honestly, he may have got his customers - the question of this being a GOOD show is still highly debatable. No demo rooms, nothing new to see (except maybe the Lithos speaker as well as the Gamut Phi on DISPLAY), no wows and oohs and aahs! I'd rate the last show at Grand Hyatt (with demo rooms) as ten times better.

Really not worth posting snaps of on the international forums. Would be embarasing, I would think.

Bhagwan?

Sad to hear that;
I was really hopeful that some / all the dealers & distributors in India would take part; Display their products. Maybe try and create some kind of a curiosity & probably that would translate into demo's and eventually a sale.
I am very certain that there are many in the world [in India or Mumbai - at least] that do have a 'budget' to spend on Audio [maybe more on video] they just do not know better and hence just buy a bose etc. Show them the options. Give them a demo - convince them & a sale can be made. At least that is what I feel.
I know I was not born being an 'audiophile' some where - some one - some place - some sound - what ever made me take it up. That spark needs to be provided !!!

Too Utopian ??? Sorry;;;

bhagwan69 schrieb:

I am very certain that there are many in the world [in India or Mumbai - at least] that do have a 'budget' to spend on Audio [maybe more on video] they just do not know better and hence just buy a bose etc.

I agree whole-heartedly. I will go so far as to say that quite possibly the vast majority of people on this web site grew up with a love for music. I know I did. Hence the desire to find better equipment came naturally and I looked beyond the ordinary to see what else was out there. Sadly, as you say, even the basic awareness of the existence of such companies/products is largely absent. Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, etc. are the names that come to most people's minds when they want to buy "a music system" - there is a vague awareness that "big names like Bose and B&O are also there but too expensive". It is a pity there are no advertisements for hifi products in the mainstream media. I have yet to see a NAD or Marantz, leave alone Arcam or Creek, advertised in our newspapers - which are filled with retailers pushing third-rate products like VCD-discmans and seven-in-one portables and what-have-you. Perhaps regular advertising is prohibitively costly but at least once in a year?!

This brings me to my second point. I believe the "problem" is two-fold. And here is the more troubling part, IMHO. Awareness is coming slowly - we are seeing hifi showrooms popping up in malls. I remember Jamo at Crossroads, now there is JBL, Profx, Sonodyne in quite a few malls. They must have a large number of curious walk-ins. I know I was drawn to the JBL showroom years ago and pleasantly surprised that "such things are now available here". Now we come to the REAL problem: money/pricing... (And I am treading carefully as I am mindful of the statement in your "tagline", Bhagwanji )

When I first heard the JBL speakers, my friend blurted out a question that had not struck me at all: do you offer financing options? After that I too asked this of a few dealers just to see the reactions. Usually it was one of amusement - "no, of course not" accompanied by a smile - amusement or a sneer, I do not know. Not one said "yes we do" or "let's see what we can do for you". Now that is worse, is it not? People are walking (literally) into the dealership and are ready to buy the product. And bear in mind that finance options and the possibility of paying in EMIs is now available for even a sandwich toaster. So why turn up one's nose at them?

The ideal customer seems to be the wealthy, self-aware individual who will ask only a few questions and plunk down a bundle of notes and walk away with the product. Either you can buy the product in one shot or you are not worth our while. That, to me, is truly sad. The pool of potential buyers would expand exponentially if only these products could be financed and the customer encouraged to look (listen) around at leisure.

Last year I bought a Yamaha AVR. Why? Because the large-scale retailer who sold it to me allowed me to pay it off in 8 easy installments. As an end-result I hardly felt it at all and will not feel bad when I proceed to trade it in for a high-end product. See how the evolution starts?

Very well put Particleman. Quite a few pointers for the dealers of hi-end audio to look at in your post to increase sales.