Engaging (with People)
Usually an adjective used to describe audiophile sound, this time it’s about people. At Audio Advice LIVE 2022, there was a vibe of connection between attendees and exhibitors. Something that I’ve not really seen in other parts of the country. Yes, North Carolina is the same ole’ USA, but regional differences still matter.
Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook
Many times over the Audio Advice LIVE weekend I’d witness a local attendee asking: “Why?”, and variants on that theme through a series of different questions. At times this was testing my patience, but only for a moment or two until I realized — some of these are great questions — and I’d relent and just take note of what’s being said from the exhibitor.
Some exhibitors at hi-fi shows, tending more towards the bespoke side of things, shouldn’t be allowed out of the shop or within earshot of the general public. They aren’t people-people, they are a PR-Nightmare in waiting, they are better left to design and build outstanding audio gear. Everyone has their place in the world
Some exhibitors however, like Jeff Coates and Ricardo Miranda of McIntosh Group are professional orators and educators of all things audio, and I’m here for it.
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Listening (To People)
It’s an important part of the job. It’s great salesmanship, but also — it’s helping.
When a seller helps a buyer with a personalized solution that makes their world better, the seller is helping and everyone wins. It’s a thing to admire.
Listening (To Music)
When it came time to settle down, take seat and spin some vinyl on this turntable we just spent 15-mins talking about in detail, we understood better what was happening deep in the groove, and why the gear matters in that process.
Several of the products on display from Pro-Ject, Rotel, and Sonus faber, were recent winners of the coveted EISA awards in Europe.
Listening to the system, it was easy to see why these well designed (and explained) products were standouts in their category. Including the Lumina III speakers from Sonus faber, which took home an Editor’s Choice Award and Best Value Award from us in 2020.
