We do a show report for most high-end audio shows in North America, including CES and CEDIA, now that it is here in Denver. And we have just done one for the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/index.htm).

So, what is it with the pitiful, PIT-EE-FULL, state of video at audio shows and audio at video shows?

Are humans just natural bigots with respect to their favorite sense: Ears rule! No, eyes rule!. No, ears! No, eyes! Ears! Eyes! ... Nose!

It seems most video people could care less about audio, and vis-a-versa. In fact, it seems many video people think spending money on audio is an almost criminal waste of time and money [and the same can be said of many audio people, too, that they think money is better spent anywhere else than on video gear - but the video people are WAY more vocal about it, certainly here on this board :-). Then again, audio people can just completely ignore video, whereas video people have to do SOMETHING about audio unless they really like silent movies... a LOT].

What is up with this?

The video at CEDIA [and at CES], is awesome. A feast for the eyes. The audio sucks, though sometimes it is just horrible.

Here, I collected the photos of all the the video systems shown at RMAF this year:

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/report/500/Floor2/IMG_0360.jpg

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/report/500/Floor2/IMG_0357.jpg

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/report/500/Floor5/IMG_0604.jpg

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/report/500/EvenMoreFloor5/IMG_0757.jpg

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifiing/2007/RMAF2007/report/500/Floor4/IMG_0839.jpg

Many aren't on and one is showing the playstation startup screen. Yes, it is indeed an audio show, But all audio / video shows that focus on audio are like this.

It is not that any of these shows have horrendous equipment. Sometimes, in fact, it is the opposite.

But the lack of love. The lack of attention to detail. The lack of thought. The lack of giving a hoot about video if you are an audio geek and audio if you are a video geek makes A / V setups, at least at shows, really suck.

There is an, oh, how shall we put it...maybe we should be blunt: Incredibly Lucrative Opportunity here if someone with the wherewithal wants to stop being myopic and apply themselves a little.

Actually, we are in a steady-state here with the two polarized camps. But as soon as someone does the marriage of these two senses successfully, almost everyone will have to follow suit.

Either that or we continue in this slow as molassus process as audio gets a wee bit better, inch by inch, each year in video-focused systems as monster cables get a little bit better and video getting better, Sony price-cut by Sony price-cut, each year (month!) in audio-focused systems.

Justacoder, those setups don't look terrible. What was the main problems you heard in those rooms???

Very Interesting "OP" comments about the shows.

Personally never been to even one show so maybe I have not really missed all that much according to the "OP" comments.

I wonder if there will be other Post here from other members on AVS that have went to the same shows ?????????

Terry

It's my understanding that RMAF is a 2-channel, high-end audio event. And in recent years, two channel audio has been taking a back seat to HT and multi-channel audio. Frankly, I'm glad there is an outlet that caters to 2-channel audio enthusiest. It's still the best format for listening to music IMO. I love my HT as well. But there are plenty of other shows that cover the video stuff. Hopefully, RMAF will remain a mostly 'no holds barred', hidiously priced, extremely engineered, 2-channel event. I mean, come on... do you really think that you can get a pair Acapella Triolon Excalibur's to work well in a HT situation?;)

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff282/rutgar/NewImage.jpg

And BTW, that odd white thing in the corner behind the speaker is a room treatment on steroids!:cool:

First, the thesis here is that it would be nice if the two worlds of high-end audio and high-end video would merge in a satisfying way once in a while at shows. And since they do not at shows I wonder how well they merge satisfactorily anywhere at all.

Yes, two-channel audio does not need video, so they (we) can just ignore it. But video needs audio, and people in general like both - so.... why not put them together correctly? We're not video experts but we are learning... and some of you here are definitively experts.

Over the several years that we had the Triolons I don't remember putting them into the video system. But all the other speakers that we have had thru here have been and the Marten Coltrane Supremes are next... as soon as we figure out whether the VW60 or old VW100 is the best bet for a room that has the lights of the Colorado front range laid out like a carpet as permanent ambient lighting.

http://www.audiofederation.com/dealership/now-playing/IMG_0851.jpg
:-)

Take care,
Mike.