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RMAF Etiquette

I have only attended RMAF once in 2014, however, I found it very difficult to evaluate systems due to background noise. The majority of times I would try and listen to a room I found the vendor speaking loudly to attendees/friends. I understand the need to speak to somehow because this is a social gathering of sorts, however, i found it very difficult to hear the equipment. I cannot be the only person that has experienced this problem. My hope is that people may read this and think before they start a conversation in a listening room at RMAF. I am very hopeful to find some new loudspeakers this year and be able to do so in in relative silence.
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thom_at_galibier_design's avatar
thom_at_galibier_design
729 posts
 
The sad reality of every audio show I’ve exhibited at is that putting on a worthwhile demo is extremely challenging due to the noise bleeding through from the hallways.

Exhibitors for the most part leave their doors open to welcome attendees (and to not collapse from the heat).

Couple this with the bad show citizens (exhibitors) who seem compelled to partake in volume wars and we have a recipe for disaster.

An after hours demo is your best chance, but realize that exhibiting is a physically demanding experience and many exhibitors need a break after show hours. Additionally, they likely schedule off hours to network and collaborate.

The noise floor is one reason I stopped exhibiting. I now have more time to network at the show.

Onhwy61 said it best:

An audio show isn’t a place for serious listening any more than an auto show is a place to test drive a car. It’s a meet and greet, industry and friends event intended to showcase product. It’s really about manufacturers and distributor/dealers with the public there to help defray the costs. Use it to narrow down what you want to seriously listen to at a dealer.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design
inna
7,296 posts
 
If you need more than one minute under just about any conditions to initially evaluate the sound of the system - it is no good for you. No, not a place for critical listening, but as others have said that's not the goal of the shows. Just like a great live performance - people can talk or scream, and it will be distractive, but you will know that the performance is great.
enliten
44 posts
 
"Either way I always enjoy the show, I just wish it was a different venue than the DenTech Marriott. Parking and elevator accommodations are much less than favorable."
This year  DenTech Marriott will be the big issue as they have not completed the renovations in time.
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