Tampa Audio Expo 2022


Just got back from this show today. I have been to dozens of RMAF, CES, T.H.E. shows, and others, and I have to say, this show was the worst, both on quality of sound and # of rooms that participated. We were done listening to all the rooms by early afternoon. My flight took longer than this, and I have another day to kill before leaving. There were some nice rooms that we spent more time in: MBL, Von Schweikert, Black Ice, Fink, and BØRRESEN. In the past, we would spend 3 days at a show because you went back 2x or more to the rooms you liked or it took more time to go thru all the rooms.

Hopefully next year will be better.

p05129

People are now posting various Youtube videos of the different rooms and setups to get an idea of what was there.  Seemed like there were few people sitting in chairs in some of these rooms, or maybe they filmed early or later in the show. Good to see a show going after a 2yr stall...Some new amps and new speakers popping up.  

My take:  the turnout was decent… maybe 1000 people on Friday. The rooms were not crowded so it was easy to make requests. The hosts were friendly and there was time to talk. Some rooms were a little bright but generally I found the sound to be pretty good.  The presentations by WallyTools were excellent. 
 

Thanks and congrats to Bart, the other organizers and all the sponsors for coming and for setting up some very nice exhibits. 

I will agree with the OP. There were more bad rooms than good. Most sounded mid fi at best. 

For this event, I really feel sorry for the organizer and vendors.

It wasn’t as fun and excited as 2017 RMAF and I think it did show on EV1’s faces?

There were as few rooms as my local Lonestar Audio Show in Dallas- that’s bad.
Well, I got myself a brief pep talk and a selfie with Jay Audio and we thought it was hilarious. Great guy indeed.

Chicago Audio Show is in April if anyone interest.

This was my 1st Tampa audio expo and I agree with a couple of other people here that it didn't have the sound quality that other shows have had, especially for the price. For example, only a few years ago at RMAF, a pair of $6000 totems would have been in the top 5 of the best sounding rooms at this audio show. I also liked the systems on the 2nd floor. I was listening to many speaker systems that were mid fi at best that cost anywhere from $30k to $100k+ that a pair of Revel Salon 2's/Studio 2's or Wilson $20k/$30k speakers would have blown them out of the water for 1/2 the price. 

I was also disappointed on the number of rooms showing equipment. I'm guessing each floor averaged 4 rooms that were demostrating.