Volume and Bass levels at LA HE Show

I had a simlilar experience with some Sunfire gear at a high end shop. My thinking was that they didnt think i knew anything about hifi, therefore the louder the better. My brother and myself walked out saying "well that was a waste." It wasnt just loud it was cranked, ear damaging levels in my opinion.

Yeah, but were you in the MBL room when they had Metallica on "11"....Dang that was fun. I had no idea such "delicate" looking speakers could rock!!! And I am not that much of a rocker.....anymore.....

John

MBL loves to crank their gear, and it usually sounds incredible at those ear splitting volumes.... At last years HE show, I had to leave the show and go have a beer to let my ears rest after being in that room!

When I walked in, MBL had some electric blues playing at ear splitting levels. The speakers were clearly overloading the room on the bottom end. That said, it rocked. Alas, I ,too, am no longer a headbanger.

BTW, of all the stupidly loud, bass heavy demos, this was the only one that impressed me to any meaningful degree.

First off, I think 80% of the rooms far too small for the systems being demo'd. Second, they were msotly bare except the few who had sufficient room treatments - Brooks Berdan, Acoustic Image, etc.

Also, exhibitors have to compete with hallway noise/talk and music/bass from rooms on all sides. Each time one of them turns it up a little, all others down the hall recipricate. Then, people in the hallways have to talk louder to be heard and the cycle starts over again.

It would be extremely foolish to form any opinion about any component unless you live in a hotel. Home environments have almost nothing in common.

Remember, most exhibitors have never even set foot in the rooms prior to the show and then only have a few hours to try and create "magic". I think shows are more for seeing the actual product in person and gauging it's fit & finish, than judging it's potential capabilities. It's also great to meet the people behind the designs, most are really great to talk to.