[ad_1]
Excessive-end audio has a slightly vivid future if it learns something from what transpired this weekend in NYC. Lengthy stay Head-Fi. Those that take exception to that assertion weren’t current at CanJam NYC 2023 this weekend. Having lined greater than 100 shopper A/V reveals going again to 1998, I’m keen to name the “Bedlam on Broadway” this weekend the very best Hello-Fi present I’ve ever attended for a myriad of causes.
CanJam NYC 2022 was the primary of its variety within the post-pandemic world, however apart from the venue and metropolis — the 2023 NYC CanJam was a totally completely different occasion.
I left New Jersey at 7 a.m in order that I may very well be one of many first inside at 10 a.m on a really chilly Jersey Shore morning. NJ Transit had different plans. Nothing like a 45-minute delay within the chilly on the uncovered Lengthy Department prepare platform.
CanJam’s Ethan Opolion and I’ve been buddies for years and he regarded barely bemused after I got here off the escalator on the sixth flooring — 5 minutes after the present had already began.
“It’s already nuts inside,” he remarked as we shook arms.
“It simply began,” I replied.
“This yr is completely different,” he shot again.
Bedlam on Broadway
CanJam occasions can appear and feel very busy as a result of the present exhibitors often cram the occasion into a big ballroom or collection of huge resort rooms on a number of flooring. The 2020 NYC CanJam befell solely weeks earlier than the COVID lockdowns and the absence of Chinese language firms was an enormous loss to the present and it left quite a lot of empty tables within the ballroom. The present wasn’t an enormous success.
Skip forward to 2022 and we had a comparatively good present even with the masks, sanitizer, and COVID testing. Some individuals received sick through the present and post-event, but it surely was nonetheless a welcome return to regular life for a lot of the distributors and attendees. Russia had simply invaded Ukraine and I spent the hour earlier than the present with the Meze Audio crew who had made it in from Romania. Meze’s manufacturing companions are primarily based in Lviv, Ukraine, and a number of the workers had already been conscripted into the military to combat within the battle.
Meze Audio didn’t have a sales space at CanJam NYC 2023 which was stunning, however their headphones had been getting used all around the present.
No person actually knew what to anticipate this weekend, however to say that the attendance on Saturday was document breaking for any CanJam occasion could be understating it.
Having attended 8 CanJams over the previous 7 years and lots of extra Head-Fi occasions in several elements of the nation, it’s develop into very clear that our trade has an “enthusiasm” hole.
What do you imply Ian? Did you not see the crowds final weekend in Tampa? So many older white males got here to hearken to the identical merchandise that you simply guys write about. All of you. Each single journal.
Having attended shopper A/V reveals for nearly 25 years — none of them in comparison with the enthusiastic sea of humanity that descended on #CanJamNYC2023 on Saturday.
White, Indian, Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Muslim Ladies in Hijabs.
25-45 year-olds who love music. However not the way in which we’ve bought it for the previous 4 a long time. The strains had been infinite yesterday, so I took benefit of the time to ask questions.
Why are you right here? What do you personal? What would you purchase sooner or later?
“Neighborhood.”
“I need to take my music with me.”
“Excessive-end audio merchandise are too costly and don’t enchantment to me.”
“Extra headphones.”
“Desktop amplifiers and DACs.”
“Wi-fi loudspeakers.”
Concentrate producers. If you happen to suppose these persons are the long run consumers of your $40,000 amplifiers and audio system — suppose once more.
Some will. The bulk don’t share your views.
Some will argue with me that the Head-Fi crowd are only a large clique of Millennials who simply need to get pleasure from music as a solitary pursuit and that they’ll finally see the sunshine and purchase enormous stacks of high-end tools.
The previous 5 a long time of audiophiles have been predominantly males who needed a “solitary” listening expertise.
These enormous stacks of high-end tools are happening their desks.
Together with the superior dCS stack.
Associated Studying:
[ad_2]
