I know it's nothing to do with the quality of the equipment, but sometimes the reps at these shows make such a huge difference.
Case in point: Cognoscenti Hifi (room 308) rep was amazingly helpful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and accommodating (he let me put my own CD on their system, even after it was clear I couldn't afford any of their kit). The people at Henley Designs (room 207) were great too, welcoming and very honest and helpful. Same for Dynaudio (room 113), absolutely great experience in there.
The flipside are the disinterested or condescending reps. I mean, I know I'm a young(ish) girl who can't rattle off full specs of every piece of kit in the room, and I know I don't have as much cash to chuck away as many of the other people there today but there's no need for comments like "I won't bother telling you the technicalities because it'll just go over your head". What the hell? I was actually really interested in that set but pretty much walked straight out the door after that.
Any one else notice any themes with the reps and presenting staff at these events?
Case in point: Cognoscenti Hifi (room 308) rep was amazingly helpful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and accommodating (he let me put my own CD on their system, even after it was clear I couldn't afford any of their kit). The people at Henley Designs (room 207) were great too, welcoming and very honest and helpful. Same for Dynaudio (room 113), absolutely great experience in there.
The flipside are the disinterested or condescending reps. I mean, I know I'm a young(ish) girl who can't rattle off full specs of every piece of kit in the room, and I know I don't have as much cash to chuck away as many of the other people there today but there's no need for comments like "I won't bother telling you the technicalities because it'll just go over your head". What the hell? I was actually really interested in that set but pretty much walked straight out the door after that.
Any one else notice any themes with the reps and presenting staff at these events?