Windsor Show

Posted by: forBarry on 30 October 2016

So who went to the show at Windsor this weekend?  And what we're your impressions?

My headlines: -

Disappointments - I couldn't believe how poor the Chord/Kef Muon system sounded. After a few seconds my companion and I looked at each other and simultaneously said "Wow! That's dreadful." Such legendary components from such well respected manufacturers just sounded dull and boring. Frankly the LS50'S in the room next door sounded much better.  The other disappointment  (and I guess you'll all hate me for this) was the Naim/Focal room. Now I have heard all the components before so I know what they are capable of. (NDS, 552, 500 and Focal Soprano 3) And I have even heard the exact same system before and it sounded majestic. But yesterday something was amiss. The room certainly didn't help. The bare walls seemed to make it very echoey (if that's a word!) Being a long term Naim user and fan I actually felt somewhat embarrassed on their behalf!

On the other hand some exhibitors rose above the show conditions to produce some great musical sounds. Absolute Sounds can be somewhat hit or miss at shows. But yesterday their Metronome/Constellation/Magico demo hit the spot. Before the demo Ricardo went around spraying a fig scented mist into the air - but if anyone is going to claim THAT makes music sound better I shall have to hit them with a rock!  Others that stood out for me were the Kronos/Audio Analogue/Raidho system and the ever reliable Audio Note room. Actually I thought the overall standard was rather above average this time.

One more thing - I'm not very keen on the rather gloomy venue.

Please let me hear your experiences and, of course, tell me (why) I'm wrong. ;-)

 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by Graham Russell

Interesting, I was there yesterday and I thought the Chord/Kef system sounded great. They were playing CDs from punters in the audience. I remember a track from Depeche Mode Ultra sounding stunning. I'm not sure about the silver plating finish on the speakers though

But I do agree that the Naim/Focal system was pretty terrible - harsh and unrefined.

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by hungryhalibut

I've never read a positive report about a Naim/Focal system at a Hifi show. Surely it can't be the room to blame every time? How come other manufacturers seem able to deliver a good sound at these shows? I have to confess that I have never attended a Hifi show, and every time I feel vaguely tempted, these sorts of reports put me off again. 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by nigelb

I thought the Naim/Focal demo at the last Bristol show was one of the better ones I have heard but I think that it was because it was the Sopra 2 that was used, a much better match to Naim gear (and the restrictions of Show demo rooms) than some of the huge Focals I have heard at other shows.

The Audiobarn hosted a rather wonderful demo of various Naim amps and the Sopra 1s and 2s about a year ago and it all sounded rather good.

Sorry to the OP for the slight diversion. 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by The Strat (Fender)
nigelb posted:

I thought the Naim/Focal demo at the last Bristol show was one of the better ones I have heard but I think that it was because it was the Sopra 2 that was used, a much better match to Naim gear (and the restrictions of Show demo rooms) than some of the huge Focals I have heard at other shows.

The Audiobarn hosted a rather wonderful demo of various Naim amps and the Sopra 1s and 2s about a year ago and it all sounded rather good.

Sorry to the OP for the slight diversion. 

Yes I was at the same demo at the Audiobarn - the Focala I doubt would be my speaker of choice but still sounded excellent. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by KRM

I agree with NigelB, the Bristol show sounded pretty good with the Sopra 2s.

Keith

 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by wenger2015

I visited the Naim demo room 3 times at the Bristol show,  everything sounded very good apart from possibly the 500 series, which didn't deliver the wow I was expecting  , interestingly each time the presentation started the poor acoustics of the room were mentioned.... 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by Pcd

The Sopra 2s did sound good at the Bristol show particularly on the end of the Nap 300dr also very impressed on how well they sounded being driven by the 250dr.

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by wenger2015
Pcd posted:

The Sopra 2s did sound good at the Bristol show particularly on the end of the Nap 300dr also very impressed on how well they sounded being driven by the 250dr.

+1 

Posted on: 30 October 2016 by Chag...

And, and, and nothing to report on the new Uniti line, and in particular the Core? :/

Chag -

Posted on: 31 October 2016 by forBarry
Chag... posted:

And, and, and nothing to report on the new Uniti line, and in particular the Core? :/

Chag -

Hi Chag

Disappointingly there was no sign of the new Uniti line - unless there was a second Naim room that I missed. (Interestingly Focal was the only name on the door of the Naim/Focal room. Which may or may not be significant.)

Posted on: 31 October 2016 by forBarry
Hungryhalibut posted:

I've never read a positive report about a Naim/Focal system at a Hifi show. Surely it can't be the room to blame every time? How come other manufacturers seem able to deliver a good sound at these shows? I have to confess that I have never attended a Hifi show, and every time I feel vaguely tempted, these sorts of reports put me off again. 

There was  TAD system in the same room last year which I thought had the best sound of the whole show! So it is clearly POSSIBLE to have good sound in there.

Posted on: 31 October 2016 by forBarry
Graham Russell posted:

Interesting, I was there yesterday and I thought the Chord/Kef system sounded great. They were playing CDs from punters in the audience. I remember a track from Depeche Mode Ultra sounding stunning. I'm not sure about the silver plating finish on the speakers though

But I do agree that the Naim/Focal system was pretty terrible - harsh and unrefined.

Gosh! That's amazing. The only thing I can say about the Chord/KEF room is that I didn't stay very long. So I suppose it's possible that they just happened to be playing a terrible cd!

Posted on: 31 October 2016 by al9315

I was not at the Windsor Show - but did attend the Bristol & Indulgence Shows

Well aware the rooms are far from ideal, plus everyone talking etc. BUT

the only speakers I have heard (which I cannot afford) walking from room to room that just sounded great, were Kudos Titans playing vinyl, to me they were just not there, surely the best recommendation of all ?

Heard SL2s recently as well - gorgeous !!!

Posted on: 31 October 2016 by Dustysox

I "hopped" along yesterday! I use the term "hop" as I felt like i was in a rabbit warren. Bit of a maze to get around. I only decided yesterday to go, and felt £22 entry a tad expensive...yeah i know... how much did ya spend on your Naim kit Dusty!!!!!

First stop was the B & W dem which i really enjoyed. A thoroughly interesting and entertaining dem. Loved the speakers  who wouldn't at £22K? Good choice of music as well.

Next I stumbled into the Kef/Chord dem. This i really enjoyed,contrary to my esteemed colleagues above. The Kef speakers were enormous. When I was in there they were nicely producing Jackson Browne "Sergio Leone" to a rather high standard. What was annoying me was the "funeral" music coming from the next room which was so loud it might of "woken" the dead. See what i did......!!!! Imagine my surprise to walk in there and find a "baby" pair of LS50's which I had not heard before. If i were starting out again this could well be the route I would go down. Active small speakers on stands with an ethernet connection and a server. Simple as is...Forrest Gump style!! They really worked well, on any genre...not just "funeral stuff"!!!!

I "hopped" around the other stands which didn't capture me as much, I guess i peaked too soon!!! In all honesty i was a bit disappointed with the Naim/Focal room. Rather shabby and no real presence giving no real wow factor when one walked in. Having said that i did enjoy the Doors through the Focal speakers. I thought it would of been a good "window" to show case the new Naim stuff, sadly not.

Came home played some stuff through mine and thought changes/upgrades not at the mo...not for the next few hours anyways!!!!

My memory fades as quickly as my hair these days and if i remember more i will put finger to keyboard!