Sounding Off at EHX

One of the knocks that I hear from audiophile community about custom installation is that it does not focus enough on the audio.

It’s my belief that a vast majority of the systems installed by CE pros are reflective of their clients’ desires, but that’s not to say there isn’t some validity to the audiophile genre’s claim.

As a whole I also believe that installers should be offering quality audio systems, especially in today’s economy where video is marginalized to the point where it’s practically a loss leader for most businesses.

Installers that share my opinion about filling in those revenue gaps with audio, and are interested in learning more about audio should investigate the happenings at EHX this week in sunny Orlando.

EHX Spring once again plays host to Demo Alley, which is an exclusive area of the show in which many of the top A/V companies demonstrate their products to attendees in a live system environment.

This year’s show features exhibitors such as THIEL Audio, Bryston, XLO, B&K, Sherwood, Monitor Audio, Straight Wire and Earthquake Sound in Demo Alley, as well as companies like Russound, Sencore, Elan and SpeakerCraft.

Personally, I am always excited to see what THIEL Audio, Monitor and Bryston are doing and I always make a point to see these manufacturers at every show. This year I think it will be interesting to see what these companies are doing to help installers combat the economy and the general malaise that’s hanging over the entire audio industry.

I am also curious to see what B&K and Sherwood will be doing in Demo Alley, and how Russound will be showing its retrofittable Collage system at the show.

Based on the ratio of audio exhibitors vs. total exhibitors at the show, a case could be made that EHX offers more audio than any other electronics trade event and the highlight of its audio emphasis is Demo Alley and its exhibitors.

Now it’s time for attendees to take advantage of the opportunity to experience these brands and to ask these manufacturers how they can help their businesses.

Live Music Begins Wednesday

I’ve been wearing a CE Pro EHX All-Star Band marketing hat for quite some time to help promote a project I’ve been a part of.

The band as some already know is scheduled to play on Thursday night in the Valencia D Hall in the convention center.

However, prior to that show, the band will be playing at Club 57 West in Orlando on Wednesday March 24 at 9 p.m. If you are in town and looking to have a few frosties before a week of education, product demonstrations and show floor meandering come out to the club and see us.