[Click]

While it's perfectly well and good to get to meet in person, I do think there's something to be said for the fact that it feels like there have been more posts this year about the NYC event itself rather than the gear. I wasn't there but I hope the noise didn't have such a huge impact that people couldn't properly demo stuff.

I think most of the CanJam vets go to CanJam primarily to socialize. Trying out new gear is secondary to most of them, because they've already tried or owned everything there before.

Newbies to CanJam are there mainly to try out gear. Most don't even post their feedback or opinions of things they tried out. They just go to CJ, listen to stuff, and that's that.

Noise was definitely a big problem for those of us that wanted to demo headphones properly. It was impossible for me, so I stuck with trying out only IEMs.

 

[betula]

I know noise is unavoidable at conventions, but the intensity and loudness of the noise can definitely be mitigated and lessened if staff simply asks attendees to be more quiet and respectful to those trying to demo products, which is the main reason to even have an audiophile show to begin with. Vets who have owned or heard most of the stuff at CJs mainly go to socialize and talk all day and night. New comers like me want to try out all of the gear we've only read about and seen online, but we can't do it when there's so much loud noise around us.

I'm not asking for a silent room, because that'd be weird, boring, and too strict, but I also don't want to experience how insanely loud it was on Saturday afternoon again. It was just unbearable. Left early Sunday before late afternoon, because I didn't want to deal with that again. Couldn't even properly demo any headphones this CanJam because of how loud it was, including the side rooms. Tried to demo at the headphones.com table and Audeze table, but it was a hopeless endeavor. Even the ZMF room was too loud to demo the Caldera closed back. Forget about trying out any open back headphones.

If there were no IEMs at CanJam, I would've been so disappointed and never want to go back to another CJ again.

To me it sounds like, this NY CanJam was particularly crowded. My last CanJam was London last year and while it was noisy, I was still able to try most stuff, although not under the most ideal conditions. One way forward would be to limit the number of attendees, but that is not really good for anyone. Another idea is to create a separate room for socialising and keep the exhibition as quiet as possible potentially with some signs up.

 

[Click]

To me it sounds like, this NY CanJam was particularly crowded. My last CanJam was London last year and while it was noisy, I was still able to try most stuff, although not under the most ideal conditions. One way forward would be to limit the number of attendees, but that is not really good for anyone. Another idea is to create a separate room for socialising and keep the exhibition as quiet as possible potentially with some signs up.

Yes, CJ NYC '24 was definitely crowded. It was fine early in the morning until about 1-2 in the afternoon. But the later it got, the more crowded and unbearably loud it got.

I hope a good solution is found to accommodate and please both the people there who want to socialize and those who want to audition.

 

[szore]

I was surprised at the noise and the lines to audition. To be honest I did not have a good time this year at all, but there were subway shenanigans to deal with, and I was a little hungover with about 2 hours sleep, so I was miserable the few hours I was here.... but, yeah, it was packed....

 

[jamato8]

I was surprised at the noise and the lines to audition. To be honest I did not have a good time this year at all, but there were subway shenanigans to deal with, and I was a little hungover with about 2 hours sleep, so I was miserable the few hours I was here.... but, yeah, it was packed....

I notice that common courtesy is sadly lacking. People have no regard for others all too often. They are this way in restaurants and most any where they assemble. People often are loud and don't care about the impact to others. Especially at an event where you are trying to hear something like at CanJam or anywhere else. Decorum has left the building.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

While it's perfectly well and good to get to meet in person, I do think there's something to be said for the fact that it feels like there have been more posts this year about the NYC event itself rather than the gear. I wasn't there but I hope the noise didn't have such a huge impact that people couldn't properly demo stuff.

This was an amazing CanJam. I have been to quite a few of them over the past few years. What was different this time is how many vendors were there in addition to how many people were listening at all times. I am in the camp where I only listen to the newer products that I haven't heard yet. I spend about an equal amount of time talking to people in a social setting to listening to products. Now, I do a lot more a/b testing of products that I have heard before with the newer products to get more than superficial initial impressions. For instance, I was very interested in hearing the new Mason FS Soleil and I spent time a/b/c testing it with Amber Pearl and Red Halo. This gives me a more realistic impression of the new set. I find this is a great way to make use of your time if you are fortunate enough to attend multiple CanJams per year. The gear is important, but it is the people that keep me coming back for more.

This has always puzzled me about the shows. When I read reports I often see comments like “could not properly evaluate under show conditions”.. Then I wonder, what is the purpose of the show lol… But I guess it is about social interaction as well. I really enjoyed my first and only (so far) CANJAM in New York 2020. But it is something for the CJ folks to think about, quiet rooms for open backs, for example. Should be possible to organize.

The CanJam circuit is much more than the actual 2 days of the show. It is as much about listening in private rooms, outside shops and set ups people bring into their apartment or private suites. The first time I heard AIC-10, for instance, was in Socal on a noisy show floor. It was good enough where it got on my radar. Then, in Dallas, John Marshall set up a suite that featured the AIC-10 along with many other products. I heard it in the quiet of a private suite and heard it the way I would at home. I immediately ordered one right after that. In Dallas, it was a smaller show, so there was a sitting area where we all got together to listen to IEMs and cable roll. It was a great way to listen to products. In Socal, @eskamobob1 got a beach house and set up a full demo room with high end desktop set ups. In Singapore, we took a side trip to Jaben SG and Zeppelin. In New York, we went to Audio 46, EyalJam on the upper east side and HangerJam in PA. So, each venue has its strengths and weaknesses and what you learn is like when you go to Disney World a few times. You learn where to go at what times of year and what times of the day to get an optimized experience. It pays to go to many shows. So, when you get to a CanJam, find out where the private parties are and become friends with people who can invite you to one of these events. It really enhances your experience.

This can all sound a bit intimidating I know. So, if it is your first CanJam, just try to get to know a few people really well and enjoy it together. That will lead to everything I mentioned above in as much as you want to enjoy it. CanJam people are very open with sharing their impressions and wanting you to hear something they really love because they don't get other people at home that share their enthusiasm. This place is it. You don't need to explain to anyone why you have 10 headphones and 4 amps, or 5 DAPs and 12 IEMs. We all understand. So, just reach out and embrace it and you will be rewarded for it.

 

[michael2v]

Funniest thing I saw was all the girl friends and wives standing around staring at their wrist watches...

Sounds like the “daddy daycare” area in most stores at the mall…

 

[Click]

Funniest thing I saw was all the girl friends and wives standing around staring at their wrist watches...

I met a very friendly couple at the Effect Audio table whom are both audiophiles. The wife told me her husband got her into it and now she's hooked too.

They both asked me about my IEM and cables I was trying out, and seemed very engaged and passionate about finding new products to try out and own.

But yeah, not a lot of female audiophiles out there, sadly. I only saw a few at CanJam and it was like finding a unicorn.

 

[chrisnyc75]

Or perhaps a dedicated member of staff could just quietly walk around with a stick and give a gentle smack on the bum of the loudest participants.

Joke aside, noise unfortunately is somewhat unavoidable on events like CanJam. Even if you just count the polite conversations going on between vendors and visitors, that quiet murmur in a big hall adds up and becomes noise. That said, certainly a large percentage of conversations could be taken outside, and there is always one or two people, who are just so unaware of others being around, that they talk loudly right next to you when you are trying to listen to some long-awaited headphones.

Next year I'm just going to yell "SHHHHHHHHHH! BE QUIET, I'M LISTENING!" and I'm sure that will do the trick.

 

[Hofy]

We need a Can Jam in Chicago again. This time not on a weekend I have an event in action already.

 

[G8torbyte]

Next year I'm just going to yell "SHHHHHHHHHH! BE QUIET, I'M LISTENING!" and I'm sure that will do the trick.

You'll probably get a lot of Jersey natives reply with "Hey youse, fahgettaboudit!"
I'm not from NJ originally but been here long enough to adapt.

 

[chrisnyc75]

You'll probably get a lot of Jersey natives reply with "Hey youse, fahgettaboudit!"
I'm not from NJ originally but been here long enough to adapt.

lol 100%

The incoming tourists might stop for a moment or two, if only to contemplate what they just heard, but the locals wouldn't skip a beat. "F OFF." lol

 

[Roasty]

I'm really hoping there will be more full size headphone and desktop gear/source/amp reports and reviews coming!

 

[OnlySoMany]

Really interested in the ZMF decware. Been hearing good things.

 

[G8torbyte]

Really interested in the ZMF decware. Been hearing good things.

Had some time on it at CanJam with an Atrium Open and it was heavenly.

@goldwerger provided an excellent review of the collaboration unit: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/decware-reference-zmf-otl.969513/