A poor man's audio show review

My local audio dealer told me that neither of the two stereo mags would be reporting from the Costa Mesa audio show, which I attended in June, which is formally called T.H.E. (Total HiFi Experience) Show SoCal,¹ so I thought I would step in and give it a quick-and-dirty review from the perspective of regular Joe Audiophile rather than that of the polished, professional reporters Stereophile usually sends.

- BY ROY MIDYETT

I attended T.H.E. Show because my wife asked me to get out of the house for three days. It's not what it sounds like. Her sister wanted to stay at our place so that she—the sister—could get a break from her—the sister's—husband. “The only thing that could get me out of my own house for three days is an audio show,” I told her. I guess I have my wife's sister's husband to thank.

So where do I start? How about parking? Show reviewers never seem to cover parking,² and I think it's really important. I mean, if you can't find parking, or it costs too much, then it's T.H.E. NO-Show for you!

The parking at the Hilton Costa Mesa was okay, and I got a discount. Actually, all the attendees got a discount. I managed to find an underground spot way off in a corner, with no visible section markings. So at first I couldn't remember how to get back to my car. It was a bit scary.

I didn't stay at the Hilton, where the show itself took place. I booked a tiny room at the local “Motel X”—you know the one. The batteries were dead in the TV remote, the cold water was hot, the hot water was cold, and the WiFi didn't work. It's not T.H.E. Show's fault. My wife said it was my fault. I blame her brother-in-law.