[G8torbyte]

I don't think that is true. It is just a very difficult problem. I would suggest to try to have a separate area with food and drinks (for sale) for hanging out. That might be enough to quiet things in the main hall and side rooms a bit.

There is plenty of room in the area outside of the show floor entrance. That might be a good compromise.

I agree. I think the only realistic solution is to set up areas with seating and food outside of the show floor to encourage people to gather outside of the show room. Fewer people in the room would result in less noise. Also, they can put some vendor tables out there as well. Maybe room density is also a contributor to the issue.

Yeah, that is probably the reason.

Gotta get that $$$ from CanJammers / hotel guests. Their Starbucks is so overpriced and had terrible food. $15+ for a small orange juice and awful breakfast sandwich.

All very true. The lobby-like area around the elevator had plenty of room but no sitting chairs or benches just standing tables. My wife needed to get off her feet while I hit a a few more vendor tables. She could only find a seat in the ladies room. That should be an easy fix for next time. I saw Mytek Audio had to set up a table outside the main hall but probably because there was not enough space?

Found a nice little coffee shop a short walk down the block for nice lattes. Friendly folks and loved the rum infused coffee beans:

 

[Andrewteee]

The CanJams seem to be getting more and more popular (sadly, I've never been - come to San Francisco/Berkeley/Oakland!). I'm sure the producers are learning as they grow. They don't want to stretch too far, but I suspect some evolutionary updates are in order (depending on location).

Hifi shows (two channel) probably have some of the same issues, but since systems are generally in separate hotel rooms once the music starts most people get quiet and listen, though I've heard of complaints of people talking while music is playing.

That could be a solution - reserve a block of hotel rooms that vendors reserve. You could manage the lines/chatter by having folks line up outside the room - this would be up to the vendor. This also enables "hallway" conversations that don't interrupt anyone's music listening. Larger vendors can use conf rooms.

 

[betula]

Then there'll be a little less attendees, which is a very good thing because it was too crowded this year.

It is not good for the hobby's long-term future if we limit the number of attendees by high(er) ticket prices. Afterall purchase power supports innovation which we all benefit from. Even people who can afford Head-Fi gear but are new to the hobby, might rethink a visit based on a higher ticket price. CanJam has to be available for as many people as possible, so I think the solution lies elsewhere. Probably most people would be fine with a little price increase if that translates to a better (quieter) experience, but the ticket price has to be carefully considered and cannot be the only solution.

 

[Click]

It is not good for the hobby's long-term future if we limit the number of attendees by high(er) ticket prices. Afterall purchase power supports innovation which we all benefit from. Even people who can afford Head-Fi gear but are new to the hobby, might rethink a visit based on a higher ticket price. CanJam has to be available for as many people as possible, so I think the solution lies elsewhere. Probably most people would be fine with a little price increase if that translates to a better (quieter) experience, but the ticket price has to be carefully considered and cannot be the only solution.

I didn't bring up ticket prices, you did.

I'm just saying that losing a few attendees who can't/won't shell out a bit more money to have a much better experience is not a bad thing. It's actually a very good thing.

Keeps it less crowded, less noisy, and people will stay longer at the show and be happier.

 

[betula]

I didn't bring up ticket prices, you did.

I'm just saying that losing a few attendees who can't/won't shell out a bit more money to have a much better experience is not a bad thing. It's actually a very good thing.

Keeps it less crowded, less noisy, and people will stay longer at the show and be happier.

I said, most suggestions that came up are likely to lead to higher ticket prices which IMO cannot be the only way to improve show experience. You are not an easy man, Mr Click, but I wish you all the best.

 

[Click]

I said, most suggestions that came up are likely to lead to higher ticket prices which IMO cannot be the only way to improve show experience. You are not an easy man, Mr Click, but I wish you all the best.

I don't see how it'll cost too much more money, or any extra money at all, to set up a few more tables, seats, and small refreshments areas outside of the main rooms, that won't conflict with hotel agreements (or make new agreements/arrangements).

I'm not trying to be difficult or contrarian, I just don't understand how any suggestions to improving CJ for next year keep getting met with "yeah buts" that aren't even logical or reasonable.

 

[chrisnyc75]

There's always the option to move to a less expensive location. Plenty of convention space in NYC or even Newark, NJ.

I think people still generally won't go to Newark, although now that PATH goes there it's gentrifying fast. The problem is you have to go 3+ hours outside the city before prices start getting anywhere near reasonable.

 

[BassicScience]

While I think noise levels and show etiquette are very worthy topics of discussion, it seems to have run away with the thread at this point. May I suggest that the mods set up a separate thread in which to discuss CanJam etiquette, logistics, and general suggestions?

 

[Click]

I think people still generally won't go to Newark, although now that PATH goes there it's gentrifying fast. The problem is you have to go 3+ hours outside the city before prices start getting anywhere near reasonable.

Ya, it's just an option. Not saying the best option. But HF staff already made it clear they want next year's CJ NYC at the same venue.

 

[Frankie D]

This is my first CJ. Seeing as how you've been to multiple NYC CJs, were previous years noisy too? Because if staff hasn't done anything for years to try and mitigate the noise, they won't start now.

They are pretty much all the same. Personally, I had no issue hearing the differences amomg IEMs and also among open back HPs. Would they have sounded better in a quiet environment, yes, but not necessary to hear what you like.

 

[Click]

They are pretty much all the same. Personally, I had no issue hearing the differences amomg IEMs and also among open back HPs. Would they have sounded better in a quiet environment, yes, but not necessary to hear what you like.

Lucky you if you had no problems auditioning open back headphones in that environment.

 

[G8torbyte]

@bunnygal23 Outstanding impressions you did on your writeup and very nice photos! I like the way you and @BassicScience jam with the cans!

 

[bunnygal23]

@bunnygal23 Outstanding impressions you did on your writeup and very nice photos! I like the way you and @BassicScience jam with the cans!

I took A LOT of notes so I'm more than happy to give more detailed impressions if anyone might want them, just reach out.

 

[warrenpchi]

What a great show! I know I probably say this about every CanJam, but this one hit on all levels: spectacular new gear, great seminars with industry stars, so many longtime friends, a busy but not hectic pace, and an infectious and pervasive happiness that filled the whole show. CanJam SoCal, later this year, definitely has its work cut-out for it! Just about the only thing that caused me stress were the photos I'm about to post.

Quick Admission: While I've worked with visual mediums all my life, I've never been into photography for some reason. Oh sure, I'll snap a few phone pics once in a while, like everybody else does - but I've never been a shutterbug at all. So when @jude asked me to try shooting some photos at CanJam - and even brought me a company camera to shoot with - I was very nervous about the assignment. Imagine not even knowing enough to know that I screwed up, much less how badly I screwed up? That's me with photography. So, having said that, please be gentle with your criticisms? Trust me, I'm well aware of how big a noob I am here.

---

Even before checking into the hotel, I saw an amazing new gelato place right next door! Apparently it's a chain, and there's a location here in Los Angeles, but I didn't know that at the time. Time permitting, I want to come back when there's a spare moment.

Pre-show check-ins: the time is almost upon us! I've been told that leading lines are a thing? Trying that out here.

First stop, tagging along with @Rockwell75 and @HiFiHawaii808 to present @Chang with The Watercooler's MidFi Product of the Year award, for Nightjar's Singularity. Congratulations Chang!

Next stop: Catching @bogdan belonozhko by surprise with The Watercooler's Product of the Year award, for Fir's Radon 6 IEM. Congratulations Bogdan!

Probably not the most obvious draw of the show, but I always look forward to the latest batch of stickers at ZMF's exhibit. Derpy ginger cat called to me, but I didn't have the heart to deprive somebody else of it. Also, look Ma, shallow depth-of-field!

OMG look at those things! Red isn't my color per se, but I can still appreciate how striking that is.

I made my way over to Campfire's gorgeously Technicolor booth, where I caught up with @bigbeans! I was about to use his sleeve as an out-of-focus foreground element, but then I found his sleeve way more interesting.

The one, the only, Ken Ball (@KB) of Campfire Audio! I think I met Ken at my very first CanJam over a decade ago, before Campfire even existed. Tempus fugit. It was fantastic to see him here, and happy.

Stopped by Eletech hoping to hear the latest incarnation of their prototype IEM, but @Eric Chong was away. At lunch. Again. His third lunch of the day apparently. How does he eat so much and still stay so skinny? I'll come back later.

Speaking of lunch, I went over to see how Bloom was doing in their room, and to steal some Kit Kats. Not surprised to see @Andrew DiMarcangelo, @stephenkostas, and the rest of the Bloom team busily taking care of everybody in their packed room.

While it was probably the least technical seminar of the weekend, it was certainly the most interesting one, to me. Hearing @zach915m and @BooUrns giving out pearls of wisdom, while recounting their own journey with ZMF, was both hilarious and heartwarming at the same time.

Sunday. Finally got my ears around the Eletech prototype with @Rockwell75! Spoiler, it's everything I hoped it would be. Very nicely balanced, impeccably detailed, and incredibly spatially layered - definitely getting this one when it comes out later this year. @HF_Ryan took the camera's reigns for this one and did great IMO - capturing a ton of depth, even though he was only a couple of feet away. And look at that halation! It's nice to see that diffusion filter wasn't a waste of money.

Snuck up on @miceblue getting an audition, with the latest pre-production model of Axel Grell's (@xlcans) upcoming OAE1 headphone with Drop, thus capturing a rare moment when he was actually listening and not shooting photos/videos himself.

Reel-to-Reel made some appearances at CanJam, both in Abyss's room, and here at Metaxas & Sins exhibit. Was a little sad that Kostas didn't make it across the pond, but it looks like he'll be at CanJam London later this year. Had to slow down the shutter speed here to capture the motion blur, but only by so much as the camera didn't have IBIS.

Howdy to the incomparable Blaine LaCross - better known to many of you as Mad Economist. Thanks Blaine, for joining us, and for teaming up with Konstantin (@oratory1990) and Cameron (@GoldenSound) to bring us one of the most enlightening seminars of the show.

Jim (@HiFiHawaii808) was pretty enamored with the pairing of HiFiMAN's Shangri-La Sr. and the "green Viva" all weekend, so it wasn't too difficult capturing him getting confirmation auditions with it.

Probably the most serious I've ever seen him... wonder if he's going to buy that pairing? Also, captured a rare glimpse of the elusive @HF_Ryan, my partner in photographic crime for the weekend.

Emron! It's always great to see him, as he doesn't get a chance to make it to every CanJam. Sometimes he gets called back to dCS HQ for special projects and has to miss the show. This was a frustrating shot as I was trying to include that woman as an out-of-focus foreground element, but she kept moving away, thinking she was in the way of my shot... this was the best I could do.

---

And just like that, the show was over for me. Oh wait, the gelato! A bunch of us finally made it back there.

There's Dylan (on the left) and @third_eye (at the register)!

Yup, that diffusion filter worked out great here!

I had their Limoncello and another flavor labeled simply as "New" without any further hints given. The Limoncello was nicely tart and not too sweet. The "New" turned out to be a white chocolate and raspberry truffle infused with rose water. It was well done, though probably not the best flavor profile for me personally.

 

[emdeevee]

Sorry for the length of this post, and for the amount of pics, but having just arrived home from CanJam NYC, and having spent zero time on my computer or the forum during the event, just plowing from experience to experience, both in the showroom and around it, am just now getting to write this out. Feel free to skip, this will be some incoherent mumbling I'm sure.

This was a truly epic CanJam for me - okay only my second, but I feel confident my senior fellows would agree that a lot, maybe most, of that epicness comes from events that are not in the showroom of CanJam, but would otherwise never occur but for CanJam! So thanks to all of the amazing people who put this thing together (far too many to name!), this was a CanJam for the ages and I feel very excited to return to NYC next year for more fun

First, it was great to see the Big Apple again as it always is! Despite its craziness, this city is alive, even during massive rain downpours, the streets are still packed, especially in Times Square, the scene of the crime!

I arrived too late to join in on the early Watercooler Friday festivities, which are now affectionately known as EyalJams, but I will be sure to change that up next year.

Arrived on Friday afternoon to the Marriott Marquis ready to meet up with some Watercoolers for dinner, and having eaten nothing all day flying across the country, some of us were very ready for a gorge fest!

As I checked in and started getting settled, I saw that the crunch time had arrived for show setup, everyone working far harder than me!

So, on to a dinner to remember! A group of us walked three blocks down 46th to Becco, a Bastianich restaurant, part of their empire! And their Italian did not disappoint... But better than the food was finally, after so much waiting, coming together with this group of friends who really enjoy the company of serious audiophiles. It was a gorge fest, with plenty of lively conversation, laughing, and huge portions of delicious Italian food!

After an amazing dinner, we said goodnight, time to crash and then get up for the show!

Saturday, Day 1- Today, I tried more iems than any other day of my life! At the outset, I will say that the floor was noisy, I didn't try to do any critical listening, just looking for big or little problems. Most here were tested using my L&P P6Pro and Shanling M9 plus, except for the Novus which I tested on AK's new SP3000T and the UM Mason ST which I tried on the new L&P E7. Here were my highlights with initial impressions which are admittedly of little help, but it'll be good for my note history:

1. Oriolus Trailli Ti: Trailli doesn't have a DD does it? Beautiful timbre, bass hits are surgical and have beautiful texture, with light sub bass elevation. Note weight is excellent, mids are a bit forward creating perfect vocals. Among the best things I've ever had in my ears, though my credit card would give a polite "no". Wish I would have taken a pic of it, but it was very popular.

2. Noble Onyx: preorder, BCD set, great execution of the BCD. Good deep bass, wide staging, holographic sound, a great release, would love to demo. Good price for a very TOTL sound.

3. EE/AK Novus: Must try to demo this longer, staging seems as impossibly huge as the price, vocals are beautifully isolated, this is an awesome tuning, great on new SP3000T. It's beautiful with an Audemars Piguet like bezel and crystal!

4. Eletech Romeo and Juliet: Romeo the clear winner, Juliet feels unfinished. Romeo is awesome, with deep and impactful bass, with clear mids and sparkling treble. Very fast, sounds like DDs with BAs. One of the best bass qualities and quantities I've heard accompanied by the top down tuning. Some songs can sound like a big 2 way system with fat woofers, then all of a sudden you get a song that surrounds you holographically. Great, engaging stage, great low rumble.

5. CFA Trifecta: As good as I recall, likely CFA's greatest creation, the deepest pounding DD bass ever, but excellent detail and resolution across FR. I know lots say it's a specialist, but I could easily see it as the primary iem for my library which seems to love it. I must get this (my wallet cries)!

6. NG Erebus: Awesome deep bass with thick note weight but great treble, staging is holographic, this is great.

7. Noble Onyx: New BCD set, great execution of the BCD. Good deep bass, wide staging, holographic sound, a great release, would love to demo. Very TOTL sound.

8. UM Mason ST: Just wow, beautiful, this is amazing, still the bass disappoints, but just barely, as it's over done by everything else going on here. I prefer AP definitely listening to them back-to-back; AP has wonderful bass and Mason does not. Both sounded lovely on the new L&P E7.

9. PMG Apx: Not as bright as I thought it would be. Still, a lot of energy up there. Beautiful detail, good low thump, but lacks midbass a bit, though very airy with great separation, an exciting tuning. But yes, too bright for me, but just barely. On 2nd listen, using Baroque tips, great all arounder for a treble head, incredible detail, layers on layers, you're sure to hear some new things in your music. Beautiful soundstage and incredible tuning, wide and tall, too light in sub bass.

10. Dita Project M: Much better than I expected. More balanced with great deep bass, but yes, energy up top may be pushing it. Treble focused songs sound a little thin, but not bad. This is a super deal with a fun tuning.

11. Canpur 622B: lush, thick mid, and still plenty of air. Detail retrieval and resolution are great, holographic stage, does it sound like MM? With better bass, I think. Pretty great, would like longer demo.

12. Canpur 54E: really nice, powerful bass, thick mids, sparkling treble, maybe too sparkling. Sub bass a little boomy, but that could be the point, it does sound good.

Phew...my ears were tired, but I was getting very hungry! We stopped for a big group picture after the showroom doors were closed. Congrats to @Chang and @bogdan belonozhko for winning the year's Watercooler awards!!!

Saturday Dinner was a big one, long in the planning with such a big crew! At one of NYC's oldest steakhouses. What we didn't plan for was 1"/hour rain during the 12 block walk! Some were truly soaked by this storm that decided to hit Manhattan just in time for dinner (flood warnings for Manhattan)! Anyway, we finally made it to Keen's, famous for the mutton chop and prime rib, which the well-soaked @Zachik and I happily shared, while @Rockwell75 nabbed a bit of lump crab cocktail. Those who attended ate and laughed heartily throughout the fun night - highly recommend if you've never been, a real slice of old New York! Also, I must say that, after meeting @Frankie D, I'm thinking he and I have a future career in vaudeville or something!

Day 2: Usually, Day 2 gives you a little respite from the crowds of Saturday, but not so much on this Sunday. The hall was crowded, busy and lively with iem, headphone and luminaries everywhere! Truly an audiophiles dream meet up, but as others have said, the loud floor could sometimes interfere with testing. The Bloom room is always the best place for a quieter session and it is a respite from the mania of the floor which I greatly appreciate.

My first real listening experience of the day was a headphone, not an iem, but it was THE headphone: the Sennheiser HE1 (thanks to gentleman and scholar @goldwerger who gave me his time slot!)! This was the most emotional listening experience I've had in recent memory. Blown away with consistent goosebumps and eyes-welling, this all-in-one elegance is otherworldly. All I can really say is that every headphone/iem audiophile should really try to have this experience at least once, though after you do, you'll want it again as I already do (tip for 2d time: have your playlist very set for a 15 minute period and have a couple extra tracks in case you get more time). Thanks @ericpalonen for the awesome pics of the ever aging me having that Audio Gods moment!!!

Now it was back to the tables!!! Not craps tables, no they are much cheaper than these tables!!! Of course, MusicTeck is my favorite one-stop because of the shear magnitude of their offerings. But I also was today able to get finally to FatFreq, NightJar, CFA, and of course, Bloom. Again all useless impressions primarily from my P6Pro and M9+:

1. FF Grand Maestro: Wonderful TOTL sound with meaty, thick notes, and I want one.

2. Noble Ragnar: Male vocals are insane, beautiful and clear with excellent timbre, top end energy is too much for me, strange.

3. Noble Spartacus: This one seems to have even more treble energy. Noble must be great for treble and details. Detail retrieval and treble is powerful, good deep rumble, great BCD, reminds of Annihilator with better bass. Aspiring to Fei Wan but not that, still, I like this one most so far, stage is pretty tall and holographic, still it's hot at the top.

4. Nightjar Duality: I heard this at CanJam Socal and was apprehensive on the sheer quantity of bass. But, after a solid second listen today, I believe they have refined it further from that time, and I was absolutely blown away by a completely different sounding iem from anything else on the market. Thick and heavy but with screaming highs, this is going on the 2024 list for sure. Remember, @Chang, I want one!

5. CFA Supermoon: Planar magnetic iem, super-detailed, too light in sub bass for me, high energy at top, but I'm wondering if this is the timestream cable which never seems perfect.

6. CFA Fathom: New all BA sounds great, good BA bass, nicely detailed, speedy transients, beautiful timbre, great BA set.

7. Elysian Pilgrim: The new inexpensive Elysian Pilgrim here! Wow, straight Elysian sound and tuning with a nice bass, treble that stays in check, this is great, sounds certainly better than Diva and Gaea to me. It's not Anni, but it reminds you of it. Why does it need so much power, even more than Anni?, thinness/shallow note weight in mids and a little shouty. Anni got this right and I hope they fix before release. In any event, this would be a great buy as-is.

As this CanJam came to an end, I went to the Bloom Audio room for their raffle, and lo-and-behold, I lucked out and won an ET Raphael!! Thanks, guys!!!!! What an awesome way to end an otherwise awesome show!

At the end of the day, a lot of sad adieus until the next show!!! Thanks again to everyone, this was a terrific show!! And nothing ends a time in NYC like a coal-fired pizza, so grabbed that and made my way back to LA! Until next time!