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Post by jandl100 on May 10, 2022 8:31:01 GMT
What, no more photos?
I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics.
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Post by stryder5 on May 10, 2022 8:41:32 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. First picture early doors I’m on the left, next to me is Antonio’s brother. Can’t remember third guys name. Firebottle’s at the bar. Gary
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optical
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Post by optical on May 10, 2022 8:42:55 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. Think firebottle, has some more but he's internet-less currently I believe. For anyone interested that's me at the back in the last photo (not sitting down at the time because Alan was cranking his Thiels to which I was sat a little too close for (ear) comfort initially!). Plus there was a bit of bass reinforcement coming from that corner at the back which underpinned most of the music quite pleasingly. I'm sure others can fill in the gaps!
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optical
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Post by optical on May 10, 2022 8:44:55 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. First picture early doors I’m on the left, next to me is Antonio’s brother. Can’t remember third guys name. Firebottle’s at the bar. Gary That's Ali T, with Alan mooching around the bar in the background in his trousers.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 8:58:02 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. Best I can do:
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Post by macca on May 10, 2022 9:18:24 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. Think firebottle , has some more but he's internet-less currently I believe. For anyone interested that's me at the back in the last photo (not sitting down at the time because Alan was cranking his Thiels to which I was sat a little too close for (ear) comfort initially!). Plus there was a bit of bass reinforcement coming from that corner at the back which underpinned most of the music quite pleasingly. I'm sure others can fill in the gaps! I didn't even realise you were there! I did ask a couple of people 'who's that youngster?' but they didn't know.
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Post by antonio on May 10, 2022 9:20:02 GMT
That's me hiding behind my brother (Mark not Mick) on the front row Jerry, and according to Firebottle 'I'm funny looking'!!!! We'd better not mention his flowered trousers, presumably purchased in the ladies section of River Island
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optical
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Post by optical on May 10, 2022 9:35:07 GMT
Think firebottle , has some more but he's internet-less currently I believe. For anyone interested that's me at the back in the last photo (not sitting down at the time because Alan was cranking his Thiels to which I was sat a little too close for (ear) comfort initially!). Plus there was a bit of bass reinforcement coming from that corner at the back which underpinned most of the music quite pleasingly. I'm sure others can fill in the gaps! I didn't even realise you were there! I did ask a couple of people 'who's that youngster?' but they didn't know. Haha, no worries macca, I did sort of recognise you (from some of the equipment you brought) but as you say time gets away quickly at these things! Won't hesitate to have a chat next time anyway! I, like you, was very surprised by Tony's Quadral's over that side, playing some Floyd and a couple of other pieces they were incredibly well balanced, especially considering the acoustic challenges presented by the room itself!
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Post by stevew on May 10, 2022 9:51:26 GMT
What, no more photos? I'm kind of curious to put names to the folks in the pics. Best I can do: Excellent! Really disappointed not to have made it.. (still testing negative - strange). Sounds like a successful day, and I missed hearing the dac comparisons. Hearing the Quadrals would have been a bonus too.
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Post by macca on May 10, 2022 9:52:39 GMT
I don't want this to come over as a criticism but the room acoustics were some of the worst I have ever experienced.
I think those Quadrals were the least affected, probably due to their design. Even so it was readily apparent that they are a quality speaker.
Just a suggestion but the hotel we stayed at (Himley House) has a function room, might be worth considering that as a venue for next time. Their grub was decent too.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 10:04:26 GMT
I don't want this to come over as a criticism but the room acoustics were some of the worst I have ever experienced. I think those Quadrals were the least affected, probably due to their design. Even so it was readily apparent that they are a quality speaker. Just a suggestion but the hotel we stayed at (Himley House) has a function room, might be worth considering that as a venue for next time. Their grub was decent too. I thought the acoustics were worse there than at the Penkridge Bakeoff? We definitely deserve a better space.
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optical
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Post by optical on May 10, 2022 10:10:20 GMT
I don't want this to come over as a criticism but the room acoustics were some of the worst I have ever experienced. I think those Quadrals were the least affected, probably due to their design. Even so it was readily apparent that they are a quality speaker. Just a suggestion but the hotel we stayed at (Himley House) has a function room, might be worth considering that as a venue for next time. Their grub was decent too. Yeah agreed, there were so many elements which would have been bringing the SQ down, from a small covering of thin carpet that only extended into a 3rd of the room, to very reflective walls, windows only on one side as well as a very high ceiling. All things considered it still sounded decent but in that environment there's almost no point in doing the comparisons in my opinion. Although the DAC off was fun, it was only very basic differences which I was able to detect and even then probably mostly down to the room. Alan and co did well just to book somewhere and no way if knowing how it's going to react until you're there but a smaller venue with some more acoustically sympathetic decor would go a long way to making it even better next time. As you say no criticism intended but good to keep in mind for next time.
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Post by macca on May 10, 2022 10:49:08 GMT
I don't want this to come over as a criticism but the room acoustics were some of the worst I have ever experienced. I think those Quadrals were the least affected, probably due to their design. Even so it was readily apparent that they are a quality speaker. Just a suggestion but the hotel we stayed at (Himley House) has a function room, might be worth considering that as a venue for next time. Their grub was decent too. I thought the acoustics were worse there than at the Penkridge Bakeoff? We definitely deserve a better space. yes they were and I'm struggling to think of a reason for that. I'll speculate that although both rooms very reflective, the Penkridge room was so vast that most reflections were delayed to the extent that they did not interfere with the direct sound to anything like the same extent.
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Post by misterc on May 10, 2022 11:22:23 GMT
I would like to say hidndsight can sometimes be a great thing, however for a first effort it was enjoyable and relaxed, both Pete and myself had a most pleasant time ao thank you to all the guys that turned up and said hello The Quadral Sedan's were just plonked down and not set up by any stretch of the imagination, though just produce a natural open and engaging sound without fuss, though as with every speaker its only as good as what you put into it. Apart from Alan, did anyone else take any photo's?
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Post by firebottle on May 10, 2022 12:06:19 GMT
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Post by antonio on May 10, 2022 13:19:18 GMT
To have 20+ people in a room it is going to be very difficult to find somewhere more suitable sq wise. Did anyone going there really think they would be listening to the systems at their best, of course not. If a small room was found, you would probably have to have two rooms which adds to the expense.
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Post by macca on May 10, 2022 13:30:39 GMT
Size of the room wasn't the issue. My bathroom is tiny but you wouldn't want to listen to a hi-fi in there.
Without testing the room before you book it, which isn't a realistic option, it's impossible to draw any definite conclusions as to what it will do to the sound.
Assessing the amount of echo when people talk, that's about the only prior testing you can do.
Plus when you factor in location, cost and availability the choices get narrowed down very fast.
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Post by bencat on May 10, 2022 15:39:18 GMT
I think for a gathering this size you would be very optomistic to think you could find one with great sound quality . Not really I think what this one and possibly future ones are all about more a chance for lots more to get together and hear some different set ups . The DAC test was a good idea but could have been better but before I stuck my foot firmly in it i was not aware that this was the first such bake off . My apologies to all that organised this you did an excellent job and as you say things were learnt .
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Post by firebottle on May 10, 2022 16:24:21 GMT
Absolutely no apologies needed. If we can grow the attendance with future events that would be great.
Agreed that only 1/3 of the test track would have been sufficient. Previous bake-offs I have attended have veered to playing vinyl in the early evening, it was a pity people left earlier than the room was booked for.
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Post by antonio on May 10, 2022 16:53:34 GMT
Size of the room wasn't the issue. My bathroom is tiny but you wouldn't want to listen to a hi-fi in there. Without testing the room before you book it, which isn't a realistic option, it's impossible to draw any definite conclusions as to what it will do to the sound. Assessing the amount of echo when people talk, that's about the only prior testing you can do. Plus when you factor in location, cost and availability the choices get narrowed down very fast. Instead of f---ing moaning, get off your lazy arse and find something better for next year. As far as I could tell everyone enjoyed the day, only you seem to be the exception, your comments are taking the shine off the day, and Alan at least went out there and found something for us which I think everyone appreciated. (except one)
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 16:54:46 GMT
Size of the room wasn't the issue. My bathroom is tiny but you wouldn't want to listen to a hi-fi in there. Without testing the room before you book it, which isn't a realistic option, it's impossible to draw any definite conclusions as to what it will do to the sound. Assessing the amount of echo when people talk, that's about the only prior testing you can do. Plus when you factor in location, cost and availability the choices get narrowed down very fast. Instead of f---ing moaning, get off your lazy arse and find something better for next year. As far as I could tell everyone enjoyed the day, only you seem to be the exception, your comments are taking the shine off the day, and Alan at least went out there and found something for us which I think everyone appreciated. (except one) Now now, I think macca enjoyed himself. Its probably my fault for raising the rooms acoustics. Let's stay classy!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 16:56:16 GMT
I think for a gathering this size you would be very optomistic to think you could find one with great sound quality . Not really I think what this one and possibly future ones are all about more a chance for lots more to get together and hear some different set ups . The DAC test was a good idea but could have been better but before I stuck my foot firmly in it i was not aware that this was the first such bake off . My apologies to all that organised this you did an excellent job and as you say things were learnt . Haha, it's all good! We will develop as these things happen.
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Post by antonio on May 10, 2022 17:00:56 GMT
No Oli, if you can't say something positive about the day keep off your keyboard. You, Alan and Tony dragged full systems to the venue, has Macca shown any appreciation for that? To say it's the worst acoustics he's ever heard is a insult to the three of you, let him organise next year and I'll be only to happy to criticise the venue for whatever I think may be wrong with it ie the water in the taps wasn't hot enough ect ect.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 17:36:17 GMT
No Oli, if you can't say something positive about the day keep off your keyboard. You, Alan and Tony dragged full systems to the venue, has Macca shown any appreciation for that? To say it's the worst acoustics he's ever heard is a insult to the three of you, let him organise next year and I'll be only to happy to criticise the venue for whatever I think may be wrong with it ie the water in the taps wasn't hot enough ect ect. I get what you are saying, Dave. However, I dont see the comments as negative, more as an observation. I 100% agree that the room was difficult. It's all very good information for how we go about it next year.
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Post by Pigmy Pony on May 10, 2022 17:36:58 GMT
"Right lads, they've gone over to the hotel to check in, let's pack away and do one before they get back!" Only kidding fellas, but the event did seem to be over all too quickly... Some quality gear there, I was particularly interested to hear Oli's Concept 500s, a speaker that is on my radar. And so is Quadral now, since hearing Tony C's standmounts (is there a floorstander version in their line up?). Both did well I thought, despite some 'challenging' acoustics. A big thumb's up to Alan's set up too, with his, um, interesting music choices (Willie Nelson reggae!) And his "Two Rooms" album is on my wish list now. For me, hearing new (to me) music is almost as big a thing as the equipment. All you early darters missed Ali T's rig which he set up in the hotel's beer garden. Comprising his smartphone playing UB40's excellent "Signing Off" album. Not without problems - the single full-range driver was a bit light on the bass, and there was some perceived brightness, probably due to the proximity of several beer glasses. But all things considered an enjoyable evening, probably helped by being half-pissed. It was good to meet some new faces, and some familiar ones too. Roll on the next one!
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Post by Pigmy Pony on May 10, 2022 17:42:13 GMT
Instead of f---ing moaning, get off your lazy arse and find something better for next year. As far as I could tell everyone enjoyed the day, only you seem to be the exception, your comments are taking the shine off the day, and Alan at least went out there and found something for us which I think everyone appreciated. (except one) Now now, I think macca enjoyed himself. Its probably my fault for raising the rooms acoustics. Let's stay classy! I know Macca enjoyed the day, because he told me so. And he doesn't tell lies.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 10, 2022 17:44:00 GMT
Now now, I think macca enjoyed himself. Its probably my fault for raising the rooms acoustics. Let's stay classy! I know Macca enjoyed the day, because he told me so. And he doesn't tell lies. Yeah, I don't doubt it. I think most people had a decent day. I certainly did. Shame it didn't go on longer to be fair.
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Post by Pigmy Pony on May 10, 2022 17:45:32 GMT
No Oli, if you can't say something positive about the day keep off your keyboard. You, Alan and Tony dragged full systems to the venue, has Macca shown any appreciation for that? To say it's the worst acoustics he's ever heard is a insult to the three of you, let him organise next year and I'll be only to happy to criticise the venue for whatever I think may be wrong with it ie the water in the taps wasn't hot enough ect ect. I get what you are saying, Dave. However, I dont see the comments as negative, more as an observation. I 100% agree that the room was difficult. It's all very good information for how we go about it next year. Exactly as Oli says here, nothing more than that
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Post by antonio on May 10, 2022 18:10:04 GMT
Now now, I think macca enjoyed himself. Its probably my fault for raising the rooms acoustics. Let's stay classy! I know Macca enjoyed the day, because he told me so. And he doesn't tell lies. So why not say so on here instead of saying "it's the worst acoustics I've ever heard" LET'S HAVE SOME POSITIVITY
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Post by misterc on May 10, 2022 18:30:48 GMT
Right on Smashy time for Bachman Turner Overdrive, 'You ain't seen nothing yet' lets rock
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