Putting Whitey Bulger’s trial and Aaron Hernandez’s woes behind, there’s much to do in the Greater Boston area on the audio front for fans of digital media, headphones, speakers and other sound systems.
In the past several days Bang Olufsen, (BO) Emotiva, Wilson Audio, Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems and Bully Sound Company (BSC) converged in Beantown to strut their audio stuff.
BO Shows Headphones
BO’s marketing team provided a tour of its store on Newbury St., highlighting its H6 on-ear headphones and H3 in-ear headphones. BO also used the event as a platform to show the public how it can create a variety of customized home installation systems that range from wireless whole-house audio to full multichannel home theater with automation.
Using my iPhone as a source, I was impressed with the H6s. They sounded open, airy and well balanced with a range of music (in AAC and ALC formats) that spanned the Beastie Boys and Led Zeppelin to Mastodon and Muse. The headphones also isolated background noise and the soft leather coverings felt like they could be worn for hours without a hint of discomfort.
BO H3 Headphones
BO says the H3 ($249) and H6 headphones ($399) are available in a choice of black leather or natural leather.
Emotiva Fans Show their Enthusiasm
Emotiva swung through Boston as part of its national marketing tour, demonstrating products from its home theater line, two-channel line and new components from its Pro Series. End users were able to ask questions to Emotiva officials.
Emotiva’s new flagship DC-1 DAC headed up the demos of the Pro Series. Dan Laufman, president of Emotiva, says the company is proud of its DAC that also includes a digital preamplifier. “The [upcoming $899] DC-1 DAC is our statement piece,” he boasts. “It has a built-in headphone amp … it’s a great piece.”
Emotiva displayed about 20 percent of its products during the event. Laufman says the road shows will be a bigger, more important part of Emotiva’s future marketing initiatives.
Audio Events are Regular Occurrences in Specialty Market
Fidelis, a Derry, N.H.-based high-performance audio and custom install company, hosted Wilson Audio, Dan D’Agostino and BSC at its showroom.
Dan D’Agostino showed off a new monoblock and stereo amp and a new preamplifier, all of which have been met with rave reviews from the audiophile community.
Bret D’Agostino, Dan’s son, started BSC and has undertaken a grassroots marketing campaign at events like Fidelis’ to show the public that his engineering chops rival his father’s.
It looks like all the legwork off putting together these small audio events is starting to pay off by helping lead the category’s resurgence. It is time for the custom installation market to follow the audio category’s lead and produce interactive events to show the public what installers are capable of.
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