Nothing at all. But when seasoned audiophiles come to an audio shop bringing Brothers in Arms like it was the only recorded music in existence, or want to hear The Dark Side of The Moon for the Nth time, I ask myself what music has really to do with this hobby.
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Why? Personally I can leave DSOTM and as much as I love DS I think BIA as an album is one of their weaker efforts although the title track is sublime. But if thatās peoples choice good, I canāt see why that should pose a question as to the relevance of music to hifi, in fact the opposite, surely the purpose of a stereo is to let folks hear their preferred music in the best possible light? In fact I wouldnāt care if they turned up with a CD of Kylie Mynogue although Iād probably make a polite excuse and leave!
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I donāt think people go to shows to enjoy tge music, rather they want to hear and compare how the equipment performs, so wanting familiar music - which could deliberately include either or both of well recorded and poorly recorded - seems much more sensible to me than hearing unfamiliar music/recordings.
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Pros.
Realising that my system at home is far better than I thought. 
Cons.
Geriatric Hi-Fi bores that are mostly deaf. 
Paying for the experience. 
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Is that standard bloke sexism, or are you being ironically post modern, or er, something? 
I genuinely cannot imagine ever wanting to attend one!
Even if it was close to home I cannot imagine enjoying such a format, or indeed finding it useful to somehow appreciate the products, make any purchasing decisions or have any sort of pleasing interaction with others. Mind you I wouldnāt go to any other trade/consumer show either, and never have. Maybe Iām an anti-social bugger.
Iāll get my coat.
Bruce
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All of that Bruce but you do get the opportunity to talk to many of the manufacturers people, and some are incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable.
Now relax. It was a joke
Itās the people who want to talk to manufacturers who have put me off at every single show Iāve been to over the years.
People so in love with themselves they literally never notice anyone in the corridor theyāre blocking; the door theyāre stopping from opening or shutting; the equipment other people are waiting patiently to look at and listen to without some d@Ā£ā¬ wanting to talk loudly for 15 minutes or better still whisper ceaselessly thinking that has no impact whatsoever.
Whenever people ask why some aspects of the industry struggle to sell outside a niche I always think they should go see what happens in hotel rooms and corridors across the nation and ask if customers behaving like that in a shop would be tolerated and whether shopkeepers who thought it okay would keep customers.
Whenever Iāve an interest in a product Iāve picked up the phone, emailed or called in (if possible. Rarely is). Those interactions tell you all you need to know about who you want to deal with. Absolutely no need to spoil the general experience of a hi-fi show by making it all about you.
Totally get the social aspect whereby manufacturers get the chance to catch up with old friends in and outside of the industry but if itās that important an element then do it in the evening on your own time not mine.
Can you imagine going to drop tens of thousands on, for example, a car only to be greeted by a manufacturer or seller who ignores you in favour of someone who wants to talk about a mutual friend; a product you both know but donāt sell or own; some arcane aspect of the products in the room others wish to see and hear but with which no-one else has an interest in bar you. All this when itās usually obvious you want the chat but have no intention of auditioning or spending a penny.
In any other industry youād be sacked or sent on very basic customer service training. In audio all you hear is the sound of mutual self-congratulation.
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Shame. I can think of nothing better for a show than for the vast majority of people there being women, hifi enthusiasts and knowledgeable manufacturers alike.
Are you having a bad day Mike? Iād have thought that talking to the manufacturers of stuff you have or are interested in is an obvious thing to do, and something both manufacturers and attendees would really enjoy.
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Kindly donāt patronise. Iām having a lovely day of domestic bliss thanks. Another lunch out. Mowed the grass. Hoovered the house. Sorted out some investments. Why canāt a detailed expression of a personal view be just that. Not a question.
I simply sat on the patio with a non-alcoholic beer and took some time out to explain a specific issue with shows. Itās one I know Iām not alone on as many of the people with whom I used to attend shows simply donāt bother any more explicitly because of this issue and similar.
The point being missed is that whilst manufacturers enjoy it theyāre not actually talking to the people who buy anything and the people theyāre talking to are an active and all too predictable nuisance for other attendees. The needs of a needy minority taking precedence over people interested in the actual products and purchase thereof are constantly forced to take a back seat to what one might less generously describe as ātwa@@ā.
I was very impressed with a certain manufacturer at Cranage last year who was approached by someone with zero intent in buying a streamer but who was determined to talk compatible DACs.
Manufacturer quickly suggested a time post 5pm when a pleasant drink could be had in the garden and they could chat at length. However, in the meantime, the manufacturer had spent a day setting up said products and would like the maximise the time spent demonstrating them.
Came top 3 in those who actually shifted product on the back of the weekend. Speaks for itself doesnāt it.
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Canāt see any cons tbh (apart from travel). I only do NW Audio Show which is set in a lovely venue and always seems very pleasant. We nip into Altrincham Market on the way home for a nice pizza which rounds off a very pleasant day. I know what Iām going to get at the show so Iām never disappointed. What I do get is confirmation that some of the fancy hifi on offer is as ugly in real life as it is on the internet and confirmation that Naim boxes are made so much better than some of the stuff folk rave about. Naim at the show never sounds great imo as the only dealer demoing it is the big dealer from Chester who really doesnāt do a good job of it. A bonus last year was the record fair. Hope thatās on again. Last year one of the best demos was DNA audio. Iāve used them since. I took a liking to them. And itās always nice to say hello to my regular dealer and to listen to music Iāve never heard in the Audio Counsel room. They always do a great Dem imo even though valves arenāt for me. And the whole thingās free of course which is great. Mrs twofifty also enjoys the show (or perhaps just being out and about with me 
).
Youāll have to point out why itās funny.
@mikehughescq I canāt agree with a single word of that, sorry.
And thatās fine. We all have different perspectives and enjoy/donāt enjoy different aspects of such shows. Multiple threads on multiple forums over the years only serve to reinforce that.
Having been to some low key/interestingly local shows abroad Iāve seen them done in very different ways and itās eye opening. The British assume the whole industry approach to shows is the approach across the globe and it really isnāt.
Iāve a Japanese friend who attends shows in Japan and Malaysia. It was interesting to go to a fairly local show in Japan with him many years ago and then take him to what Iād consider the British equivalent at Cranage a few years back. He was horrified. Thought the dealers were ignorant; the manufacturers arrogant and rude and thought, admittedly as I do, that crowd management was dreadful.
Pardon?
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Pros:
Having an opportunity to laugh at sad gits who have nothing more than hi-fi in their lives
(I know people like this and feel genuinely sorry for them)
Cons:
Sometimes hearing equipment that I will never be able to afford, making me dissatisfied with the system that I currently own
File under avoid
Not sure if that was a self-deprecating joke? (If so, emojis help!) If not, you have no idea of strangersā lives, regardless how they appear at shows - and if indeed that is all they have in their lives and are sad gits, why on earth would you laugh at them?
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Are there really hifi shows you have to pay for? Never been to one of those.
Roger