Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2018

[Sophistry]

I must admit I'm attracted to it at least in part for its 50s-60s lab equipment looks, perhaps retro-chic is just another kind of bling!

I don't blame you, Tom - it looks lovely, and would look brilliant with your td124.

No UK distributor I note...

[Marco]

I don't quite get what the issue is here. Are we saying some people will avoid this brand because they are homophobic? Is the G word a no-no when it comes to marketing?

Not at all, and I'm surprised you should even consider that. The issue is simply one of appropriateness. I suspect that the majority of heterosexual men in the western world would no sooner drive a car called a 'Gaymobile', than own hi-fi equipment from a company called 'Von Gaylord'...

Much the same as I'd imagine the majority of gay men would be unlikely to own equipment from a company called 'Hetroman Hi-Fi'

Marco.

[montesquieu]

I don't blame you, Tom - it looks lovely, and would look brilliant with your td124.

No UK distributor I note...

Greg at G-Point had a relationship with Thoress for a while, if not stated its possible that may have gone by the board.

[Marco]

I think you are over thinking it Jeff, or taking it a tad too seriously.

+1

Marco.

[Macca]

Not at all, and I'm surprised you should even consider that. The issue is simply one of appropriateness. I suspect that the majority of heterosexual men in the western world would no sooner drive a car called a 'Gaymobile', than own hi-fi equipment from a company called 'Von Gaylord'...

Much the same as I'd imagine the majority of gay men would be unlikely to own equipment from a company called 'Hetroman Hi-Fi'

Marco.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Von Gaylord is actually the bloke's name. I mean it sounds unlikely to us but then this is America we're talking about. There are quite a few people with the surname 'Wanker' there too; regrettably one of them has yet to start a hi-fi company.

But you can hardly blame the bloke for calling the company after his actual name, ridiculous though it may be.

[Marco]

But you can hardly blame the bloke for calling the company after his actual name, ridiculous though it may be.

Lol, indeed, but not if he has even the remotest clue about marketing, and the impact naming his products so will have on sales in many areas of the world!

Marco.

[mikeyb]

I've been going to Bristol for nigh on 30 years, both as a punter and in a trade capacity. I had worried that it was losing its mojo over the last few years but I felt this one was one of the best for a long time. Lots of enthusiasm, the Friday was packed out with visitors and there were lots of interesting new items to see and hear. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

As to my favourite thing of the show, obviously it was the new Technics SL-1000R. Does anyone know what the going rate for a moderately alcohol-abused kidney is, these days...?

Tuppence

[Macca]

Lol, indeed, but not if he has even the remotest clue about marketing, and the impact naming his products so will have on sales in many areas of the world!

Marco.

I think using the name is a deliberate marketing decision, much like Shiit. This is expensive high end kit (£10K for some rinky-dink little 2-way standmounters!) so the target market (yourself excepted) is not the sort of people who would be put off by the name. It has got us all talking about it, after all.

[Marco]

I think using the name is a deliberate marketing decision, much like Shiit. This is expensive high end kit (£10K for some rinky-dink little 2-way standmounters!) so the target market (yourself excepted) is not the sort of people who would be put off by the name. It has got us all talking about it, after all.

I totally understand where you're coming from, but disagree with the bit in bold. Most of my hi-fi friends could afford said speakers, but much like me, I also know that they would be very unlikely to buy them because of their name - and my gay (non-hifi) friends would completely understand!

If VG made cars, would you (as a straight male) drive one around town, with a shiny badge at the back that said 'Von Gaylord'?

I suspect not, and neither would most men of our straight sexual persuasion, regardless of whether they could afford the car or not, much as I suspect (for the very same reason) the majority of straight male hi-fi enthusiasts in the western world wouldn't buy a pair of speakers, emblazoned with the name 'Von Gaylord'.

As I've said, it's simply a matter of appropriateness. If it was a deliberate marketing decision to name the company so, then it was a poor one IMO, if the intention was to target the west for sales.

If the designer in question, however, is mainly targeting China, Japan, etc, as his potential customer base, then I'd expect him to be rather more successful there - and good luck to him!

Marco.

[rubber duck]

I suspect the majority of straight male hi-fi enthusiasts in the western world wouldn't buy a pair of speakers emblazoned with the name 'Von Gaylord'.

Hmm, do straight men in the UK not buy Fairy dishwashing liquid? I once had a (gay) friend visiting from the US who thought this was hilarious.