June 9, 1998

One Step Ahead - One Day Away

by Doug Schneider, Publisher

It's 5:14 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 1998. My plane just took off and I'm off to Los Angeles with a quick stop in Chicago. Ahead of me the stewardesses are waiting on the first-class passengers while we, back in cattle class, squirm and quiver in our skinny, cramped seats—just big enough to fit your body and a laptop and nothing else. The type of camaraderie one builds with fellow air travelers when you rub body parts at such close range is truly amazing, but something I imagine I can live without once SoundStage! can spring for first class all the way. It's moments like this where it's best to focus one's energies on the days ahead and leave the present behind.

So what does the SoundStage! team have planned over the next few days? Everything and anything, and we want to make this the best show report we’ve ever produced.

Already Doug Blackburn and Dave Duvall have landed in LA and are getting our agendas organized. I'll be next, as I arrive at about 9:30 tonight, followed by John Upton on Wednesday morning, Todd Warnke that evening, and Greg Weaver on Thursday. A finer crew I could not ask for, and each person has his work cut out.

I would imagine that most readers will likely be interested in our daily reports, which will focus on new product offerings—this means only the latest and greatest that have hit the market since our CES '98 report. The barrage of last-minute e-mails that I received from anxious exhibitors indicates that there is plenty new to show. Watch for daily pictures and updates as Doug Blackburn and Dave Duvall scour the halls looking for newsworthy items—notebooks and digital cameras in hand.

As well, we're putting more effort into the press conferences and getting that information back to YOU, our readers—FAST! There's been lots of talk on the Internet about the new B&W products, and we'll be there at the 5:30 p.m. press conference on Wednesday that will unveil the new models. However, let it be known that RIGHT NOW you can see what all the hub-bub is about since these speakers are already on display in our Frankfurt High End '98 Show report! They certainly are looking interesting, and I know I'll be looking forward to hearing them. And there's plenty more, mind you, and I know Duvall and Blackburn are already scheduled for a 7:30 a.m. press gathering tomorrow! Jet-lagged and tired from my EST-zone life, I'll probably take a pass on that one.

Parties and social gatherings are another important part of the show—it's where the who's who meet to discuss what's what. We'll be there too too giving you a "behind the scenes" look. The Stereophile-sponsored party, whether at this show or at CES, is always a SoundStage! favorite.

One of our most popular show-report items in the past has been the Standout Room Report—this is our special section for giving the nod to the most distinctive rooms at a show. This time, HI-FI '98 gets a twist. During previous shows we compiled our reports AFTER the show, and subsequently the Standout Room Report came as a follow-up to the show itself. This time we're picking the standout rooms AT the show.

Finally, our show report won't end when the show does. Greg Weaver, John Upton and Todd Warnke have been sub-divided for "product category coverage"—meaning they will each be giving you fabulous reports and coverage from this premier event in the weeks to follow.

It's just under a day away and I can't wait…. SoundStage! is LIVE in Los Angeles.

Postscript:

The trip out of Chicago from LA is much more eventful than the one from Ottawa to Chicago. Seeing the truly amazing number of planes that take off from Chicago is mind-boggling. Couple this with dense fog and rain and you've got, well, 1.5 hours on the ground—on the runaway to be exact! Nevertheless, there is plenty to see aboard this plane including a living, walking, breathing cross between Richard Gere's American Gigolo and Austin Powers (his favorite word is groovy; after he’s said it five times, the stewardesses have begun mocking him). Then there is the lady with the mother load of all carry-on bags (and yes it finally DID fit into the compartment—I'm sure she has her husband in there). Finally, there is poor Moe, the elderly gentleman sitting behind me, whose wife WON'T let him get his glasses out of the overhead compartment to watch the movie.

"You left 'em in there Moe, that's where they're staying!" according to his wife.

I felt so bad that I wanted to help, but all I have is my contact lenses. The time on the runway also allowed me to flip through the American Airlines Rhythm & Views magazine, which details all of the movie selections available, providing you are on the right flight and are the right "category" of passenger.

Get this, for "International Flagship Service flights, Business Class cabin only" you can get your own Sony Video Walkman to watch while in the air! Everything from Gattaca to Seven Days in Tibet to Boogie Nights is available—YOUR choice at YOUR seat. Being from Canada, I have the "International" status down; however, I don't think that is what they meant. And this is decidedly NOT a "Flagship" flight and I am nowhere near the "Business Class cabin." Life in the slow lane again—so, we cattle-class members are stuck with The Man in the Iron Mask with lousy headphones and lousier acting. I'd rather have the Panasonic DVD Palm Theater anyway. Next stop LA—hopefully there will be some REAL home theater there.

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