It seems like other head-fi'ers would be friendly enough to watch over your things when you're away.
Generally speaking, this winds up being whomever you'd be sharing a table with (tablemates) though there are exceptions as well.
For the past few meets where I brought a rig, I basically set it up and walked away for the whole day. Everything was fine when I returned eight hours later to pack up.
My point is, we all look out for one another, in ways that are better than any third-party security personnel ever could. That is the way it has always been.
But I personally do think it's not so taboo to allow other people to audition your 'cans while you're away without asking (at a reasonable volume), because that's half the reason why you bring your 'cans - to share with other too. But probably if we're going away for more than 2 hours it's better to carry your laptop in your bag, I'd say.
No, of course not. And that's the whole reason behind the member showcase.
And for the record, that's what meets are all about... to the point that there are some fairly well-established rules regarding how to audition member gear.
The following rules are the same rules that have been in effect at every meet third_eye and I have done (
2013 LA Regional Meet,
2014 Official SoCal Head-Fi Meet,
2014 Official SF Head-Fi Meet,
2014 Official LA Head-Fi Meet):
- Please treat fellow head-fiers, vendors, and their gear with the utmost care and respect.
- Do not unplug headphones without asking permission from the owners first.
- Do not turn anything on or off without asking permission first.
- Do not move anyone's gear from their established area without asking permission.
- Absolutely no food and drink will be allowed near any equipment including your own. There is ample space within the hotel, as well as Starbucks/bar/restaurant for food and drink.
- Please have courtesy and ensure that your hands are CLEAN before handling other’s equipment.
- Be mindful of the time you are spending listening to vendors and others’ gear especially if there are others waiting in line.
- Be mindful of personal hygiene. DO NOT use hair gel or other product that may damage or stain a headband or earpads.
DO NOT wear hair gel or any cosmetic product that may damage or stain a headband or earpads.
- Please use common sense! To repeat the most important rule: treat fellow head-fiers, vendors, and their gear with the utmost care and respect.
And those are also - by and large - the same rules for all meets worldwide going back for well over a decade.
My point is, meet security is hardly a new issue. And there have been hundreds of successful meets around the world to prove that the system currently in place works just fine. Reinventing this particular wheel is not necessary.
But probably if we're going away for more than 2 hours it's better to carry your laptop in your bag, I'd say.
People generally leave a source at their rigs. Most of the time, this winds up being a laptop of some sort.
Some people just leave it there relatively unattended (after having made arrangements for their tablemate to watch over stuff).
Others get rather inventive with regards to a security apparatus. If I remember correctly, JustinBieber set up a clamp system at a meet earlier this year, to reduce the chances of people messing with connections and what not. Yup, found it:
So do you guys think that carrying around your personally selected headphone test tracks on both SD card and USB flash drive would be good to use to listen on most of the vendors systems? Maybe also put them on your phone too as a basic transport.
Yes!
And most exhibitors are pretty cool about letting you use your own test tracks. 99% of the time, all you need to do is ask.
Also, it's a good idea to bring a CD (self-compiled) as a back-up. Sometimes, a disc player is the only source they have. Not to mention the possibility that you might want to audition a disc player (if that is what that exhibitor is presenting).