Koba 2017 opens its doors in Seoul
Published: ASIA
KOREA: Jointly opened by the Korea Broadcasting Engineers and Technicians Association (KOBETA) and Korea E&EX, Koba 2017 opened its doors on 16 May. Now in its 27th year, the annual four-day trade show was officially opened at Seoul’s COEX convention centre by a panel of industry and government dignitaries.
This year, a total of approximately 1,000 companies are exhibiting, occupying three halls with the latest pro audio and broadcast equipment. As in previous editions, camera and video equipment enticed the masses to the upper third level halls, whilst the ground floor was dedicated to the broadcast audio and lighting suppliers and manufacturers. The broadcast tag however is too defined as the ground floor at Koba has in reality become Korea’s pro audio exhibition.
Many of the latest products rushed to the show floors of Pro Light + Sound in Frankfurt and NAB in Las Vegas were on display at Koba including the DiGiCo SD12 ‘Vulcan’ and SSL Live L200 consoles. The RCF HDL series drew large crowds on the Sound Solutions booth.
Year on year changes in distribution were evident as Kevic showcased FBT to good effect, whilst Soundus brightly displayed Absen LED screens. Amphenol promoted its allegiance on the Daon SD booth, but the most noticeable display was evident on the Ingang Audio booth where Meyer Sound was being displayed to good effect amongst the coffee aromas. New kids on the block included Danley Audio, Klang Technologies and Korean manufacturer ASL.
Click here for our latest video, showcasing Meyer Sound's Koba 2017 booth.
Once again Sovico was absent from this year’s showing, having opted to promote its brands such as Neutrik, Lectrosonics and Barix two metro stops away at the Amoris Hall. In addition the Powersoft and EAW distributor, Dasan SR, was also missing in action. Like Electro-Voice, Sama Pro Sound attracted the crowds courtesy of hourly live performances and discussions to promote Shure.
Most major brands seem to be represented on the three levels of the show floor, making it a difficult task in which to see everything within the seven hours the COEX halls are open. Although some exhibitors highlighted the large proportion of students walking the show, many embraced tomorrow’s end users.
A full Koba 2017 report will run in the Pro Audio Asia July-August 2017 edition.
Koba 2017 runs until 19 May. It returns in 2018 from 15 to 18 May.