Spatial Audio Hologram
RMAF - Loudspeakers that you don't want to miss
Heaading from Tulsa, OK to my first RMAF this week. I was hoping to listen to some Rockport loudspeakers, but from the RMAF website, it looks like Rockport may be a no show this year unfortunately.
Who all is going and what loudspeakers should one make sure not to miss for an audition?
Who all is going and what loudspeakers should one make sure not to miss for an audition?
54 responses Add your response
Personally I'd love to hear more Rockport (they impressed me when I heard them) as well as the Raidho speakers. I'd like to be able to hear Raidho, Rockport, Magico and Vandersteen 7's all at the same show. Right now, I've heard them all separately and liked the Vandy 7's best. Just the most musical as well as doing everything right. The others have sounded pretty awesome too. That would be a blast even though the electronics and rooms are all different, but to me it's up to the company to show their products in the best light. I buy systems now, not just components. JMHO |
I will be attending as well for the 2nd time in 5 years. There doesn't seem to be nearly the speaker selection I was able to audition the first show I attended. Living in Omaha for many years I am familiar with The Sound Environment. Some of the staff are a little too opinionated for my taste although in general they are quite knowledgeable. Their pricing structure seemed to be on the high side as well. |
For the last two years I think Nordost has demo'd with Raidho speakers on the mezzanine. Amazing sound. There is always an Ayon rig that is not to be missed. I also always seek out any and all Dynaudio rigs, some years they have had Confidence lines there. Focal Grand Utopias. KEF Q series this year also, I think. It is true a lot of my favorite brands aren't there, like Empirical, but I think D'Agostino will return this year, his room two years ago (or 3?) was absolutely stupendous, both in music selection and sound. |
I think you should hear the Sanders Sound Systems 10D/11D electrostatic speakers. The Volti Audio Vittora was superb sounding speaker http://www.voltiaudio.com/vittora.shtml - a must listen. Another must listen is the Classic Audio speaker http://classicaudioloudspeakers.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?fs=2&upper=27&content=28. usually played with Atma-Sphere electronics. Of course, make sure you visit the Odyssey Audio room - Klaus himself is always there & happy to engage in a conversation. He often gets the best sound of the show or something very close to that. Make sure that you attend the 30-minute closed-door session at Wilson Audio. If nothing else just the choreography of that dog-and-pony show is terrific - not a hair out-of-line, all speakers (people) stand to attention when Dave Wilson calls out their name to take the stage, hell, the son even shed some crocodile tears thanking his father for everything & professed that when he grew up he wanted to be like his Dad! You have to see this show..... (This year neither Green Mtn Audio (time-coherent, 1st-order x-over speaker) nor Lansche are going to be present. They were present last year (2013) when I attended & I heard both speakers - simply terrific sonics. Another manuf who's not attending is Sceana Speakers - last year they were in the Hilton across the street & their line-array speaker was very, very good sounding. Audio Physic was another speaker I enjoyed - not there this year. Brodmann Acoustic was another speaker I enjoyed - not there this year.) |
I'd love to hear people's reactions to 'full range' type speakers in the $2k-$4k range. Specifically, narrow boxes like the Revel F206/F208, Sonus Faber, etc., as that's the type/size that will work with my listening space placement issues. Driven w/135w/channel into 8 ohms solid state amp in a lively listening room. My room is described as "challenging" here: http://www.thehighernote.com/blog/2014/08/08/dynamic-duo-saved-the-day-at-the-las-vegas-audio-club-music-seminar/ Monitors in the same price range that would work well w/subs ok too, but I'd really prefer to only use my subs for very low freqs (or not at all) for 2-channel, and, of course, the home theater side. High WAF mandatory! Thanks! |
This year, I go to RMAF ready to make a purchase. Last year Vapor Audio made me rethink not only what is possible at a price point, but what's possible period from a loudspeakers. We'll see if it was a fluke or not, but hearing whatever they bring is my personal "must hear". There are a few other contenders, but they either go beyond my budget, or have compromises I'd prefer not to accept. |
Assuming Avalon is still thriving (don't know offhand), my take is these shows tend to benefit smaller vendors with more limited distribution channels, or those who sell direct to customer via internet the most. Brands that are more easily heard live already at dealers say in larger metro areas at least would seem to have less to gain. Maybe Avalon just decided its not worth it for them in that they seem to be pretty well established with dealers. Now if a dealer shows there, then maybe they show Avalon as well as other lines they want to push. Maybe. |
I completely agree with Bombaywalla's urging to check out the Classic Audio room. I heard it a few years ago with Atma-Sphere electronics and it was an amazing experience. While the speakers have the look & feel of the 1950's (with true craftsmanship associated to years gone by), the sound was absolutely cutting edge. If I had a massive room, and the budget to recreate that system - I'd do it in a heartbeat. I loved it. |
Yes, Classic Audio and Atmasphere always an eye opener for many that can appreciate good sound, a different approach, and retro aesthetics. Will Audiokinesis be there? How about HHR Exotic Speakers, German Physics, Morrison, Ref 3A Duevel, or Larsen? THose are a few off the cuff I have never heard that I would like to. Cathedral would be another worthwhile listen for horn lovers if there. Or if any large GOTO horn setups, definitely check that out. Awesome stuff! |
Be sure to hear dc10's Kabuki paired with Audio Tenka amps heard them at the Newport hifi show I was impressed! I brought my own drum solo recording on CD which a took all over the show to compare I am a professional drummer and know how live drums sound. This was the best I heard at the show and was dead on kick drum and cymbals were so real! They also has some Japanese Taiko drums on reel to reel which was great too! |
2-4k range you need to hear the Vandersteen's. When set up properly (hardly anyone's speakers seem to be set up with the right system and not properly for their rooms is my take over the years) they are about as good a buy dollar for dollar as you can get. They also stand behind their speakers and offer upgrade paths for original owners as Richard really doesn't like seeing his stuff on the used market. He honestly wants folks to love their purchase and always be happy. Green Mountain is a speaker I want to hear. Too bad they won't be at the show. Something strange is going on at Avalon. I have loved their speakers over the years and at one point felt they made the best speaker I had heard (years ago in Pasadena at a dealer). I was told by a large store that they dropped their line after some problem...He didn't say what the problems were though. Same thing with Wilson Audio IRT 'problems'...I could have been both didn't want folks selling Magicos or Rockports or Vandy's as they hurt their own sales. |
10-17-14: Audiofreak32 What does this senseless post have to do with the 2014 RMAF show? Try to keep on topic. |
wow, that's a lot to raise prices. Personally that's a red flag for me for any company. If you are offering a special, then call it that. To raise prices that much just rubs me the wrong way. Price it fairly to begin with I guess. I also hate it when companies LOWER the cost of something that much as it devaluates what other have invested in. Most companies will raise prices a bit or in the case of Vandersteen over a thousand for the new CT Treo's....he raised them because they have a much more expensive tweeter made from carbon fiber. That made sense an he still offered the ceramic tweeter for those who didn't want to spend more or couldn't. Hope this post was on topic as it's a feeling about the original post about the cost of the speaker. Do you find that at a show like this, they offer major savings on products? Oh well, back on topic....is there a list of speakers that showed? |
