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Audio Doctor goes to Axpona observations so far


 
For the first time went to Axpona, one heck of a show more audio then we have ever seen, the old New York audio shows were like this.

Anyway walked most of the show and most of the systems heard were just bad, common problems no room tuning, rooms that were too big for the gear or too small.  Even some of the really expensive stuff was dissapointing.

There were a few room that were good.

So far winners for us that were very good not in any particular order:

1: Big Horns from Germany forgot the name really famous one,
2: Muiraudio $15k electrostatic hybrid 
3: Alta Audio cheapie $5k speakers sounded great
4: Vimburg
5: Paradigm Persona 3F

(not a great setup,  but the sound comming out of them for a $10k speaker was very impressive. excellent, midrange soundstage was impressive  image floated nicely, even though the speakers were way too close together and the bass response was excellent.  Would have been way better with a few substitions.

6: T+A $75k floorstanders were impressive for such a small size reference speaker, don't know if they are worth that kind of money, the electrostatic tweeter coupled to a line array with buillt in subs was very musical in a way too small room. Would have liked them to be taller

Decent but not up to the hype the new PS audio speakers bass was very good for a $12-15k set of speakers filled up a big room ugly, and not the ultimate wow that PS was billing them as.

The Scaena line array  when we had them setup in our show and at some of the older New York Audio Shows were mind blowing this setup didn't gel which was sad.

Today to hear the Gryphon room, Golden Ear and a few others.

Scott Markwall gave a great demo of the Furutech NCF products which are really cool.

Innous gave a great demo of the Statement vs the Zenith, and wow what a difference in soundstaging and clarity.  

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Paradigm, T+A, Persona dealers.

128x128audiotroy
bache's avatar
bache
523 posts
 
did anyone hear the Block audio
josh358
286 posts
 
Pwhinson, funny thing about the Pass room -- they told me that only one of the amps in the room had any electronics in them! They were just empty cases.

Think you're right about the Sanders vs. the Martin Logans, though I found both too bright (and a 61-year-old pair of Quad ESL 57's just right).

Like everyone else, was disappointed by the AN-3 but in all fairness it was in an absurdly big room and location (a corner!), and I read that the prototype isn't as adjustable as the production models. Like the Vandys it couldn't really be judged. But I suspect it was also overhyped in the videos, a single Neo 10 is never going to sound like an IRS V! Not in a big space, anyway. The comparisons to the IRS set me up for disappointment.

At the opposite extreme, the little LRS was the hit of the show for those lucky enough to hear it. Magnepan was showing it to the press and then letting others discover it through word of mouth.

Audiotroy, I had the impression that the big Magico setup was suffering from the space it was in. It was the sort of space appropriate to a PA system, not a pair of loudspeakers! None of the Magicos I heard this time sounded good. Go figure. But I thought a lot of speakers were suffering from bad acoustics.
glow_worm
84 posts
 
+1 Piega. I heard these at the Irvine show last year. Anyone that’s into classical should audition these (if you can find them). 
anvil_turntables's avatar
anvil_turntables
53 posts
 
I have not seen much mention of it but I was really impressed with the Spendor room and the D7. I kept coming back and stayed longer each time. Wonderful balance for these ears. The Chord dac and integrated seemed to make for terrific value too. 
The Altas were something special  also and some pyramid  shaped italion stand mounts I cannot recall  the name
dminches
38 posts
 
Just my .02 cents and opinion...

I was at the show 2 days and heard a lot of good systems.  I thought Jeff Joseph's room sounded great, as always.  I also liked Jonathan Tinn's room with the Evolution Acoustics speakers and the Wave Kinetics Turntable / Durand tonearm.  There were many other rooms including the MBL room which I enjoyed stopping in.

I disagree that the Vandersteen room didn't sound well.  I was there on Saturday, after they got the equipment issues resolved.  When I walked in the sweet spot was empty so I grabbed it.  Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey was playing and the sound stage was a mile wide and quite enjoyable.  The room they were in was huge so I can't get worked up over some of the sonic characteristics like there not being enough bass.  That is a room issue, not an equipment issue.  There is no way the system nine lacks in bass.  I have heard it in smaller, better tuned rooms.

I did stop by again later and the "DJ" was playing some unfamiliar music so I really couldn't get a sense for the sound then.  I wish these exhibitors would realize that playing well-recorded standards is the way to go.  What's the point of playing stuff nobody knows?



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