The Hidden Gem at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023!


Good Morning Fellow Audiophiles!

I just spent two "action packed days" at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023. 

I heard a number of very find sounding systems, including amazing musical reproduction from such well known names as Borresen, Acora, and Kharma.  Also in the "price no object" category, the Cessaro Wagners were absolutely stunning, and earned my "Best of Show Award".  

However, while I truly enjoyed all of the great sound, THE HIGHLIGHT of the show for me was a name you probably DON'T know, designed by a very nice young man who I think just might have a very bright future

The product was the Endow Audio Bravura 7.2, and at $6,900 it offered a glimpse of what I heard with the $65K Cessaros at 10% of the price. What's more it did so while driven by very modest electronics from Black ice.  I'm not an engineer, but the unique design, with 9 x 1.5" midrange drivers arranged in an arc at the rear of the 3D printed horn sitting atop the otherwise conventional appearing bookshelf cabinet conferred an amazing immediacy, truth and penetration of timbre and tonal color, and nothing short of stunning image solidity and soundstage size.

The company offers a 30 day in home trial risk free.  t took photos and will also try to post them. 

www.EndowAudio.com  To clarify, I have NO RELATIONSHIP WHATSOEVER with any aspect of Endow Audio.

BH

Ag insider logo xs@2xbouncehit

@mapman

In my original post I outlined the virtues of the speakers as I perceived them personally.

I am from a middle-class family, and certainly don’t take $7000 lightly! However, in a world where systems can cost $1 million, and lesser sounding systems cost multiples of this one, I thought it was noteworthy.

As always, I would encourage folks to have a listen and decide for themselves. But, my enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm of my good friend and long time Audiophile co-traveler David, were very real!! (And we both own systems many would consider at or near the state of the art, so possess a valid, relevant reference).

I am sure there are other things as good or better at the price point, but in these contexts they were real standouts!!

@Roxy54

Have a listen and let us know your thoughts. 😃

I welcome competing perspectives 

@bouncehit

 

In my original post I outlined the virtues of the speakers as I perceived them personally.

I am from a middle-class family, and certainly don’t take $7000 lightly! However, in a world where systems can cost $1 million, and lesser sounding systems cost multiples of this one, I thought it was noteworthy

Your post was fine! You simply expressed your appreciation and listening impressions of a speaker that caught your attention. Truly an understandably subjective occurrence. That’s what these audio forums are for.

Product price/value/affordability is also subjective.7K dollars for some is quite a financial reach, for others it’s chump change. The range of disposable income I imagine is very broad amongst members here. Utterly an individual call as it always is.

Charles

For me, the system in the Pure Audio Project room was the hidden gem at the show.  The prices of components were not unreasonable and the performance level was extremely high.  But, because they did not hit you with big bass slam, and the exhibitors did not play the system at extremely high levels, it was not so much an attention-getting display.  The system quietly went about playing music in an utterly natural, relaxed and engaging way with quite good micro-dynamics and a lively, yet not aggressive presentation.  I was shocked that the speakers--Trio model (open baffle with twin 15" woofers and a midrange/tweeter between the woofers)--cost something like $8,450.  They were also suited to being coupled with low-powered amps (the kind of amps I like),  If I had to give up my current system, I could easily live with these speakers, and that cost is less than a third of the price of the midrange drivers in my system.  Because these speakers have different modules for bass and midrange/tweeter, they can be upgraded.  I would probably opt for their Voxativ field coil midrange/tweeter module. 

FWIW it seems a number of high end vendors have playlists available on qobuz.   Assuming they use these same tracks at shows,they could prove to be a useful tool to compare what one has at home to what one hears at a show.