AXPONA 2024

I was there Saturday and wasn’t able to see all I wanted but am glad i went.

The Estelon/Vitus was quite good - wish I had spent more time there.

The Auralic ESD horns I thought sounded “cupped” - typical horn colorations which surprised me. Not my cup of tea. And who could live with such gargantuan gear - even with a dedicated room?

The T+A room was playing their R2500 receiver which I thought quite good considering it’s an all in one. I have their HV gear and this was surprisingly good. It wasn’t too loud when I was in there.

I was disappointed in the TAD room as the bass was muddy and not showing the best of what those speakers are capable of.

Unlike Mike above, I found the darTzheel Stenheim room quite tipped up (unless there was another room w/ the electronics?). I really didn’t enjoy it. Must have caught it at a bad moment. 

I thought ATC had a decent showing.

The new QLN w/ the Vinnie Rossi gear was just a bit bright of neutral, but sounded quite good overall.

Gobel/WADAX was very good considering the room limitations (wall of windows) with a smooth presentation.

Last year I thought the MBL room great - this year only so - so. But, it might have been the tracks. It just didn’t seem as well balanced. Still love the speakers and wish I had room for them.

Atmosphere amps - pretty darn impressive units and I may need to get a pair for a different rig.

I heard more, but these were the ones that made a lasting impression for me.

@mikelavigne 

Thanks!!

Very nice report summary you provided. From past experience I know the effort and concentration required to cover multiple rooms (Primarily CES days 🙂) as you did. Much appreciated.

Charles

@mikelavigne yes. You had to,take notes to do this effectively.  Thanks 

I found all the Stenheim speakers Tipped up treble and bloated in the bass. None were impressive at all.

The Gobel/Wadax room is always disappointing as there is so much money there and some of the smaller systems sound way better than this room. People seem to get all goo-goo eyed about the expensive equipment - I went in Friday/Saturday/Sunday to see if the room was busy and it never was.

Vienna Acoustics room sounded really nice. It is great to see them back.

The Gobel/Wadax room is always disappointing as there is so much money there and some of the smaller systems sound way better than this room. People seem to get all goo-goo eyed about the expensive equipment - I went in Friday/Saturday/Sunday to see if the room was busy and it never was.

@botrytis

if you asked Elliot in the Gobel/Wadax/Riviera room, he would be the first to tell you that the room is a major problem. with windows all along the left side and alcoves everywhere it is impossible to get right, so even with taking 3-4 times the effort to try and mitigate that it’s still a problem for any high energy music. he tried to change rooms, but likely he will not do Axpona in the future with that room.

OTOH if you heard more small group or quieter music in that room it did have tonality and textures superior to other rooms i heard at the show. so i respect your comments that it had issues, but hearing music that the room could do it was superb. if you read my comments they were very limited, and i made a point of explaining that many/most rooms had limitations to what type of music would work.

the room is the thing. and gear can only operate with what a room allows it to do. you are correct that when people see the $$$$’s involved they expect that overcomes the room....but stuff does not work that way.

everyone loved the same gear at Capital Audio Fest with exactly the same gear and much less effort......as that room worked.

if you want to hear a room with Wadax that works perfectly you are welcome to visit me here in the Seattle area. i promise to make zero excuses. my room is fully sorted out. no one, and i mean no one, realizes more what a room can do or not do.....and then what room tuning can contribute. super duper gear can only take a great room further, not fix a problem room.