Steve, enjoyed getting to know you a bit, I was the Fidelity Imports rep in the Opera room. We really appreciate you visiting us and I’m pleased you enjoyed the sights and sounds.

I'm actually stunned by his assessment of the Gauder speakers. I heard Sax, Male vocals, and Female vocals in that room. As a saxophone player, I was incredibly pleased by the level of realistic reproduction of a saxophone sound. In fact, I don't believe I heard anything better than that at the entire show in saxophone reproduction. Male and Female vocals were extremely revealing of every part of the voice. If there is a flaw in a recording, the Gauder room with Solution electronics was going to find it. Absolutely exceptional playback. As far as the ESD system goes, DUDE, they played some symphony orchestra stuff and it sounded like the trombone section was 10-12 feet away and playing wide open. That doesn't mean I'd drop 4 million on the system, but "wow" doesn't begin to describe the experience. And the folks walking out of the room with me were just as amazed as I was. After a full day of working my way down from the 16th floor, I had two other demos to go hit, but I just decided to leave on the ESD system. It wasn't going to get any better than that.

Hsu played us some organ music with 16hz. It was awesome! They seem like great people. Very affordable stuff which he made a point of mentioning with the $300 amp. Glad you mentioned them!

Thanks for taking the time out to visit us at the show. We look forward to any forthcoming reviews :-)

Thanks for the video Gents. Seems like ShadyJ was impressed by the new HSU Subs. Can't wait for the review!

Just wait until you listen to the all new German Physiks Unicorn Horn Loudspeakers ! Audio Heaven on Planet Earth !

I ran into James on Sunday at Axopna , we were both walking out and I and the pleasure of picking his brain on some subs. I did not get to say it was very nice to meet you, and to be honest I was a little starstruck!! hahaha Anyway it was nice to meet you James.

@jameslarson2277

Ай бұрын

Nice to meet you too!

@HaraldMacGerhard

Ай бұрын

Did you ask for autograph? 🤪

@ashikhan244

Ай бұрын

@@HaraldMacGerhard I should have! Haha.

Respect to HSU for making affordable products that give the average person so much value they can feel they are not missing out compared to much, much more expensive products. 💪

I really appreciate the honest takes on all these rooms

Listened to the Yamaha 800A at the Montreal Audiofest and I thought they were the best bang for the buck.

I think the MoFi SourcePoint 888 are the best sound-for-money at the show.

Gene and James thanks for the video and info on the speakers. Looking to James’ upcoming reviews of some of these. Rock on!

Good info gents, thanx.

I got the audia flight three s. What an amp!

Monitor continue to be my favorite

That ESD Audio Dragon System looks like it was designed by Dr. Seuss. I can't unsee that!

Aww man. I was at Axpona on Saturday. It would have been cool to run into James

Thanks for the entertaining and interesting insight into the Axpona

I really want to hear the new Hsu sub!

Finally some cool content from the show.

I met James there. It was the highlight of the show for me. We talked about Crosstalk Cancelation. I spent most of my time in the Theoretica Applied Physics room (BACCH). Best speakers for me: PSB towers 12K a pair best mid priced: Atohm towers like 5K a pair Best value pair: BMR philharmonics $1700

I have been following your KZread and I have found out very informative topics in your vlogs. May I please ask which correct speaker level settings in my Yamaha RX-A2A receiver? I have two front floor standing speakers Martin Logan Foundation 1 and 1 subwoofer SVS 1000pro (sealed) and surround (L, R and Center) using my old Bose 141 bookshelves and Bose cube as my center. I put all speakers +2.0db and subwoofer +5.0db or should I just leave them all 0.0db? Thank you.

Enjoyed the review, much appreciated. BTW, the focal pre-amp and mono blocks with their Utopias is $300K ... so a quick $548K for speakers and electronics ... nice if you have that kind of disposable income, good on you!! Enjoy your gear!!

I was there on Friday and got to hear both the Focal Kanta 2 and Sopra 2 and thought they both sounded great! The Kanta may be the sweet spot in the Focal lineup as both speakers sounded much more alike than different. I was also blown away by the Borresen C1. I’ve never heard a speaker that small sound so clean, detailed, and dynamic with plenty of low bass extension. Some others I enjoyed listening to were the Perlisten S7t, GoldenEar T66, Paradigm 100F (paired with a sub), and surprisingly, the Klipsch Cornwall IV. I did briefly listen to the PS Audio FR30s playing Eva Cassidy “Fields of Gold” and they sounded very transparent, detailed and dynamic. The room was full or I would have stayed for a few songs. Definitely way too much to see in only one day.

James needs to review the Legacy Audio Subs... Gene, hire the movers!!

I’d love to see the review of the Legacy Audio Goliath!

Yes please review the legacy Goliath! You don’t ever see reviews on them.

Didn't see the Clarisys Ribbon loudspeakers... Probably one of the best of all of these you show.

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

Where did they sound best to you ??

Did gene listen to the $4m horn system?

How big is the market for a $4m stereo?

@TriAmpHiFi

Ай бұрын

. Registering a Business $100. $4m in Business losses.......PriceLess. No one cuts a $4m check plus sales & other retail taxes. The only people that end up owning $4m stereos are failed stereo business owners. Sssshhh..... it's a secret. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

There's a market. It's not big but it's there. The wealthy are getting exponentially more so... just look how many $100K plus speakers there are in the market. There used to be only one.

Hi James Thank you for attending the Acora/Vac euphoria Room. Just to clarify pricing the SRB-Gem in Natural Amethyst are $55,000 /pr the Bedrock bass modules are $30,000 /pr in Lilac Marble. The same speaker can be purchased in our standard Nero Assaluto black Granite or Mystic Grey Granite for $38,000 complete SRB Monitor+Bedrock Bass unit. The flagship VRC are in Sunset Fire Quartzite a close cousin to Granite.

@Audioholics

Ай бұрын

So $30k/pair for the sub base model, not each? Are they passive or active? I will update our written show report accordingly. Thanks

@valeriocora3509

Ай бұрын

@@Audioholics They are passive at this time but we do provide an active crossover/control unit for them at the price listed. The end user will need an appropriate amplifier to drive them. Yes that is a per pair price at $30k in the lilac translucent marble as shown or $20k in Black Granite

hi guys, the Opera speakers, there are several versions of the Opera Callas, I believe what you showed here is Opera Callas Diva ❤ There is also a larger one, Opera Grand Callas ❤ There is also a standmount speakers which looks way cool, like only Italians can do ❤😍

When is the HSU sub review?

That Auralic system is bonkers. My detailing ocd would have me tending to them 247

Any thoughts on USB-C wired headphones?

Cool pictures. My budget for speakers is $7,000 for decent; $10,000 for something special. Can’t blame James for not wanting to lug 200 lb speakers into the house; I’m waiting for my son to show up so that I can get some help moving my 100 lb amplifiers down stairs.

Did anyone look at Clayton Shaw CALADAN or MACO Open Baffle speakers?

Well done 👍

Busiest show ever. People were parked on the sidewalks. It took all three days moving fast to see everything. Perlisten was great. Mofi 888 debut was incredible. . Magnepan combined with REL and Rotel was amazing. Yamaha standmounts were smooth and laid back. Clarisys / Hegel was possibly the best of the show.

Just curious since I've never been to an audio expo...are they basically a showcase of the best of what different manufacturers make or do people actually order equipment that rivals cars and houses in price??

@jameslarson2277

Ай бұрын

Manufacturers can bring their best, but a lot of times they also bring their newest stuff. They just bring whatever they want to promote the most. Many of the stuff on exhibit is also on sale, and often you can get a 'show discount' if you buy it there.

James, your opinion on psa audio speakers...?

I listened to some of the smaller two way bookshelf Vivid Kaya S12 around here, under $7K ..... AMAZING speakers, incredible design insane value 😍 The small floorstander Kaya 25 is even better at slightly elevated price at $11K, and the design .... it´s a design bomb ❤😍

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

Solid design, and great sound. Agreed.

No SVS Ultra Evolution?

Vivid speakers look like they were designed by Dr. Suess.

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

No, by the guy that designed B&W Nautilus... one of the most iconic speakers ever made.

huh.. Tekton? (Sorry, I just couldn't help myself)

@junior-OG

Ай бұрын

lol

@HaraldMacGerhard

Ай бұрын

Tekton is dead company ... Eric Alexander is bully

@Roddy451

Ай бұрын

@@HaraldMacGerhard It will be difficult, though not impossible, to survive the self-inflicted wounds.

@Roddy451

Ай бұрын

You all know I meant "Tekton Tools". K? 😜😜

@marstedt

Ай бұрын

Would have been fun to see a flash-mob at Tekton asking about panel resonance, uneven response and directivity ... all the time fanboying over their amazing / euphoric sound and yelling at each other to shut up or their going to court.

Why aren't anyone anywhere reviewing the Lowther room....?

Gene, you were missed at the RBH room for sure!

is there a hearing convention next door? Everyone should get their hearing calabrated before entry to any audio expo...those results woud be interesing

I hear James voting with his ears and not his back concerning the Legacy Goliath

Gene...love Audioholics and you do a great job with your channel. However...next time you send someone to cover the show could you find a reviewer whose descriptive vocabulary goes beyond "sounded really good, sounded really good, sounded good, sounded fine, sounded really good..." ? He said he "doesn't pay attention" to the sound at shows (which is pretty bizarre to me) and I guess this is the result? Maybe others feel differently but when each sound system is shown and discussed I immediately want to know "How did it sound?" What kind of characteristics did the sound have? Doesn't mean it's an actual review, but impressions from a careful listener is part of the fun especially for us who can't attend. As an example, if you show a 4 million dollar system you actually had a chance to listen to, "sounded fine" is not very interesting or informative. I'd think someone who is an audio reviewer would actually give SOME analysis as to the general character of the sound, any strengths, obvious weaknesses, etc. I guess the general lack of interest in the sound, from an audio reviewer, just leaves me a bit befuddled and unsatisfied in terms of what some other show reports supply. Just some viewer feedback.

Italians are definitely known for their cars.

Steve, I enjoyed our brief time together at the show. I was the Fidelity Imports rep in the Opera room. We appreciate you stopping in and I’m glad you enjoyed the sights and sounds.

@James, please review that Legacy subwoofer 🤩 And I do have a win-win for you, please invite a football team to your home for pizza and free lifting excercises 🤪😎

Where's the SVS room?

@jameslarson2277

Ай бұрын

I wasn't able to get good pictures in that room, but it did sound good.

Click the like 👍 button people TY

Not one pair of planar or open baffle in the entire review. I know there were some planars & OBs there. Was this intentional? Are y'all anti dipole speakers? Being penurious, I will check out Hsu.

Do they have a show for the average Audiophile

@TriAmpHiFi

Ай бұрын

Aaaw...... You're not average Kevin. You're very very Special.

@kevindillinger3699

Ай бұрын

@@TriAmpHiFi Aaaw Thanks I know

There definitely were some "interesting" speakers there.

interesting introductions to a lot of expensive speakers. Although I can appreciate the eye candy of expensive materials and designs I personally prefer my audio equipment to be heard and not seen, as much as possible. Sitting in my home theater neither the speakers or electronics are visible to the eye, only the screen just as it would be in a commercial theater. Hiding the system components also eliminates the tendency of some to judge how something sounds based on the way it looks.

13:26 WAF is zero. Who am I kiddin, my AF is zero.

😂Gryphon at AXPONA don't even border to plug their System for u to listen. Just like AudioQuest too. no display at AXPONA. both too yayapapaya. they think they Above the Gods nowadays🤗 Act like king of all Kings

@sentinalneo

Ай бұрын

AudioQuest were featured in the the GoldenEar room. It was associated with Saturday Audio Exchange, a Chicago local dealer.

@vassalhighend

Ай бұрын

Gryphon had a fantastic demo up on either 15 or 16. The Diablo Amp was featured in that room and it was stunning.

@WardoUSA

Ай бұрын

Maybe it’s difficult for them to choose speaker brands without causing rifts in relationships.

Gene, what the...you and James (Gollum) have never met?!

Tekton? Apparently he's sorry now so it's okay.

@vincebagusauskas278

Ай бұрын

He aint sorry.

@marstedt

Ай бұрын

@@vincebagusauskas278 Oh darn. :|

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

He doesn't give a dang about anyone not liking him. No problem there.

@marstedt

Ай бұрын

@@OCDHIFiGuy People don't have to like him but he does need help. Threatening and slandering people is not ok.

@kenbbaker

Ай бұрын

Eric is just looking for his next (scape) goat

😂Japan people always cut cost on their Internal connection. Use too much 15% conductivity Prosper bronzes pin in their Esoteric, very Rought Sound & very bad mid base sound, very very Disappointed with Them nowaday🤗

RMAF needs to come back. Chicago sucks

@johnstone7697

Ай бұрын

How does Chicago "suck"? First of all, it's in Schaumburg, not Chicago. Second, it's way larger and better attended than Denver ever was. And, once RMAF got bounced from the Tech Center Marriott, the new location by the airport was pretty horrible.

@Tom_the_great

Ай бұрын

@@johnstone7697 Are you seriously asking how Chicago sucks?

@jameslarson2277

Ай бұрын

Schaumberg is not Chicago.

@johnstone7697

Ай бұрын

@@Tom_the_great No I'm seriously asking if you've ever been to Axpona, or you're just another !diot spouting off about nothing. Besides, Denver was never a good location for a big audio show. Max attendance at RMAF was around 3000, where Axpona is getting over double that.

@rogercoates2492

Ай бұрын

I had a great time at Axpona this year! Highly recommended to attend. This was my fifth time going. RMAF as great, but I had to fly there. I liked staying at the same hotel as the convention.

No TAD?? Talking of some of the best speakers, they should definitely be there.

@OCDHIFiGuy

Ай бұрын

TAD was there in 3 rooms.

@willmorgan365

Ай бұрын

​@OCDHIFiGuy, that's my point. I think Gene's anti Pioneer feelings get in the way. He'd be the only person I know that wouldn't speak highly of them.😂

James if you want deep bass you’re gonna have to squat deep.. get that sub on the ground plane…

I’m really digging the proliferation of white finish speakers. They’re good at making a small space look less cramped.