Axpona 2013

[brett_s]

Is anyone going to AXPONA next weekend in chicago?

Brett

[brett_s]

No one else here ventured to AXPONA this weekend? The wife and I made it on friday. It was a lot of fun and very interesting. Heard a lot of equipment! Well worth the trip.

[Dave_72]

No one else here ventured to AXPONA this weekend? The wife and I made it on friday. It was a lot of fun and very interesting. Heard a lot of equipment! Well worth the trip.

Cool deal. Was there any JBL there?

[Mr. Widget]

Heard a lot of equipment! Well worth the trip.

Well? So what impressed you?


Widget

[brett_s]

Since you asked what impressed me, here you go! Don't beat me up too bad, it's just my thoughts, and I could be way off base.

I've never been to an audio show of any sorts before, so just seeing that many setups at one time was mind numbing. They had the two halls, and 3 or 4 floors of hotel rooms converted to listening rooms. It was a lot of equipment. Every thing from entry level to 1/2 million dollar set ups, and everything in between. I was dissapointed that JBL wasn't there, as I've never heard any of the newer high end stuff, but there was plenty of other gear there (and people).

Off the top of my head, MBL blew me away. They had three rooms($,$$, and $$$). The "entry" level room was very underwhelming sounding. They had their "noble" gear set up in another room, with what they said was an original master of led zepplin playing on a reel to reel. That setup was amazing. Big tight bottom end with a soft top end that was everywhere in the room. There was no such thing as off axis with those speakers. Their reference room was even better. Best sound I've ever heard from any stereo in my life....not even close. Hard to describe as it was that damn perfect. Everything they had was stupid expensive though.....If I ever become rich and famous with money to burn, I may have to give them a call.

I really enjoyed the sound of the Kingsound electrostatic speakers. Different sound than a conventional speaker. Incredible clarity. Smooth.

The Focal grand utopia's were stunning as well. Their reproduction of a choir was breath taking. If you closed your eyes, you would swear you were in a church. Intersting enough, the smaller Focals were underwhelming.

Peachtree put on the most entertaing show. The two guys they had giving their demos were drawing crowds and laughs. Good sounding equipment for the money also.

There were some seriously pretencious vendors as well. It's almost as if some people forgot that listening to music is supposed to be enjoyable....some folks need to lighten up a bit and enjoy what they are doing.

Way too much classical and opera music for my taste, but that's a personal thing It was intersting to hear a few systems "fall apart" when it was requested that they put on something on a bit more rocking. You could tell that some of the sonics was deffinetly tailored to a specfic sound with certain brands. I wouldn't have guessed that.

I was happy to realize that my cobbled together stereo isn't too bad. The XPL200/Parasound/Belles combo I'm running actually stood up very well....especially if you consider the price. If I could soften the top a bit, and warm up the mids a bit on my combo, I think I'd be set. That was kind of the sound I liked at the show. I'm guessing you could call it a "tubeish" sound, as that's what I kept liking. Without hearing all the different setups before, I didn't know what I was looking for, and what it could be.

If they come back to my area, I'll make the trip again.
Brett

[Dave_72]

Since you asked what impressed me, here you go! Don't beat me up too bad, it's just my thoughts, and I could be way off base.

I've never been to an audio show of any sorts before, so just seeing that many setups at one time was mind numbing. They had the two halls, and 3 or 4 floors of hotel rooms converted to listening rooms. It was a lot of equipment. Every thing from entry level to 1/2 million dollar set ups, and everything in between. I was dissapointed that JBL wasn't there, as I've never heard any of the newer high end stuff, but there was plenty of other gear there (and people).

Off the top of my head, MBL blew me away. They had three rooms($,$$, and $$$). The "entry" level room was very underwhelming sounding. They had their "noble" gear set up in another room, with what they said was an original master of led zepplin playing on a reel to reel. That setup was amazing. Big tight bottom end with a soft top end that was everywhere in the room. There was no such thing as off axis with those speakers. Their reference room was even better. Best sound I've ever heard from any stereo in my life....not even close. Hard to describe as it was that damn perfect. Everything they had was stupid expensive though.....If I ever become rich and famous with money to burn, I may have to give them a call.

I really enjoyed the sound of the Kingsound electrostatic speakers. Different sound than a conventional speaker. Incredible clarity. Smooth.

The Focal grand utopia's were stunning as well. Their reproduction of a choir was breath taking. If you closed your eyes, you would swear you were in a church. Intersting enough, the smaller Focals were underwhelming.

Peachtree put on the most entertaing show. The two guys they had giving their demos were drawing crowds and laughs. Good sounding equipment for the money also.

There were some seriously pretencious vendors as well. It's almost as if some people forgot that listening to music is supposed to be enjoyable....some folks need to lighten up a bit and enjoy what they are doing.

Way too much classical and opera music for my taste, but that's a personal thing It was intersting to hear a few systems "fall apart" when it was requested that they put on something on a bit more rocking. You could tell that some of the sonics was deffinetly tailored to a specfic sound with certain brands. I wouldn't have guessed that.

I was happy to realize that my cobbled together stereo isn't too bad. The XPL200/Parasound/Belles combo I'm running actually stood up very well....especially if you consider the price. If I could soften the top a bit, and warm up the mids a bit on my combo, I think I'd be set. That was kind of the sound I liked at the show. I'm guessing you could call it a "tubeish" sound, as that's what I kept liking. Without hearing all the different setups before, I didn't know what I was looking for, and what it could be.

If they come back to my area, I'll make the trip again.
Brett

Nah, you don't need that kind of sound. You'll realize you're lacking transparency. Neutral sound is always best, imo.

[brett_s]

I just remembered another setup that i thought was really good. It was from a brand that I hadn't heard (I put a note in my phone and just came acroos it), Harbeth. A small, 2 way, front ported cabinet. The dealer said they were new and just came out, but I can't remember the specific model. Looked like a typical book shelf speaker. I think they were around $5500 list.

It was being driven by the new Rogue hybrid intergated amp. Nothing extravagant by any means. Both my wife and i were shocked by the sound coming off this combo. It filled the room better than most other systems. It had that "big speaker" sound from a set of bookshelf sized speakers. It made both of us stop in our tracks as something that small shouldn't have sounded that big. Very impressive.

Thought I would share, as it was indeed a cool setup.

Brett

[JeffW]

Here's a review I snagged elsewhere, comparing two of the systems you mentioned. Let's see what this guy had to say: (bolding not mine, I can't seem to get it to turn off)

Big focal Grand Utopia room
What a mess. What a disappointment. What a shame. My butterfly was crushed as I had these high on a pedestal before entering the room. Huge 2-chassis monoblock Pass amps, huge flagship speakers. Money can't buy you love, I guess. Whoever set up the room should be ashamed. On some songs there was enough wow/flutter/rumble that the large lower woofers were slapping around to the point it was visible. The tweeters were hot, the bass was all over the place. Blame it on the room, or whatever you want. They should not have opened the doors until they had this system sounding adequate. At least it's one more off my bucket list. My lottery winnings will go a bit further now.

I say let's blame the amps. Now onto the smaller Focals:

Little Focal Utopia
BAT 6c33c amps
Oh boy, the little brothers to the show's Big Disappointment. Let’s peek our head in anyway...
Yay! Great room, great sound, great people, great, great, great. Dynamic. Tweeters (same Be tweeter on both Utopias) were exacting, but tame and not tiring. Very well-balanced system. Surprisingly almost zero room treatment, but it still worked. This room changed my initial impression of the Focal tweeters. One of my Best In Show. I may have to buy these amps.

​

[brett_s]

I guess this what's makes this whole hobby kinda fun. Two different people can hear distinctly different things.

[JeffW]

I guess this what's makes this whole hobby kinda fun. Two different people can hear distinctly different things.

The bolding thing was kind of messing with me, I didn't really finish off my post well.

That was the point I was really trying to make, and something I've mentioned before about hearing stuff in shows. I wasn't trying to imply I felt one opinion was "better" than another, just that this isn't the first time I've heard nearly diametrically opposed reviews of systems in shows.

You both like the MBLs!

MBL
Everything you read is true. They are stellar. They may well be perfect. I actually preferred the smaller Corona room over the large MBL room, but I think it was because I ended up so close to one of the big MBLs in the large room, and I was center stage in the smaller room. They throw CRAZY depth and breadth to the music. Like dipoles, but for some reason, much more focused. They live up to all the hype. Add me to the list of people that want them and cannot afford them. If I could, I'd buy them and never care about what's happening outside in the audio world again. In a word...amazing. Oh, and how can one not love the sofa-sized MBL monoblocks. They make my Levinson and CJ monoblocks look like 9 volt batteries. I pledge allegiance to MBL...

[macaroonie]

Harbeth have been making speakers in the UK forever. They were a LS3/5a licensee for many years , probably still are. Very experienced people there.

M

[hjames]

I was at the DC area Capitalaudiofest in 2011 - United Home Audio demoed the MBL gear - sweet sound but, if memory serves, it was a 1/4 million dollar system ... so it should be good, eh? Turns out its the same folks who import the Jolida tube gear - nice folks!

More of our images from 2011 are here - http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...ital-Audiofest

Plus - the MBL gear I saw is worth an image, hey?

Off the top of my head, MBL blew me away. They had three rooms($,$$, and $$$). The "entry" level room was very underwhelming sounding. They had their "noble" gear set up in another room, with what they said was an original master of led zepplin playing on a reel to reel. That setup was amazing. Big tight bottom end with a soft top end that was everywhere in the room. There was no such thing as off axis with those speakers. Their reference room was even better. Best sound I've ever heard from any stereo in my life....not even close. Hard to describe as it was that damn perfect. Everything they had was stupid expensive though.....If I ever become rich and famous with money to burn, I may have to give them a call.

+++++++++++

I was happy to realize that my cobbled together stereo isn't too bad. The XPL200/Parasound/Belles combo I'm running actually stood up very well....especially if you consider the price. If I could soften the top a bit, and warm up the mids a bit on my combo, I think I'd be set. That was kind of the sound I liked at the show. I'm guessing you could call it a "tubeish" sound, as that's what I kept liking. Without hearing all the different setups before, I didn't know what I was looking for, and what it could be.

If they come back to my area, I'll make the trip again.
Brett

[Ducatista47]

I did make it there on Saturday. The evacuation due to a fire alarm was an interesting diversion. Down eight floors and back up eight floors, eventually, all on the stairs.

I didn't see/hear everything; time and interest begat selectivity. There were only three rooms that I liked the sound of a lot.

I went first to the First Watt Lowther room, and that was not one of the three. The First Watt S-1s were awesome in their own way, but they seemed mismatched with the Lowthers they were playing. Then again, the Lowther sound has not yet appealed to me. It was nice to meet and speak with the head of Lowther America, a nice fellow and a tireless soldier in the trenches for my beloved full range world. Amp wise, I like my F2J and F5 much better, but a fair test would await. Out of my price range anyway.

The modwright room was the highlight for me (and my audio buddy Dave, who went along). I introduced myself to Dan Wright and had a long conversation. I am friends with his main colaborator, Alan Kimmel. Alan and Dan's KWI 200 (Kimmel Wright Integrated) amp sounded fantastic, the best solid state high power amp I have ever heard. The speakers in the room, a Van L Speakerworks model, were more than up to the task. A medium sized floor standing two way, they were very, very pleasing to hear. The designer said the "crossover" was a single cap, a technique I sometimes use.

The other room I liked a whole lot was the Newform Research speakers. They were clear as a bell and imaged unbelievably. The owner let us play whatever CDs (nice to go old school; just about everyone was using Ipods, tablets, turntables - perhaps a third or more - or reel to reel. None of the 192 digital feeds sounded as good as Redbook. Ethan Winer was right about that, as usual.) we wanted to hear and he had a Herbie Hancock with a Michael Brecker solo track. The speakers and their gear - more in a minute - imaged this performance like I had never heard anywhere. The horn wasn't just pinpointed in the center; it was given three dimensions! Well, maybe it wasn't just the speakers. I was wary of such a performance from anything similar to a line array, and then I noticed that the rig employed a $5495 DEQX-HDP-4. Well, whatever it was, it was amazing. It was a treat to experience. AS for that CD, I have ordered it.

Speaking of which, the ground floor by the lobby was full of music sellers. I purchased two XRCDs from Elusive Disc, and Dave purchased a CD which the Canadian artist in attendance promptly autographed. Dave introduced me to the man who remastered Bill Evans' Quintessence into 45rpm vinyl and digital; I felt like I was talking to God.

The Wadia room was like holy ground, only the burning bush was missing, but the program material was so far off my beaten path I could not get a read on the equipment. The amp was an Intuition 01, a pancake/flying saucer Class D unit. Even without anything to compare the experience to, the clarity of the gear was not in question. Win the lottery and Wadia will never hurt your sound quality.

The Audio Note (UK) room was something I was looking forward to hearing for the first time. The speakers, whatever they were, were holding back the quality and I will have to give AN another try some other time.

The room with MLB gear was not bad, but I like my stuff better.

As usual, the smaller Harbeths sounded better than the amps (Rogue) but not as good as large floorstanders.

A big room downstairs (as opposed to the 7th, 8th and 9th floors) was the expensive Von Schweikert Audio display. This was the third room that sounded great. The $120K speakers didn't completely impress me, but the KR Kronzilla driving them would have been worth the trip to Chicago by itself. If you ever have an opportunity to hear a big KR FET-tube hybrid, do it. Everyone I know who has will never forget it. I have to travel to hear one; just one of the two tubes costs more than any amp I own.

Another downstairs room had Pass Labs monoblocks; needless to say, the amplification was thrilling.

The Icon Audio room had their own tube gear driving their fine sounding single driver speakers; nothing was wrong with it, but I would have much preferred to hear my own First Watt amps doing the oomph factor.

I personally got off on visiting the Madisound room. Seeing many of the drivers they sell on a table (including SEAS and Fostex) elicited a mostly inarticulate comment from me. The representative nodded and said, "Speaker Porn."

Overall, the show did not buck the experience I brought into it. Vinyl is noticeably inferior, at the least in resolution, to well done digital if the system is resolving; speakers that use no networks or minimal (one cap) networks sound clearer and more coherent than multi driver crossover models; 192 digital's theoretical advantages are no better and possibly inferior in practice to Redbook CDs; tubes offer another flavor, but are more colored than minimalist JFET or MOSFET gear, exception to KR; and a high price is no guarantee of great sound. Oh, and why do so many exhibitors at these events use such lousy music and especially lousy recordings to demo their gear? Crap sound through an open reel is still crap sound.

[Mr. Widget]

I guess this what's makes this whole hobby kinda fun. Two different people can hear distinctly different things.

Hey, thanks for the reviews and started a thread with many interesting posts. When I have a few minutes I'll post a couple of questions and comments.


Widget

[Ducatista47]

After reading the other reviews/impressions here, I see I have inadvertently supplied yet another divergent opinion of the event. Glad to oblige!