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
Interesting that so many opinions matched what I heard at the 2019 Tampa show, esp the rooms not matching the speakers and either too boomy or no bass at all. Even rooms with active correction had big issues. Has anyone ever seen/heard synergistics research acoustical treatments at shows: Black Box, HFT, panels? They get some great reviews and was wondering if they were really that good when compared dollar for dollar with items like GIK. SR stuff seems a lot more portable than large panels, and I can appreciate the difficulty of hauling many large panels to a show along with everything else.

It would be nice if the show promoters had a large stock of mid-priced treatments kept in a storeroom locally to help people tune their rooms, especially some cantilevered/side supported way to treat the ceilings which are really low.
Re being nice to people with bad sounding rooms; shouldn’t we be a little more honest while trying to be remain kind and grateful about their participation? Sounds like Apoxna was larger than Tampa, is Rocky Mtn about as large? I had lots of fun in Tampa in spite of room issues, and am looking to forward to another show someday soon. It’s a great way to learn about our hobby and find items to audition seriously later.

Vandersteen System Nine was not at the show.  I am confused by the comments about a speaker that was not there.