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Axpona 2025

CrazyCatHusband

CrazyCatHusband

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I'm going to Axpona 2025 in Schaumburg on Friday and Saturday. I'm usually interested in headphones, but I'm pretty happy with the 109 Pro's and Bathys that I demo'd at the show last year and purchased. I'll just browse through everything I suppose.

I'm especially interested in the expansion of car audio at this show. I built systems in my previous cars, but haven't taken the plunge lately due to several factors including workshop space and frustration with 12 volt electrical gremlins. I did my first system in a Honda Civic from the 90's, but cars are much more complicated and sensitive now.

Anyone want to join an ASR mini-meetup? Saturday mid-day perhaps?
 
Anywhere we can make a connection!
 
Orchard Audio will highlight two standout features at this year’s expo:
  1. Collaborative 3-Way Active Speaker System Demonstration, Room 452
    Orchard Audio has teamed up with Creative Sound Solutions (CSS), Danville Signal, and Hollis Audio Labs to present a cutting-edge 3-way active speaker system based on the acclaimed CSS Flagship Criton 3TD-X floor-standing speaker. This innovative setup features the Danville Signal dspNexus 2/8 digital crossover with filters designed by CSS and programming supported by Hollis Audio Labs. The active setup is powered by six Orchard Audio amplifiers, utilizing one Starkrimson Mono Premium (150W) amp for each tweeter and midwoofer and a Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium (500W) amp for each pair of woofers. To demonstrate the superiority of this digital/active approach, a standard Criton 3TD-X speaker with traditional passive crossover components will also be on hand, allowing attendees to hear the difference in real time. Visit Room 452 to experience this unique collaboration and the future of high-fidelity sound.
  2. Debut of the Valencia Headphone Amplifier in the Ear Gear Section, Table 8204
    Orchard Audio proudly introduces the Valencia headphone power amplifier, making its world debut at AXPONA 2025. Designed to deliver pristine audio quality and a robust 17W of power, Valencia promises an exceptional listening experience for headphone enthusiasts. Attendees can audition this new amplifier at Table 8204 in the Ear Gear section. This debut marks another milestone in Orchard Audio’s mission to elevate personal audio enjoyment.
To further sweeten this news, the first 33 visitors to Orchard Audio’s Room 452 on each of the 3 days will receive a box of Girl Scout cookies.

486625341_647812304661645_6002789219450663745_n.jpg



Here is a picture of what the Ear Gear table will look like.
0310bee9a477ce1e61f60e113e4fbe2b26bb758d.jpeg
 
I plan to attend with a friend Friday or Saturday. Contemplating going to the talk “Beyond ABX: The Quest for Superior Listening Tests.” The speaker is President of Worldwide Cable Technology. Wonder if ASR will be defamed specifically, or just indirectly.
 
Zgrado1970 said:
I plan to attend with a friend Friday or Saturday. Contemplating going to the talk “Beyond ABX: The Quest for Superior Listening Tests.” The speaker is President of Worldwide Cable Technology. Wonder if ASR will be defamed specifically, or just indirectly.
Click to expand...
This one's at the Expo Hall at 2PM on Friday. I'll be there to learn about the science of selling a $5600 power conditioning cord.
 
CrazyCatHusband said:
This one's at the Expo Hall at 2PM on Friday. I'll be there to learn about the science of selling a $5600 power conditioning cord.
Click to expand...
lol.

To their credit, I think wireworld is the only company to ever have measurements that show improvement.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Review and Measurements of Wireworld Starlight 7 USB Cable

This is a review and detailed measurements of Wireworld Starlight 7 flat USB cable. It is on kind loan from a member. The cost is USD $100 including Prime shipping for the 1 meter/40 inch length I am testing. For this review, I compared it to my current favorite, the 6 foot/1.5m version of...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com

Maybe they will move from ABX testing to claim that if you can measure it, it’s worth it…
 
I hope there will be some reasonably priced speakers, as well as other gear, at AXPONA. I'm close to Dallas and thought about attending the Southwest Audio Fest a couple weeks ago, but after reviewing the exhibitor list, it just didn't look like there would be much, if any affordable brands there.
 
Jon L said:
Go to enough of these audio shows, and one realizes how little components' SINAD or distortion numbers matter when orders of magnitude higher problems exist simply due to the room acoustics :facepalm:
Click to expand...
There's more representation at this show for GIK and ATS Acoustics than any other companies. Last year I was listening to some speakers that I really liked. I was considering buying them, and then looked at the reviews. Apparently you need a padded room for them to sound good. They had the perfect setup to showcase them, but they wouldn't have sounded like that in my home.
 
orchardaudio said:
Orchard Audio will highlight two standout features at this year’s expo:
  1. Collaborative 3-Way Active Speaker System Demonstration, Room 452
    Orchard Audio has teamed up with Creative Sound Solutions (CSS), Danville Signal, and Hollis Audio Labs to present a cutting-edge 3-way active speaker system based on the acclaimed CSS Flagship Criton 3TD-X floor-standing speaker. This innovative setup features the Danville Signal dspNexus 2/8 digital crossover with filters designed by CSS and programming supported by Hollis Audio Labs. The active setup is powered by six Orchard Audio amplifiers, utilizing one Starkrimson Mono Premium (150W) amp for each tweeter and midwoofer and a Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium (500W) amp for each pair of woofers. To demonstrate the superiority of this digital/active approach, a standard Criton 3TD-X speaker with traditional passive crossover components will also be on hand, allowing attendees to hear the difference in real time. Visit Room 452 to experience this unique collaboration and the future of high-fidelity sound.
  2. Debut of the Valencia Headphone Amplifier in the Ear Gear Section, Table 8204
    Orchard Audio proudly introduces the Valencia headphone power amplifier, making its world debut at AXPONA 2025. Designed to deliver pristine audio quality and a robust 17W of power, Valencia promises an exceptional listening experience for headphone enthusiasts. Attendees can audition this new amplifier at Table 8204 in the Ear Gear section. This debut marks another milestone in Orchard Audio’s mission to elevate personal audio enjoyment.
To further sweeten this news, the first 33 visitors to Orchard Audio’s Room 452 on each of the 3 days will receive a box of Girl Scout cookies.

View attachment 442773


Here is a picture of what the Ear Gear table will look like.
View attachment 442775
Click to expand...
Full setup in Room 452:
IMG_4637.jpeg
 
orchardaudio said:
Full setup in Room 452:
View attachment 443630
Click to expand...
Wouldn't it be helpful to change the positioning of the speakers on one side to make sure, that every pair has the same distance between them? The inner pair of speakers stand much closer together which will at least affect the imaging: this should be avoided in a direct comparison in my opinion.
 
Come on, attendees. Pics or it didn't happen!
 
I hope somebody can tell us what they thought of the Magico M9 flagship speaker set up:

1744424268806.png
 
The bedazzled power cable added micro dynamics, or so I heard.

I’ve tried multiple times to upload the photo and keep getting a message it is too large
 
Zgrado1970 said:
Personally speaking, $164K for cables is a small price to pay for some good PRaT.


View attachment 443851
Click to expand...

That’s what I never understood. There must be some sort of insane dealer profit margin too, which allows them to say that I am giving you a major discount. The $50,000 Stradivari?

360 lbs of Italian furniture. Though I like original Stradivari more than the G2 in terms of looks, you can appreciate that it is a real luxury experience.


While I wouldn’t buy any item on that list (and honestly don’t have the budget to buy any item on that list either), it makes the Stradivari seem more value priced. I wonder if it’s the Costco effect. By having some silly expensive stuff at the entrance, you feel like it’s a better value when you buy the other stuff.
 
GXAlan said:
That’s what I never understood. There must be some sort of insane dealer profit margin too, which allows them to say that I am giving you a major discount. The $50,000 Stradivari?

360 lbs of Italian furniture. Though I like original Stradivari more than the G2 in terms of looks, you can appreciate that it is a real luxury experience.


While I wouldn’t buy any item on that list (and honestly don’t have the budget to buy any item on that list either), it makes the Stradivari seem more value priced. I wonder if it’s the Costco effect. By having some silly expensive stuff at the entrance, you feel like it’s a better value when you buy the other stuff.
Click to expand...
I'd rather buy a Lexus for $50K
1000090308.jpg
 
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