i read this on Stereophile
I agree with the synopsis presented here. The best room, from my perch, was Bending Wave with Gobel's entry level speaker, StudioPlayer/Riviera. Fantastic and realistic detail, amazing imaging despite the small room. Very clear, this was a cohesive, realistic presentation with little if any faults.
Second best was Stenheim Ref Ultime Two with T+A dual monos. Another room with exquisite detail and fantastic imaging, regardless of the volume being played. Unfortunately, the Stenheim Alumine 2.5 with Electrocompanient in another room didn't fare as well, but still an admirable performer. Very similar signature and the slightly strident upper octaves most likely the difference in electronics.
The best rooms were those in the smaller rooms. Many "good presentations" were on display.
By far the biggest disappointment was the new Oneiros $650+ speaker. Looked great sounded HORRIBLE. The developer (?owner of company) explained away the lousy sound and low volume being played as room issues, which were definitely on display, BUT this is the venue he chose to display them, and they really were terrible. Even at low volumes to avoid the bass nodes, imaging and realism left a lot to be desired. Their empty room and people leaving as quick as they entered, I think speaks for itself.
Second biggest disappointment was Focal Diva Utopia. I listened to lecture about how wonderful they are to easily set up, to adjust for room nodes, loss of hearing, etc. and when they played several cuts, I was astonished at how bad they sounded. Needless to say, not a fan.
Third biggest disappointments for me, were the large Clarisys and Borresen Rooms.
This disappointment was with a big caveat. Here, it is obvious, the Clarisys definitely has potential to satisfy those with a HUGE room and love for that HUGE sound. No doubt, the weaknesses of this system was almost definitely room related. The lack of top end detail and somewhat distorted imaging most clearly a room issue. Big orchestral lower octaves were very impressive, and I am sure, a room that could handle the challenges of a HUGE system more appropriately than a hotel ballroom would see a world class system. However, for me, while I enjoy a ribbon on occasion and a short listen based on their positives, I am not one who could live with ribbons for the long term. Even the Clarisys PICCOLO, driven by the BLOCK electronics didn't do it for me. I would have loved to have heard them with a VAC alternative to get a better apple to apples comparison with the HUGE room. No doubt I am being too harsh on the big Clarisys by claiming a "disappointment" as this system, assuming you have the $ and room, will give you a world class and likely a one of kind system, albeit, not based on this show.
The big Boressen room, really had no excuses. While the imaging was excellent and transparency as usual was excellent, the distorted lower bass octaves, on the music being played was bloated, distorted and destroying the benefits the speaker was displaying elsewhere. A real miss for me. While the room can be blamed, the big Clarisys, in a large room with similar taller ceilings had no such issues.
Fourth big disappointment was the big Estelon. Flat imaging, lifeless, the door was my friend.
Some very good rooms were on display with Acora, smaller Borreson two-way speakers (while many were impressed with the bass filling the room, I found them a little overbearing but quite good overall), YG (expected more, but what I come to expect at a show but excellent balance and imaging) but from my perch not on par with the big Stenheim.
Honorable mention for two very interesting and "reasonably priced" rooms was O Audio, great sound, very detailed, bass very well controlled and just slightly below state-of-the-art transparency and imaging. Very impressive for the $. A speaker that should be auditioned in search in this price class. The other was a new ribbon, Popori Acoustics. I would like to hear these again, especially when they introduce the larger more expensive models. I liked what I heard.
Lots of VAC everywhere, as usual, some crazy and unique looking Metaxas audio with a unique (and reasonably priced) electrostatic speaker, room way too small to draw any conclusions but wouldn't mind hearing them in a different setup. Surprisingly, a dearth of CH but so be it.
Overall a really good and well attended show. Kudos to Suncoast for orchestrating what is rapidly becomeing a go to show.
