Who’s going to the Florida International Audio Expo?

All new Oneiros Audio speakers are at this show has anyone heard them yet ? Room 435
 
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Tony, great observation. I heard acoustic jazz in New Orleans last week and was simply transfixed. It was us and the group. So intimate. So organic. So impossible to obtain from any system in this universe.
Of course, some people are here on a mission.
Time spent today with Popori. Small and medium sized. I don’t know the models. Such a transparent detailed and airy mid range. Magical on some of their demo material. Bass better than other e-stats.
As expected the systems sounded better today.
The Oneiros room was loud with chatter each time I was in there. The speakers were playing but couldn’t really be heard. Lots of activity. And sn elite set up of hardware in support.
 
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I also read this comment on Stereophile as well


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.
 
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Elliot’s Bending Wave room was excellent. It did so many things right. I also agree on the T&A Stemheim room. And it’s good to hear someone heard what I heard with the bass booming in the large Borressen room. I was impressed by the sheer scale of the big Clarisys but never warmed up to it.
Where Elliott and I part ways is the Estelon room. Flat? Lifeless? Really?? Did we hear the same system? I didn’t experience that system anywhere close to the way you did. I heard a wonderful floating if life like 3 dimensionality soundstage that moved all over the room, dependent on the recording. Nothing flat about it.
Since I have a pair of Estelon’s at home I can tell you they are similar, not at all flat or lifeless. I like my front end (Gryphon). Estelon’s sound more like live music. Honestly not sure what you heard.
What I’ve learned from these shows is that there are lots of wonderful pieces of equipment. None at the upper level are lousy. They are different. If something’s not to your taste, that doesn’t make it bad. Just not for you. But it’s right for someone else.
I am cautious not to say something is not good if it doesn’t float my boat. It could be someone else’s favorite. But to say the door was your friend implies the system was painful to listen to. I could have spent all day on there.
This is why I generally don’t post on forums. I will return to that mode.
 
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Elliot’s Bending Wave room was excellent. It did so many things right. I also agree on the T&A Stemheim room. And it’s good to hear someone heard what I heard with the bass booming in the large Borressen room. I was impressed by the sheer scale of the big Clarisys but never warmed up to it.
Where Elliott and I part ways is the Estelon room. Flat? Lifeless? Really?? Did we hear the same system? I didn’t experience that system anywhere close to the way you did. I heard a wonderful floating if life like 3 dimensionality soundstage that moved all over the room, dependent on the recording. Nothing flat about it.
Since I have a pair of Estelon’s at home I can tell you they are similar, not at all flat or lifeless. I like my front end (Gryphon). Estelon’s sound more like live music. Honestly not sure what you heard.
What I’ve learned from these shows is that there are lots of wonderful pieces of equipment. None at the upper level are lousy. They are different. If something’s not to your taste, that doesn’t make it bad. Just not for you. But it’s right for someone else.
I am cautious not to say something is not good if it doesn’t float my boat. It could be someone else’s favorite. But to say the door was your friend implies the system was painful to listen to. I could have spent all day on there.
This is why I generally don’t post on forums. I will return to that mode.
Dear Sir
That is NoT my post!!!!
That was on the Stereophile website follow the reviewers comments .
I don’t post on other people’s stuff
 
I went on Friday and Saturday. Met some friends there and had a good time. I think the rooms and exhibitors sounded better at this hotel than the previous.
My top five rooms, in no particular order, are
Popori
YG
Gobel
PMC
Stenheim

A stand out in the “affordable“ (?) category was the Fischer&Fischer slate speakers
This is just mine and my friends opinion. You are welcome to disagree.
 
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...
I am cautious not to say something is not good if it doesn’t float my boat. It could be someone else’s favorite. But to say the door was your friend implies the system was painful to listen to. I could have spent all day on there.
This is why I generally don’t post on forums. I will return to that mode.
Dear Sir,
Your contributions and opinions are very valuable. Other people just have different perceptions, tastes, and preferences. I hope you reconsider.
 
I didn't attend the Florida show, but I do go to CAF every year. I can say that Elliot's rooms, whatever the speaker, electronics etc, are CONSISTENTLY one of the best sounding rooms.
 
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Elliot,
Congrats! I can only imagine how difficult it is to set up and work your tail all weekend!

Out of curiosity, at what percentage of ultimate was this system performing? If you had a good room and more time to set up, how much more performance could be gained?
At least 20 percent more
 
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It’s funny when an audio magazine actually describes what they hear and it’s not all positive it’s a drama.
for what it’s worth if Elloit took the time to make a post I think bravo to him.
here is a comment how anyone likes the potpori panels makes me laugh.
But it’s still valid to whom likes them.
I love panels but gobel is an amazing speaker every time I’ve heard them.
There are many variables to consider for shows.
 
Dear Sir
That is NoT my post!!!!
That was on the Stereophile website follow the reviewers comments .
I don’t post on other people’s stuff
I’d like to see the post.
Whomever said it. I still disagree. I can criticize the speakers, set up and room too but flat and lifeless is not what my ears heard.
Still liked your room.
Have a good day.
 
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I’d like to see the post.
Whomever said it. I still disagree. I can criticize the speakers, set up and room too but flat and lifeless is not what my ears heard.
Still liked your room.
Have a good day.
you are of course able to disagree and you should if you do. These are people's opinions and their experiences. If one goes to a room at different time and different day with different music these may change. These are ONLY observations at a point in time about the sound in a room and thats it.
I appreciate you comments on my room and on the others and Pop thats all there is. I hope you enjoyed the show!
 
Here is the link on Desktop version
Elliot
 
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It’s funny when an audio magazine actually describes what they hear and it’s not all positive it’s a drama.
for what it’s worth if Elloit took the time to make a post I think bravo to him.
here is a comment how anyone likes the potpori panels makes me laugh.
But it’s still valid to whom likes them.
I love panels but gobel is an amazing speaker every time I’ve heard them.
There are many variables to consider for shows.
I cant and wont post my feelings about specific products as I dont think its professional. I can say that all big rooms at all shows are extrememly challenging and this show is no different.
 
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Eh, at least everyone has the same bad room acoustics to work with.

Tom
 
funny how folks get riled up when they dont like what others say about there gear
 

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