AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Lee’s Best of Show
I was really burned out from a long work week at nearby Northwestern University. I was so looking forward to AXPONA as the medicine to my working man blues. The only thing stopping me was […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Best of The Show, Wrap-Up, and Why I am an Audiophile
Audio shows are more than new gear releases and demonstrations to me. They are a chance to connect with the strange personalities that embody what it means to be an eccentric. Sometimes our interests can […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Quintessence and Musical Surroundings, a devotion to sound
A world within the show, a Quintessence Audio LTD exhibit only requires a few steps physically (none socially) to transport you to a wonderland of high-end audio toys. For one weekend a year, the Chicago […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: The Sound Environment and the simple sound of unity
I met two wonderful men in a hotel elevator at Axpona. It’s not often that you get to freely say such things as a man but that’s a topic for another time and place. A […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Studio Electric, Fern & Roby, Zu Audio, Modwright; All-American Performance
There have been a growing number of monitor/bookshelf designs that I’ve encountered recently which impress me more than towers from other manufacturers. Segregating speakers firstly by whether they are bookshelf monitors or floor-standing doesn’t make […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Daedalus, Modwright, WyWires, a vein that continues to produce gold
A perennial favorite of the audio show circuit and with good reason. Here begins the benchmark for the audio show experience. More than a room of friendly and engaging manufacturers, this collection of craftsman also […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Italians do it better, Toska Audio presents Gold Note
I personally have never seen a Gold Note product at an audio show, and I doubt anyone who habitually remains stateside has seen one either. Making their US debut at Axpona with a famously European […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Bridging the gap with Music Direct
Every marketplace has a challenger in the ranks that takes up against the old guard. Even though Music Direct has been around for many years, it’s continued foothold in the internet-shopping-sphere of hi-fi directly reflects […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Vandersteen and AudioQuest clean-up nicely
System synergy is everything, why change the recipe if you find something tasty? We’ve seen a magic mix when you bring together Vandersteen + Audio Research + AudioQuest + AMG & HRS. They seem to […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Legacy and Raven Audio, just the beginning of a beautiful friendship
If you are no stranger to the audio show circuit, then I probably don’t have to tell you that Legacy Audio and Raven Audio have put forth some of the most unique audio show exhibits […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Kimber Kable and Woo Audio at The Club Lounge
A sprawling, hip, and peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the expo hall, the brilliant minds at Kimber Kable and Woo Audio have a taken advantage of the Renaissances’ towering architecture. If […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Fidelis Music Systems, New England’s everything audio store
Building and growing a system can be an arduous task to say the least. More than just the components, it takes experienced ears and patience in fine tuning the sound. Further more, engaging the interaction […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: The Expo Hall (Part Two)
Bigger and better than ever, this years Expo Hall at AXPONA was alone worth the cost of admission. Vendors were pulling all the stops with their displays and demo exhibits. Traffic was consistent throughout the […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: HHR Exotic Speakers tame the angles
The Story Axpona rooms that draw a crowd are a pleasure to report on. Yes it does make my job to cover them a little harder, but I like the input I get from attendees. […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: MBL, the definition of “Made in Germany”
I dropped in to check on what MBL is showing these days, and as always, they continue to dazzle me. Still on their worldwide tour, showcasing their newest MBL Noble Line of electronics, each hand […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Quintessence Audio Rocks the House
I’ve been a fan of Audio Research for a while. It started back around 1990 with a trip to Lyric Hifi in New York City where I was lucky enough to find the legendary Mike […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: Spatial Audio open baffles will open your mind
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller Spatial Audio, Linear Tube Audio, and Fern & Roby each arrive at a new reference this weekend at Axpona, and […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: After hours with The Audio Company
The Von Schweikert ULTRA 11 tour has made its way around to Axpona. Along with familiar faces in both Esoteric and VAC. The Story Exhibitors at audio shows are known for hosting after-hours listening parties, […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: The Voice That is! + TIDAL, the ultimate in synergy under one roof
I’m getting tired of talking about how perfect TIDAL speakers are, and how great of a dealer and exhibitor Doug White of The Voice That Is! … is. So I won’t. Instead I’m going to […]
AXPONA 2018
AXPONA 2018: The Audio Surgeon, just what the doctor ordered
Climbing the peaks of the auditory mountain top can be quite the adventure, that is, if you have the right guide. Step in Dr. Andrew S. Collen, better known in audiophile circles as the The […]