The thrill is gone
Well, I kinda had enough from the Munich High End show, let me elaborate with some pictures, starting with my favorite room this year- Thorens.
Open baffle Thorens loudspeakers-22k. Very relaxed and open sound, the kind of sound you can live with for 20 years.
The rest of the system costs like a Porsche GTS which bring me to point #1 why this post is going to be more of a rant then a cover-up.
Let's jump to the most anticipated yet frustrating 🙃 system in the show- Vivid audio moya.
This must be a great speaker but I wouldn't know, they cranked the volume up so badly that I couldn't stay. More over almost everybody went full Monty on this first day which means that by Saturday most of the guys there will suffer from hear damage.
Then I went to hear the neighbor room.
The room owner and designer of this very interesting looking speaker started by apologies that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the sound because the Vivid Audio Moyas 16woofers created such dominating bass that ruined the presentation for everybody else... he also told me there is a paragraph demanding to keep the level on 75db. I had a laugh
Never the less here are some exotic shapes that might inspire your DIY.
Well, I kinda had enough from the Munich High End show, let me elaborate with some pictures, starting with my favorite room this year- Thorens.
Open baffle Thorens loudspeakers-22k. Very relaxed and open sound, the kind of sound you can live with for 20 years.
The rest of the system costs like a Porsche GTS which bring me to point #1 why this post is going to be more of a rant then a cover-up.
Let's jump to the most anticipated yet frustrating 🙃 system in the show- Vivid audio moya.
This must be a great speaker but I wouldn't know, they cranked the volume up so badly that I couldn't stay. More over almost everybody went full Monty on this first day which means that by Saturday most of the guys there will suffer from hear damage.
Then I went to hear the neighbor room.
The room owner and designer of this very interesting looking speaker started by apologies that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the sound because the Vivid Audio Moyas 16woofers created such dominating bass that ruined the presentation for everybody else... he also told me there is a paragraph demanding to keep the level on 75db. I had a laugh
Never the less here are some exotic shapes that might inspire your DIY.
Attachments
So remember the loudness war? It also makes the driver say very loudly from which materials they are made of. Pushing Audio Technology hard enough made me think of plastic,
Same as with paper and dishes
I was very surprised by yg acoustics that made great sound, very intimate and not at all metallic like
Also Magico got me forgetting about well Magico. The S3 is almost human! Like Mark Zuckerberg
The exaggerated system of the show was for me Cessaro and Aries Cerat Which is too bad I really like them.
And we'll to finnish this post with a good vibe, I'll just say thank God for DIY!
And a photo of Lamborghini
Adieu Munich high end, I won't be visiting you Again!
Same as with paper and dishes
I was very surprised by yg acoustics that made great sound, very intimate and not at all metallic like
Also Magico got me forgetting about well Magico. The S3 is almost human! Like Mark Zuckerberg
The exaggerated system of the show was for me Cessaro and Aries Cerat Which is too bad I really like them.
And we'll to finnish this post with a good vibe, I'll just say thank God for DIY!
And a photo of Lamborghini
Adieu Munich high end, I won't be visiting you Again!
Last edited:
Thanks for the report! Totally agree with you. Looks like a lot of bling and not much substance in terms advancing the state of the art.
Damnit forgot the best one. I don't know what it is but I like it.
Re: the last picture: reminds me of a thread here in DIYA: post a picture that makes you laugh. Sorry.
Interesting look at the beautiful speakers from around the world, and a wardrobe from Tannoy...
I get the feeling that people buy high end audio based on their eyes, rather than their ears.
Also possibly on what they think will impress others, rather than what they want to enjoy music; but it's their money, it keeps people employed, and nice pictures in the hi fi mags.
I get the feeling that people buy high end audio based on their eyes, rather than their ears.
Also possibly on what they think will impress others, rather than what they want to enjoy music; but it's their money, it keeps people employed, and nice pictures in the hi fi mags.
I visit Munich Highend today. New Vivid speaker is really good, especially bass. Their bass articulation is so great, even at very high volume, which no speaker in the show can do that well. The only problem is to show the loudspeaker’s ability, they turn the volume up too much, which is uncomfortable for me.
Attending the show confirms me that the only way to get life-like dynamic is through sufficiently big horn speaker. Of course, many horn loudspeakers are not well-designed, but good ones can fool people that they are listening to a real instrument or voice, even in terrible environment like in audio shows. And if you want 3d soundstage, then dipole is a great choice as competent ones (LX521, IO design, Lyngdorf) are all great at it.
The most balanced and high quality I heard in this shows is from Grimm Audio, SoulNote audio (electronics) + YGAcoustics (loudspeaker), IO Design Naked RS speaker (no baffle dipole) and Linkwitz LX521 (technically not in the audio shows, but only a distance of 30m from Munich Highend), Aries Cerat huge horn system. Perlisten’room with Trinnov is also very good
The Wilson speaker, I think it is a flagship one, is very good in the room with CH Precision’s electronics
The most disappointment is YG Acoustics room, when they pair their flagship loudspeaker with tube amps, and foolish enough to play a fast, dense and high transient music to demonstrate its quality. No wonder why the sound is dirty, slow.
The most bizarre one is the 1.2M-price huge horn system called “Super Dragon” from ESD audio. On one track, it create the most life-like thing I have heard in this show, the next track (piano) is unbelievably bad when the bass can not keep up with upper freuquency from horn and then sounds dirty and ponderous.
Attending the show confirms me that the only way to get life-like dynamic is through sufficiently big horn speaker. Of course, many horn loudspeakers are not well-designed, but good ones can fool people that they are listening to a real instrument or voice, even in terrible environment like in audio shows. And if you want 3d soundstage, then dipole is a great choice as competent ones (LX521, IO design, Lyngdorf) are all great at it.
The most balanced and high quality I heard in this shows is from Grimm Audio, SoulNote audio (electronics) + YGAcoustics (loudspeaker), IO Design Naked RS speaker (no baffle dipole) and Linkwitz LX521 (technically not in the audio shows, but only a distance of 30m from Munich Highend), Aries Cerat huge horn system. Perlisten’room with Trinnov is also very good
The Wilson speaker, I think it is a flagship one, is very good in the room with CH Precision’s electronics
The most disappointment is YG Acoustics room, when they pair their flagship loudspeaker with tube amps, and foolish enough to play a fast, dense and high transient music to demonstrate its quality. No wonder why the sound is dirty, slow.
The most bizarre one is the 1.2M-price huge horn system called “Super Dragon” from ESD audio. On one track, it create the most life-like thing I have heard in this show, the next track (piano) is unbelievably bad when the bass can not keep up with upper freuquency from horn and then sounds dirty and ponderous.
Last edited:
And I find a funny trend of this year is speaker with textreme cone drivers for true HighEnd and Purifi + AMT drivers for MidHighend 🙂
I agree, the Vivid Audio Moya did really well in terms of bass articulation, however the midrange and all the rest had a tough time keeping up with it. I heard some nasty distortion from those drivers or maybe it was my own eardrum breakup.
This phenomena was a recurring issue in so many rooms. I really don't get it, just undermines the possible strengths of the system.
I also believe that the best possible way to get high level dynamics without breakup issues are from Horns. Steinaudio did very well in this regard.
Here are some more random pictures and my thoughts about them:
Living voice R80 using the famous infamous scan speak Ellipticor drivers.
I really wanted this to work so I stayed long but it didn't. Upgrading from my TL2 troels gravesen speaker to something using those drivers might not be an upgrade after all.
I mean the sound was not bad, just didn't leave an impression on me, haven't move to tears by it.
Implacable finnish on those speakers, hand made in Munich, forget the name though. Sound was for me unfortunately not memorable.
I love Tune audio! Wish it was an analog source though. Nice whole presentation and good choice of instrumental music.
Perlisten DIY KIT? I heard the the big Perlisten speakers, sounded very very clean. Was difficult to concentrate though they were showed off at the Wilson Audio room so it was more of a side kick event.
This system surprised me being very very good, great midrange! Weird midrange! How does it even works midrange! I like Dartzeel optics as well, very seductive.
...
And for the very fishy case of this event was the a cable made in China By supplier Jingwei.
Only supplying for manufacturers, I asked! It was on a spool to sell by the meter.
I wanted also to know pricing but no success.
after about 5 minuts I stumbled on the same looking cable presented as a flagship Inakustik cable offering. Now I don't want to make claims here so if you're an Inakustik employee don't sue me, I only present the weird coincidence.
I love the Lorenzo audio guys, the room was too small for this speakers. They need 80sqm. Again like Cessaro using Supervox french drivers. Really want to buy some Supervox drivers, sounds fantastic with a midrange to die for.
Kartesian drivers. French manufacturer. Looks very promising
https://www.kartesian-acoustic.com/copie-de-vki-drivers
Last edited:
Yes, I like Lorenzo’s horn speaker, but it definitely not for small room. It needs listener to sit with at least 8m distance for driver to blend well with each other.
I also forget that the Audionet room with New Mofi three way coaxial speaker sounds very decent too.
I also forget that the Audionet room with New Mofi three way coaxial speaker sounds very decent too.
Nice reports and photos guys. I'm just happy looking at the pictures and reading about it.
The amps the size of diesel generators LOL, the cables the size of a Python that serial swallowed sheep LOL.
The amps the size of diesel generators LOL, the cables the size of a Python that serial swallowed sheep LOL.
Thanks! just concentrating on speakers though... not enough capacity to acknowledge the rest. Just an overload
I agree on the R80 comment.
That speaker cable and the Perlisten DIY KIT are interesting…
That speaker cable and the Perlisten DIY KIT are interesting…
I talked with Purifi's staff and it seems that they have problem about sourcing some part for tweeter, so it is only available earliest is Q3 2024. And when I go to SB Acoustics booth, SB Acoustics's representative also told me that they have enough part to produce their Beryllium tweeter for one or two year more.
😉
Since loudspeakers have an image size, and the distance to each other is defined by this image size - when it comes to homogeneous, closed, spatially deep and wide sound with contours and color-contour-binding, high-end exhibitions are prime examples of disregard for the simplest considerations regarding sound.
We don't even want to look into the speakers or electronic devices;-)
Since loudspeakers have an image size, and the distance to each other is defined by this image size - when it comes to homogeneous, closed, spatially deep and wide sound with contours and color-contour-binding, high-end exhibitions are prime examples of disregard for the simplest considerations regarding sound.
We don't even want to look into the speakers or electronic devices;-)
When I saw these
The first thing I thought of was
Supe Termite from The Boys😱
The Boys Wiki
https://the-boys.fandom.com › wiki
Termite | The Boys Wiki - Fandom
Even the right colour! 😳
Not something you'd want to associate Hifi listening with in your living room😂
Eyes wide shut🙂
The first thing I thought of was
Supe Termite from The Boys😱
The Boys Wiki
https://the-boys.fandom.com › wiki
Termite | The Boys Wiki - Fandom
Even the right colour! 😳
Not something you'd want to associate Hifi listening with in your living room😂
Eyes wide shut🙂
yep, if spent any time with BEM simulation, or even simple diffraction sim, it's quite clear most of the shapes are selected to be sculptures to eye and not for good acoustic performance for ear.
For example the "supe termite" ( Aries Cerat's Contendo 2?) above uses some acoustically good shapes, but having simulated such these don't seem optimal making the shape to be there more for looks. Acoustically much better would look almost the same, perhaps they never popped a simulator up? Imagine taking spinorama on that one, perhaps they never measured more than single axis?😀 Perhaps they did which makes my post arrogant.
Likely they all sound fine enough for most ears so it's very important to have the shine and bling to justify high price, and bend the shape from optimal to more visual. Wealthy people own all kinds of things for reasons I do not comprehend, like garage full of cars they never drive. This kind of luxury stuff is for completely different world than I see as a regular-tax-payer-joe, so, high end is not stuff for me, which is fine, I'm fine with good sound 😀 Luckily acoustics doesn't require any kind of status or money, it's just physics and thus available to anyone.
Overall, I think it's great there is so much various systems available to people. Perhaps people still like to listen with good equipment, enjoy music.
Last edited:
Could someone of you München vistors report about this one, please:
https://pureacouratesound.com
https://pureacouratesound.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-entire-Demo-Speaker-200x300.jpg
It is exhibited at the High End in München. As to my gusto, it's a straightforward, clean design and most of it's functions/materials are targeted at clean audio reproduction, and nothing else. It's basically form follows function, kind of (near) minimal art if you like (despite the speaker by itself is not minimal at all). It is a project the way I like it.
I speak here as a DIY-er searching for technical best possible compromises while building. And I am sure that this speaker might be one of best engineered and integrated, DSP'd active loudspeaker system in terms of low THD, phase linearity and room response control there in München. For me, it's an intriguing project just because it't built along with value stuff and techniques which is technically and vividly discussed here in this very forum: Purify drivers and plate amplifiers, purify amplifiers, DSP, phase linearizations techniques ...
I was tempted to make the extra mile and travel to München right because of this project. Instead, I finally decided not to do so. So I would be very grateful if some München visitors could report about this speaker.
And by the way: I am not affiliated to this project. I wrote this because the DIY-er inside of me just got electrified and aroused by this speaker project. Nothing more.
https://pureacouratesound.com
https://pureacouratesound.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-entire-Demo-Speaker-200x300.jpg
It is exhibited at the High End in München. As to my gusto, it's a straightforward, clean design and most of it's functions/materials are targeted at clean audio reproduction, and nothing else. It's basically form follows function, kind of (near) minimal art if you like (despite the speaker by itself is not minimal at all). It is a project the way I like it.
I speak here as a DIY-er searching for technical best possible compromises while building. And I am sure that this speaker might be one of best engineered and integrated, DSP'd active loudspeaker system in terms of low THD, phase linearity and room response control there in München. For me, it's an intriguing project just because it't built along with value stuff and techniques which is technically and vividly discussed here in this very forum: Purify drivers and plate amplifiers, purify amplifiers, DSP, phase linearizations techniques ...
I was tempted to make the extra mile and travel to München right because of this project. Instead, I finally decided not to do so. So I would be very grateful if some München visitors could report about this speaker.
And by the way: I am not affiliated to this project. I wrote this because the DIY-er inside of me just got electrified and aroused by this speaker project. Nothing more.
Last edited: