Article: Munich 2022 Show Report

[Priaptor]

Just now, The Computer Audiophile said:

Thanks for the kind words. I really struggled with this one because everyone knows I’ve spent a good bit of money on Wilson speakers and the company advertises on AS. I’m sure some will write off my best of show award, but I have to call it like I see it. The flip side of that coin is not talking about brands I own or advertise with me. That would be such a disservice to everyone. I know you understand all of this, but your comment made me think of it. 
 

I thought the Rockport room left a lot to be desired. I know those speakers are great, but not at this show. It happens. 
 

Shows are fun. Music is fun. But, purchasing decisions made using show reports or experience are foolish. My show report is only a start for someone, not the definitive word. 

Couldn't agree more. One of my favorite systems of all time was my WATT/PUPPY with Spectral gear and a SOTA turntable. It was really a great system, not just for 1991 but it would kill in today's world, and I had my room tuned perfectly for it. Of course, I, after being enticed by my reseller and Wilson made the BIG mistake of wanting "more". An expensive and foolhardy mistake that led me to their then top of the line (back then) X1 and expensive Mark Levinson gear. Sometimes, as the expression goes, the enemy of good is better and I see too many people chasing what they think they want (GUILTY AS CHARGED) rather than making what they have better, the camp I now reside in.

 

The real question is, could any one of your subscribers (me included) be happy with Wilson, Magico, YG, name your speaker, with name your turntable, with name your amp/preamp/digital source, when the product is properly setup in a properly setup room while listening to the music instead of perseverating on the gear?  I know, I have learned my lesson in this crazy "hobby" of ours and as I get older just focus on listening and enjoying, of course, unless my reseller is successful in enticing me with something I never thought I wanted or would buy LOL. Also, as in politics, everything is local. I have a particularly good reseller who I have been a customer of for years, who has serviced me for years and is very capable in getting me to where I want to be and he stands behind his products and WHEN NOT IF there is an issue, always fixes in a mutually agreeable way. Have I and he made mistakes? Yes but he has always worked with me to fix them. He is also extremely capable of room setup and will be by many times to fine tune the system and room. So if he sells Brand X and not Brand Y, given the high end in today's world, it's not so much about the "brand" but about how to get whatever you buy to sound good with components that work together in a system and within a properly tuned room for the product one buys. 

 

One of the reasons I enjoy reading on this site is because people here tend to focus on what they have as well as the music they listen to whereas on most other sites, its dogma, hyperbole and the never ending search for audio nirvana which so many believe is achieved with changing gear rather than optimizing what they have and being exposed to new music and new genres of music and just chill and enjoy rather than critically listening to the equipment with the same "audiophile recordings".

[jrobbins50]

Chris, wondering if there was anything of interest Atmos wise over at Revel? JCR 

[Kal Rubinson]

7 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I had reservations about it until I talked to Michal. 

OK but I can't see making that effort.

[skatbelt]

Yes, Nagra + Wilson Audio was nice but best of show... by far... this!

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, skatbelt said:

Yes, Nagra + Wilson Audio was nice but best of show... by far... this!

 

 

Erector set audio? Only joking. Which room is that?

[skatbelt]

5 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Erector set audio? Only joking. Which room is that?

 

IO Design NAKED speakers. It was in H4, R02. In one of those smaller booths. Despite that, everything was right, from top to bottom. No coloration, no harshness, no boom, silvery fast, only music: the Raal Requisite SR1a among loudspeakers. Unfortunately 80k euros for a pair.

 

[Jud]

https://www.iosoundesign.com shows another photo of the setup.

 

Ribbon tweeters, planar magnetic midrange, dynamic bass - would be interesting to hear how that all integrates (especially the bass).

 

Those "cables" look like fun.  🙂

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just walked in the door at home, from Vienna. It was a fantastic trip. I have much to report in the coming days.

[Darryl R]

Just now reading this, a little envious, as Germany is one of my favorite places to visit.  But not sure why the MSB room was a surprise ;)

[bbosler]

On 5/25/2022 at 3:28 AM, skatbelt said:

 

 

 

IO Design NAKED speakers. It was in H4, R02. In one of those smaller booths. Despite that, everything was right, from top to bottom. No coloration, no harshness, no boom, silvery fast, only music: the Raal Requisite SR1a among loudspeakers. Unfortunately 80k euros for a pair

 

I think this type of design has great potential, but seems impossible to me that these would play anywhere near flat down to 22Hz, but the specs don't say how flat they are, just a range with no ± dB. Their web site has a lot of flowery hyperbole but a little short on substance.

 

 

Specification

 

2 Woofers 12"

1 Custom magneto-planar Midrange

1 Custom ribbon Tweeter

Sensitivity 91 dB

Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm (minimum 4 Ohm)

Frequency response 22-35.000 Hz

[botrytis]

1 hour ago, bbosler said:

 

I think this type of design has great potential, but seems impossible to me that these would play anywhere near flat down to 22Hz, but the specs don't say how flat they are, just a range with no ± dB. Their web site has a lot of flowery hyperbole but a little short on substance.

 

 

Specification

 

2 Woofers 12"

1 Custom magneto-planar Midrange

1 Custom ribbon Tweeter

Sensitivity 91 dB

Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm (minimum 4 Ohm)

Frequency response 22-35.000 Hz

No, +/- is telling as those numbers mean nothing w/o the dB rating.

[MarcelNL]

15 hours ago, bbosler said:

 

I think this type of design has great potential, but seems impossible to me that these would play anywhere near flat down to 22Hz, but the specs don't say how flat they are, just a range with no ± dB. Their web site has a lot of flowery hyperbole but a little short on substance.

 

 

Specification

 

2 Woofers 12"

1 Custom magneto-planar Midrange

1 Custom ribbon Tweeter

Sensitivity 91 dB

Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm (minimum 4 Ohm)

Frequency response 22-35.000 Hz

It sounded to me as you'd probably expect given the 'naked' baffle less design, neither was there any low end definition nor volume and to me it sounded HIFI/HIgh-End lacking things I find important, like overtones and 'coloratura' of instruments. It probably just shows that taste differs.

[skatbelt]

17 hours ago, bbosler said:

 

I think this type of design has great potential, but seems impossible to me that these would play anywhere near flat down to 22Hz, but the specs don't say how flat they are, just a range with no ± dB. Their web site has a lot of flowery hyperbole but a little short on substance.

 

 

Let me put it this way. I spent at least 45 minutes in the room and heard a lot of music familiar to me and I didn't miss anything! It sounded very coherent and dynamic and not thin, not warm but neutral. Just right for my taste.

 

People looking for quite a bit of saturation and lushness will not be attracted though. In my book you should not want to strive for this because there is always something out of balance or not right in the sound field.