Welp, was only able to make it towards the very end of T.H.E. Show, but got to check some things out.
HE400sIMO has good bass definition. Perhaps a bit on the analytic side of things. The aesthetics shows consistency with the new HiFiMan product line up look, with the exception of the Rolls Royce like T-1000.
A&K 380 (I think)Not bad at all. Wish they had something other cans to show case their stuffs, but overall seemed to do a decent job. The GUI is pretty decent. Did not monkey around nuff to say if it was stable and glitch free. It's one of those players that I would really hate if it slipped my hands and hit the floor.
Tineo J Horn Speakers These look awesome. However, they sounded a bit boxy to me. Perhaps it was the stuffs they were playing.
Rockport AviorThese are big and black enough to compensate for most insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. However, I felt they were on the uber-bassy side of things. Perhaps the room was not helping them sound their bestest.
Anat III Studio SignatureNot very impressed. Felt it was a bit of a $107,000/pair bright mess. Possible it was the stuff they were playing. Discussion and measurements can be found here:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/yg-acoustics-sonja-13-loudspeakerG1giyaThis speaker goes to show that smurfs are accomplished speaker designers themselves. While not bright, for some reason I felt these had some edginess to it. Just $65,000/pair. And what do you know! a pro review here:
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/vivid_audio_g1giya_loudspeaker/index.htmlSony SS-AR1The Super Sonies - Amaizeballs Reference 1ses made their way to T.H.A. Sho. Again. And again they sounded good. The room was a bit on the too big side of things and these may have sounded better in a smaller conference room. A rare problem, since most other stuff in T.H.E. Joint would have benefited from larger rooms.
MBL 101I felt these over-grown omni-electrostatic-dynamic-hybrid blenders have the 1960's "The Time Machine" appeal to them. Sound-wise I though they were all over the place. Pretty bright. My best guess is that the show room was not making these any favors.
Harbeth Super HL5 PlusOllie Shait! These were bright! Mie unrefined ears did not like.
Sonus Faber Extrema Not bad. Not bad at all. Perhaps a little on the
warm side of things.
Kubotek HSP1C06This is a single driver full range Japanese speaker cube. Not bad with the material they were using (mostly avoiding bass and treble with old classic stuffs). I think the president of the company (Mr. Kubo?) was there in the room as well. Some scarce info in Japanese here:
http://www.stereosound.co.jp/news/article/2012/09/10/12957.htmlRiva StuffWhile most folks at T.H.Y. Sheow did their earnest to exhibit the weirdest, most unconventional, gynomic speakers, there in a small room comes to light the tiny Riva. Was very pleased with what I heard. It does not go down to the lowest, deepest, bass notes evar, but it goes fairly deep given it's Chihuahua size. Add to it bluetooth connectivity, integrated rechargeable battery, and more than decent sound and we got a practical distinguished product.
JBL S4700Wanted to hear the JBL M2, but these were the ones hooked up in their placed. Could not determine how they sound. Rep dude went bananas and started to play earthquake with them.
Revel Salon 2These were a surprise. I've been wanting to hear this for some time. They rep guys were cool and let me select what to play. First thing that came to mind was Daft Punk. My best guess is that the small room was not making these any favors. LOL! A little too much bass and treble. I dunno.
Quad 57s + Enigma-acoustics sopranino TweeterColor me surprised! I liked the sound of this portable gas heater. Perhaps not a ton of low-bass, but bass was there. A little on the warm side of things and apparently no dynamic drivers were used. These are not gynormic either (err... relatively speaking)
And now we move to the cars (my favorite being the Ford GT and Batman's Lambo)