Thank you, thank you, thank you Jay for literally bringing to Capital Audio expo to those of us who ciuld not attend. You were there, you have the trained ear, so I will take your top room evaluation as the gospel truth. I do think that your top selection benefited highly from the electronics, and from the dimensions of the room allowing for optimal speaker placement. Thanks again for all the hard work.
Thank you for honoring Now Listen Here’s room best of show! It’s an honor. We assembled a system with Joseph Audio speakers, EMM Labs electronics, and Transparent cables that we feel have great synergy. Glad you agree!
Thank you so much for an excellent and well explained selection report. I do agree 100% that the music played in rooms is as important as all other parts and components. Once again thank you so much for the honorable mention of our Infigo Audio / Alta Audio room, we had a blast making the room sound the way it did :) Hope to see y'all at next shows!
Love your channel! Even though I can't afford just one of your interconnects or power cords, I always come away with something from you! Learned or entertained! Thanks for your non-condescending attitude. You are a rarity in this pursuit of audio bliss!
Thank you, Jay for your comments on the sound of the Alta Alecs. They are $10,000 in Rosewood or in beechwood, and only $9,000 in piano black. Their overall response is a testament to the concept of designing a speaker cabinet much more in line with how fine instruments are designed, rather than using a box. The bass response is our patent pending XTL bass system which is s hybrid of a transmission line and a ported system, retaining the best of both designs. The Alecs are our lowest priced floor standing speaker. We have an entire line of speakers, and please stay in contact as we have new three way that is a step above the Alec coming.
Great work, Jay! Love your picks. I don't have any experience w/ JBL Everest and GT Audio and would loved to hear them someday. I'm in total agreement with you that both Joseph Audio and Alta Audio really are two very special companies. They are two loudspeaker companies that always impressed me every time I hear any of their product lines in an audio shows or just any rooms. Thou one thing my opinion defer from yours is that there're certainly people (me included) love and do listen to "slow" songs. Imho, there're certain audio qualities as well as emotional contains that I can only (or at lease easier) pick up when listening to slow songs on an audio system.
Jay, thanks for your video. Jeff Joseph always sets up a great room. I owned Pearl 3s, the original version, for several years (you heard the Pearl 3 20/20 version). I only let the Pearl 3s go to pick up Wilson Alexx speakers. The Alexx was the only speaker I heard that, for me, sounded like a significant step up from the Pearl 3s and that was also attainable. Joseph Audio speakers synergize well with Jeff Rowland Design Group amplifiers and Doshi tube amplifiers. But to be candid, I tried a NAD 375BEE intergrated amplifier with Joseph Audio speakers, with Blue Jeans cables, and it sounded pretty darn good. I ran my Pearl 3s with Jeff Rowland M925s--extremely good synergy.
Totally agree on the synergy between Joseph Audio and Jeff Rowland. We debated whether to show EMM Labs or Jeff Rowland at the show, because they both sound so great with Joseph Audio.
Jay, you bringing us into the rooms in an almost live sort of way, that is, getting the posts out as quickly as you could during the show was so coool, can't thank you enough for doing it that way and then the follow up with your top 3 was the "frosting on the cake", perfect - - - as for me, at least as far as what I could hear in the posts, I liked the GT Audio set up the best and of course I was happy that you liked that room as well giving it your #2 rating. Again, many thanks 👍.
I was at the Show all day Friday and my top three were the Joseph Audio Room, the GT Audio Room and the Kharma/Conrad Johnson Room. To me the Joseph Audio Room was clearly the best top to bottom. Surprising bass detail and attack, very coherent and spacious sounding and just a musical performance. the speakers/gear matched up with the room well IMO. As a Martin Logan ESL 11 owner, I'm a sucker for a Dipole Panel so I was very happy with the GT Audio room. I had very little exposure to that brand but they are on my radar now. That room was a challenge to say the least, so I give the GT team a big shout out for getting the performance that they did. The Kharma room was also very impressive. Big, warm and beautiful with a holographic imaging. Maybe a touch small for the room, but the synergy was impressive. My honorable mention was the Daedalus Audio room with the monster VAC integrated amp just for the sheer dynamic presentation.
WOW! With all you have had and all I have enjoyed on your channel, you like the speakers I have. I am honored. I have been loving mine for many years, since they were pearl 2's. They are now Pearl 3's, and I love them to pieces. I will also agree, they are not the easiest speaker to make happy, but once you get them on the right amp, they open up and sound beautiful. Thanks for sharing Jay.
I agree the music choices and tight spaces often confounded critical comparisons. With that in mind, I thought the Joseph’s sounded a bit bright, and as a result probably didn’t spend enough time in that room. For me the highlight was the Acora speakers, but maybe it was the $250,000 of audio research electronics upstream. A pleasant surprise and value leader were the mini monitors in the Eikon room. They were very smooth with fantastic sound staging and a show price of around $11,000.
First, thanks for the content, and the take on the Captial Audiofest. Would absolutely love to see the JBL Everest on the channel. Hope you get these speakers one day. Would also be cool to see some EMM labs stuff as well. They are based out of Calgary where I am from.
Thanks for the review. I would like to add we welcome a direct head to head evaluation with the Joseph speakers - Same electronics and same room with the GT speakers. There is now way that it could come close to the spl levels and the volume of bass we got in that 35x65 room. Additionally, GT does not use a crossover on the main drivers. That alone will result in much greater transparency in a direct head-to-head evaluation.
Like your selections and your reasons behind them Jay. I hope the manufacturers of high-end gear heed your advice and change the music choices. Own the Alta Audio Alecs and they sound great with ModWright electronics behind them.
Thank you Jay for taking us along through Capital City Show! I have been through many evolutions of Horn Systems, mostly JBL and still have a problem with ear fatigue during longer listening sessions with horn's! Horn's to me are wonderful for large Auditorium's and Outdoor Stage's! Love your opinions!
I preferred Joseph audios monitors for $8900. But still would grab a pair of Spatial Audio open baffle speakers Like their x5… as for the music, I had the same rant to my wife calling it ‘20th century Russian Ballet music’. The vendors that were streaming were more than willing to play requests. Once again showing the benefit of streaming music.
Nice to meet you at the show J. You’re a true gentleman and a super nice guy. Great list. Not sure if you saw it but the room that blew me away was on the fifth floor with the audio neck Evo two speakers and the vac preamp with the limpizator-DAC. It was a small room but sound was top notch. IMHO the best of the show . Hope to see you next year . Will you be going to axpona in Chicago?
Dear Jay, I’ve been a fan of your channel from the first moment and I like what you’ve doing with it. Nevertheless it feels wrong that you’re interpreting this as confirmation that your point of view is the right one. I can only talk about my subscription and that’s not because I think what your saying is right but more out of entertainment. Don’t take yourself to serious man, keep it fun!
Great video.👍 I’m curious..did you bring your own music ( on a stick or 💿) …as to take what you know in your own excellent system and have a fair and candid conversation.
I have been a fan of the big Klipsch loudspeakers since my late teens. Models like the La Scala, Belles, Fortes, Cornwall and Klipschorns are the best for me. I love their heft, smell, look and sound. Back in the 1970s, they were affordable but since globalisation, they are now called Heritage line and their prices have shot up. Some don't like them because they think they are too bright etc. You must know what to marry them with and use your experience to tune them with the surroundings.. Paul Klipsch was a quiet genius
I was excited to hear you liked the Joseph Audio speakers as a top pick. I heard their bookshelf models at the first Florida Audio Expo and was floored by the bass impact, clarity, and overall drive and excitement of the whole presentation. Amazing for such a relatively modest speaker. I’m sure the floor stander was even more exciting. And, yes, I don’t remember what was driving them, but the attention to synergy was amazing. As far as the JBL’s , I’d hate to see you sell your Wilson’s, but I’d love for you to explore horns. I’ve read how their immediacy sounds the most real, but I’ve yet to hear that in person. The few I’ve heard have sounded “nasally” and lacking bass impact and extension. Also totally agree about music selection! Esoteric music you’ve never heard before is very off putting, especially if the rep is “sticking to their guns” and not changing up. One of the most fun rooms we heard at the last Florida Audio Expo was from an amp manufacturer (Hegel). His iPad was full of fun music!
Thanks for reviewing Capital Audio Fest and sharing your thoughts. I must admit that I have just found your channel so I don't have a lot of background here. I was surprised at your dig against Pass Labs. It seemed as though you placed them in the mid-fi category and I felt a dollars-equal-quality bias going on. Now given that, I am not familiar with either Pass or say, the EMM Labs brand so I certainly can't speak from a position of knowledge. While it would be nice to have unlimited finds to throw at my audio gear, I have always approached it from the position of great value for my dollar spent. I did like your selection reasoning and honesty however. Thanks!
Some companies know how to showcase their products to their best ability. It surprises me how all these companies haven’t managed to bring their A game to these shows. They’re all equally affected by the poor room dynamics, so that excuse really dosnt fly. Learn how to match equipment that will complement each other and how to set it up, or you’re not going to end up with very good impressions and no future new customers. As you mentioned it’s possible the Jospeh Audio may not have been number one if they had not done such a great job matching equipment and setup. They were not one that comes to mind for myself either normally. Haven’t heard them, only read reviews in the past, and honestly do not remember what those reviews said. great reviews from the show Jay. Can’t wait to see your next project with the monos.
Jay - would love for you to eventually bring the Joesph Audio Pearls into your room someday soon to see what YOU could get out of them. They have amazing word of mouth in the industry, but very few actual specific reviews and very few dealers. While we all love to watch your journey with the biggies like the XLF's and the Magico M6 , I suspect many of us who still want (and can afford) extreme high end, yet who have to reconcile aesthetics/WAF issues, situations where something like the Pearls could better fit in. Very curious how you would ultimately compare the Pearls to some of the mid-sized previous floor standers your had like the DAW's and the Focals, etc., not to mention how they compare to your large towers. Just a most friendly request for you to consider. Many thanks and always your fan:)
If you are local to the DC area, I would encourage you to make a trip over to Deja Vu Audio in Tysons if you want to hear “horn” speakers. Vu Hoang has picked up the Western Electric mantle from Walt Bender. Vu’s knowledge is immense and he knows GOOD SOUND. He has many different speakers and amp combos that will basically blow your mind, highly recommend.
Thanks Jay for your review... I wish I could have saw you there. I agree the Joseph Audio room was a great room, very impressive. It was number 3 ony list. My list is as followed: 1) Tidal room (Doug had a very good room) 2) Daedalus Audio room ( never heard of these speakers but I was very impressed) 3) Joseph Audio 4) TAD room. Most surprising room for me was the Magico Room Thanks Jay.
Loved the coverage of the Capital Audio Fest and your take on the Top 3. Especially find the comments on the Joseph Audio room to be really interesting. Many a time I have had enjoyed listening to the Pearl. I also found it to be a great sounding speaker. IMHO, I tend to see that people have a too formulaic approach to the hobby and select the speakers priced at that 60% of their budget without putting as much consideration to the quality of their electronics. In this day and age. I find that there are a lot of speakers that if fed with high level amplification and source, can hit way above their price point. Depending on the speaker, room, and synergy maybe that 60% should be invested in better electronics and a more modestly priced speaker?
Jay, my cousin and I met you and spoke at length at CAPFEST in Maryland this past weekend and we really appreciated the conversation about hifi gear and your experiences with gear! My cousin mentioned he had the Sabrina X and I have Spatial Audio X5 speakers, if that jogs your memory? I enjoyed your top 3 system review and it was fun to hear your thoughts on the setups after I was able to hear the same systems as well. Keep the content coming Champ! God bless!
Hey man! How are you all?? Great conversation with you guys. It was great to talk to you both. Tell him to get the cables i suggested and the power conditioner!
@@jaysaudiolab Yessir, he’s on it brother! Already researching the cables and line conditioner. All is well and I will stay tuned in my man! Thanks again!
Actually Jay many audiophiles like classical and listen to the likes of Bach , Chopin , Liszt for Piano . Orchestra music would be Mahler , Beethoven , Mozart and the list goes on . Jazz has a massive catalogue to enjoy also . Then there are singers like Nat King Cole , Ella Fitzgerald , Sarah Vaughn , Frank Sinatra , Billie Holiday . The music you listen to is your choice but God forbid your taste in music speaks for everyone ! That's a very scary statement !
Hey Jay thank you for your video. Please send a list or make a video of music for the show. It'll help All over the world Brands, distributors to have better show
Best room I ever heard in my life .(or anywhere else) ...like the performers were right in front of you instead of electronics, were powered by ARC Ref150 with their CD 9 player and mid Verity speakers (Parsifals?). I mean breath taking realism and energy dynamics if that's your sound preference. All components (including speakers) could have been had for 47K.
Jay, thank you for going to the effort of recording these rooms and providing constructive feedback to vendors. I'm wondering - what mic are you using with your phone to record?
I heard the Alta's, I was amazed by them, for whAt they did in the bass ,& soundstaging, musicality area's @ $10k, , I suspended my search for "buying" speakers! ...but was blown away more so by the Genesis speakers! $43k. (Not in my budget range) QLN a #2 fav speakers ($25+k) Genesis #1, "Lifelike" repro of Ella Fitz. & and band #3 Alta's. jam session, spread out in the room, full sized, 3D!!!
I for one, as far as music is concerned, you can't speak for me. I'd encourage music that enjoy being played back! NOT the audio (drek) favs heard for decades. Boring!! If it doesn't sound lifelike, dynamic, close your eyes, in room!? What's the point!!?? I want to be entertained, transported! Not 'year's music reproduced.
Jeff Joseph has been setting up good sounding systems and rooms for years. His speakers tend to fly below the radar, probably due to the fact that he prices his gear at less than heart stopping prices. He also doesn't seem to have the press or the marketing that some of the better known US companies utilize. Jay, most of the music that a lot of exhibitors want to utilize at shows, is something that they have been told to use for years. Music is also a very subjective aspect, so to tell these guys to change their music selection...is not that realistic, IME.
JBL is like Rodney Dangerfield... I can't get no respect! Younger generations think JBL is a audio device that you bring to the beach. JBL once "ruled" the world. There wasn't a recorded note that wasn't first heard through a pair of JBL Monitors.
Jay you are so right to criticize the choice of music the exhibitors use to show off the systems. I too heard this slow and often very pretentious music, which is so f'@k&ng boring and if anything makes the system seem worse than it really is...?
I’m sorry Jay, I could not listen to this for 24 + min Through the years you have developed a talent to state and re-state the obvious, over and over. Go back to the basics, you’ll better serve your audience and yourself.
Please leave me your comments and like the video. It helps the channel!
So true about music selection Jay. No funeral music! 😂👍
Thank you, thank you, thank you Jay for literally bringing to Capital Audio expo to those of us who ciuld not attend.
You were there, you have the trained ear, so I will take your top room evaluation as the gospel truth. I do think that your top selection benefited highly from the electronics, and from the dimensions of the room allowing for optimal speaker placement. Thanks again for all the hard work.
Thank you for honoring Now Listen Here’s room best of show! It’s an honor. We assembled a system with Joseph Audio speakers, EMM Labs electronics, and Transparent cables that we feel have great synergy. Glad you agree!
100% agreed with this. Excellent synergy !
Thank you so much for an excellent and well explained selection report. I do agree 100% that the music played in rooms is as important as all other parts and components. Once again thank you so much for the honorable mention of our Infigo Audio / Alta Audio room, we had a blast making the room sound the way it did :) Hope to see y'all at next shows!
Thank you
Love your channel! Even though I can't afford just one of your interconnects or power cords, I always come away with something from you! Learned or entertained! Thanks for your non-condescending attitude. You are a rarity in this pursuit of audio bliss!
Thank you, Jay for your comments on the sound of the Alta Alecs. They are $10,000 in Rosewood or in beechwood, and only $9,000 in piano black. Their overall response is a testament to the concept of designing a speaker cabinet much more in line with how fine instruments are designed, rather than using a box. The bass response is our patent pending XTL bass system which is s hybrid of a transmission line and a ported system, retaining the best of both designs. The Alecs are our lowest priced floor standing speaker. We have an entire line of speakers, and please stay in contact as we have new three way that is a step above the Alec coming.
Best High - End channel out there!!!!!!!!
thanks man
I watch these reviews because they are spot on. In this climate of less physical stores to go into. This is essential.
Great recap Jay...Thanks for your opinions on the rooms at Capital! Can't wait for Axpona to hear some of this gear in person!
I appreciate the effort you made Jay to bring us a 'taste' of the Capital Audio Fest. Insightful reviews.
My pleasure
Great work, Jay! Love your picks. I don't have any experience w/ JBL Everest and GT Audio and would loved to hear them someday. I'm in total agreement with you that both Joseph Audio and Alta Audio really are two very special companies. They are two loudspeaker companies that always impressed me every time I hear any of their product lines in an audio shows or just any rooms.
Thou one thing my opinion defer from yours is that there're certainly people (me included) love and do listen to "slow" songs. Imho, there're certain audio qualities as well as emotional contains that I can only (or at lease easier) pick up when listening to slow songs on an audio system.
Jay, thanks for your video. Jeff Joseph always sets up a great room. I owned Pearl 3s, the original version, for several years (you heard the Pearl 3 20/20 version). I only let the Pearl 3s go to pick up Wilson Alexx speakers. The Alexx was the only speaker I heard that, for me, sounded like a significant step up from the Pearl 3s and that was also attainable. Joseph Audio speakers synergize well with Jeff Rowland Design Group amplifiers and Doshi tube amplifiers. But to be candid, I tried a NAD 375BEE intergrated amplifier with Joseph Audio speakers, with Blue Jeans cables, and it sounded pretty darn good. I ran my Pearl 3s with Jeff Rowland M925s--extremely good synergy.
Totally agree on the synergy between Joseph Audio and Jeff Rowland. We debated whether to show EMM Labs or Jeff Rowland at the show, because they both sound so great with Joseph Audio.
Jay I was with Infigo Audio and we paired with Alta Audio. We appreciate that you stopped by. Thanks
Thank you sir
CAPITAL AUDIOFEST 2019
MY TOP 3 SPEAKERS
1) QLN PRESTIGE 3
2) SPATIAL M3 SAPPHIRE
3) ODYSSEY LIQUID
Jay, you bringing us into the rooms in an almost live sort of way, that is, getting the posts out as quickly as you could during the show was so coool, can't thank you enough for doing it that way and then the follow up with your top 3 was the "frosting on the cake", perfect - - - as for me, at least as far as what I could hear in the posts, I liked the GT Audio set up the best and of course I was happy that you liked that room as well giving it your #2 rating. Again, many thanks 👍.
Thank you skip
I was at the Show all day Friday and my top three were the Joseph Audio Room, the GT Audio Room and the Kharma/Conrad Johnson Room. To me the Joseph Audio Room was clearly the best top to bottom. Surprising bass detail and attack, very coherent and spacious sounding and just a musical performance. the speakers/gear matched up with the room well IMO. As a Martin Logan ESL 11 owner, I'm a sucker for a Dipole Panel so I was very happy with the GT Audio room. I had very little exposure to that brand but they are on my radar now. That room was a challenge to say the least, so I give the GT team a big shout out for getting the performance that they did. The Kharma room was also very impressive. Big, warm and beautiful with a holographic imaging. Maybe a touch small for the room, but the synergy was impressive. My honorable mention was the Daedalus Audio room with the monster VAC integrated amp just for the sheer dynamic presentation.
Thanks, Marty! I'm glad you enjoyed the Now Listen Here room that we demonstrated using Joseph Audio and EMM Labs equipment.
Glad Jay attended and posted video about this show. Covid-19 has ravaged conventions.
Hats off to you Jay for complimenting rooms I would never have thought you would pick.
It’s always about the synergy, the whole of a system no matter the cost, if it doesn’t have synergy then it won’t sound right 👍.
WOW! With all you have had and all I have enjoyed on your channel, you like the speakers I have. I am honored. I have been loving mine for many years, since they were pearl 2's. They are now Pearl 3's, and I love them to pieces. I will also agree, they are not the easiest speaker to make happy, but once you get them on the right amp, they open up and sound beautiful. Thanks for sharing Jay.
You see how I can like anything...
@@jaysaudiolab Well, I wouldn't say they are just anything, but for you and enjoying anything under $60K is a statement I can appreciate.
Yes Jay . Tell him !
Was a joke . Who are us for tell to manufacturer what music can play for showroom ? He have experience enough for know that . ..
I agree the music choices and tight spaces often confounded critical comparisons. With that in mind, I thought the Joseph’s sounded a bit bright, and as a result probably didn’t spend enough time in that room. For me the highlight was the Acora speakers, but maybe it was the $250,000 of audio research electronics upstream. A pleasant surprise and value leader were the mini monitors in the Eikon room. They were very smooth with fantastic sound staging and a show price of around $11,000.
Agree with your assessments - specifically with the horns in the VPI room! Glad to have found your page!
Subscribe!
@@jaysaudiolab subscribed!
First, thanks for the content, and the take on the Captial Audiofest. Would absolutely love to see the JBL Everest on the channel. Hope you get these speakers one day. Would also be cool to see some EMM labs stuff as well. They are based out of Calgary where I am from.
Joseph Audio makes some fantastic products 👌
thank you for sharing your time, money and opinions of audio equipment; "which I will never have the resources to sample myself"!!!
Thanks for the review.
I would like to add we welcome a direct head to head evaluation with the Joseph speakers - Same electronics and same room with the GT speakers. There is now way that it could come close to the spl levels and the volume of bass we got in that 35x65 room. Additionally, GT does not use a crossover on the main drivers.
That alone will result in much greater transparency in a direct head-to-head evaluation.
Like your selections and your reasons behind them Jay. I hope the manufacturers of high-end gear heed your advice and change the music choices. Own the Alta Audio Alecs and they sound great with ModWright electronics behind them.
Thank you Jay for taking us along through Capital City Show! I have been through many evolutions of Horn Systems, mostly JBL and still have a problem with ear fatigue during longer listening sessions with horn's!
Horn's to me are wonderful for large Auditorium's and Outdoor Stage's! Love your opinions!
Thank you
I preferred Joseph audios monitors for $8900. But still would grab a pair of Spatial Audio open baffle speakers Like their x5… as for the music, I had the same rant to my wife calling it ‘20th century Russian Ballet music’. The vendors that were streaming were more than willing to play requests. Once again showing the benefit of streaming music.
Nice to meet you at the show J. You’re a true gentleman and a super nice guy. Great list. Not sure if you saw it but the room that blew me away was on the fifth floor with the audio neck Evo two speakers and the vac preamp with the limpizator-DAC. It was a small room but sound was top notch. IMHO the best of the show . Hope to see you next year . Will you be going to axpona in Chicago?
Yes i will !
Dear Jay, I’ve been a fan of your channel from the first moment and I like what you’ve doing with it. Nevertheless it feels wrong that you’re interpreting this as confirmation that your point of view is the right one. I can only talk about my subscription and that’s not because I think what your saying is right but more out of entertainment.
Don’t take yourself to serious man, keep it fun!
Noted
*too* 😋
Great video.👍
I’m curious..did you bring your own music ( on a stick or 💿) …as to take what you know in your own excellent system and have a fair and candid conversation.
I have been a fan of the big Klipsch loudspeakers since my late teens. Models like the La Scala, Belles, Fortes, Cornwall and Klipschorns are the best for me. I love their heft, smell, look and sound. Back in the 1970s, they were affordable but since globalisation, they are now called Heritage line and their prices have shot up. Some don't like them because they think they are too bright etc. You must know what to marry them with and use your experience to tune them with the surroundings.. Paul Klipsch was a quiet genius
Are you sure he wasn't a loud genius?😋
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt A quiet genius. He produced reasonably priced goods fpr people who enjoyed live feel of music He disliked BS in people.
That Joseph Audio room was the BEST!!!
Agreed
Thanks, Chris! I'm glad you enjoyed the Now Listen Here room we setup with Joseph Audio and EMM Labs equipment.
@@ASherrick02 I definitely did! I'll have to make my way up to you all. You're not too far from DC...
Fantastic report
I was excited to hear you liked the Joseph Audio speakers as a top pick. I heard their bookshelf models at the first Florida Audio Expo and was floored by the bass impact, clarity, and overall drive and excitement of the whole presentation. Amazing for such a relatively modest speaker. I’m sure the floor stander was even more exciting. And, yes, I don’t remember what was driving them, but the attention to synergy was amazing.
As far as the JBL’s , I’d hate to see you sell your Wilson’s, but I’d love for you to explore horns. I’ve read how their immediacy sounds the most real, but I’ve yet to hear that in person. The few I’ve heard have sounded “nasally” and lacking bass impact and extension.
Also totally agree about music selection! Esoteric music you’ve never heard before is very off putting, especially if the rep is “sticking to their guns” and not changing up. One of the most fun rooms we heard at the last Florida Audio Expo was from an amp manufacturer (Hegel). His iPad was full of fun music!
Nice
Interesting list Jay...
Thanks for reviewing Capital Audio Fest and sharing your thoughts. I must admit that I have just found your channel so I don't have a lot of background here. I was surprised at your dig against Pass Labs. It seemed as though you placed them in the mid-fi category and I felt a dollars-equal-quality bias going on. Now given that, I am not familiar with either Pass or say, the EMM Labs brand so I certainly can't speak from a position of knowledge. While it would be nice to have unlimited finds to throw at my audio gear, I have always approached it from the position of great value for my dollar spent. I did like your selection reasoning and honesty however. Thanks!
Some companies know how to showcase their products to their best ability. It surprises me how all these companies haven’t managed to bring their A game to these shows. They’re all equally affected by the poor room dynamics, so that excuse really dosnt fly. Learn how to match equipment that will complement each other and how to set it up, or you’re not going to end up with very good impressions and no future new customers. As you mentioned it’s possible the Jospeh Audio may not have been number one if they had not done such a great job matching equipment and setup. They were not one that comes to mind for myself either normally. Haven’t heard them, only read reviews in the past, and honestly do not remember what those reviews said. great reviews from the show Jay. Can’t wait to see your next project with the monos.
Thank you
Never heard of that #1 speaker brand , but will add it to my list if I am ever lucky enough to purchase at that price point .
Jay - would love for you to eventually bring the Joesph Audio Pearls into your room someday soon to see what YOU could get out of them. They have amazing word of mouth in the industry, but very few actual specific reviews and very few dealers. While we all love to watch your journey with the biggies like the XLF's and the Magico M6 , I suspect many of us who still want (and can afford) extreme high end, yet who have to reconcile aesthetics/WAF issues, situations where something like the Pearls could better fit in. Very curious how you would ultimately compare the Pearls to some of the mid-sized previous floor standers your had like the DAW's and the Focals, etc., not to mention how they compare to your large towers. Just a most friendly request for you to consider. Many thanks and always your fan:)
Joseph Audio uses SEAS drivers. The best!!
If you are local to the DC area, I would encourage you to make a trip over to Deja Vu Audio in Tysons if you want to hear “horn” speakers. Vu Hoang has picked up the Western Electric mantle from Walt Bender. Vu’s knowledge is immense and he knows GOOD SOUND. He has many different speakers and amp combos that will basically blow your mind, highly recommend.
Thanks Jay for your review... I wish I could have saw you there. I agree the Joseph Audio room was a great room, very impressive. It was number 3 ony list.
My list is as followed:
1) Tidal room (Doug had a very good room)
2) Daedalus Audio room ( never heard of these speakers but I was very impressed)
3) Joseph Audio
4) TAD room.
Most surprising room for me was the Magico Room
Thanks Jay.
Joseph Audio and Alta- two great New York speaker manufacturers.
THANK YOU for calling out the esoteric garbage that some manufacturers play…Imo, It’s an clear indicator that a set up has something to hide.
I'm speaking out for all of you who follow me
Loved the coverage of the Capital Audio Fest and your take on the Top 3. Especially find the comments on the Joseph Audio room to be really interesting. Many a time I have had enjoyed listening to the Pearl. I also found it to be a great sounding speaker.
IMHO, I tend to see that people have a too formulaic approach to the hobby and select the speakers priced at that 60% of their budget without putting as much consideration to the quality of their electronics. In this day and age. I find that there are a lot of speakers that if fed with high level amplification and source, can hit way above their price point. Depending on the speaker, room, and synergy maybe that 60% should be invested in better electronics and a more modestly priced speaker?
Electronics are very important
Would love to hear your thoughts on these speakers :
1] QLN PRESTIGE 5
2] PERLISTEN
3] KHARMA
4] OCEAN WAY
5] FLEETWOOD DEVILLE
Love to hear your views on what you heard.
Jay, my cousin and I met you and spoke at length at CAPFEST in Maryland this past weekend and we really appreciated the conversation about hifi gear and your experiences with gear! My cousin mentioned he had the Sabrina X and I have Spatial Audio X5 speakers, if that jogs your memory? I enjoyed your top 3 system review and it was fun to hear your thoughts on the setups after I was able to hear the same systems as well. Keep the content coming Champ! God bless!
Hey man! How are you all?? Great conversation with you guys. It was great to talk to you both. Tell him to get the cables i suggested and the power conditioner!
@@jaysaudiolab Yessir, he’s on it brother! Already researching the cables and line conditioner. All is well and I will stay tuned in my man! Thanks again!
Hi Jay, excellent work, thank you! 🙏
Thank you
Actually Jay many audiophiles like classical and listen to the likes of Bach , Chopin , Liszt for Piano . Orchestra music would be Mahler , Beethoven , Mozart and the list goes on . Jazz has a massive catalogue to enjoy also . Then there are singers like Nat King Cole , Ella Fitzgerald , Sarah Vaughn , Frank Sinatra , Billie Holiday . The music you listen to is your choice but God forbid your taste in music speaks for everyone ! That's a very scary statement !
Hey Jay thank you for your video. Please send a list or make a video of music for the show. It'll help All over the world Brands, distributors to have better show
The Alta speaker was the Alec, and it retails for $10k. They are some of the best speakers I've ever heard, especially considering the price.
Yep 👍
Best room I ever heard in my life .(or anywhere else) ...like the performers were right in front of you instead of electronics, were powered by ARC Ref150 with their CD 9 player and mid Verity speakers (Parsifals?).
I mean breath taking realism and energy dynamics if that's your sound preference. All components (including speakers) could have been had for 47K.
Jay, thank you for going to the effort of recording these rooms and providing constructive feedback to vendors. I'm wondering - what mic are you using with your phone to record?
Shure mic
What did you think about Linear Tube Audio room ?
Is there a copyright issue with playing copyrighted material being "broadcast"?
I heard the Alta's, I was amazed by them, for whAt they did in the bass ,& soundstaging, musicality area's @ $10k, , I suspended my search for "buying" speakers! ...but was blown away more so by the Genesis speakers! $43k. (Not in my budget range) QLN a
#2 fav speakers ($25+k) Genesis #1, "Lifelike" repro of Ella Fitz. & and band #3 Alta's. jam session, spread out in the room, full sized, 3D!!!
I for one, as far as music is concerned, you can't speak for me. I'd encourage music that enjoy being played back! NOT the audio (drek) favs heard for decades. Boring!! If it doesn't sound lifelike, dynamic, close your eyes, in room!? What's the point!!?? I want to be entertained, transported! Not 'year's music reproduced.
Job well done Sir
Did you hear Cube Audio room (Refined Audio)? If so,, what did you think?
Great job, congratulatIons
Wonderful report.
Thank you
New set of mono's? Hopefully and finally CH Precision. Hopefully the M10's configured for mono.
Any honorable mentions ?
Is it me or does the Joseph Pearls look like a modern take of the Wilson Watt Puppies?
GT Audio are on maybe similar way of speaker design like Infinity IRS V was...😊
BUY HORNS TOMORROW!
jay i think the everest is my speaker of choice, they actually sound pretty close to my much cheaper jbls.
Yeah, c’mon guys! The speaker he chose was a petty 37,000.00. 😅
Jay...What is your take on BØRRESEN Speaker?
I didn't get the feeling i wanted from it but it could have been the room set up
Can we get a list of the worst 3 rooms?
No i don't want to ruffle feathers by doing that.
@@jaysaudiolab Did you go in the Audio Note room? How did you feel about it?
I would have thought the common element amongst the rooms was ELECTRICITY.....just sayin'.
Jeff Joseph has been setting up good sounding systems and rooms for years. His speakers tend to fly below the radar, probably due to the fact that he prices his gear at less than heart stopping prices. He also doesn't seem to have the press or the marketing that some of the better known US companies utilize. Jay, most of the music that a lot of exhibitors want to utilize at shows, is something that they have been told to use for years. Music is also a very subjective aspect, so to tell these guys to change their music selection...is not that realistic, IME.
I didn't bring it
JBL is like Rodney Dangerfield... I can't get no respect!
Younger generations think JBL is a audio device that you bring to the beach.
JBL once "ruled" the world. There wasn't a recorded note that wasn't first heard through a pair of JBL Monitors.
Square JBL...different format
Jay you are so right to criticize the choice of music the exhibitors use to show off the systems. I too heard this slow and often very pretentious music, which is so f'@k&ng boring and if anything makes the system seem worse than it really is...?
Agreed
I’m sorry Jay, I could not listen to this for 24 + min
Through the years you have developed a talent to state and re-state the obvious, over and over.
Go back to the basics, you’ll better serve your audience and yourself.
😂😂😂😂1936…….. so true
😂