High End 2018e
Walking HALLE’s was where I ran into Hervé Brasebin (above center), director of Sales for AudioNec of France. Standing on his left is Francis Chaillet, who is AudioNec’s chief designer and rocket scientist. I’m only half-joking when you consider what Chaillet has accomplished with regard to both his sophisticated series of music servers, DACs and amplifiers and – on display for the first time – the mighty AudioNec Diva XL loudspeaker ($240k).
Although AudioNec designs their own Class-D amplification (and to great results each time I’ve heard them), this year, they opted to have a “French Connection” that combined their products alongside two noteworthy French audio designers: Jadis (electronics) and Absolue Creations (cables). I’ve been a longtime fan of Jadis dating back to the early ’90’s, when Victor Goldstein was importing them right here in the Big Apple. Hardly visible around these parts, it’s nice to see them making a comeback at shows such as these. Absolue Creations has been making a name for themselves for a few years now. Every time I hear a system composed of their products, it usually sounds stellar. Harmonic correctness without blotting out the details is what this setup offered without even listening hard. This is not my first rodeo with AudioNec, as I’ve visited them each time I was fortunate enough to see them here at the High End show. However, this time, they made it a point that I visit them this year with regard to the auspicious debut of their flagship Diva XL loudspeakers. What struck me almost immediately was how clean, detailed, yet deep the bass was in this makeshift room felt as compared to the others located in the same location. The powers that be made the room longer and wider, which gave it a much better overall sound, but in the end the room was still made of some cheap material that easily swelled to the wallop of any low-end note. Not here in the AudioNec suite.
In fact, the bass was so detailed, rich and quick afoot that after about two days of back and forth listening, I had to ask Chaillet “what’s up with the bass?” His response was “speaker correction software!” You’d think after a decade of playing with room and speaker correction I would have guessed it for myself. But, this was different from what I knew. It didn’t have that digital-like glaze I had become aware of in the earlier days of digital room correction nor did it sound devoid of proper overtones. Looking at their Music Server and AA2 series Digital Amplifiers driving only the woofer section (replete with their own linear ANALOG power supply and discrete internal components), had me gushing over their performance. $240,000 is a lot of money to invest into a pair of loudspeakers but if I had the money, I wouldn’t hesitate investing into something like AudioNec’s Diva XL loudspeakers. In certain ways, that Duo-Pole midrange is something to marvel at when it comes to cleanliness and realism. Few speakers I’ve heard can match the level of realism it produces. One of the best sounds at the show!
King’s Audio Limited, makers of ESL loudspeakers and headphones introduced two new models at this year’s High End. The larger model KS-18 is full-range electrostatic panel that should be available this Fall. The smaller model (photo above on the outside) is the company’s new hybrid Queen IV (price to be determined). Using King Sound all tube model P80, (100 watts), the sound was noticeably more balanced and musical than I can recall hearing in previous listening iterations. I told this directly to Simon Lai as we’ve reviewed their wares but I think their products sound best when played back through their own amplifiers. At only 83 dB efficient, I think there’s something to why they sound best when strapped to amps specifically designed to drive loads such as these. Surprisingly good sound! Bravo.
That being said, these makeshift rooms couldn’t handle the energy the Mach 9’s let loose into the room. More often than not, the room literally shook from the lower octaves causing Maxx to lower the volume to acommodate the flimsy walls. This wasn’t the case last year when he had a true cement structure for which to showcase his new Mach 4 loudspeakers. At 98 dB efficient, the Mach 9’s, when played within the limits of the room, performed flawlessly. Unfortunately, to hear the Mach 9’s played to their limits is going to take another room and another day.
There’s a running theme to manufacturers who are talented enough to design their own music servers, amplifiers and loudspeakers. It usually leads to a sound that is really quite astounding in terms of synergy. Nothing really tops that! Oh, by the way, all cabling was by way of a new company called Luna, which sounded quite good I might add.
Stereo Times Masthead
Publisher/Founder
Clement Perry
Editor
Dave Thomas
Senior Editors
Frank Alles, Mike Girardi, Key Kim, Russell Lichter, Terry London, Moreno Mitchell, Paul Szabady, Bill Wells, Mike Wright, Stephen Yan, and Rob Dockery
Current Contributors
David Abramson, Tim Barrall, Dave Allison, Ron Cook, Lewis Dardick, Dan Secula, Don Shaulis, Greg Simmons, Eric Teh, Greg Voth, Richard Willie, Ed Van Winkle, and Rob Dockery
Music Reviewers:
Carlos Sanchez, John Jonczyk, John Sprung and Russell Lichter
Site Management Clement Perry
Ad Designer: Martin Perry
Be the first to comment on: High End 2018e