The World’s Best Audio System?

I know there’s another website that uses the acronym TWBAS to describe a no-holds barred audio playback system, but I thought I would point out a press release that went out a couple of weeks ago. I think we’ve got a contender.

I’ve known about this whole thing since Steve Davis (the founder and organizer of the annual AXPONA Show) and I started talking about the AIX Records demo room at next year’s event. Steve and I have been friends for a long time and I usually get one of the first choices for a demo room at his show. I mentioned that it seemed that none of the press bothered to come into our room this past year in spite of the fact that we had a great sounding room. Our partners were some of the best companies in the business including Dolby Laboratories, JVC Professional, Oppo Digital, Bryston, DH Labs, Stewart Filmscreens and B&W speakers. And where else could these professional writers experience a high definition audio and high definition video experience together.

They passed us by in favor of the United Home Audio reel-to-reel machines down the hall or the MBL room upstairs that played analog as well. I know we knocked the socks off of those that came in the room…but how to you make sure you get some all important press coverage. Well, Steve told me you have to do something that is truly unique.

And so with his help and the help of some others, AIX Records will be putting together the single most expensive audio demonstration room ever assembled for a public trade show. Yep, there’s going to be something near $800,000 worth of speakers, amplifiers etc in the Magnolia Room at the Omni Hotel at the end of next April!

Here’s a segment of the press release that Steve send out:

“A very special exhibit will be part of AXPONA 2014. German Physiks of Germany has committed to display their most ambitious system ever. The system will consist of the Emperor Loudspeaker weighing in at over 1000 lbs per speaker and costing nearly $400,000.00 US dollars. Also with this incredible system they will show three additional Borderland speakers and complete the setup with two custom built 18-inch subwoofers. The total cost of the speaker system alone will exceed $500,000.00. Along with the German Physiks speakers, Vitus Audio from Denmark will present seven discreet amplifiers to deliver the required high quality power to this magnificent system. Also supporting this very ambitious effort is Dolby, Oppo, JVC Professional and DH Labs. The Exhibit itself will be hosted and presented by Mark Waldrep PhD, of AIX Records. The system will exclusively use for demonstration Dr. Waldrep’s incredible software that has been received with many accolades over the years and most recently given marks such as recording of the month from Stereophile magazine and other mentions establishing his work as the absolute reference for 5.1 high resolution audio.”

So will this be the world’s best audio system? It’s impossible to say…but it will be an opportunity to experience something that hasn’t ever happened before at a trade show (but I think we do that at every show…oh well). Real HD-Audio in full 5.1 surround, many with HD-Video of amazing artists like Rita Coolidge, Wallace Roney, Paul Williams, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Warnes, John McEuen and sons, Laurence Juber and many others. Would you really pass up an opportunity to hear a system that retails for over $750,000?

Come by and ask to hear “Lowlands” by Hanna/McEuen…it’s an absolutely perfect song and recording. I may play some surprises too.

Make your plans now to come to Chicago at the end of April to enjoy the AXPONA show, listen to the AIX Records and partners room and purchase a copy of my book on High-End Audio: Production to Playback (which is coming along nicely). See you there.