AXPONA 2024

Jorge Sadurni, whose impressive horn speakers I first encountered at AXPONA during its pre-Schaumberg years, introduced his Spherical Dual loudspeakers ($4600/pair with integrated stands—see driver in the photo.) Each Spherical Dual contains two high-damped cast-metal modules with 5" cone dynamic drivers. These drivers operate full range without crossovers and connect directly to an amplifier. Each Spherical Dual cast enclosure is 15" G x 6.5" W x 9" D and weighs 20lb.

The Duals are intended to couple with Sadurni subwoofers when used in larger rooms. In this case, Sadurni used his MCS (Metal Cast Subwoofer) subs ($3000 each), which contain an active 9" driver in a sealed enclosure with a 250W amplifier. Sadurni offers two other subwoofers for different situations.

What's his name’s "Take 5" (footnote 1) sounded excellent, and bass on Johnny Adams's "One Foot in the Blue," played with Roon software through the Wolf Audio Systems Red Wolf 2 SX music server ($16,500) and the T+A SD 3100 HV Reference DAC ($36,390), sounded full, well pitched … just plain excellent. In addition, the system delivered mids that were laudably smooth and satisfying, and it handled high volume (in a small room) surprising well save for a pesky, hard to address room mode that interfered in a narrow band of the upper base.

Also in the system: VPI Avenger Direct Turntable ($36,000) with DS Audio Grand Master EX Cartridge / Grand Master Equalizer ($67,500) and a Viva Audio Solista MKIII Integrated Amp ($29,999). Wiring was a Wireworld Platinum Eclipse loom.

Footnote 1: Yes, I know: The Dave Brubeck Quartet.