LATEST ADDITIONS

Jason Victor Serinus  |  May 14, 2025
Days after AXPONA 2025 wrapped, organizers announced a record 10,910 attendees—a 5% increase over 2024. Trade passes grew by 20%, which either points to a surge in legitimate press coverage or an uptick in blog-based glamor shots (aka audio porn) aimed at securing free entry.
Jason Victor Serinus  |  May 14, 2025
I almost missed Audio Research and Acora’s pairing in the “Living Room” area of the mezzanine, adjacent to where people dined and lounged. I waited to stop by until first thing on Sunday morning, when music wasn’t blasting and people were in a far mellower mood than on eager-beaver Friday or crowded Saturday.
Jason Victor Serinus  |  May 14, 2025

Familiar faces, new form.

Before me stood a pair of stand-mounted Dynaudio Confidence 20 active loudspeakers, complete with DSP ($24,000/pair). Larger, higher-quality cousins to the Dynaudio Focus 10 active loudspeakers I reviewed a little over two years ago, the Confidence 20s sounded notably more refined and more convincing. That tracks: Each driver is powered by its own dedicated amplifier. While both models share the same DSP room correction protocol, nearly everything else is an upgrade.

Jason Victor Serinus  |  May 14, 2025
One advantage of distributing multiple categories of carefully chosen top-quality products is that you can assemble entire systems while remaining with your own network. Thus did AXISS Audio present room after room of sterling AXISS family systems on multiple floors.
Jason Victor Serinus  |  May 14, 2025
As AXPONA wound down, I stopped by the Supreme Acoustic Systems room hoping to catch up with CEO Hiram Toro. Instead, I was greeted by another familiar face: distributor Philip O’Hanlon of On a Higher Note, who welcomed me into a space humming with last-day energy.
Anne E. Johnson  |  May 14, 2025
Alison Krauss & Union Station: Arcadia
Down The Road Records (16/44.1 FLAC, Qobuz). 2025. Alison Krauss & Union Station, prod.
Performance *****
Sonics ****

When singer/fiddler Alison Krauss was a teenager with a solo album under her belt, she teamed up with some fellow musicians to form Union Station. Starting in 1989, Rounder Records released the band's albums regularly—seven of them including the soundtrack to Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?—ending with 2011's Paper Airplane. Although they continued to play together, most notably in a 2014 tour with Willie Nelson, Krauss and Union Station didn't make it back into the studio for 14 years.

Now Rounder Records' founders have a new label, Down The Road Records, and Krauss and the band have finally reteamed for another album and a major tour.

Stereophile Staff  |  May 13, 2025  |  First Published: May 12, 2025

We’re turning up the volume on excitement! Here’s your chance to win the Morel Biggie—a powerhouse of wireless sound engineered for those who crave deep bass, rich detail, and bold design in every beat.

Crafted by audio perfectionists at Morel, the Biggie redefines what a portable speaker can be. Whether you're on the move or making moments at home, this is the speaker that goes all in—just like you.

Stereophile Staff  |  May 13, 2025
Join EMM Labs on Saturday May 31, 11am–4pm at Bending Wave USA, the new Boca Raton luxury retail location, for a special day of high-fidelity audio, fine timepieces, hors d’oeuvres, and distinctive spirits, all to celebrate the finer moments of life.
Ken Micallef  |  May 13, 2025  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969
Fidelity Imports’ room 1221 featured electronics from Audia Flight and loudspeakers from Perlisten. Both brands are relatively new to the US market, though Perlisten has gained wider recognition more quickly.

The system consisted of an Audia Flight FLS1 preamplifier ($9999); two FLS8 monoblocks ($23,998/pair); Perlisten S7t SE floorstanding loudspeakers ($23,990/pair); and the new D8is subwoofer (price TBD). QED cables linked it all together.

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