View Full Version : North West Audio Show 2025 - June 21st & 22nd
This is coming up close now thought we might as well have a thread.
Here's the link
https://audioshow.co.uk/
Anyone planning to go? Not far from me so I've only missed one since it started.
Nothing makes you appreciate your own system more than going to a high end hi-fi show!
Ali Tait
02-06-2025, 15:32
Yeah will be there with Nick, Dave and Andrew in the MCRU room.
Pigmy Pony
02-06-2025, 17:11
Martin, does it matter whether we go on Saturday or Sunday? I'm undecided at the moment, I'll pm you my reason if you're interested... I'm thinking almost certainly Sunday.
Martin, does it matter whether we go on Saturday or Sunday? I'm undecided at the moment, I'll pm you my reason if you're interested... I'm thinking almost certainly Sunday.
No, it doesn't matter to me at all.
Pigmy Pony
02-06-2025, 18:36
No, it doesn't matter to me at all.
:thumbsup:
Would love to make the trip but it's a heck of a hike and also my son's birthday on the 21st. I will try and get "oop North" at some point to one of the gatherings.
Pigmy Pony
02-06-2025, 21:53
"Hey son, for your birthday this year I've got you a ticket to NW Audio Show!" You don't need to tell him that admission is free ;) And if you feel a bit guilty about it buy him a burger there - you'll need a mortgage for that.
I’ll be there looking forward to it after last years
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 06:03
I’ll be there looking forward to it after last years
So that's four of us now, I hope they've ordered in enough hot dogs :)
So that's four of us now, I hope they've ordered in enough hot dogs :)
Actually as my girlfriend is coming five of us, they better up the hot dog order :D
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 07:03
Here's hoping, because half a hot dog is worse than no hot dog at all - just ask my missus.
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 07:10
So what are we looking forward to seeing/hearing? past experience has shown me that often modestly priced gear can be surprisingly good, while some "high end" kit can be shockingly bad. Comes down to set up and room I suppose.
Firebottle
03-06-2025, 07:20
Even though I have some Arke Audio Solo speakers I am looking forward to see the other speakers Jason has on offer.
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 07:40
Come and say hello chaps. :-)
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 07:49
Even though I have some Arke Audio Solo speakers I am looking forward to see the other speakers Jason has on offer.
So Jason is there? I'll look forward to that, I haven't heard any of his speakers.
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 07:54
So Jason is there? I'll look forward to that, I haven't heard any of his speakers.
Actually, that's not true, I've heard Macca's. And great though they are, my understanding is that they were a one-off.
Actually, that's not true, I've heard Macca's. And great though they are, my understanding is that they were a one-off.
Mine are not Jason's design, they were designed by Troels Gravesen. Quite a few people have built them if you look on his website he has photos that people have sent in.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Builder's_response.htm#FAITAL - click on the links marked 'Faital 3wc-15'
At the show he is demoing his own designs - Mikro and Solo, plus I think a 'bass extender' for the Mikro.
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 09:52
Definitely on my to listen to list.
isobarik
11-06-2025, 08:55
I'll be going, haven't been to an Audio Show in years! Looking forward to it.
Here's some photos I took, plus a bit of commentary:
I told them not to make any fuss but they insisted on rolling out the red carpet for me:
https://i.ibb.co/nqCJqfkb/20250622-154446.jpg (https://ibb.co/ZRmDRKTV)
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Kerr Acoustic K300 2 way transmission line design. Usually 'tidy' sounding speakers, Kerr, and this was no exception, but terrible music drove us out the room
https://i.ibb.co/KpGxfSWQ/20250622-101027-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/Q3cvTtMq)
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Kudos Titan 808 - can be used active or passive, these were active with three external power amps. Good bass response but mid and top had a weird issue I find hard to describe, like the sound had no definition:
https://i.ibb.co/fGKcsm6M/20250622-101140.jpg (https://ibb.co/bRyfkpw1)
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Elac Speakers not sure which model, one of the Debut series I think. Nothing special.
https://i.ibb.co/tMZYn2th/20250622-102105.jpg (https://ibb.co/wNJp8QXL)
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RFC Rubato - coaxial driver, heard a lot about these speakers but didn't seem to be doing anything impressive while I was in there:
https://i.ibb.co/FkZhBH6H/20250622-102809.jpg (https://ibb.co/6c9y4XYX)
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Ophidian FFion - three way with 8 inch bass driver inside firing down. Heard these before and they don't grab me
https://i.ibb.co/b5CFQJ8v/20250622-103358.jpg (https://ibb.co/nMYB6C51)
They were using an interesting looking power amp with good spec - £3.5K or you could buy the demo model with a substantial discount:
https://i.ibb.co/DgQP0QGG/20250622-103349.jpg (https://ibb.co/G3RfzRss)
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ATC SCM20ASL active two way. Not bad for a small speaker, I thought vocals sounded not quite right but could have been the room or me:
https://i.ibb.co/LX5V79CW/20250622-104359-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/fzvjwrC5)
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Of the speakers on display the big Elac towers were playing. Bad sound in here, they massacred Paul Simon 'Graceland' with detached bass and shouty/harsh mids. Don't think it was the speakers to blame, for some reason they were using a turntable as the source so maybe that was the issue.
https://i.ibb.co/1t9TpCMX/20250622-105914-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/dwQD3Ntp)
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Get your people back and get your heads down as this is going to be a big one - Focal Utopia with Naim Statement - over £400K of equipment here. The streamer alone was £80K (more expensive than the speakers!) and there were two add on power supplies at 8 grand each.
https://i.ibb.co/RqG3mvR/20250622-110641.jpg (https://ibb.co/CfpbZ1R)
Naim Statement power amp ('That's not an amp, this is an amp' etc)
https://i.ibb.co/gM1X2jH3/20250622-110608.jpg (https://ibb.co/wNHbk03R)
Although having the speakers cost less than a tenth of the total system price is an utterly stupid way to make a system, this did sound pretty good. Bass on Bozz Scaggs was rattling the fittings in the room, the rest was smooth and clean and no sign of the supposedly deadly Focal/Naim pairing.
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New QUAD 33/303 with Wharfedale Linton. Not seen these new amps in the flesh before. They're cute but a bit plastiky. Music was some tame EDM so hard to judge, that sort of thing sounds good on anything. Suspect you could listen to this system for a long time without it getting fatiguing though. They had the old and new 33/303 side by side on a static display, they also had the new integrated amp in the same styling on display.
https://i.ibb.co/FkSHVXX4/20250622-111919.jpg (https://ibb.co/zWy6JFFV)
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YG speakers, not sure of model. Usually I like their speakers but they're big money. Again, tame EDM playing so hard to judge anything.
https://i.ibb.co/mrmY8Fdy/20250622-112804.jpg (https://ibb.co/NgXkSnfN)
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Active ATC 150, despite the high stands and classical music these were pretty good with what seemed to be realistic instrumental tones:
https://i.ibb.co/qYqCz5V0/20250622-113417.jpg (https://ibb.co/5hpkdFwY)
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hORNS Symphony 13 (I think) - this sort of thing not usually my cup of tea but I thought these were very good. Clean, good bass, easy to listen to.
https://i.ibb.co/x88r72Rn/20250622-113901.jpg (https://ibb.co/FqqdDhjQ)
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Arke Mikros speaker with Kratos 'bass extender' - suppose I should declare an interest since I know the man (he built some speakers for me) but this was a very good sound and consistent across different types of music. Probably the best small speaker I've ever come across.
https://i.ibb.co/N6DfNWTY/20250622-130741.jpg (https://ibb.co/JR68pr3k)
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Mofi Sourcepoint 888 (the speaker on the right). Very smooth, good bass, easy to listen to. Was thinking about buying these last year but they weren't available in the UK at the time. So was interesting to hear them. A speaker for long term listening I think. No fireworks, but consistent.
https://i.ibb.co/hxRpcc85/20250622-133346.jpg (https://ibb.co/5XWqkkcD)
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NEAT Momentum J6 - never been a fan of NEAT or any 'deigned by ear' speakers, these seemed okay but again it was tame EDM playing so impossible to judge
https://i.ibb.co/GvfG0p4H/20250622-134350.jpg (https://ibb.co/BVHvt35n)
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Alchris TX25 Signature - heard these before and did consider buying them but in the end went bigger. Very good speakers in the old school fashion. This was the only room using vinyl that actually got a good sound from the deck but was plagued by static problems which eventually tripped the power amps and forced a return to CD.
https://i.ibb.co/3w4sDfG/20250622-135116.jpg (https://ibb.co/z1Q5y8j)
Cartridge was the new Nagaoka MP700 - IMO Nagaoka make the best pickups at any price point. (MP700 is top of the line at around £1200).
https://i.ibb.co/mCmWWhbY/20250622-135758.jpg (https://ibb.co/4Zcrr4KD)
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Had to go in this room because Accuphase, but terrible music and the sound quality not so good, not sure what these speakers were
https://i.ibb.co/hJFFZt8L/20250622-141253.jpg (https://ibb.co/0RyyFdJm)
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NVA 'starter system' with integrated amp and their Cube semi-omni speakers. I hate to use lame-ass audiophile words like 'musical', but it just was.
https://i.ibb.co/RGdRfrx0/20250622-142328.jpg (https://ibb.co/TDd96jV8)
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Now this was an interesting one, the sort of stuff I usually run a mile from - stupidly expensive Lampizator valve DAC, valve hybrid OSV amplifier, with panel speakers - but this was no question one of the best sounds of the day. I can't remember who makes the speakers except they had 'International' in the name so if anyone could help out there? You'd need subs if you wanted serious bass, but otherwise, stunning sound quality.
EDIT - the panel speakers are Flag Isodynamic Audio Systems.
https://i.ibb.co/hFwJHMN2/20250622-143139.jpg (https://ibb.co/F4CLJW18)
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TAD Grand Evolution GE1 - if you think that over about ten grand for speakers there's really nothing more to be gained then think again. £55K will get you these superb towers that are really good in every single possible aspect. In a better room acoustic I suspect they would be devastating. It's the little things, the subtle things, they get all of those right as well as a perfect big picture. Millionaires should look no further.
https://i.ibb.co/NggYJRtZ/20250622-150645.jpg (https://ibb.co/fVV0yJq4)
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That's all until next year, folks.
brian2957
23-06-2025, 11:30
Really enjoyed that. Thanks for posting Martin :thumbsup:
Really enjoyed that. Thanks for posting Martin :thumbsup:
You're welcome. :)
Interesting and informative show report Martin - Thanks.
A couple of questions:
1. In what way were the 'new' Quad 33/303 combination "plasticky"?
2. Interesting to see the NVA 'starter' combination, but I have no idea what the "lame-arse" description of 'musical' actually means. Is it the same as sounding 'nice' or 'pleasant'?
Glad I didn't go as your show report has very succinctly reviewed the show for me!
Good job Martin.:thumbsup:
Interesting and informative show report Martin - Thanks.
A couple of questions:
1. In what way were the 'new' Quad 33/303 combination "plasticky"?
2. Interesting to see the NVA 'starter' combination, but I have no idea what the "lame-arse" description of 'musical' actually means. Is it the same as sounding 'nice' or 'pleasant'?
1. The dials and the power on/off button are plastic and look and feel cheap. Maybe a bit harsh since these are not mega-money components and its the same on the original '33' but that's my observation.
2. 'Musical' - involving, entertaining, foot-tapping. Even though it was far from the last word for sound quality in any respect you could still sit and listen to it all day.
Glad I didn't go as your show report has very succinctly reviewed the show for me!
Good job Martin.:thumbsup:
Thanks James, but I'd say we only got round a quarter of the rooms, if that. Just too much to see in one day if you want to spend sufficient time with the good rooms - plus chatting to people, a leisurely lunch etc.
This year just tried to concentrate on the ones I thought might be interesting to me. Exception was that room with the panel speakers and Lampizator which I wouldn't have bothered with except Alan 'Firebottle' told us it was worth checking out.
Really it would be best to do it over two days and stop there overnight. Maybe next year.
Imagine trying to cover Munich show, I recon you would only be able to cover a fraction of it.
Imagine trying to cover Munich show, I recon you would only be able to cover a fraction of it.
You've got 4 days for that one though. Maybe more if you're press or trade.
Even then I don't think you'd be able to linger if you really wanted to cover it all.
It's a shame that now they had to move it from Munich they chose Vienna instead of London. I'd go if it was in London.
Makes sense as it's still the capital of the world for arts, culture, all that associated stuff.
I mean Vienna? Where is it even? ;)
1. The dials and the power on/off button are plastic and look and feel cheap. Maybe a bit harsh since these are not mega-money components and its the same on the original '33' but that's my observation.
Fair enough, though the dials and volume control of the original 33 were solid metal. The push buttons were plastic, but they had a good 'feel' to them.
Shame that Quad, in trying to exploit the distinctive look and appearance of the original electronics, are failing for not going the extra mile.
Excellent write up and photos Martin, thanks for sharing. (Now checking pension fund value and looking up TAD speakers online…)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Excellent write up and photos Martin, thanks for sharing. (Now checking pension fund value and looking up TAD speakers online…)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Thanks Alex. Those TAD are one of the very few speakers I would not recommend listening to if you can't afford them Not much kit gives me FOMO, not even those Focal Utopia, but they do.
Pigmy Pony
23-06-2025, 14:04
It's a shame that now they had to move it from Munich they chose Vienna instead of London. I'd go if it was in London.
Makes sense as it's still the capital of the world for arts, culture, all that associated stuff.
I mean Vienna? Where is it even? ;)
This means nothing to me :) Sorry, I'll get me coat.
This means nothing to me :) Sorry, I'll get me coat.
Oh "Shaddap You Face"! :D
Ali Tait
23-06-2025, 15:26
Just a correction Martin, it was the open baffles in use, not the Alchris speakers. :-)
Just a correction Martin, it was the open baffles in use, not the Alchris speakers. :-)
Oops! They were good then!
Pigmy Pony
23-06-2025, 16:32
Oh "Shaddap You Face"! :D
I know, I know, you was number one, I was number two :( Ure never going to let me forget that are you.
Pigmy Pony
23-06-2025, 16:40
Just a correction Martin, it was the open baffles in use, not the Alchris speakers. :-)
I reckon that sort of thing happens all the time, where folk (me) have gone into a demo and there have been speakers side by side, and that person (me) had to (discretely) go over to them to find out, because you don't want to ask :doh:
Ali Tait
23-06-2025, 18:46
Oops! They were good then!
Yeah, the bigger room really suited them I thought.
Rush2112
28-06-2025, 06:22
I loved these at the show
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250628/7a1dd40a201833172f31c106b0d50b7b.jpg
Fonica International Flag L Isodynamic speakers - The isodynamic technology in combination with the dimensional ratio of the speaker makes it a linear source and allows a very uniform sound diffusion in the listening room. Which in plain speak is some very enjoyable music !
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Rush2112
28-06-2025, 06:25
I loved these at the show
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250628/7a1dd40a201833172f31c106b0d50b7b.jpg
Fonica International Flag L Isodynamic speakers - The isodynamic technology in combination with the dimensional ratio of the speaker makes it a linear source and allows a very uniform sound diffusion in the listening room. Which in plain speak is some very enjoyable music !
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
They were in the G-Point Audio room.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
28-06-2025, 07:28
All of the pictures for your show report have disappeared Martin :scratch: I'm assuming it's not just me. Looks like imgbb want a ransom if you want to get your pics back.
I thought it was only Photophucket that got up to these shenanigans.
All of the pictures for your show report have disappeared Martin :scratch: I'm assuming it's not just me. Looks like imgbb want a ransom if you want to get your pics back.
I thought it was only Photophucket that got up to these shenanigans.
Apparently it's due to the number of views they get. Too many and it starts costing them money so they pull them.
I'm now using a different hosting service.
They were in the G-Point Audio room.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I also thought these to be very impressive. Although given the design, I'd want a long listening session with lots of different types of music before I would give them an unqualified recommendation.
They were in the G-Point Audio room.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I'm a big fan of panel speakers, whether they be electrostatic or dynamic type. Those Fonica speakers get very good reviews, but IMO need a large room to work with.
I would have to hear them so as to satisfy myself that 'beaming' in the vertical plane is not a problem. I also like the idea of them being 'active' with built in amplifiers, provided they had balanced-line inputs.
Pigmy Pony
28-06-2025, 09:41
When we were in that room he was playing that Tin Pan Alley track by Stevie Ray Vaughn (as I later learned :doh:) and it was quite extraordinary. But you'd need to hear it doing Michael Jackson, or Pink Floyd, or AC/DC to be sure.
Also I read that handling needs to be done with some care as the panels can be easily damaged, a consideration when you have kids/grandkids with ADHD :eek:
https://www.hifipig.com/fonica-international-flag-m-loudspeakers/#:~:text=Care%20needs%20to%20be%20taken%20to%20han dle%20the%20panels%20by%20their%20edges%20as%20put ting%20pressure%20on%20the%20front%20or%20rear%20o f%20the%20cloth%20panel%20surfaces%20could%20damag e%20the%20internal%20sound%2Dproducing%20membrane.
I'm a big fan of panel speakers, whether they be electrostatic or dynamic type. Those Fonica speakers get very good reviews, but IMO need a large room to work with.
I would have to hear them so as to satisfy myself that 'beaming' in the vertical plane is not a problem. I also like the idea of them being 'active' with built in amplifiers, provided they had balanced-line inputs.
They were in a small room at the show - hotel bedroom. They worked fine, at least based on our two or three song audition, anyway.
Only problem for me was lack of low frequencies. They were not toppy, but I would really need to add a couple of subs to get adequate bass for my preference.
I was thinking of the visual appearence and how their presence could dominate.
I once experimented with stacked Quad ESLs. Superb performance, but impossible to live with as they totally dominated the room.
I was thinking of the visual appearence and how their presence could dominate.
I once experimented with stacked Quad ESLs. Superb performance, but impossible to live with as they totally dominated the room.
Ah right. That wouldn't bother me at all.
Pigmy Pony
28-06-2025, 13:09
I was thinking of the visual appearence and how their presence could dominate.
I once experimented with stacked Quad ESLs. Superb performance, but impossible to live with as they totally dominated the room.
The Flag L (as in the picture) are about 2 metres tall, taller than your average internal door, so a bit big in most rooms. But then there's the Flag M which is 1280mm (just over four feet in old money), which is going to be better suited to your average room. Both are about 400mm wide.
They also do "in wall" options, which tells me that proximity to front and side walls shouldn't be an issue.
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