The AXPONA 2023 Chronicles: Part 11
Sound systems singing with two speakers on the second floor.
Audio Expo North America 2023 Show Report By Rick Becker

A  Legacy Audio
Legacy Audio set up multiple listening options for people to hear different speaker models as well as different levels of amplification. Bill Dudleston, seen here on the left, was available for Legacy fans to ask questions.

The backdrops above explained the Wavelet II Time Domain Processor which performs multiple functions of preamplifier, room correction, DSP crossover with multiple outputs, and more.

It sounds very similar to the Trinnov Amethyst crossover ($12k) that I saw in the Arion Audio room on the 7th Floor in Part 6. Both seem to be highly versatile components for people who need or wish, to go beyond the more traditional approaches of separate components for the different functions.

In addition to excellent sound quality, their speakers feature exceptional woodwork and design that rivals many products from Europe.

Notice the angled, beveled edges along the front and top edges of the cabinets pictured above. And there is extensive use of dual AMT tweeter and super-tweeter as seen on these two models.

Many people think a grand piano is the ultimate test of a speaker's capability, but I got a kick out of hearing a recording with a guy whistling a tune along with his guitar that sounded uncannily real.

Focal Naim North America
The Focal Naim effort seems to travel from one show to another. I see the same components arranged differently at several shows.

It is a traveling boutique showroom and likely a template for brick-and-mortar installations in a few major cities.

This being Sunday, the headphone area was not mobbed. The Bathys wireless noise-canceling headphone is great. I've tried it.

Home theater is a bit difficult to pull off in an open floor plan, but they give it a reasonable shot.

As I've seen at the Canadian shows, their main presentation area does dual duty for free-standing speakers as well as the simulated in-wall modules up against the white wall. That was likely Naim's new 300 series of components which includes the NSS 333 streamer, NAC 332 preamplifier, NAP 350 monoblock power amplifier, NVC TT phono stage, and NPX TT power supply.

A handsome, straightforward Thorens turntable looked affordable and caught my eye.

And there was the "Viva Las Vegas" exhibit as well for folks looking to extend music to their outdoor kitchen, patio, and pool areas. They had more space at the Montreal show and offered more exhibits of accessories that I didn't notice here at AXPONA.

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