The AXPONA 2023 Chronicles: Part 3
Fascinating audio gear on the 14th floor.
Audio Expo North America 2023 Show Report By Rick Becker

Alma Audio
Alma Audio out of San Diego, CA, had two rooms at the end of the hall. I thought this Technics speaker (SU-G90M2, $6k) sounded surprisingly nice. It was driven by a SU-G700M2 integrated amp ($2900) that was fed from their new SL-G700M2 CD / SACD / Network player ($3500) that should be available very shortly.

They lost the internet connection in the room at the time so they were playing LPs on the Technics SL-1200GR turntable ($1800).

Off to the side on silent display was the new color option for their SL-1500C with a white top for $1300. As I've said numerous times, I think this direct drive model without all the DJ-wannabe controls is the best value of their lineup. Add a high-tech aftermarket mat if you wish. I also noted a nice-looking bookshelf speaker on silent display, the SB-C600 for $1100. Kubala-Sosna cables seemed like an expensive choice for gear in this price range, but they have multiple price levels. Usually, I hear the good stuff from them at shows.

Alma Audio
This was the room that most interested me because it was my first opportunity to hear Boenicke speakers. This diminutive floor stander, the W-8 SE ($15.5k) put out a very nice sound and filled the room. Boenicke is a boutique manufacturer in Switzerland that incorporates some technology from LessLoss in Lithuania which makes some incredible products I have reviewed as well.

The Boenicke speakers were driven by a Technics SU-R1000 integrated amp ($10k) that was fed by Technics flagship turntable, the SL-1000R ($20k) fitted with an Air Tight Opus 1 cartridge ($15k). It was just my luck the internet was down here when I came by so I got to hear some very nice analog music.

You can see above that the speaker doesn't even reach counter height, yet filled the room with music. The craftsmanship was top-notch. Note how the speaker surrounds are fitted flush to the wood and the cut-off edge of the woofer becomes the surface to print the name Boenicke.

On the back side, we see a rear-firing tweeter to give the music more ambiance and soundstage depth. The extended footers were something special, too.

The speaker is CNC machined from two halves with intricate channels behind the drivers, breaking up sound waves and channeling the sound to the rectangular port at the lower backside. The two halves are then glued together and finished. Outstanding!

SVS
Just past the stairwell at the end of the 14th Floor were two rooms hosted by SVS. While they have made a name for themselves in the subwoofer category, they have branched out into speakers for surround sound and stereo listening.

They are particularly big on wireless transmission for both their stereo and home theater applications. I took a brief listen here and while not expensive, the music was very listenable. If the price fits, wear it.

SVS Room Two
In the other room, they managed to squeeze in an honest-to-God surround sound system for an audience of about six, I think. Using their large floorstanders, no less.

I didn't recognize either of the movie clips that were shown. My wife is the movie-watcher at our house and she's happy with just a high-quality stereo rig there. I think the last movie I saw was Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Disney, 1954).

That's it for the 14th Floor. There is no 13th Floor by popular demand, so I'll be back with the 12th Floor room in Part 4 in a few days — like Monday or Tuesday if all goes well. Rock on!

---> Onward to the next part of Rick Becker's extensive AXPONA 2023 show coverage.

---> Back to main AXPONA 2023 show report page.