Part 8: Honorable Mentions And Promising Products At Montreal Audiofest 2025
Digging deep into the multitude of exhibit rooms looking for hidden audiophile treasures.
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker

  Up until a few years ago, the high-end audio show reports of the few publications were naming a sole (single) Best of Show Award with a few close audiophile manufacturers as competitors. Early on, I broadened my view to award numerous Enjoy the Music.com Best Of Show Blue Note Awards at events, acknowledging the playing field of available rooms is never level, and not all systems were designed to achieve the same results.

Over the past couple of decades, luxury audiophile shows have grown larger, and the presentations have improved over the years as presenters have honed their skills in much the same way pit crews have polished their performance in auto racing. So, a short while ago, I began listing high-end audio rooms in a category of Honorable Mentions for outstanding rooms that didn't quite make the top tier, but were systems that I could live very happily with for a long time. Most of these rigs were comprised of components that could be part of an outstanding system if set up in a more accommodating room.

I've always loved to dig deep into exhibit rooms looking for hidden (or sometimes, not so hidden) gems. So with the Montreal Audiofest 2025 show, I've initiated a category of Promising Products that were new to me (although others may already have reviewed them). I'll start with these Promising Products first, in the order in which I covered the room they were in. Next up will be honorable mentions. Enjoy the Music.com's Best Of Montreal Audiofest 2025 Blue Note Awards will have their own dedicated web page for you to enjoy. As always... enjoy the music.

Promising Products

SVS Ultra Evolution Floorstander Speaker
I saw this when it first came out and a couple of times since then, but only past the heads and shoulders of others in crowded rooms. This was the first show I've been able to sit and really listen to them. It has already established a fine reputation. (Part 1, room 1232)

CANVAS HiFi Mega-Soundbar
A recipient of an EISA Award with BACCH Spatial Audio. High style, high quality sound that might have you rethinking your desire for a complex surround sound system. (Part 3, room 2346)

MoFi SourcePoint 888 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
This speaker by Andrew Jones was a stand-out product I finally heard on my sweep of the show late on Sunday. It has already been highly acclaimed in the press. (Part 4, room 2405 and Part 7)

Fosi Amplifiers
I heard numerous Fosi products here for the first time, including a stereo amp and monoblocks that were very impressive — and not just for their minimal prices (hundreds, not thousands of dollars). Their new higher style and compact size bring a new audience to the high end. (Part 4, room 2422)

Klipsch Cornerhorn And LaScala Hornspeakers
These new versions with external crossovers sounded much improved. With the right amplification and installation in a better room, both of these speakers hold potential for creating an enthralling, dynamic system. (Part 4, Bonaventure Room)

GoldenEar T44 Floorstanding Loudspeaker 
A smaller version of the acclaimed T66, this speaker can anchor a great system in a medium-sized room with top-notch amplification. I foresee rave reviews for this more affordable gem. (Part 6, room M7)

Emotiva XT3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
At less than half the price of the GoldenEar T44, this larger speaker can rock the house in larger rooms and play offense as well as defense for music and home theater. It would be interesting to hear what this speaker can do with more upscale electronics... or even downscale — I'm thinking of the Fosi amps mentioned above. (Part 6, room M8)

Cabasse Myuki Active Loudspeaker
An AC or battery powered, all-in-one, round speaker. Use this system in a room with minimalist décor, hide it in the clutter of a college dorm room, or take it to the beach and have your own outdoor concert. (Part 6, room W1)

Stable 33.33 
Immuable turntable from Sylvain Pichette is a more affordable player from this Canadian manufacturer, capable of being wall mounted for convenience and better isolation. (Part 6, Room W5)

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