Salon Audio Montreal / Audio Fest 2022 Show Report
Montreal Audiofest 2022 show report part 3.
Montreal Audio Fest 2022 Coverage By Rick Becker

A variety of Focal in-wall and ceiling speakers and Naim Uniti all-in-one components were also on display.

Nearby was a table full of the new second-generation Mu-so wireless media centers, also from Naim.

As was a wall of various Vicoustic absorption and diffusion products.

One of the more instructive displays I've seen at any show was in this room where IsoAcoustics compared two identical pairs of speakers — one with their isolation footers and one without. Years ago I had seen one of their displays with the little isolating stands beneath matched pairs of small monitors which wasn't terribly convincing. This one here wasn't much better as the presenter kept switching speakers just as I was getting focused on a particular aspect of the sound. Frustration!

But then the crowd moved on and he let me work the remote to change between speakers. Working at my own pace, and knowing exactly when the change was made, I was able to appreciate the improvement in focus and soundstage definition. It was not a huge difference, but discernable and appropriate for the asking price.

IsoAcoustics is also marketing butcher block platforms with their isolation footers that gave a good grip on the smooth surface of the demonstration table.

There was also a large display of Focal headphones in this room but unfortunately, they always seemed to be on the heads of a show attendee when I went by on a couple of occasions. I simply missed the photo op, thinking I would eventually come back for a listen.

Montreal 4 might have been identified with the Quebec distributor Plurison in past years but a little homework discovered Plurison Inc. has been acquired by Vervent Audio Group, the holding company of Focal. Furthermore, Vervent was formerly what we knew as Focal-JMLab SAS until 2014. So basically, long story short, the speaker company, based in La Talaudiere, France, bought out their North American distributor.

There is still plenty more to come with more Best Rooms Of Montreal 2022 in Part 4... coming soon!

---> Onward to part 4 of Rick Becker's Montreal show report.

---> Back to main Salon Audio Montreal / Audio Fest 2022 Show Report.