Audio Advice 2025 Show Demo Report

This is the fourth year in a row we’ve covered Audio Advice Live since its inception. Each year, Audio Advice strives to make the show bigger, featuring more experience rooms, greater brand diversity, and an increased focus on both two-channel and multi-channel demo setups. AA Live wouldn’t be complete without the legendary Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus speaker on static display or the towering MartinLogan Neoliths flanking the main hallway that leads to the show’s largest demo rooms.

The main show floor featured five demo rooms:

1.      Focal, Polk Audio, Denon, and Epson

2.      MartinLogan, Storm Audio, and JVC

3.      Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, and Epson

4.      Bowers & Wilkins 801 Signature Abbey Road Edition with Marantz Series 10 hi-fi components (which, sadly, I did not get a chance to hear)

5.      Sony with KEF speakers

All of the vendors did their best to overcome poor room acoustics and sound bleed between the hotel’s paper-thin walls. This show report highlights our experiences with the demos and gear we were able to provide coverage for. Any vendors not included in this report was either because we’ve already covered the exact same demos prior years from them at AA Live, or we didn’t have enough time to visit their rooms. Honorable mentions must be given to SVS, JL Audio, Perlisten, Arcam, Dali, NAD, Paradigm and Anthem. They all had strong demo rooms displaying their wonderful products for all to see and hear.

Multi-CH Demo Experiences

Focal
Focal put on an impressive demo of a 7.4.4 theater system powered by their Astral home theater electronics and configured with their new high-output Utopia Cinema speakers. To handle the low end, Focal brought four of their new dual 13” Utopia subwoofers—two in the front and two in the rear. The spatial audio demo of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” was especially memorable, thanks to the wonderfully immersive bubble of sound the system created. We also listened to a new David Gilmour “Between Two Points” spatial audio mix that was equally impressive. The LCRs were clean and capable of delivering serious SPL. I just wish Focal had brought eight subwoofers to better balance the bass with the intensity we were hearing above 80 Hz.

Polk Reserve 7.4 System w Denon AVR-A10H w Epson LS9000 Projector

Denon/Polk/Epson
The next demo experience was the Polk, Denon, and Epson room, which featured Epson’s new Pro Cinema LS9000. This 4K HDR 3LCD laser projector delivered vivid, full-color images using three dedicated LCD chips and a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio. Its 20,000-hour solid-state light engine promises long-term performance, all for just $1 under $4K. A full complement of Polk Reserve Series speakers and four 12” subs filled the room with sound, powered by the Denon AVR-A10H AVR—which was arguably overkill for the 7.4 channel count and could have been swapped for the Denon AVR-X6800H to shave some cost off this already high-value system, which totaled under $20K including the 120” Stewart Filmscreen Cima Neve series screen. Top Gun: Maverick sounded great, and I was impressed by the amount of deep bass produced by the four modest 12” Polk Audio subs placed in each corner of the room. Despite there were no height channels used in this system, I didn’t find myself missing them as I really enjoyed what the Polk Reserve speakers were doing on their own. There’s a reason why these speakers reviewed so favorably on our website. They’re really good.

Marantz/Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins, paired with Marantz’s AV 20 processor and dual AMP 10 amplifiers, delivered a premium home theater demo featuring the Cinema Series speaker lineup. While I didn’t get to sit for extended critical listening, the setup demonstrated the AV 20’s impressive flexibility—seamlessly switching between speaker groups to accommodate up to 15 speakers in a 13.4-channel configuration, including selectable wides or heights depending on the content. The system's power was undeniable; you could hear and feel it well outside the demo room—proof that the Marantz and B&W combo knows how to bring the house down.

Bowers & Wilkins also brought their 810 Signature Abbey Road Edition, of which I'm told only 140 pairs will be made. They were absolutely gorgeous—especially when paired with the Marantz Link 10n (review coming) and dual Model 10 amplifiers in bi-amp mode. I didn’t get a chance to listen to these, but I did hear the 801 D4 Signatures at our MaximumAV Listening event, and they were among the best passive speakers I’ve ever heard in my life. Our good friend Brian Hager voted this system the best 2-channel experience at Audio Advice Live 2025. Knowing his background in audio, I tend to give a lot of weight to his opinion on what sounds good.

Martinlogan Renaissance ESL 15a w 15" Grotto Subwoofer

MartinLogan/Trinnov/JVC
MartinLogan put on an impressive demo featuring a full 7.7.4 Renaissance 15aESL speaker system and an array of their new Grotto subwoofers, which operate on a similar concept to the Abyss (active driver with dual opposing passive radiators) but use larger 12” and 15” driver variants and more powerful amplifiers. For this demo, they employed a mix of both 12" and 15" subs. A Trinnov Altitude processor—utilizing its Optimizer but not WaveForming—was used, along with a Kaleidescape source device, as was common in most demo rooms, and JVC projection. Watching Ready Player One, along with some music demos, revealed that the Grotto delivered tight, accurate bass, though I personally would have liked the bass levels turned up another 4–6 dB for greater impact. We plan to review these subs to better understand their true capabilities, as the very large room they were demoed in presented acoustical challenges that made it difficult to fully gauge performance.

Ascendo/Trinnov
The Ascendo/Trinnov demo, tucked away on the bottom floor, was a somewhat congested space to fit that many speakers and a giant 32” subwoofer. This was the first time Waveforming technology was demonstrated at an AA Live Show, and the bass performance did not disappoint. In fact, this demo had the deepest and most pronounced bass I heard at the show, though I wouldn’t call it the most musical. That honor belonged to the MoFi V10 speakers, designed by Andrew Jones in a 2-channel setup.

I’m very familiar with the music demo track Eric Clapton’s The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions and thought it sounded fine, but the Ascendo speakers didn’t deliver the airy presence I’m used to from more audiophile brands like Perlisten, Focal, or RBH Sound. Nonetheless, it was a very popular room, and my hats off to the design team for fitting so many speakers—especially on the ceilings—given the physical constraints of the room.

Two-Channel Demo Experiences

JTR Kallos Speakers & Subs
JTR at an Audio Advice Live show was surprising and welcomed. We are big fans of the brand, especially their remarkable 18” subwoofers, which are among the best on the market. The issue with most JTR products is that they are HUGE and have a face only a mother could love. JTR has rewritten their own rule book with their new Kallos series, featuring an aesthetically pleasing, high-output satellite speaker that is only about 4” deep and a sealed, compact, high-performance 12” subwoofer with 33mm XMAX and 1200-watt built-in amplification. According to Jeff Permanian, this system is capable of a peak output of 123dB. The Kallos 465 (MSRP: $2,499/ea) boasts 97dB sensitivity with 800-watt power handling and a 90x60 coverage pattern.

JTR Kallos 2.1 Low Profile Sub/Sat Speaker System

When I first walked into the room, I requested “Francine Thirteen – Queen Mary,” and when Jeff cued it up, it sounded absolutely awful. I was certain his calibration was off, but it turned out he had downloaded a highly compressed version of the track from YouTube — that was the problem. He then played “Madonna – Vogue,” and I was floored by the imaging I heard, with hard panning from snapping fingers on the left speaker to vocals panning to the right. I was impressed by the very wide and large soundstage despite the speakers being placed only about 4 feet apart. Bass was tight and deep and left nothing wanting from the track.

JTR fans who love the signature sound of Jeff’s products will absolutely love these speakers, especially since they easily blend into any room décor and look more like a lifestyle product than a high-testosterone, Facebook-group SPL competition bruiser.

MoFi V10 Tower Speakers (MSRP: $8k/pair)

MoFi
The MoFi room was hands down my favorite demo experience of the show. I had never had a chance to sit down and listen to the MoFi speakers before, as I always found the aesthetics of their smaller “bookshelf” models a bit off-putting, if I’m being honest. But I’ve always respected the talent and storytelling of Andrew Jones. So, I sat down to listen to their new V10 flagship tower ($8k/pair), which utilizes a 10” coaxial driver, dual 10” bass drivers, and dual 10” rear-firing passive radiators. This speaker is BIG and makes no apologies for it. Despite its bulky size, I actually don’t mind the look, and when Andrew cued up some tracks, I paid less attention to aesthetics and more attention to the spectacular sound I was being treated to. I was about to make a special song request to Andrew Jones, and he said, right after he plays this one song—which turned out to be Francine Thirteen’s “Queen Mary,” the exact song I was going to suggest! Needless to say, the scale of sound was excellent, and the bass was deep, controlled, and satisfying. Best of all, Andrew Jones didn’t apply any EQ to the system. The speakers just worked extremely well in the room, and the entire vibe of the space was on point. The Fender edition MoFi turntable was absolutely gorgeous. Too bad we didn't get a chance to spin some vinyl on it.

Klipsch LaScala Active Speakers w Onkyo Hi-Fi Electronics

Klipsch/Onkyo
Klipsch showcased an active version of the La Scalas, along with updated drivers. The system was powered by Onkyo hi-fi gear that looked and sounded fabulous. The La Scalas were tri-amped by three Onkyo stereo amps with gorgeous VU meters, and the entire system was electronically crossed over, bypassing the passive networks. Personally, I liked the orange backlights on the Onkyo gear, though I do miss their signature green from decades ago. We listened to an acoustic track called "Pointless" by Lewis Capaldi. The room had all brick and hard surfaces with no acoustic treatments, which was unfortunate. However, in the sweet spot, the La Scalas imaged with laser-like focus, and the immediacy of the piano keystrokes was noteworthy, highlighting the true benefits of active system designs. I really enjoyed this experience much more than my initial listen from the back left row. I’m happy to see mainstream brands like Klipsch embracing active speaker designs, even for legacy models like the La Scala.

Mcintosh HiFi Gear w Sonus faber 5.4 Speaker System

Mcintosh/Sonus faber
The McIntosh/Sonus Faber demo room was pretty spectacular. They showcased a 5.4 system with Sonus Faber towers for the front and rear speakers, along with a ginormous center channel featuring dual mids in a nested MTM array and dual bass drivers. There was a subwoofer in each corner and a stack of McIntosh electronics off to the side of the room. They demoed Top Gun: Maverick and Sing 2. Neither demo disappointed, but I especially enjoyed hearing U2’s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” not only because I’m a big U2 fan but also because this system truly shined for music.

Audio Advice Revelation Luxury Chair
After two days of walking around covering the AA Live show, I was ready for a break, and our friends at Audio Advice didn’t disappoint with the launch of their new Revelation Luxury chair. Although this chair resembles the Valencia Tuscany, it has several standout features that differentiate it:

• Built-in shiatsu massage with adjustable heat for relaxation.
• Motorized, quiet lumbar and headrest adjustments for personalized comfort.
• USB-C charging ports and easy-to-use cupholder controls.
• Soft, dimmable ambient LED lighting around the footrest and cupholder.
• Durable, easy-clean vegan leather upholstery with a premium look.
• Space-saving reclining design that allows placement closer to walls.
• Hidden armrest storage and included swivel tray for convenience.
• Crumb catcher liner between cushions for easy snack cleanup.

I was particularly fond of the massage and heating features, as well as the easy access to the controls on the cupholder instead of the side like on the Valencia. I found the lumbar support very comfortable, while the headrest was more plush than the Valencia Tuscany — which is better for me, since I have serious neck problems, and the Tuscany headrests hurt my neck after a couple of hours of sitting.

Best of all, Audio Advice is selling these chairs for only $1,349 each (including shipping)! This must be the best home theater chair deal around.

Captain Analogue w Michael Fremer
Our own Xavier Burgos (aka Captain Analog) participated in a breakout session with Michael Fremer to demonstrate the proper setup of turntables. Xavier also assisted in the Perlisten demo room, expertly calibrating a gorgeous Michell Gyro turntable. As with any product—whether it’s an HDTV display, an AV processor, or, in this case, a turntable—proper setup is essential to achieving the best possible performance.

Michael Fremer w Xavier Burgos (aka. Captain Analog)

I was floored by the sonic improvements Captain Analog made to my modest Marantz TT-15S1 turntable after taking the time to dial it in. What I heard was deeper bass, reduced flutter, and more precise imaging, with a locked-in phantom center.

If anyone downplays how good vinyl can sound, chances are they’ve never truly experienced it for themselves—which is unfortunate. Needless to say, there wasn’t a bad-sounding turntable at AA Live with Fremer and Captain Analog on patrol.

Audio Advice Live 2025 Show Wrap Up

I have to give a quick shout out to JBL Synthesis for upping their amplifier game by embracing the latest ICE Edge Class D amplification. This is a upgrade over exiting models which were good performers but the new models are more powerful and come fan noise free so you can rack mount in the same room as your theater without hearing the fans.

Overall, this was another solid show for Audio Advice. The positive energy among the staff, vendors, and attendees was wonderful to experience. Everyone was there to have a good time and to hear their favorite brands—or perhaps discover new ones. The vendors managed to pull off impressive demos despite the limitations of room acoustics and space constraints. I walked away impressed by new product launches from Focal, Klipsch, Onkyo, MoFi, MartinLogan, and Epson, and I look forward to covering more products from these brands in the months to come.