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Madisound at AXPONA 2010

Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Date: March 5-7, 2010 

Madisound will be on the 2nd floor, exhibit room 280.

The new association Audio Expo North America (AXPONA), together with Stereophile magazine, inaugurates an exciting new state-of-the-art Audio Equipment show at the Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, in March 2010.

The show will focus on high-end playback equipment, related products -- hundreds of brands will be represented -- and the media that support them. Consumers will be able to mingle with the industry's top manufacturers and retailers, while observing live demonstrations of equipment and software. 

Highlights will include audio recording demonstrations, musical performances, and seminars featuring top names in the industry speaking on topics as varied as high-resolution downloads, analog tape and vinyl record albums, and the latest media innovations and their availability through retail outlets and as downloadable files. 

The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, October 2-4, 2009


The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest will be held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center Hotel on October 2-4, 2009. 

Furniture will be removed from over 150 of the hotel's sleeping rooms and manufacturers will set up complete stereo systems for attendees to audition. You are encouraged to go from room to room, have a seat and casually listen. In fact, feel free to bring your own iPods, discs or records to the show, as most exhibitors will be more than happy to play one or two songs of your favorite music.

A variety of equipment types will be demonstrated, ranging from affordable separates and systems to the ultra-expensive high end. The headphone community will be in the Rocky Mountain Event Center so plan to spend some time there sampling the latest technology. In addition to the hotel rooms, most of the hotels' larger seminar rooms located on the main floor and mezzanine levels will also contain exhibits. Be sure to check out our Exhibitor List pages for a complete listing of the companies to be represented at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. 7 floors and over 150 rooms of exhibits at the Marriott. You will not be able to see and hear it all in one day!

SB-Acoustics - Now in Stock

New Pricing on ClarityCap MR Capcitors

Buy ClarityCap MR Range

Madisound is pleased to announce new pricing on ClarityCap MR series. Please download the updated MR ClarityCap PDF for prices.

RB2-Kits, the new RB-Kits!

The first RB-Kits was such a success, we decided to create a new version.

The new kit will have the same woofer and a new Tweeters. Each RB2-Kits includes:

(2) Vifa BC25TG15-04, 1" Textile Dome Tweeters
(2) Vifa TC14WG49-08, 5.5" Coated Paper Cone Wooferss
(2) Assembled Crossovers

Full details will soon be posted at RB2-Kits, the 2nd Vifa "Recession Buster Kits"
 

 

Madsound is pleased to announce new content created by our staff!

Restoring Vintage Loudspeakers by Josh Biernbaum

"We at Madisound are often asked about what is the best way to upgrade older or vintage loudspeakers. In fact there are many ways to improve on sound, whether perceived as too dull, too bright or boomy, or not enough dynamics, for some examples. Loudspeakers vary greatly in build quality, from the drive units, cabinets, and wiring to the internal electrical parts. Rather than spending thousands of dollars to achieve results, we will suggest some simpler and less expensive solutions involving some straightforward modifications that almost anyone can make. The purpose of this guide is not to address loudspeaker design, or crossover theory, but to offer inexpensive tweaks that can improve the presentation of your speakers..."

Read the rest: Restoring Vintage Loudspeakers.

Scan-Speak Press Release: April 9th , 2009

Report from CES 2009 Las Vegas

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The swanky Venetian Hotel towers were once again home to the high-end audio and home theater demonstrations for CES. This is a great chance to view our favorite drivers implemented in systems, and listen to them in action.

It was nice to see the new Morel Carbon Fiber Cone in use in several systems on display. The most prominent showing of these drivers was in Morels commercial line "Fat Lady", which garnered the 2009 CEA Design and Engineering Innovation Award. The 6" models of these drivers were also spotted in the Eggleston Works "Andra III" and Audio Machina "Maestro". Both systems were top notch offerings, and thoroughly enjoyable auditions. It is rare to see a new driver line find such immediate homes in high end speaker offerings. I was informed that the midrange performance was exactly what both designers were looking for and found in these new Morel drivers.

Joseph Audio blew everyone away with their debut of the "Pulsar". This compact all Seas 2-way utilizes the tried and true Millennium matched with the rising star 6" Magnesium Cone W16NX-001. I can't count the number smiles and jaws dropping open (including mine of course) on multiple visits to this room.

Alex of RAAL had on display his monster omni-directional speaker the "Eternity". This had to be the most intriguing speaker at the show. The output level was simply astounding while maintaining impeccable sound quality. It makes me wonder how these would shine in a larger room. The RAAL ribbon high frequency reproduction really stood out from the pack of other ribbons at the show.

Bobby from Merlin had his 14 years in the making/perfecting VSM-MX 2-way playing in fine form. He uses a Dynaudio Esotar Tweeters and classic Scan-Speak 18W in what I considered one of the most engaging speakers at the show. A special external network includes a high-pass circuit at the mid/bass drivers resonant frequency. I can only conclude that this is an integral part of the recipe to these wonderful speakers.

For total home theater domination, Induction Dynamics had a monster setup shaking the room and its lucky occupants to the core. PBN also brought their entire lineup to T.H.E. Show right down the street from CES. Their speakers ranged from bookshelf size to 7 feet tall!

We had a top of the line version of our Bifrost kit speakers on live display with the guys at Abletec. They were showcasing their power supply/amp offerings and sure sounded great through this high-end Seas kit.

When not on foot enjoying all the speakers on display, we split our time between the Seas and SB Acoustics  rooms.

In a short time, the 4" and 8" drivers will be added to the SB lineup here at Madisound. SB Acoustics also had some exciting new Tweeters on display. Look for a 1" aluminum dome ferrite magnet Tweeters along with a neodymium soft dome Tweeters. Also, both neo and ferrite magnet versions of an all new ring dome Tweeters will be released. Expect to see a "dimple" as opposed to the "nipple" we have come to know on the Vifa and Scan-Speak ring radiator Tweeters. We will update our website when any and all of these drivers become available in the coming months.

SB Acoustics also had a simple yet effective bass reflex 2-way using the SB25STC Tweeters and SB17NRX woofer on live display. The performance of these SB drivers continue to impress us, and with some extended listening over the show that sentiment continues to grow.

Seas had on display a few new drivers coming out this year. The Exotic line is adding a high efficiency woofer and large dome Tweeters, both with Alnico magnet systems. The Prestige lines new "Curv-cone" woven polypropylene driver built onto the advanced 16 series frame looks very promising. They also introduced their new 10" Aluminum Cone Subwoofers, dubbed the L26ROY. The sample at CES was a more production ready version of what they brought to RMAF back in October, and it looked very impressive! It is always a treat to visit with our friends from Norway, and this year was no exception with both Grethe Aarum and HÃ¥vard Sollien making the long trip to Las Vegas.

We got a preview from Tymphany of their new line of Vifa and Peerless drivers. I can't say much now, but the new Vifa drivers certainly have my interest peaked. Of course as soon as we have information, we will let you know.

So in addition to all the new drivers discussed above, some standards are certainly continued. Seas Prestige and Excel, Scan-Speak and Accuton drivers can be found in countless ultra hi-end speakers around CES. Multiple variations of the Vifa XT Ring Radiator were also well represented. Makes sense to us.

We are back to work now in the frigid Wisconsin winter, longing for just a little more of that warm desert sun!

International CES 2009

The International CES 2009 takes place on January 8-11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Please visit Madisound with SEAS in room 29-112 and with SB-Acoustics in room 31-118.

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