As with most shows, it is always nice to meet old friends and make new ones. This year's AXPONA show was no exception. It was, however, a bit different than most shows in that it was HUGE! There were over 300 listening rooms at the show, so no single person was likely to visit them all. For audio web site and magazine publishers, this presents issues since they obviously can't review them all. And, of course, they naturally want to write about their advertisers rooms first (I would if I were them). So we're very grateful for those who visited our rooms and reported on them.
This year we showed in two rooms - one with Schiit Audio (Song3 BeAT's) and all their newest "Schiit" (including a prototype of their upcoming turntable), and with McGary Audio, Exogal and Anticables in the second room (SS 9.5's).
Here are some of the comments from the show...
Salk Sound has been quietly building a loyal constituency for as long as I’ve been attending audio shows and this year’s introduction was the SS 9.5 ($9995; the gorgeous fireburst finish at AXPONA costs a few thousand more)...With demonstrator-chosen tracks—Diana Krall, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (Solti), and Joe Bonamassa (“High Water Everywhere”)—it was obvious that these were profoundly musical speakers likely to please over the long haul.
- Andrew Quint
The Absolute SoundThe 3rd-floor room shared by Schiit and Salk Signature Sound was so crowded the first two times I stopped by that I couldn't listen. But the third time, Béla Fleck's classic "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" was playing, I snagged a second-row seat and liked what I heard. A big, clean sound from an affordable system.
- John Atkinson
StereophileThis was the McGary Audio and Salk Sound room at AXPONA 2019, and the relatively simple system on exhibit was exceptional in one respect–the appearance of the components. I’m talking mainly about the Salk 9.5 loudspeakers and the McGary Audio SA2 power amp, gorgeous pieces of high-end audio gear that seemed to imply “significant expense.” The sound quality of the room, of course, reinforced the idea that we were listening to such lofty gear.
- Marc Phillips
Part-time Audiophilehttps://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/04/19/axpona-2019-mcgary-audio-and-salk-sound/Though small in size, these speakers from Salk can really rock, which makes them great for a smaller listening space. At 88dB sensitivity and 8-ohm impedance, the Song3 BeAT’s don’t require a large amplifier to produce a BIG sound.
- The Audio BeatnikThe Salk SONG3 BeAT Speakers were reproducing a great trumpet sound when I sat down, sweet and spitty, like your head has been introduced to the mouth of a trumpet. The tweeter - a beryllium dome design, naturally. I had to ask but was already convinced of the answer. If ya gotta have a dome tweeter, it’s gotta be beryllium, that’s all I’m sayin’.
- AudioRaver
AV NirvanaThe new SS 9.5 is a three-way design with a pair of side mounted passive radiators. Using a Beryllium Satori dome tweeter, an Audio Technology midrange, and a Satori 9.5" woofer, with side mounted passives, this system really speaks with an unforced sense of weight and dynamic involvement.
Listening to their streamer, hearing the first cut from Joe Bonamassa's 2006 release, You & Me, I was taken with how fluid and coherent everything sounded. There was this easy sense of flow, with very good detail and micro dynamic involvement. The system portrayed just the right balance between resolution and bloom and rendered a nice sense of instrumental placement and space.
- Greg WeaverEnjoy the Music.comIn the more, um, budget category the Salk Signature Sound Song 3 BeAT (say that fast, three times), at $4500/pair in black satin or white, $4800/pair in standard veneers, stood out...Also, as is visible there, the Salks were driven (send the kiddies to bed) by a rack full of Schiit electronics. Honest…Schiit was happening in the Salk room.
- Tom Norton
Sound and Visionhttps://www.soundandvision.com/content/axpona-2019-guide-best-sound#HfatW1JC9vOx88xj.99Finally, David Robinson of Positive Feedback stopped by and presented us with their Audio Oasis award. Thanks David!
Sorry if I missed other comments, but this is what I came up with today.
I should also note that we owe a great big thanks to our room partners, without whose input and great products none of this would have been possible.
All in all, it was a great show and we're looking forward to AXPONA 2020!
- Jim
