LA Audio Show, Headphones and Other Stuff

In the past, we have not usually covered the headgear section at shows, but we know that some of our readers are interested in them. Now that we are doing our own site, we are going to start sharing about headphones and even reviewing them. Our sons, who are in their 30s are really into headphones and will be helping us in this area.

As I was wandering through this area of the show, I took a few pictures with my iPhone of some of the products I found most interesting. Jack also added in a couple of pictures and some comments. This is just a sampling of what was there.

Frederick DeKalb of Santa Cruz Audio was there with the SC1000 in-ear headphones. Ambient Sound Control also allows the SC1000 to be used as high-fidelity adjustable earplugs or as premium in-ear monitors with adjustable stage sound for musicians. These would have been really handy for reducing the noise level when I used to travel into the city on the train for work.

Cardis Audio was showing their A8, which features a 10.85mm Ultra Linear, Contour Field, Dual Magnet Driver. The A8 is light, flexible, and strong with spiraled cable and the sound was very nice.

Probably the most colorful display in the Headgear area was this one from Campfire Audio. A somewhat boutique company, they advertise earbuds made for the discriminating audiophile.

Moon Audio displayed a range of products including their headphones, amps, DACs and their Sliver Dragon V2 interconnects.

ModWright Instruments exhibited their TRYST Headphone Amp. The headphones and the sound were incredible and blocked out all of the ambient noise for a very pleasant listening experience.

MrSpeakers was showing their Aeon Closed-back Headphones among other products. The AEON is MrSpeakers’ most compact and affordable full-sized planar magnetic headphone.

Prism Sound, manufacturer of professional recording electronics used by the likes of Abbey Road and Stevie Wonder, entered the audiophile market with a headphone amplifier based on a professional product. Frank Oglethorpe, their US Sales and Technical Specialist, says this headphone amp presents music in the way that it was intended when it was recorded.

David Fong of Fong Audio was at the show demonstrating his Out Of Your Head audio software that replicates the experience of listening to high-end speakers using only headphones. Currently, Fong has replicated 22 different speakers using this software. You’ll have to tell me how you think this sounds.

Sonoma Audio was there with the Model One Electrostatic Headphone System. You’ll find a good bit of press on these with a quick Google search. Jack had a quick listen to these and says he thinks they may be as good as the Stax headphones he has always loved. It doesn’t hurt they cost about half as much as the Stax.

Audeze was also at the show. Perennially a leader in this market, they were showing on-ear, over-ear, and in-ear headphones. Jack thinks their over-ear headphones deliver a more musical experience that’s not “all in your head” than most other headphones he has tried except for the Stax and the Sonoma. You can also find a good bit online from product reviews.

Additional Coverage of the LA Audio Show: