Table of contents
- T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025: Sonic Luxury, Unexpected Affordability, and Magic in the Details
- Systems Under $100K
- Systems $100K+
- Boenicke W8 SE ($18K) / Nagra Classic ($80K) / Luphonic H2 Turntable ($5K)
- Piega 611 ($20K) / Accuphase ($80K) / Thales ($100K)
- Ayon Audio Lumenwhite Kyara ($49K/pair) with Ortho Evo Gen 4 Mono Amps ($29.8K/pair)
- Gryphon EOS 5 ($52K) / Diablo 333 ($38.5K)
- Audio Note AN-E-SPx ($65K/pair) / Meisha Phono 300B ($65K)
- Clarysis Audio Studio Plus ($79K/pair) with WestminsterLab Rei Monoblocks ($37.9/pair)
- The Bottom Line
T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025: Sonic Luxury, Unexpected Affordability, and Magic in the Details
The west coast’s premiere hi-fi showcase, T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025, took over the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa from June 6–8, delivering three days of immersive sound, eye-watering price tags—and yes, a few surprises that didn’t require a second mortgage. Spread across five floors and featuring over 200 brands, the show brought out the best in two-channel audio, from cost-no-object flagships in cavernous ballrooms to compact systems that worked sonic wonders in standard hotel rooms.
Some of the world’s finest—and most expensive—audio brands were out in full force, but what stood out this year was how many rooms got the sound right. We’re not just talking about accuracy or detail retrieval. The best rooms moved people. They connected. And a handful of exhibitors managed to do it with gear that didn’t require Silicon Valley venture capital to fund.
Choosing our “Best in Show” winners wasn’t easy. That’s a good problem to have. It reflects both the ever-rising quality of gear and the impressive skill many teams demonstrated by dialing in their rooms in a single day. But the standouts? They brought something more—something you can’t always measure. They brought music to life.
Systems Under $100K
Brane X ($499)
The Brane X portable Bluetooth speaker made a triumphant return to T.H.E. Show for the second year in a row—and once again, it didn’t shy away from going head-to-head with systems costing five to fifty times more. Compact and fearless, the Brane X blends portability, smart functionality, and truly impressive sound quality—especially its room-filling bass—for just $499.
But why stop at one? Pair two Brane X speakers over Wi-Fi and you get true stereo imaging, elevating the experience from “impressive for the size” to “is this really under a grand?” Just stream from your smartphone and you’ve got a powerful, wireless stereo setup for under $1,000—no rack of gear or snake pit of cables required.
HSU Research 5.1 Speaker System ($3,800)
Looking for bass that digs all the way down to 14 Hz for both music and movies? HSU’s new Supercharged D15 Chimera subwoofer delivers the goods in its ported configuration, offering visceral low-end impact you can both hear and feel. Whether it’s the thunder of a pipe organ or the gut-punch of a cinematic explosion, the Chimera is unapologetically fun—and seriously capable.
At T.H.E. Show, it was paired with HSU’s new MFL-6 stand-mount speakers ($300 each), which feature a clever angled design for easier toe-in. Even the matching center channel is angled—this time upward—making it ideal for placement under a TV without needing a riser. The full 5.1-channel system comes in around $4,000, and it left quite the impression. In fact, it might even make you rethink whether you really need Atmos.
Canvas HiFi ($4,999)
Calling the Canvas a soundbar doesn’t do it justice—it’s something else entirely. Not only does it outperform every soundbar we’ve heard, it looks better, acts as a TV stand, and features a sleek, interchangeable custom grille that aligns seamlessly with TVs from 55 to 85 inches.
Its real party trick? Built-in Bacch 3D audio processing, which calibrates to your listening position and creates the uncanny illusion of sound coming from places where there are no speakers. It’s not just immersive—it’s mind-bending.
At T.H.E. Show, even though the Canvas was placed on the floor, vocals floated four feet above the unit, locked dead center, exactly where a singer would be standing. Meanwhile, instruments extended out to the sides in a wide, holographic soundstage. It shouldn’t be possible for a speaker this low to image like that. And yet—it does. Bravo.
Check out our video tour of this room with Jannick Tronsen of Canvas HiFi.
Oriaco D6 ($4,500/pair)
Tony Minasian, the mind behind Oriaco speakers, has crafted a true gem with his latest design. Each speaker is hand-built using carefully selected components and voiced by ear using his trusted Denon PMA-3000NE—a reference amp he swears by (and proudly displays).
What immediately stands out is the speed and airiness of the sound. Music feels effortlessly natural, with a wide soundstage that remains engaging even outside the sweet spot—a rare feat for a stand-mount speaker.
The new Oriaco D6 stand-mount loudspeakers ($4,500/pair) introduce a newly sourced soft dome tweeter, improved woofer suspension and cone treatment, plus a top-firing ambient tweeter that adds spaciousness without gimmickry. It’s a thoughtful, audiophile-grade design—and one that proves artistry and engineering can still coexist.
ATC SCM20ASL ($11,000/pair)
ATC pro speakers have long been a go-to for top recording engineers, used to mix and master music in legendary studios like Blackbird Studios in Nashville, EastWest Studios in LA, the House of Blues, and even Doug Sax’s Mastering Room at Sheffield Labs.
What sets ATC apart is their total control over production—every component is made in-house, leaving no variable to chance. That precision shows in the SCM20ASL, the smallest active monitor in their hi-fi lineup—and one that actually fits comfortably in a home setup.
Don’t let the size fool you. With 250 watts of power per speaker, the SCM20ASL delivers not just punch, but pinpoint accuracy, stunning detail, and jaw-dropping imaging. If you’re an audiophile who’s still avoiding active speakers, you’re missing out. The SCM20ASL are true showstoppers—no excuses.
SVS 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos Speaker System ($17,000)
If there was ever any doubt that SVS could deliver a reference-level cinematic experience in a truly massive room, it’s been obliterated. The demo space at T.H.E. Show measured a jaw-dropping 76 x 40 feet with 15-foot ceilings—over 3,000 square feet, and bigger than most homes. SVS didn’t just rise to the challenge—they knocked it out of the park.
The 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos system included two Ultra Evolution Pinnacle floorstanders up front, two Ultra Evolution Towers in the rear, an Ultra Evolution Center, and four Ultra Elevation speakers mounted high on the side walls, pulling double duty as side surrounds and height channels. Bass duties were handled by two Ultra PB-17 subwoofers flanking the front stage, delivering seismic low-end impact.
What truly impressed was the system’s coherency, scale, and immersive Atmos performance—all in a room most speakers would get swallowed whole in. During the helicopter chase from Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sound was so precise and enveloping, it felt like being in the cockpit. The entire rig was driven by a Denon AVR-A110, Denon’s previous flagship receiver.
Affordable reference home theater has arrived—and SVS just planted the flag.
Legacy Audio Aeris XD ($35,000/pair)
The Legacy Audio Aeris XD loudspeakers (pictured in black) make a bold statement—both visually and sonically. While they arrive as partially powered, they become fully active when paired with Legacy’s companion external amplifier, which includes built-in room correction for fine-tuned performance.
And to put it mildly—this system rocks.
Playing Tool’s “Chocolate Chip Trip,” a dynamic track known for its punishing drum lines and abrupt transitions, the Aeris XD didn’t flinch. Instead, it mesmerized—delivering every strike with surgical precision, deep impact, and astonishing clarity. It’s a torture test for any speaker, but the Aeris XD passed with authority, energy, and headroom to spare.
Popori Acoustics WR3 ($18K) / AGD ($10.5K) / Bacch 3D ($7K)
Our second encounter with BACCH 3D at T.H.E. Show came courtesy of the stunning Popori Acoustics WR3 electrostatic loudspeakers—but this time, the system featured the professional BACCH version ($7,000), which offers personalized in-ear microphone calibration. The result? Absolutely life-changing.
With acoustic calibration tailored precisely to my ear shape and listening position, the sound produced by the Popori electrostats, powered by sleek AGD Class-D monoblocks, was unlike anything I’ve ever heard from just two speakers. This wasn’t just immersive—it was dimensional. Sound didn’t just surround me—it moved toward me, then receded into space, with a sense of depth and spatial motion that left traditional spatial audio in the dust.
Of course, much of the magic must also be credited to Popori’s exceptional electrostatic design, which delivered pinpoint accuracy and the most convincing bass I’ve ever heard from an electrostat. The combination of BACCH 3D and Popori wasn’t just impressive—it was pure sonic alchemy.
Systems $100K+
Boenicke W8 SE ($18K) / Nagra Classic ($80K) / Luphonic H2 Turntable ($5K)
I first heard the glorious Boenicke W8 / Nagra Classic combo at T.H.E. Show 2022, and this year the Swiss duo returned with some noteworthy upgrades, now paired with a striking Luphonic turntable. The Boenicke W8 SE ($18,254/pair) features improved internals, while Nagra introduced a Compact Phonostage and Streamer to the mix.
Despite their pint-sized, skinny floorstanding design, these speakers continue to amaze. They’re about as small as a floorstander can get—but sound so much bigger. The rear-facing tweeter likely adds to their remarkable airiness and uncanny ability to disappear in the room.
Classical music showed off their strengths: quick transients, precise instrument separation, and a lifelike presentation that had me planted in my seat far longer than expected.
Piega 611 ($20K) / Accuphase ($80K) / Thales ($100K)
Swiss and Japanese engineering came together in a relatively modest audiophile system featuring Peiga Coax 611 loudspeakers, an Accuphase preamp, CD player, and monoblocks, paired with a Thales turntable and phonostage. Complementing the setup were unique room treatments and power conditioning by IsoTek, with expert system tuning by MoFi’s Lenny CoCo.
Presented by Commonwave HiFi, this room was absolutely intoxicating. The highlight? I’ve never heard “Birds” by Dominique Fils-Aimé sound better—every note was alive, detailed, and dripping with emotion.
Check out our video tour of the room with Lenny CoCo of MoFi Distribution.
Ayon Audio Lumenwhite Kyara ($49K/pair) with Ortho Evo Gen 4 Mono Amps ($29.8K/pair)
I’ve heard Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” hundreds of times, but never quite like the way Ayon Audio brought it to life at T.H.E. Show. The all-Ayon system sounded as lifelike as I can remember, placing the Quartet in realistic, believable positions within the soundstage.
The saxophone didn’t just hold center stage—it was positioned at the correct height, floating naturally in the room. Meanwhile, the drums stayed tight and controlled, cymbals shimmered with crispness, and the upright bass sounded majestic and full-bodied. Through it all, the piano notes rang true and natural, completing a beautifully cohesive musical picture.
Ayon didn’t just reproduce the music—they made you feel like you were right there with the Quartet.
Gryphon EOS 5 ($52K) / Diablo 333 ($38.5K)
Not every audiophile system fits comfortably in your living room, but the Gryphon room was one I wouldn’t mind calling home—wall treatments, decor, and all. Nordic Noir vibes? Bring it on. Since Gryphon manufactures nearly everything themselves, down to the cables, there’s no need for component mix-and-match. When it comes to Gryphon, the only real question is whether your budget can handle it.
This year’s demo featured some of Gryphon’s more “affordable” offerings. By affordable, I mean a six-figure system—not seven. Keeping it lean but mean was the Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier paired with EOS 5 floorstanding speakers. Gryphon’s #1 L.A. dealer, Joseph Cali, spun records on a Brinkmann Taurus turntable and a Revox reel-to-reel tape deck—both utterly enticing, emotional, and absolutely magnificent.
Audio Note AN-E-SPx ($65K/pair) / Meisha Phono 300B ($65K)
The Audio Note AN-E/SPx loudspeakers ($65,000/pair) paired with the Meishu Phono 300B integrated amplifier($65,000) delivered one of the most polarizing—and compelling—listening experiences at T.H.E. Show. Driven by just 8 watts of triode 300B power, the system didn’t scream for attention with brute force. Instead, it invited you in with nuance, grace, and musical flow that’s hard to define but even harder to forget.
Everything Audio Note offers is custom-built, and their components are sold at various price points to accommodate a range of system-building philosophies. Whether or not you buy into the Audio Note ethos is a personal decision—and audiophiles are often deeply divided on the brand. Some see the pricing—especially for the speakers—and roll their eyes, writing it off as snake oil in a wooden box.
But here’s the thing: our listening experience suggests otherwise.
Audio Note doesn’t chase over-the-top bass or hyper-detail. It’s about tone, texture, and how music flows as a whole. The AN-E/SPx and Meishu Phono 300B combo didn’t just reproduce recordings—it captured the soul of the performance. Like it or not, this system has a point of view—and it delivers.
Clarysis Audio Studio Plus ($79K/pair) with WestminsterLab Rei Monoblocks ($37.9/pair)
Stepping up the price ladder, the Clarisys Audio Studio Plus ribbon loudspeakers delivered breathtaking sound that could easily be called an audiophile’s dream. The system was decked out with the best of the best: WestminsterLab monoblocks and preamp, the Taiko Olympus DAC/streamer, and dual Von Schweikert subwoofers expertly configured to tame excess bass in the room.
The result was captivating, realistic, and precise stereo playback—a system that doesn’t just reproduce music but commands your full attention. This is truly an incredible setup that must be heard to be believed.
Check out our video tour of this room with Ron Resnick of Audio Cafe.
The Bottom Line
The sound quality at T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 was undeniably impressive, showcasing some of the finest audio reproduction money can buy. Yet, beneath the dazzling highs and breathtaking performances lies a glaring divide in accessibility. Systems under $10,000 were few and far between, overshadowed by a market dominated by six-figure setups that remain out of reach for 95% of audiophiles and newcomers alike.
This split is more than just a price gap—it’s a problem for the future of the industry. High-end audio shows, in general, have had difficulty encouraging manufacturers to spotlight more affordable, attainable systems that can serve as real stepping stones. Aspiring audiophiles often find themselves stuck wondering, “Where do I go after my $1,000 Fosi, Topping, or Schiit setup?”—only to be met with $25,000 or $50,000 options that feel worlds away.
The affluent will always have the means to chase the pinnacle of sound, but without a strong middle ground, the industry risks alienating the next generation. As the current wave of dedicated audiophiles ages, those raised on MP3s, Spotify, and TikTok will need accessible entry points to fall in love with music all over again. Without this, the future of high-end audio looks uncertain, and that’s a problem that needs urgent attention.
I personally want to thank Emiko Carlin, President of T.H.E. Show and CEO of T.H.E. Enterprises, LLC, along with her entire team for a fabulous event. Next up is T.H.E. New York International Audio Show, coming October 24-26, 2025.
Related Reading
Anton
June 17, 2025 at 7:42 pm
Solid report but depressing. Your bottom line nails it right on its ugly head.
ORT
June 17, 2025 at 11:29 pm
How I wish I was well enough to have attended…Not yet, dammit! 🙂
Quality is useless unless it is affordable and thereby attainable at all levels of income. It is said that “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s heaven for?”
But if the simple pleasures of life such as music are ridiculously (over) priced as to exceed the reality and need for the basics of life then perhaps we should opine that “quality should not exceed a person’s (are the lady audio enthusiasts here reading this?) reality or WTF?”
I don’t begrudge the wealthy for indulging themselves within their means but as with Papal Indulgences, I refuse to pay excessively for that which is more a gift to mankind than a tax or a pox upon it and that being the pleasure of listening to the soundtrack of your life!
The truth is that excellent audio is within the budget of everyone, from those to whom a budget means nothing and those to whom it means everything. To paraphrase Socrates, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you own nothing”.
There are far more “thousandaires” than “brazillionaires” and the first decent manufacturer to realize this and offer (and champion!) quality to both ends of the spectrum and everything inbetween, will earn both their business and gratitude. This site champions the affordable and ofttimes (humorously) chastises the extravagantly excessive and I say well done!
The ORTacle at Helfi.
Ian White
June 18, 2025 at 12:12 pm
ORT,
Great sound is “great” sound but you can’t sustain a business if you don’t have customers.
Look at the success of WiiM as proof that you can create a base of customers with affordable products and then offer another level.
IW
STEPHEN FLESCHLER
June 22, 2025 at 7:26 pm
My friends and I felt that Von Schweikert speaker room was the best at this show. It also depends on the source material/quality of music/recording&mastering quality to judge show systems because hotel rooms and convention rooms are not best for showcasing audio equipment. I know some fine brands that were not sounding good at this show, due in part to the rooms and hasty setups. The boenicke-w8 speaker room sounding fantastic in 2023 but used a much lesser source turntable which made the speaker sound small which it didn’t previously.
TonyE
July 7, 2025 at 3:47 am
I live four miles from the Show… and I missed it!
Even though I’m on their mailing list, I never got a reminder… so by the time someone reminded me, it was already Sunday evening.
The Audio Note speakers are truly priced nuts… but I got a pair of little AN K/SP driven by a pair of DIY Aleph 2 (200wpc) that are simply awesome in my room.
Look for those components used.
Ian White
July 8, 2025 at 9:28 pm
My first experience with the AN speakers was at the 1999 Top Audio/Video Show in Milan. Peter Qvortrup played me the system in a rather cavernous room and it still worked. Piano notes had amazing weight and overall impact.
Ian White
TonyE
July 7, 2025 at 3:49 am
LX… err…