Florida Audio Expo 2019

[Todd Anderson]

I recently received this PR release... thought some of our FL area members might be interested:



Tampa, Florida—August 2018—The Florida Audio Expo is excited to announce its inaugural show. This show will be held on Friday February 8ththrough Sunday February 10th, 2019 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore.The new southeast show seeks to give music lovers the chance to personally audition some of the industry’s finest offerings, all taking place in sunny Florida. The show is free to the public.


The Embassy Suites, originally built as condominiums, offer a luxury feel, and the living suites are acoustically isolated—one of the key reasons this venue was selected. The audio rooms, Marketplace, and headphone/personal audio demo suites will all feature display areas that include a separate bedroom and kitchen, offering exhibitors the added benefit of a multi-purpose room as an interesting and affordablealternative to typical hotel-style shows and crowded ballroom exhibitions.


The exhibitor list grows daily, and currently features such prominent brands as Gryphon Audio,LampizatOr,Legacy Audio, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL North America, VAC, and many more.


“Florida hasn’t had an audio show in a good number of years. We look forward to bringing our speakers and electronics to this culture-rich area of music enthusiasts,” said Bill Dudleston, founder of Legacy Audio.


“Our mission for creating the Florida Audio Expo was to bring a strong offering to the Southeast market with a fun atmosphere for enjoying music—we want to celebrate our lifestyleand support the industry in this region,” said Bart Andeer, founder of Resolution Acoustics and manager of the Expo’s daily operations. “We have been working this idea for a few years, but wanted to find the right venue available at the right time of year, and we believe we have achieved both for the 2019 show. We strongly encourage regional dealers and manufacturers from all over the US who are looking for a new option.”


The Florida Audio Expo will provide access to incredible sounds, as well as loads of area attractions to do and see. Only a five-minute drive from the Tampa International Airport, the Embassy Suites are close to such local attractions as Busch Gardens, and just an hour’s drive from Walt Disney World.


Additional benefits for attendees and exhibitors staying at the Embassy Suites include free airport shuttle, free breakfast, and free happy hour.


Please visit www.floridaaudioexpo.comfor more information.

 

[JStewart]

If @Jon Lane and Chane is there I’ll be sure to go. (Hope the traffic isn’t as bad as it was this morning though!)
Thanks for the heads up Todd.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I have encouraged Jon to go and perhaps debut his new speakers... hopefully it will work out for him.

This is close enough for me to drive, so if all goes well, I really would like to be there.

 

[tesseract]

That is my bday, and I have never been to Florida. Hmm... gonna have to consider this GTG.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I just tried to convince the wife we needed another Clearwater vacation. She said in February the ocean is too cold. Garrr!

 

[JStewart]

The current exhibitor list for next months 1st Florida Audio Expo: https://floridaaudioexpo.com/exhibitors/

 

[sleepysurf]

For those of you that will be coming to Tampa for the show, here's the current weather forecast. No Polar Vortex here!

FRI FEB 8... Partly Cloudy 73°F / 58°F
SAT FEB 9... Mostly Cloudy 75°F / 60°F
SUN FEB 10.. Partly Cloudy 80°F / 60°F

 

[Todd Anderson]

For those of you that will be coming to Tampa for the show, here's the current weather forecast. No Polar Vortex here!

FRI FEB 8... Partly Cloudy 73°F / 58°F
SAT FEB 9... Mostly Cloudy 75°F / 60°F
SUN FEB 10.. Partly Cloudy 80°F / 60°F

Those numbers are a sight for sore eyes! Walking the dog in the 3-deg weather this AM stunk. I can't even imagine what all our friends further north are dealing with... -10.... -20.... -30.... -45????? Seriously?

 

[JStewart]

Those numbers are a sight for sore eyes! Walking the dog in the 3-deg weather this AM stunk. I can't even imagine what all our friends further north are dealing with... -10.... -20.... -30.... -45????? Seriously?

Todd, are you making the trip?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Unfortunately, no. Are you going to be there?

 

[JStewart]

Would definitely have to see and hear the new Chane L7, but they’re not on the exhibitor list as of yesterday.
I’m still leaning toward driving over on Friday. Being just west of Orlando it’s not far at all.

 

[Todd Anderson]

If you're in driving distance, definitely go!

 

[JStewart]

So I went to the Florida Expo on Saturday and have to say I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the great advice Todd!
Of the vendors I asked, every one said turnout for the show was much better than they expected, so with luck this will be the first of many here and some of you can find a way to spend a few days in sunny FL during February.
It was really cool getting to see, in some cases touch, speak with reps, and hear equipment that I'd otherwise only get to read about. I'll definitely be going again if the opportunity is there.
Most of the vendors did a pretty good job of setting up their wares to sound good in what essentially were concrete living rooms at the hotel. It was good because you couldn't here music playing from the room next door and bad because, well, concrete is concrete. I overheard some discussions about using a different venue next year, but just talk, nothing concrete. ( "I'll be here all week folks!")

 

[Todd Anderson]

So what was some of your favorite gear?

Take any pics?

 

[JStewart]

So what was some of your favorite gear?

I went with a couple of buddies and our hands down, absolute, favorite speaker was Classic Audio T1.5 Reference. IIRC they sell for $31.500.

This was the 3rd room we visited and one the 4 largest of the rooms, so maybe an advantage. (Everything else was in the living room of what used to be a condo but are now hotel rooms with living room, very small kitchen, and bedroom).
Theses things sound A-Mazing. The soundstage was the size of a stage. Fabulous depth, easily back to the their middle speakers in the pic. I remember a piano piece where I swear I could feel the hammer hitting the strings and yet nothing over the top. Just as real as it gets. We returned to this room at the end of the day and were treated to some SRV from vinyl. Tin Pan Alley and Little Wing. I wanted to stay there forever. The dynamic realism was intoxicating.
Classic Audio Website http://classicaudioloudspeakers.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?fs=2&upper=29&content=30

A close 2nd was another horn based speaker, Volti Audio's Rival. I think the pair we listened to sell for $11,000, but there are a number of options available.

These guys were all but jammed into this space and yet, no walls were noticed. Great image depth too although the window behind were just a couple of feet away. A stunning performance. And just like the Classic Audio speakers, very dynamic and very neutral. I would LOVE to have these if I had the space. (And the extra coin of course.) I couldn't help but think of @tesseract 's review of the JTR 210RT. It's one thing to read of walls disappearing in this situation and quite another to experience it.
Volt Audio Rival: http://voltiaudio.com/rival/

Out of time for now.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Oh yeah!!! Classic Audio always comes to Capital Audio fest. I’ve heard those speaker - they are awesome. Totally agree with you.

I think I highlighted them in a show report a few years ago. Great speakers.

That’s awesome that you heard some magic with the Voltis too... it’s always fun to have a wow moment!!!

 

[tesseract]

@JStewart , I am glad you got to experience the Classic Audio T1.5 Reference. It was the best loudspeaker I had ever heard, first time I experienced them. What you heard there is why I love the JTRs, the soundstage and imaging properties are just ridiculous with these two brands.

 

[tesseract]

I do not care what anyone says about tube amps, either. Send those Atma-Sphere amps my way!

 

[tesseract]

I'm a huge Volti fan, heard them many times. Mr. Roberts has fun show rooms and the sound always good.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

Thanks to all who attended, the show went very well. Plenty of locals and young folks to offset the AARP crowd. Lots of new faces that have never been to an audio show. Looking to have closer to 60 exhibit rooms next year.
Sonnie???

 

[JStewart]

Looks like Florida Audio Expo looks to make a return Feb 7-9 2020 at the same hotel in Tampa.

Home - Florida Audio Expo

Come join us with your family at this exciting event. Where you will be able to experience three days of high-end audio, from manufactures across the globe!

floridaaudioexpo.com

I know some of you were in the middle of some pretty cold weather last year. Maybe next year you can get out of the cold for a couple days?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sounds like someone is making a return trip?!?!?

 

[JStewart]

Sounds like someone is making a return trip?!?!?

You bet. It's too close for me to pass it up, a really great way to spend a day with fellow enthusiasts and to see and hear some gear I wouldn't otherwise be able to.
@Jon Lane it's close to you too!! Would love to see Chane Music & Cinema represented.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

Be there or be square

 

[anjunadeep]

Why do they do this in Tampa? Most of the exhibitors look like they are very high end, which you'd think something like Miami would be better for. Maybe just cost of the exhibit space and travel for the exhibitors? Certainly cheaper to do it there, I just wonder if you get the customers that can actually spend that kind of money. I'm sure they thought this out, just curious.