(August 10, 2025) Having just completed its fourth year, Audio Advice Live is quickly becoming one of the country’s premier public-facing home entertainment events. Held last week (August 1–3) at the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh, the show transformed multiple floors of the hotel into a celebration of high-performance home entertainment. Showgoers were presented with 60 experience rooms, nearly a dozen immersive Dolby Atmos systems, and a who’s who of premium brands, from McIntosh, Klipsch, and Sonus Faber to Epson, SVS, Focal, Trinnov, Kaleidescape, and more. The result was a weekend packed with opportunities to see, hear, and experience the latest in loudspeakers, electronics, projectors, TVs, turntables, headphones, and streaming technologies.
The event delivered a rare concentration of high-end equipment under one roof, including full system integrations typically reserved for trade-only showcases like ISE and CEDIA. Ascendo Immersive Audio drew attention with its 32-inch infrasonic subwoofer and a mind-blowing speaker system honed by Trinnov’s Waveforming technology. Bowers & Wilkins presented its 801 Abbey Road Edition, appealing to both stereo and theater enthusiasts. Epson debuted its new LS9000 laser projector, and Audio Advice introduced a new home theater chair, both attracting growing interest as the weekend progressed. Other notable activities included Kaleidescape’s presence across multiple rooms and in-depth demonstrations from madVR, led by owner Ric Litofsky and the friendly faces of madVR's outstanding staff.
High-level industry participation added depth to the experience. Rob Budde of JVC, Jim Garrett of Harman, and Geoffrey Heinzel of Ascendo were onsite and engaging visitors. Epson representatives Melvin Diaz and Rob Brennan were also on hand throughout the show. And those names are just the tip of the iceberg. This level of direct engagement is uncommon at consumer-focused home events, which, in my opinion, is a significant value-add for attendees.
Educational programming was integrated throughout the weekend, with seminars addressing subjects such as home theater synergy, turntable optimization, projector and screen matching, and industry standards. Presented by respected figures including Michael Fremer, Andrew Jones, and Trinnov’s Jon Herron, these sessions provided practical takeaways without overshadowing the broader focus on demonstration and interaction. The event also maintained an efficient layout and manageable flow, despite occasional elevator delays, with Raleigh serving as a welcoming host city that offered ample opportunities for networking beyond show hours.
The Audio Advice team (and, for members of the media, PR professional Sue Toscano) played a central role in shaping the event’s positive atmosphere. Staff engagement, professionalism, and expertise were evident across all levels, reflecting the infectious leadership style of CEO Scott Newnam. His keynote address on Friday evening reinforced the company’s momentum and growth strategy, which includes a recently opened showroom in Wilmington, North Carolina, and a new location in Nashville, Tennessee. Both facilities follow the company’s proven model of immersive demonstration spaces, high-performance product selection, and knowledgeable in-store guidance.
It's hard not to get behind a business that invests this much in building community.
All told, Audio Advice Live delivered a rare mix of access, education, and hands-on listening in rooms that did justice to the systems on display. Below you'll find a series of videos captured on site, beginning with a fun walk-through of the show with Audio Advice’s Jonathan Stephens, followed by deeper dives with Epson, Ascendo, Focal, madVR, and others. If you are an enthusiast looking for a concentrated hit of the latest gear and the people behind it, this show is worth the trip. I plan on returning for more coverage next year, and certainly hope to see you there!
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