Bliss Acoustics is always one of the top highlights at Audiofest, and this year was no exception! In fact, Bliss went insane with $250,000 Aries Cerat Aurora speakers and a full Aries Cerat system including the giant monoblocks!

To justify its price, the Aurora uses a unique arrangement of four 12-inch woofers in a bass-loading configuration. The four woofers are mounted around the sides of the bass enclosure to create what Aries Cerat calls a “virtual driver.” These woofers are combined with a midrange horn and dipole ribbon tweeter. With 100dB sensitivity and built-in 250-watt amplification for the bass section, this is a speaker designed to move some serious air!

Closeup of that that gorgeous carbon-finished horn assembly

Powered by a full Aries Cerat system including two Ageto preamplifiers, a Hermes and an Ithaka DAC.

And then there are the massive Odysseas monoblocks. These are Aries Cerat’s flagship amplifiers, combining the company’s NOIES technology with its TriodeFET design. Each monoblock is rated at an impressive 100 watts of Class A power and weighs an equally impressive 100 kg!!

And this is what it sounds like!

Thank you, Dragan, for bringing such an awesome system!

As you may know from my past reviews, I am a huge JBL fan and was thrilled when I saw the Summit Series at a previous show. However, by the time I got there it was “standing room only,” so I couldn’t get a good enough look at the speakers or really focus on the sound. This time, I made the JBL Summit room one of my first visits.

In case you are not familiar, JBL’s Summit Series is the company’s flagship line, with five models ranging from the compact stand-mounted Summit Ama to the massive Summit Everest. The five models are the Ama, Pumori, Makalu, K2 and Everest. JBL was showing the first two models, the Summit Ama and Summit Pumori.

Shown with the grille

And without (my usual preference)

Coincidentally, the exhibitors were playing an AI-generated song and talking about the growth of AI in music. This was a perfect opportunity for me to request my favourite AI song, the highly viral “Bad Times” by Ismael Angel!

To paraphrase the song, the JBLs sounded ga-ga-ga-ga-GREAT!

Further down the hall, Erikson Consumer had more JBL on display in what they dubbed the “Chill Room.” The intention was to create an atmosphere where you can enjoy talking about music rather than merely auditioning gear in a show setting. There were couches, cappuccino, and some, ahem, “adult beverages.” LOL. Still, I couldn’t ignore the awesome JBLs!

The classic L100

and the L50 bookshelf counterpart

The grille covers make excellent wall décor!

Nice vintage Marshall as well

And my favourite turntable, Technics! Clearly this room was designed for me!

Speaking of Technics, check out their incredible display of Gold Series turntables!

I especially liked the gold. Wow!

Blue

Black

That said, I would be perfectly happy with an SL-1200GR2

Technics was also showing their new SC-CX700, their first wireless speaker. The system combines a 2-way coaxial speaker with a 16-cm woofer and 25-mm tweeter, along with Technics’ wireless streaming platform, supporting high-resolution sources and multiple streaming services. It also includes a dedicated control app and HDMI ARC, so it can pull double duty as a music system and TV audio system.

Ok, Monitor Audio has figured out “my sound,” no question about it. Their Hyphn is one of my favourite all time speakers. I look for it at every show but even when it is not there, I never leave disappointed because Monitor always brings the heat! The new Silver 500 8G is no exception! It has two 8-inch C-CAM bass drivers, a 3-inch C-CAM midrange and 25mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, with a rated in-room response of 28 Hz–35 kHz and 90 dB sensitivity. These things slap! I just love the way the bass “feels” from Monitor speakers.

They were also showcasing the new Michi Prestige X430 integrated amplifier and Q430 Transport DAC, the latest additions to Rotel’s high-end Michi line.

A couple of quick sound demos

Static display of a few more speakers in the Monitor lineup

B&W had a very interesting setup with three speakers, including 802 and 803s, subwoofers, and Marantz AV10/Amp10 electronics

However, I preferred the latest version of the 801, the D5. It has two 10-inch Aerofoil bass drivers, a 6-inch Continuum midrange and Diamond tweeter, with a claimed -6 dB range down to 13 Hz. In fact, I have heard B&Ws several times and this was by far the best of them! I would even say these were one of the best speakers at the show!

B&W had an incredible display of the speaker’s internals, and I had a long chat with the rep, particularly about the aluminum spine that runs through the cabinet. This forms part of B&W’s Matrix bracing system, adding tremendous rigidity to the enclosure while helping to control unwanted cabinet vibration and resonance. The crossover components are mounted on the stiff aluminum spine, which also helps isolate them from the air pressure inside the cabinet and acts as a heatsink. The D5 takes this approach even further with its upgraded Matrix bracing and aluminum Space Frame. The result is a cabinet designed to stay as quiet and rigid as possible while the drivers do the work.

The rest of the 800-series on display

As well as others in the B&W lineup

The incredible Nautilus that I heard at the last Montreal show

Shown with a McLaren

And Marantz electronics. B&W and Marantz are actually sister brands under Masimo Consumer Audio, so it wasn’t surprising to see the two brands together at the show.

MOON was also using a B&W 803 D5 to showcase its North Collection electronics. The system featured the MOON 791 network player/preamplifier and 761 power amplifier, with the 761 delivering 200 watts per channel into 8Ω.

They were also displaying the massive MOON 861 power amplifier.

Another speaker on my “unfinished business” list was PMC! I had a glimpse of PMC at a previous show, but I was a bit distracted by all the talking in the room. Still, I really liked what I heard and was anxious to give them a more fulsome audition this time around. Luckily, EQ Audio brought the new PMC prophecy9, the flagship of PMC’s Prophecy series.

I liked the subwoofer sitting next to them but I don’t believe it was connected

That’s OK, because the PMC speakers produce plenty of bass on their own! The secret is PMC’s Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology. Instead of simply putting the bass drivers into a sealed or ported box, PMC uses a long, carefully damped acoustic line inside the cabinet. The Prophecy9 has an effective transmission-line length of 8.4 feet, allowing its two small 5-inch bass drivers to produce surprisingly deep and powerful bass. The newer LaminairX system then smooths the airflow as the bass exits the transmission line, reducing turbulence and distortion. This is another example of the type of speaker I seem to gravitate toward: relatively low-profile cabinets with the bass coming from down low. And these things can absolutely move some air!

Here are some cutaways showing how the technology works.

The PMCs were powered by Naim electronics

And here is an idea of what it sounded like

In addition to PMC, EQ Audio Video brought some serious hardware from Focal: the new Diva Alta Utopia and the new Scala Utopia Evo M.

The Diva Alta Utopia is Focal’s new flagship active wireless speaker, and at $260,000 CAD per pair, it certainly isn’t messing around! Each speaker is a four-way design with seven drivers and 600 watts of built-in Naim amplification. The Scala Utopia Evo M takes a more traditional approach as a passive three-way floorstander, but incorporates Focal’s new PRISM tweeter and M-profile W midrange driver.

I didn’t stay for the next scheduled demo, but I couldn’t resist stopping for a few pictures of such an impressive display!

Similarly, EQ Audio Video had an impressive display of Børresen speakers, although I didn’t stay for the scheduled demo.

Another room high on my visit list was Entracte Audio! I had been watching their daily sneak-peek videos leading up to the show and was really looking forward to seeing more Angela-Gilbert Yeung components, especially from the Funky series.

I mean, come on, look at them! High-end audio should be just as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the ears, and I love the graffiti look.

These are also serious audio components. Angela-Gilbert Yeung’s Funky series takes non-repairable audio equipment and gives it a completely new life, salvaging things such as the chassis, transformers and heatsinks while replacing the electronics and creating a unique artistic exterior for each piece. The components can also incorporate her SP Cap Pack and FCF plug-and-play external power-supply systems.

It was also great to meet Angela-Gilbert Yeung in person! Such a character! I think I was appropriately dressed for the occasion with my music-responding LED shirt lol.

Thanks to Noam’s post, I learned about the Klipsch Rebellion speakers just a day before the show and was looking forward to checking them out. I was pleased to find them at Stereo-Untypical, and even better, they were sitting on top of Cornwalls!

Typically, I prefer speakers without the grille, but in Klipsch’s case, I would keep them

The new Rebellion sounds great. The compact three-way design combines a 12-inch woofer with Klipsch’s Tractrix horn technology, and despite their relatively modest size, they deliver the kind of big, dynamic sound you would expect from Klipsch.

However, I do prefer the Cornwall 😊

Noam was also incredibly accommodating, moving things around so that I could properly hear the Cornwalls. I really appreciated him taking the time to do that.

As I have written in past reviews, some of my absolute best show experiences have been hearing Vincent Bélanger play his cello accompanied by music through Audio Note. I am a big fan of field-coil speakers in general and theirs in particular! The backlighting threw off my room pic, but here are some shots of those field-coil beauties.

I spoke with Vincent about the new 40th Anniversary Audio Note, and he feels it is a substantial step above previous generations.

I have heard Vincent’s demo before, but he mixed it up! This time he used an old cello and played three different songs.

I asked him for an encore of my favourite song from his previous set, and he switched to his new cello to accommodate! I am so grateful!!

I have to say, this was one of the best Audiofests for exhibitors accommodating all my requests. I really do appreciate it!

Continuing my look at field-coil speakers, I was happy to see Wolf von Langa back at Audiofest. I have heard their speakers at previous shows and was curious to see what they would bring this time. The star of the room was the new ORGANIC, a very unusual single-driver field-coil speaker.

The ORGANIC uses a single full-range field-coil driver with no crossover, but the really interesting part is what happens behind that driver. The representative spent quite a bit of time explaining the unusual acoustic labyrinth inside the cabinet, including the two openings on the back. He even went around to the back and took some pictures for me because I couldn’t get my camera into the space! (Yet another example of accommodating my requests!)

The labyrinth is a major part of the ORGANIC’s design. Rather than simply putting the driver in a conventional box, Wolf von Langa uses a carefully designed internal acoustic path to manage the pressure inside the cabinet and guide the sound through the enclosure, while helping to reduce unwanted resonances and standing waves.

I think it sounded better than the previous WVL speaker that I heard. And here is some Daft Punk for you!

The ORGANIC was paired with some seriously impressive electronics from LampizatOr, including the Poseidon-2 DAC/Preamplifier. The system also included LampizatOr’s Krakatoa-10 AC Filter.

And yet another take on field-coil technology came from Canadian company Coherent Audio. Their Model 14 combines a large 12-inch field-coil woofer with a ribbon AMT tweeter, producing an impressive 98 dB sensitivity and a claimed frequency response of 30 Hz–20 kHz.

I really liked the look of these, particularly the beautiful burl-wood finish. The large woofer also fits right in with the kind of speakers that have been catching my attention at this show: big drivers, lots of air movement, and the bass coming from down low!

Another interesting field-coil design to add to the list!

Oh, and loved the Technics Reference turntable!

While I love field coil speakers, I am not as much of a fan of electrostatics. Still, I popped into the QUAD room and decided to stay when I saw the subwoofers lol. You know, everyone loves the boom!

Vinyl Sound had the new QUAD ESL 2812X speakers on display, along with QUAD’s Platina electronics and a pair of subwoofers. The ESL 2812X continues QUAD’s long-running electrostatic design, using a large electrostatic panel rather than conventional dynamic drivers. The result is a very distinctive-looking speaker.

Perhaps the best sounding electrostatic setup I have heard. Fine, I will give the design another chance!

There was another piece of hardware in the room that immediately caught my attention: the new Thorens TD 404 DD turntable. The substantial 3.7 kg aluminum/rubber sandwich platter immediately caught my eye, with its distinctive machined design and damping elements.

The TD 404 DD is a direct-drive turntable with Thorens’ TP 160 tonearm and three-speed operation at 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm.

The TD 404 DD was listed at $9,495 CAD at the show. And yes, I absolutely stopped listening to the electrostatics for a moment to take pictures of the turntable!

There were plenty of other unconventional speaker designs at the show, including the Alsyvox Botticelli full-range ribbon planar speakers. The 1.77-metre-tall panels use Alsyvox’s push-pull ribbon-planar technology, combining a large planar woofer with ribbon mid/tweeter elements. With 94 dB sensitivity, they can also be driven by a wide range of amplifiers.

I’ve recently developed an appreciation for open-baffle speaker designs, so I was eager to see what MACO had been teasing online ahead of the show. My guess was that it would be a powered speaker, but I turned out to be wrong! Instead, MACO unveiled the new Macarena, a compact hybrid open-baffle bookshelf speaker featuring a rather unconventional design.

The Macarena combines an upper driver mounted on a transparent acrylic baffle with a lower driver housed in a cylindrical enclosure. The upper driver features a magnesium-alloy diaphragm and extends to 30,000 Hz.

Behind it is MACO’s proprietary dispersion tail, a distinctive sculpted structure designed to control the sound waves radiating from the rear of the driver.

The transparent baffle also creates the impression that the upper driver is floating above the enclosure.

The Macarena is handcrafted in Canada and available in a variety of finishes, including fabric and premium Italian leather. The enclosure features curved internal walls, double-wall construction, and specialized damping materials to help control unwanted vibrations and resonances.

ArtistCloner was showcasing its impressive Depth Wave X loudspeakers, with an introductory price of $92,000 CAD per pair. These substantial three-way speakers feature two 10-inch Scan-Speak woofers, two 7-inch midrange drivers, and a large AMT tweeter. Particularly noteworthy is their claimed frequency response extending down to 20 Hz, despite using a sealed enclosure rather than a bass-reflex design.

Also on static display was ArtistCloner’s distinctive Mekanika Prestige, which made its debut at Montreal Audiofest in 2024. With its unusual steampunk-inspired appearance, the speaker combines wood, iron piping, and real stone finishes. Behind that unconventional exterior is a two-way design featuring a Mundorf AMT tweeter and two 18 cm woofers, with bass-reflex ports directed toward the ceiling and floor. The Mekanika Prestige is currently priced at $42,600 CAD per pair.

Saturn Audio is another Canadian manufacturer that has earned a reputation for producing high-quality audio electronics, including amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, and power conditioners. Based in London, Ontario, the company operates an impressive 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and frequently collaborates with other Canadian audio manufacturers, including ArtistCloner. In fact, Saturn manufactures electronics for ArtistCloner as well.

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Saturn Audio founder René Evans, who personally showed me some of the company’s latest electronics, including a new model featuring a particularly attractive brushed-metal finish.

Saturn Audio’s electronics were also featured in a separate demonstration room, paired with speakers from British manufacturer Q Acoustics and a Michell turntable. The speakers appeared to be from Q Acoustics’ 3000c series, including the 3050c floorstanders, which feature two 6.5-inch mid/bass drivers and the company’s proprietary C³ Continuous Curved Cone technology. A pair of smaller bookshelf speakers was also on display. The combination of British loudspeakers and analogue equipment with Canadian-made Saturn electronics made for an interesting international collaboration.

PS Audio was back at Toronto Audiofest with a system featuring its imposing Aspen loudspeakers, accompanied by a dedicated subwoofer and a selection of the company’s electronics. The demonstration was presented in collaboration with MOTET and Kimber Kable. Rather than attempt to describe the sound, I’ve included a short video below so readers can get a sense of the system for themselves.

PS Audio was once again partnering with IsoAcoustics for an A/B comparison, allowing visitors to hear the differences between speakers with and without isolation products. I had seen these demonstrations online before but had never experienced one in person, so I took the opportunity to give it a listen.

For this demonstration, IsoAcoustics used PS Audio Aspen FR30 loudspeakers fitted with its new GAIA Neo speaker isolation feet. The GAIA Neo series is designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations between loudspeakers and the floor. According to IsoAcoustics, this can help improve bass definition, reduce unwanted resonances, and provide more precise positioning of instruments and vocals. The new generation also features improved height adjustment and easier installation.

As with many audio accessories, the results can depend on the speakers, flooring, and listening environment, making a direct comparison particularly useful.

I have to say, the results were quite conclusive! There was a very noticeable difference between the speakers with and without isolation. If you get the opportunity, I recommend trying the comparison for yourself!

Altitudo Audio had a particularly impressive presence at this year’s Toronto Audiofest, occupying both Macintosh rooms with live demonstrations of two Audiovector loudspeakers and an extensive collection of equipment from other brands on static display.

My previous experiences with Audiovector have been very positive. I spent a lot of time auditioning the Trapeze Reimagined and was thoroughly impressed with its 12-inch mid/bass driver working in conjunction with an internal 8-inch driver in an isobaric configuration. I’ve always loved isobaric designs! Meanwhile, I found the QR 7 SE to sound remarkably similar to Magico, one of my favourite speaker brands.

Altitudo was alternating between the R 5 Arreté and the flagship R 10 Arreté, so I returned to the room several times until it was finally the R 10’s turn!

The R 10 is a substantial loudspeaker, standing 156 cm tall and weighing approximately 95 kg (209 lb) each. Its most unusual feature is an array of eight rear-mounted 5-inch long-throw bass drivers, which Audiovector claims provide the equivalent radiating area of a single 15-inch woofer. The front of the speaker houses three 6.5-inch carbon-sandwich midrange and lower-midrange drivers, along with two Air Motion Transformer tweeters. The R 10 has a published frequency response of 21 Hz to 53 kHz.

They sounded awesome of course! I still might prefer the Trapeze though.

The Audiovector demonstrations were powered by German-made Accustic Arts electronics, including the imposing AMP VI power amplifier

Moving on to their static displays, gorgeous Acapella horns

Odeon Audio Semper

SPHINX, OePhi, Harbeth, Audio Physic

I had been hoping Altitudo would bring the Harbeth Monitor 40.5 XD, which I had earmarked for a little Jay-Z demonstration, but unfortunately, no such luck! They did, however, have a pair from Harbeth’s Super HL5 series on static display.

The Sphinx Element 3, has a very unusual sculpted cabinet inspired by the shape of a harp. Even more interesting is its construction, which combines an MDF core with an outer layer of synthetic stone to help reduce unwanted vibrations. Each speaker weighs an impressive 124 pounds!

An impressive array of Kharma loudspeakers was also on static display. I love these speakers! I’ve heard several models at previous shows, and they deliver exactly the kind of sound I enjoy.

There was no shortage of electronics either, with an extensive selection of amplifiers and other components on display.

I particularly liked the clean, understated appearance of the LAB12 equipment, including the black melto2 adjustable tube phono stage and the silver gordian power conditioner.

I came across these unusual wooden loudspeakers featuring beautifully sculpted circular horns. At first glance, I mistook them for Stein speakers, but they turned out to be from another manufacturer

Also on static display was some beautiful equipment from French manufacturer Advance Paris, with its distinctive illuminated meters and elegant combination of classic and modern styling.

Rounding out the extensive electronics displays was a selection of equipment from Manley Laboratories and other manufacturers, including the Manley Oasis.

So far, we’ve looked at some extraordinary high-end audio equipment, much of which comes with equally extraordinary price tags! While Danish manufacturer DALI certainly competes in that market, the company took a different approach at this year’s Toronto Audiofest, introducing its new **SONIK Series**, an entry-level loudspeaker range that incorporates technology developed for its more expensive models.

The largest model in the new range is the SONIK 9, featuring three 7-inch bass/midrange drivers and DALI’s distinctive Hybrid Tweeter system. The latter combines a 29 mm soft-dome tweeter with a 17 × 45 mm planar magnetostatic tweeter, a technology previously found in DALI’s more expensive loudspeakers.

The three large drivers use DALI’s Clarity Cone technology, combining paper and wood fibres in a distinctive textured diaphragm. They also incorporate the company’s SMC magnet system, designed to reduce distortion. The SONIK 9 has a rated frequency response of 34 Hz to 30 kHz. And perhaps most impressively, the SONIK 9 retails for just $4,500 CAD per pair, bringing some of DALI’s higher-end technology to a considerably more accessible price point

Continuing with more affordable loudspeakers, British manufacturer Ruark Audio introduced its new Talisman-R floorstanders, a modern revival of the original Talisman speakers from 1990.

The slim, attractive cabinets house a 6.5-inch long-throw woofer and a 27 mm silk-dome tweeter. One particularly interesting feature is the decoupled front baffle, which uses elastomer bushings and damping strips to reduce the transfer of vibrations from the drivers into the cabinet. The speakers have a rated in-room frequency response of 40 Hz to 22 kHz and retail for $2,999 CAD per pair.

I was SUPER impressed by the amount of bass these relatively slim speakers produced, as you can hear in the following clip

The Talisman-R speakers were demonstrated with Ruark’s new R710 CD Hi-Fi Console, an all-in-one music system that combines amplification, streaming, and CD playback. The R710 delivers 200 watts per channel into 4 ohms and retails for $4,499 CAD. I particularly liked the clever way the CD slot is concealed in the front panel.

Next door, Ruark also had its compact Sabre-R bookshelf speakers on display, although I didn’t get a chance to listen to those

And now, back to the high-end stuff! Canadian manufacturer Bryston had an impressive system on demonstration, along with several other loudspeakers and components on static display.

Audio by Mark Jones is a perennial favourite among many Audiofest attendees. This year, Mark demonstrated the Grimm Audio LS1c active loudspeakers, paired with the company’s SB1 subwoofers.

The Dutch-made LS1c features an 8-inch woofer and a carbon-composite tweeter, with built-in Class D amplification and digital signal processing (DSP). Its unusually wide cabinet is designed to control how sound spreads throughout the room.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is the SB1 subwoofer, cleverly integrated into the stand beneath each speaker. It uses Digital Motional Feedback technology, which continuously monitors the movement of the woofer and corrects it to reduce distortion. Grimm claims a reduction of up to 30 dB, with bass extending down to 20 Hz.

The system also included Grimm’s MU1 digital music player, although Mark had a beautiful Linn turntable on hand as an analogue source.

Wynn Audio had several impressive systems on display, starting with the German-made TIDAL Piano G3 loudspeakers. These elegant floorstanders feature a 30 mm diamond tweeter and two 7-inch black ceramic mid/bass drivers. Although they aren’t particularly large, each speaker weighs a remarkable 154 pounds, thanks in part to the substantial cabinet construction using TIDAL’s proprietary TIRADUR material.

The speakers were driven by some equally serious electronics, including a Vinnie Rossi Brama preamplifier and Karan Acoustics POWERb stereo amplifier, listed at $70,000 and $76,600 CAD respectively!

Wynn Audio also showcased several loudspeakers from Danish manufacturer Børresen, with models on both live demonstration and static display. While Børresen’s distinctive cabinet designs are always interesting to see, I was particularly taken with the beautiful green finish on one of the speakers!

Passion Audio demonstrated the new Dutch & Dutch 6c active bookshelf loudspeaker, a smaller sibling to the company’s acclaimed 8c.

Despite its compact dimensions, the three-way 6c incorporates an 8-inch rear-mounted woofer, a 6-inch midrange driver and a 1-inch tweeter, with 600 watts of built-in amplification per speaker. Its unusual cardioid design helps reduce unwanted sound radiating behind the speaker, while built-in digital processing and room calibration help optimize its performance. The 6c has a rated frequency response extending down to 30 Hz, impressive for a speaker of this size!

The Jean Maurer room, presented by mono/stéréo, was extremely busy, so unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to audition the speakers. Based on some of the enthusiastic comments I’ve since seen online, it sounds like I missed out!

The Swiss-made JM 320E certainly looks like exactly the type of speaker I would enjoy, making it all the more frustrating that I didn’t get to hear it!

Unfortunately, with so many rooms and exhibitors at Toronto Audiofest, it’s simply impossible to audition everything, especially when you’re trying to cover the entire show in a single day! Nevertheless, I managed to photograph plenty of other interesting equipment along the way. Here are a few more highlights.

KLH

Eversolo

Rega

I particularly loved the look of this setup with the green platters!

For fans of Rega turntables, there was also an expanded display in the lobby featuring several models.

Wattson Audio

Viablue

One of Essentia Technology’s rooms

Charisma Audio’s room featured an interesting pair of loudspeakers alongside REL Acoustics subwoofers and electronics from Wonder Audio Labs.

Charisma Audio also had a pair of vintage ReVox reel-to-reel tape recorders on display, complete with striking red reels.

Tons on display from ANK (Audio Note Kits), a manufacturer of high-end tube amplifiers and other audio components.

Last but certainly not least, EARVANA! This year’s EARVANA was a total home run as I got to try all my favourite headphones and IEMs side by side! First, my all time favourite headphone, the Focal Utopia with Naim UNITI Atom headphone amp.

It was great to see Noble Audio back at the show!

I had auditioned the impressive Noble Shogun at Montreal Audiofest earlier this year, so I was particularly pleased to see the company’s new flagship Kronos IEMs in Toronto.

The Kronos features an extraordinary nine-driver configuration in each earpiece, combining two dynamic drivers, four balanced-armature drivers, two electrostatic drivers and a bone-conduction driver. Its titanium housing features a distinctive Damascus titanium faceplate, and at $7,597 CAD, these are certainly not your everyday earbuds!

Naturally, I put them through their paces with my own test track.

I also had another opportunity to audition the Forte Ears Macbeth, which had been my favourite IEM from previous shows.

And as if that weren’t enough, I even signed up for another session with the $75,000 Sennheiser HE 1 headphone system!

The good news? I got to audition all of them side by side. The bad news? I STILL CAN’T DECIDE WHICH I LIKE BEST! They all sounded fantastic!

Final Thoughts

Once again, Toronto Audiofest delivered an incredible variety of audio equipment, from relatively affordable systems to some truly extraordinary high-end creations. There were plenty of familiar favourites, some exciting new products, and more than a few surprises along the way!

As much as I tried to cover everything, it’s simply impossible to give every room the attention it deserves in a single day. Even with an extensive collection of photographs and videos, there were several systems I would have liked to spend more time with, and others I never got the opportunity to audition at all.

One of the things I appreciate most about these shows is the opportunity to experience equipment I would otherwise never encounter, often with my own music. A big thank you to the exhibitors who welcomed my requests and took the time to demonstrate their systems. It makes a tremendous difference to the experience!

I’d also like to thank the organizers of Toronto Audiofest for putting together another enjoyable event, and for welcoming me back as a member of the media.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at Toronto Audiofest 2026. Until next time!