_{Prices are listed in US$ and subject to change due to tariffs. Photos by the author except where otherwise noted.}

I was moved to act the moment I heard that the organizer of T.H.E. (Total HiFi Experience™) Show was coming to town to kick off a new HiFi event in Central Texas this past May. Well, not exactly a new show—more like the rebirth of one that’s been around for some time: the Lone Star Audio Fest (LSAF). It had never really made a big impact, largely due to its almost exclusive focus on local talent. 

T.H.E. Show (T.H.E. Show | The Premier High-End Audio & HiFi Experience), now a growing group, recognized that this part of Texas has the potential to be worth a great deal to the HiFi industry. All it needed was the right mix of exposure, incentives, and marketing expertise to bring great audio to a wider audience. Add some national and international outreach, and voilà—a great audio show!

Emiko Carlin, aka musician Emiko C-Mussic and The Music Girl, who was the spokesperson for the T.H.E.-run Lone Star Audio Fest (LSAF), greeted me warmly when I arrived and encouraged me to explore the several large rooms and suites devoted to the show before the bigger crowds arrived on Saturday. I did so and had a thoroughly fun time meeting with exhibitors and attendees. While the show was quite small in comparison to other T.H.E. Shows, a new—or rejuvenated—LSAF represents a chance to experience many new things for the first time.

LSAF describes itself as a show of “Bespoke audio, high end audio, hand crafted audio, vintage audio, and legacy brands you know and love,” and that’s what I encountered.

Exhibits 

The Embassy Suites in Round Rock, Texas, served as the host hotel for the event. This newly opened hotel features ten spacious rooms and ballrooms suitable for large exhibits, as well as hotel suites to accommodate smaller demos.    

Many of the larger high-end brands were there: D’Agostino, Orchard, Wilson, DCS, Focal, REL, McIntosh, Nordost, among others. But also present were lesser-known brands, especially some based in Texas seeking to make a name for themselves. These included Pi Speakers, J Porter Studios, JWM Acoustics, Audio Mirror, and Sadurna. Here are some highlights from the show:     

Lantana Room / Sound Sanctuary, Wilson Audio, DCS, Transparent Audio, HRS, Grimm Audio, Luxman

Glenn Mierendorf is the proud proprietor of one of Austin’s finest high-end audio stores, Sound Sanctuary. The retailer offers a full line of audio gear featuring the “best of the best,” from brands including Wilson Audio, DCS, D’Agostino, Luxman, Dr. Feickert Analogue, VPI Industries, Sonus Faber, Transparent Cable, and others. In its Lantana room at LSAF, two Wilson speaker models were featured: the Sasha V speakers ($53,100/pair with the upgraded finish, shown), and the Sabrina X loudspeakers, available as a certified pre-owned pair for $14,000. Components were wired with Transparent XL interconnects and housed on an HRS ERX rack. Other gear on display and set up for listening were the Grimm MU1 streamer ($12,000), DCS Rossini Apex DAC ($34,500), DCS Lina Clock ($8,150), 100Wpc Luxman L-505z integrated amplifier ($5,995), Luxman PD-151 MkII turntable with LNC-3 MC cartridge ($6,490 and $2,695, respectively), plus other high-end products too numerous to mention here.

Wilson representative, David Ellington, played some Japanese percussion Taiko tracks by Kodo on the Sabrina X speakers to give me a taste of what these could do powered by the Luxman amp. I usually don’t consider percussion as a good means of judging sound quality, but they do tell something about the way the system images and they tell a lot about dynamics, recording permitting. The Sabrinas imaged very well, especially near the room’s sweet spot, while the dynamics were awesome, an attribute Wilson speakers are known for.   

Longhorn Room / Origin HiFi, DALI, Focal, REL Acoustics, Dynaco, McIntosh, Sumiko, Naim, Nordost 

Origin HiFi’s Chris Ross displayed some of his biggest and best in the large Longhorn ballroom. The focal point at the end of the room was the taller-than-me Focal Grande Utopia III Evo ($279,999 per pair), which feature a giant 16-inch Focal bass driver in a four-way speaker design. France-based Focal manufactures its own drivers, along with many more for the loudspeaker industry at large. These Grande Utopias were displayed with supplemental bass provided by two REL Acoustics No. 32 wireless subwoofers ($10,000 ea.). When I asked Chris why he added subwoofers to the already bass-proficient Focal speaker, his answer was “because we can.” These speakers can energize even the largest listening spaces as they did here.  

Powering the Focal Grande Utopias was a Naim system consisting of two 746W NAP S1 Statement Ultimate Mono Power Amplifiers ($99,999 each), a NAC S1 Statement Ultimate Preamplifier ($99,999), and an ND 555 streaming network player ($22,999). Also in the room but not playing when I was there were DALI Kore loudspeakers ($150,000/pair) powered by McIntosh gear including their subtly lighted MT5 turntable ($7,500, including arm and Sumiko cartridge).  

Verbena Room / Innovo Audio Designs 

Innovo Audio Design’s Luxe T1 (photo 3) is a fully integrated audio system—minus the source—built into a loudspeaker. Prices start at $36,000 per pair for the standard finish and around $40,000 per pair for the premium version. These powered speakers feature built-in DSP (digital signal processing) and high-performance class-D amplifiers.

Demonstrated in both music and video settings to highlight their versatility, the Luxe T1 speakers are slim at just 5.5 inches deep. Each includes eight custom carbon side-mounted bass drivers that together offer the same surface area as a 15-inch woofer.

Yair Raz, president and CEO of Innovo Audio, presented the speakers, explaining that they were specifically engineered to be placed flush against the back wall. According to Raz, the Luxe T1s can be factory-set to deliver optimal sound in any room.

During the demo, the track “We Will Rock You” from the movie Bohemian Rhapsody was played, showcasing the speakers’ impressive clarity and power—no subwoofer required.

Blue Bell Room / Audio Mirror, Sadurni Acoustics, Taiko Audio

Jorge Sadurni of Sadurni Acoustics showcased his brand-new M-Black horn loudspeakers ($30,000/pair) (photo 4). The main horn extends down to 130 Hz, after which the built-in side-mounted woofers take over, delivering deep bass down to the lowest octaves. 

The system featured a trio of components from Audio Mirror: the striking 45Wpc Addiction PSE tube monoblocks ($20,000/pair), the WAVE tube line stage ($13,000), and the WAVE DAC ($22,000). The source was a Taiko Audio Extreme music server ($34,000).

Playing “Bells, Bells, Bells” by Snorre Kirk—a well-recorded, richly orchestrated jazz piece known for its “you are there” presence when reproduced on a high-quality system—the sound was superb.

Bluebonnet Room / PBN Audio, Kimber Cable, Graham Phantom, Lyra

California-based company PBN, named after designer Peter B. Noerbaek, showcased its massive M1!5 speakers ($45,424/pair), which featured perhaps the largest woofer at the show—an 18-inch unit. The speaker also includes a large bass/midrange JBL 2206H driver and a Stage Accompany SA8535 ribbon tweeter, and weighs a hefty 345 pounds.

I wasn’t able to get a lengthy audition, but from what I heard, the system sounded quite good. Unsurprisingly, the speakers’ 18-inch woofers delivered copious bass, but it was also solid and well-controlled. Another fine product on display was PBN’s GrooveMaster Vintage Direct Drive P10 Exclusive turntable ($29,500 w/o tonearm) (photo 5) fitted with a Graham Phantom II tonearm (replaced by model III) mounted with a Lyra Kleos cartridge ($4065), and another arm I was unable to identify. The GrooveMaster is a souped-up version of the Pioneer P10 turntable, known for its exceptional speed stability. PBN also offers several other vintage turntables and a full line of loudspeakers, all viewable at www.pbnaudio.com. 

Holstein Room / Bob’s Devices, Miller Audio, Wizard Sounds, LongboardLuv Audio, Pilot Radio, Audio Foundations / ATC, Pyramid Audio, Audiophile Directory, Lasca, Believe High Fidelity 

Eleven spaces in the marketplace room were filled with demonstrations and gear. There were a few vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs available for purchase, but mostly gear, accessories, and services.   

Barak Epstein (photo 6) has recently resurrected a family-owned electronics brand, Pilot Radio, that operated from 1919 until the early 1970s. To celebrate its return, he developed the Pilot Radio Preamplifier ($3,390) (photo 7), inspired by 1950s designs. While it may look traditional, it features several modern updates. Barak says the preamp was designed to provide purity, warmth, and the most natural reproduction of music possible, particularly from vinyl records. That metal 45 adapter he is holding sells for $18 and adds bling to the playing of 45s. For a fascinating story about the company’s history, go to www.pilotradio.com.

Not far away, another booth was offering a new service for audiophiles and the audio industry called Audiophile Directory. Demonstrating the service was company founder Jak Benardete (photo 8), who explained that the Audiophile Directory is intended to be like a Zillow for audiophiles and for those marketing HiFi products. For example, if you come across a product online or in an audio magazine that you’d like to audition, the Audiophile Directory will help you find a local dealer or outlet where you can try it out. Vendors will also have the opportunity to share marketing information directly through the platform. The service is free for the public, while participating companies pay to be featured on the site. Additionally, a premium membership tier will be available for those looking for enhanced features and exposure. The product is being beta-tested now and will be available soon. For more information, visit https://audiophiledirectory.com, where you can also learn more about T.H.E. Show host Emiko C-Mussic, who has partnered with Jak on this project.

Room 213 / Van Zyl Audio, Miller Audio

With a width of about 9 feet 8 inches and a depth of about 20 feet, The Embassy Suite rooms forced exhibitors to choose between setting up the speakers and gear along the long or short wall. Van Zyl Audio chose the long wall, but this setup only allowed one person to sit in the room’s sweet spot. The demo featured a pair of Van Zyl Z-1 Alpine Mid-Horns ($18,000/pair)(photo 9) and a horn-loaded F-15 subwoofer ($7,000) placed in the corner. These weren’t your typical compression horns. Instead, the horns are designed more for directivity and uniform dispersion, radiating sound from a whizzer-cone-equipped main driver through the middle and lower horns. The top horn contains an AMT tweeter. As with most horn loudspeakers, a subwoofer is necessary to get deep bass. I was able to slip in there briefly to hear a bass-heavy recording of “These Bones” by Fairfield Four. These horns produced a very detailed reproduction of the singers’ voices, but the bass was a bit too heavy in that room.

Also present in the room was Miller Audio, showcasing tube audio gear available either as kits or pre-assembled. They specialize in vintage-style equipment, such as the Dynaco ST-70, for those interested in top-quality tube performance with modern upgrades. Their new line of Dyna-70 Ultimate amplifiers is priced between $1,695 and $2,800, depending on the selected options. More about the amps later.   

Room 206 / Chesky Audio 

I made a quick stop in room 206, where the new Chesky LC1 3D-printed mini monitors (photo 10) were on display. I had seen and heard them at a previous show and felt they offered excellent value at their price of $498 each. However, the sound here was pressurized with high-intensity bass from four subwoofers spaced throughout the room—not an ideal setup for evaluating the speakers on their own, or even their own bass output, which is rated to go down to a respectable 50 Hz. If you’re budget-conscious and care about sound quality, I strongly suggest you give the LC1s a listen.

Room 224 / Toby Speakers  

What makes panel loudspeakers so attractive?  What comes to mind is a depth of field that is unmatched. But the downside is often an image that falls apart when heard off-axis. Toby claims to have solved the problem with a panel loudspeaker that is segmented in such a way that dispersion of sound is much more uniform than other panel type speakers. In addition, the company uses Purifi bass drivers (yes, Purifi also makes drivers). The unique design includes a specially engineered surround that significantly reduces intermodulation (IM) distortion, which typically occurs when bass drivers make long cone excursions to handle intense low-frequency signals. These are brand new speakers (photo 11), and the company is taking pre-orders now. Prices per pair range between $12,000 to $17,000. These speakers are self-powered and DSP-enabled, so all you need is an audio source. Also being demoed but not active when I visited were the company’s active Narwhal mini monitors ($12,000/pair).

Room 233 / JWM Acoustics, Absolare, Aries Cerat, Echole, Bluesound

JWM Acoustics was founded by Joshua Miles, a true artist and skilled designer who specializes in building handcrafted speakers, turntables, and other audio products. Committed to sustainability, Joshua uses renewable wood or materials sourced from trees that have fallen naturally. MDF (medium density fiberboard) is anathema to him, while finishes are applied in-house. The results are objects of esthetic beauty that deliver superb sound. Photo 12 shows two JWM speakers: the Alyson Pro SE ($18,000/pair) and Alyson AML SE Blackburn ($22,000/pair) (photo 12). Powering the speakers were an Absolare Hybrid II Signature Edition integrated amplifier ($47,000) (photo 13), which is leather-wrapped—what a beauty!  Also demoed were the Absolare Altius preamplifier ($68,000), Absolare Bybee power filter ($8,000), Aries Cerat Kassandra II Reference DAC ($30,000), Echole Omnia II cables, Bluesound Nano streamer ($250), and a HiFi-modded HP Pavilion laptop.

The Alyson series speakers come with matching stands, as they are an integral part of the speaker system. The specially selected tweeter features a toroidal (ring-shaped) diaphragm and a central phase plug, which together enhance sound dispersion and deliver an added sense of soundstage depth.   

If you want something that sounds great and looks fantastic, JWM products deserve to be at the top of your shopping list. For more, visit their website.

Room 217 / PureArtFi, Audio Crafters Guild, Miller Audio, Carbide Audio

PureArtFi and Audio Crafters Guild teamed up with Miller Audio and Carbide Audio to create a room filled with unique craftsmanship and impressive sound.

Photo 14 shows one of Miller Audio’s Dyna-70 amplifiers, which I mentioned earlier in my report. It’s placed on the Pz3 Panzerholz high-mass, high-damping rack system by Audio Crafters Guild, which sells for $1,988.

Audio Crafters Guild also makes the Pure 70 monitors (not shown) which can be purchased in kit form or prebuilt. They are priced from $1,676 to $2,339 in kit form or $2,235 to $3,118 assembled. Additional upgrades are available. These speakers use the Purifi woofers, known for their ultra-low distortion properties but it’s the tweeters that determine the price differences. Carbide Audio provided the Base Micro and Base Nano isolators ($199 – $499).

Playing in the room were PureArtFi FF-1 speakers ($3500/pair + $800/pair for matching stands). Made of solid walnut with a composite baffle, they come preassembled and, like the Toby hybrid Evo panels, employ a Purifi woofer. They are works of art with beautiful tongue and groove joints, as seen in photo 15. I wasn’t the only one in this room impressed by the superb sound of this synergistic system. 

Room 204 / JPorter Studios  

J Porter Studios is an Austin-based company that designs unusually shaped speakers that deserve to be heard. Jeremy Porter started with the idea that speakers should be built with non-parallel surfaces, both inside and out. The Wellington Tower loudspeakers ($19,995 per pair) exemplify a growing—and, in my opinion, positive—category in the high-end audio industry: active, DSP-enabled speakers. The Wellingtons are tri-amplified, featuring 600-watt internally mounted amps with DSP crossovers.

The smaller Waterloo Micro ($5,995/pair), which weren’t playing when I visited, features a heptagonal hardwood cabinet in a three-way sealed design. Porter says a powered version is in development and should be available soon. I listened to one of my favourite evaluation recordings through the Wellington Towers: Patrick Doyle’s Hamlet soundtrack. It’s particularly effective for assessing male vocals, bass depth, and imaging of instrument placement throughout the recording.

These speakers passed the test with ease. However, during a subsequent visit to the room, I noticed that the bass was a bit boomy—likely due to the room’s acoustics.

T.H.E. LSAF 2025 Epilogue

T.H.E. Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 was a resounding success—a strong showing for a revitalized startup event. I appreciated the friendly and helpful hosts, including Emiko, Darryl, and others who worked behind the scenes to make the first T.H.E. Show in Central Texas such a success. I’m sure the show has a bright future here. 

I was pleased to take part in a few of the seminars that were offered. Many thanks to the exhibitors who generously shared their immense knowledge—Jorge Sadurni, Jeremy Porter, Joshua Miles, James Connell, and others.

My editor asked me to find a few gems at the show. It’s easy to point to the expensive gear as gems—especially with today’s soaring prices. And to some extent, you do get what you pay for. On the other hand, I like to look for gems that offer unexpectedly high value, the kind that audio enthusiasts without deep pockets are often on the lookout for.

With that in mind, the biggest standout for me was the small PureArtFi FF-1 speakers that sell for $3,500/pair. The Chesky LC1, at $498 each, was probably the bargain of the show. Another bargain was the Avid HiFi Ingenium Plug & Play turntable (photo 17) being sold in the marketplace room by Audio Foundations. Priced at $1,499, this compact turntable is designed to minimize airborne vibrations and comes equipped with a quality tonearm and a Hana EH cartridge.

Looking at the more expensive items, I certainly can recommend Sadurni’s M-Black horn loudspeaker to those wanting a horn speaker that is not too forward-sounding. And for a horn design, the M-Blacks, which include built-in subwoofers, I feel they are reasonably priced at $30,000/pair. 

I’m glad Sound Sanctuary decided to bring its lowest-priced Wilson model, Sabrina X, to the show. While it normally retails for $23,000/pair, the certified pre-owned pair I saw on display is still, as of this writing, available from Sound Sanctuary for a mere $14K—a tempting deal for someone wanting that authentic Wilson sound quality at a more accessible price.

This was my first time attending a show organized by T.H.E. Show, which I’ve been told has been in the show organizing business longer than anyone else in the U.S. And it shows—T.H.E. Lone Star Audio Fest was well-run and a pleasure to attend. I highly recommend a T.H.E. Show to anyone looking for an immersive and fun HiFi experience.