Hello, this is Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer!
I always tell my fellow music creators never to overlook hi-fi products.
The term “hi-fi” itself is short for “high fidelity,” meaning playback that is as true to the original sound as possible, without distortion.
Among hi-fi manufacturers, there are many companies with advanced technology that deliver excellent measurements. Working with such devices can be highly beneficial.
I also work in this kind of environment.
However, since anechoic chamber measurements provided by companies don’t tell the whole story, it’s crucial to assess how the devices sound in real working environments and how the sound changes depending on the listener’s position.
With that preamble, let’s dive into my experience at the Audio Expo Seoul, which runs from yesterday through tomorrow. Here’s my review after my visit.
Venue
The event took place on the 30th to 32nd floors of Novotel Ambassador Yongsan and the 2nd floor of Yongsan Electronics Market.
Attendees could check in and receive wristbands at the 1st-floor lobby of Novotel Ambassador.
I explored the exhibits in the recommended order: 32nd floor → 31st floor → 30th floor → Yongsan Electronics Market 2nd floor.
Dynaudio Contour Legacy
First up was Dynaudio’s Contour Legacy, a well-known name even in the pro-audio industry.
It was impressive. I’d love to test it in a more controlled listening environment.
Avantgarde Colibri C2
This was one I’d been eager to hear. However, in the hotel room setup, midrange resonances were quite noticeable.
I switched positions to see if it was a placement issue, but my impression remained the same.
ub+ dB1
At first glance, I thought it was a new release from Devialet, but it turned out to be another brand.
Its sound was decent for the price, and the design was intriguing enough to spark some buying interest. If I recall correctly, the pair was around ₩900,000.
Harbeth Super HL5 plus XD
I finally got to experience Harbeth. It reminded me a bit of ATC in terms of sound character.
Monitor Audio Gold 100 6G
Monitor Audio is known for producing excellent measurements. This model felt somewhat restrained, which might make it suitable for certain types of studio work.
Focal Diva Utopia
Focal is another brand known for its professional audio monitors. While solid, it wasn’t to my taste this time.
Piega COAX 811
Piega’s coaxial ribbon design intrigued me, but the midrange resonance was noticeable—perhaps due to the room acoustics.
Tannoy Kensington GR, Classic Gold
Classic Tannoy sound—impressive as always. It made me consider its potential for studio use.
Wharfedale
Great value for money. While not mind-blowing, the quality was solid for the price point.
Marten Mingus Septet
Visually stunning, though the listening experience didn’t fully convince me.
Audio Physic
Although I don’t recall which model I listened to, it left a positive impression.
Genelec
Genelec, a staple for many engineers, had a setup with coaxial speakers and subwoofers. Unfortunately, the playback was marred by distortion, likely from the LP source.
JBL L100 Classic mk2
Solid, dependable sound, living up to expectations.
Revival Audio Sprint
A standout for me. I could see myself using it in a studio setting. The price was also quite reasonable.
YG Acoustics Hailey
A solid performer with tight, well-defined low frequencies.
Avalon PM 3.2
The most impressive speaker I heard at the expo. Its tight bass and wide frequency range were perfect for modern music production.
B&W 801D4
Sadly, the LP setup held back this speaker’s potential. I’d love to hear it in a better environment.
Overall Highlights
My top picks from the expo:
- Dynaudio
- Tannoy
- Audio Physic
- Revival Audio
- Avalon
The Revival Audio models particularly stood out for their affordability and performance.
Attending events like this is refreshing for both the mind and soul. That’s all for now—see you in the next post!
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