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The Hidden Gem at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023!

Good Morning Fellow Audiophiles!

I just spent two "action packed days" at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023. 

I heard a number of very find sounding systems, including amazing musical reproduction from such well known names as Borresen, Acora, and Kharma.  Also in the "price no object" category, the Cessaro Wagners were absolutely stunning, and earned my "Best of Show Award".  

However, while I truly enjoyed all of the great sound, THE HIGHLIGHT of the show for me was a name you probably DON'T know, designed by a very nice young man who I think just might have a very bright future

The product was the Endow Audio Bravura 7.2, and at $6,900 it offered a glimpse of what I heard with the $65K Cessaros at 10% of the price. What's more it did so while driven by very modest electronics from Black ice.  I'm not an engineer, but the unique design, with 9 x 1.5" midrange drivers arranged in an arc at the rear of the 3D printed horn sitting atop the otherwise conventional appearing bookshelf cabinet conferred an amazing immediacy, truth and penetration of timbre and tonal color, and nothing short of stunning image solidity and soundstage size.

The company offers a 30 day in home trial risk free.  t took photos and will also try to post them. 

www.EndowAudio.com  To clarify, I have NO RELATIONSHIP WHATSOEVER with any aspect of Endow Audio.

BH

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59 responses Add your response
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,689 posts
 

They definitely look interesting, but before I rush to buy, I’ll wait for a few more reviews to emerge.

2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,567 posts
 

Measurements are always more important than what you hear and enjoy.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,135 posts
 

My friends MBL 120 are 82 db efficient at 4 ohms or less @1 watt

but when you add all this up you are projecting in this case 360 degrees 

and much louder in actual conditions with music coming from different areas ,

try them then decide, How about floor standers ? For without that you need good powered subs to get good low Bass .

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,610 posts
 

My Walsh omnis' don't strike me as 'efficient', which is why 4 of them will produce an more 'unreasonable volume' over just a pair...

....but with 360 radiation, I'm not surprised either from merely a pair.

I really should bother to measure instead of merely enjoying them....😏

roadcykler
143 posts
 

I’m not an engineer, but I can tell you the Black I’ve tube amp was said to be rated at 18wpc and drove them to more than adequate levels without strain. 

I really wish more people understood what speaker efficiency actually means. They see numbers and make assumptions. 

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bouncehit OP
74 posts
 

I’m not an engineer, but I can tell you the Black I’ve tube amp was said to be rated at 18wpc and drove them to more than adequate levels without strain. 
 

The sound was captivating! 😃

chenry's avatar
chenry
184 posts
 

84dB for what is hybrid omnidirectional (at least as concerns the midrange 7x1.5" array which appears to be aimed across 270 degrees of arc) with the tweeter and woofer aimed forward and a rear-directed passive radiator. Omni speakers are relatively ineffecient, and this one appears to be no exception.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 

84 db efficiency? Ouch. I’m out….

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bouncehit OP
74 posts
 

There are links to the CAF Bravura 7.2 "Power Package" I heard on their website: www.EndowAudio.com.

The Bravura 7.2 "package" using the Black Ice Tube amp was stunning. 

 

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