While some worry that changes in consumer spending and a possible recession may curtail growth in the Hi Fi Audio, TV and Home Theater market, the high end headphone and personal audio market appears alive and well. This past weekend, the CanJam show was held in a hotel in Times Square in Manhattan. Consumers came in droves to check out the latest high end headphones and other personal audio gear.
From the moment the show doors opened at 10 AM on Saturday and continuing through the day on Saturday and Sunday, large crowds circulated through the exhibit space where many of the top headphone and personal audio manufacturers and sellers had set up their booths. The mood was decidedly upbeat as prospective buyers and "headphone curious" attendees waited for their turns to check out their favorite tunes through a $15,000 tubed headphone amp or a $5,000 pair of headphones.
Of course, there were more affordable products there as well, with headphones on display in the $100-$200 range, but the cost-no-object stuff generated a lot of excitement. One of the event sponsors, retailer Headphones.com, drew a huge crowd when they gave away a pair of Focal's Utopia 2022 reference headphones ($4999) on Sunday. The guy who won them just about lost his mind.
CEO and Co-founder of Headphones.com, Andrew Lissimore had this to say about this year's CanJam: "The show had phenomenal energy - it feels like we're truly back since Covid. Our listening bars were packed, and it was wonderful to see people's faces light up when they experience listening to premium headphones. It warmed my heart. From a product standpoint, we got a lot of positive feedback on the Focal Bathys - high-end wireless headphones are finally here! I had an opportunity to listen to Warwick Acoustics' Bravura, and they blew my mind."
Maker of those Utopia 2022 and Bathys headphones, Focal-Naim had a booth there as well, where they showcased the afore-mentioned Utopia 2022 flagship headphones ($4999), the Bathys wireless Bluetooth 'phones ($799), and a selection of other models.
The company also had several of their Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition on hand to drive the headphones. The Unit Atom Headphone Edition ($3799) is a wireless music streaming box with built-in headphone amp. It has a cool ergonomic design with a giant recessed volume knob on top. I checked it out with a pair of the Utopia 2022 'phones and thought the combination sounded stunning, with exquisite detail and a wide open soundstage. They also fit snugly yet comfortably around my ears. I could definitely see (and hear) enjoying some extended listening sessions through these "cans."
Focal Product Manager Mégane Montabonel traveled in to New York City from France after having worked directly on the launch of the new Utopia 2022 and new Bathys headphones. "We were excited to show off the new Utopia 2022 flagship wired model and Bathys, Focal's first-ever Bluetooth and active noise cancelling headphones, for the first time in NYC. We received overwhelming positive feedback and felt this was one of the best and most diverse attended CanJam shows."
Another popular booth at the show was the fan favorite HiFiMan. The company recently launched a powerful new DAC/headphone amp, the EF600 ($799). The EF600 was designed to drive virtually any headphone out there, from IEMs (in-ear monitors) to dynamic planar to electrostatic 'phones. It also has a Bluetooth output so you can use wireless 'phones while working and leave your phone free for other stuff. The unit is designed to take up as little desk space as possible and it doubles as a headphone stand for even greater space efficiency.
HiFiMan also had two of their newest models, the AUDIVINA closed back reference headphones ($1,999) and the SVANAR in-ear monitors ($1,999). The SVANAR reference in-ear monitor (IEM) uses a unique aluminum and brass construction for deep accurate bass and a wide open soundstage. The AUDIVINA closed back planar headphone was designed for mixing and mastering professionals who want the most realistic and accurate representation of their work inside their ears, while minimizing outside noise. But there's nothing to stop the discerning audiophile from picking up a pair as well. The closed back design gives the listener a bit more privacy than the more common open-backed design planar headphones.
Commenting on HIFIMAN's entry into the pro headphone market, CEO and President Dr. Fang Bian said: "When we first developed Stealth Magnets, I knew the design holds tremendous value for the pro audio market. The complete lack of interference guarantees accurate reproduction, so crucial when recording and mixing music. Of course, audiophiles will appreciate listening to music on AUDIVINA for exactly the same reason."
Another cool product we saw at this year's CANJAM was the M4U 8 MKII Wireless ANC Headphones from PSB Speakers ($399). The M4U includes software from a company called "AudioDo" which customizes the headphones' EQ curve to match your specific hearing. The software plays a series of test tones, and based on your ability or inability to hear the tones at different volume levels, it stores your profile and then sets up a playback EQ curve to compensate for this.
You can store multiple hearing profiles for different users and choose which one to upload and use on the headphones at any time. The intention is to allow the listener to hear the music (or movie or TV show) the way the artist and producer intended. The software is available now with the M4U 8 Mk II and wil also be included in future PSB headphones.
The next CanJam show will be held in Singapore later this month, with London, Chicago, Southern California and Dallas shows to follow later in the year. Check out the details at canjamglobal.com.
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