Audios 2025 - Cool Things
I don’t usually do this but I was reading some audio bable on the interwebs. I came across the phrase “serious audiophile” and “serious audio enthusiasts” but where is the fun in that… I don’t want to be serious but how about fun, musical, and even feral. I need to do something with audioferal.com soon. I hate reviews because how do you English what something sounds like from person to person. When I listen I get feelings not words. If there is something wrong that is another kettle of mudbugs. Anyway here are a few things that stood out to me this year or maybe always.
Lowther
Lowther 4ft Voigt Horn. If money were no object this would be at the top of the heap. I’ve been a Voigt fan for years and this is the stuff of Legend. A thing of beauty and history.
EMIA
The EMIA 103 SUT from Dave Slagle Intact Audio and Jeffrey Jackson Experience Music was released this summer. The 103 package makes it very easy for so many of us to improve our vinyl rigs. These guys are a bit elusive with most of their work being custom builds. That being said if I had an ultra cool hip pad like say Flea I would do the same thing he did and fill it with EMIA gear. I do not roll with the same budget as Flea but this 103 setup is not expensive. In the audio insanity world this is well priced and a bargain. Sadly Santa did not put this under the tree for me but maybe next year.
Tube Audio Lab
Min at Tube Audio Lab has long been one of my favorites. Min mostly does custom build variations of the WE91A and various other products. His build quality reminds me of George Wright which is a huge compliment. I could be happy with some custom equipment built by Min.
Western Electric 16A
Is there a cooler, more unique piece of vintage audio? Perhaps the 15a? I would love to have a 16a but that won’t happen . I did get to hear Jeffrey Jacksons and it was a surprising audio experience.
QUAD
If I wasn’t a horn guy I’d be a Electrostatic Speaker guy. I’d love to have a stack of ESL57 or ESL63 speakers. Peter Walker was a very important audio innovator. QUAD
Klipsch
In full disclosure, I work with the Klipsch Museum Of Audio History. I have been lucky enough to watch Roy Delgado fine-tune the heritage line based on conversations and guidance from PWK all those years ago. This has been a very slow methodical development and refinment. I’d say the heritage line today is as good as it has ever been. The Klipsch Jubilee well you gotta hear it.
Audio Classics
The guys at Audio Classics are top notch and I purchased gear from them in the early days of my foray into audio. They are also supporters of the Klipsch Museum. When they heard we needed audio equipment they sent boxes and boxes of audio equipment for us to use. If you need vintage gear start with audio classics.
Emission Labs
The tubes from Emission Labs are among the best of current production tubes. I was sent a pair of their Mesh 45 tubes and the build quality superb. They just announced a 300B mesh which will work in any 300B amplifier for 2026.
47 Labs - Sakura Systems
Talk about a different approach. I keep a track of 47 Labs. They are on a different path from most audio companies. I find them fascinating.
DIY
Here are some links that made DIY audio easier in 2025.
Audio Swag
A shameless plug for the Klipsch Museum online store. I have added some really cool products with a store relaunch in November. Check it out and support the museum by buying something cool.