AXPONA 2019 Show Coverage brought to you by Core Power Technologies — AXPONA 2019 Show Coverage brought to you by **Core Power Technologies**

CHICAGO (PTA) — What would a show be, without Pass Labs, and me waxing on-and-on about open-baffle speakers? Overall, three very familiar brands, offer up something entirely new when working together. The new PureAudioProject loudspeaker, ready-to-run right out of the box, no assembly required and based on their Trio 15 design. Still one of the best values in hi-end, the new loudspeaker just made getting into the PureAudioProject universe of sound that much easier.

The Story

PureAudioProject has been charming the ears and hearts of many members of the audiophile press-corps for sometime now. Their modular open-baffle design loudspeakers do well at shows to kick-down the prejudices and trepidation surrounding speakers based on an open-baffle blueprint. Be them in large rooms, or small ones like at AXPONA 2019 — PureAudioProject founder Ze’ev Schlik knows how to put on one hell of a show.

Enter the new TRIO15 CLASSIC, which builds on the same architecture of the Trio15 modular loudspeaker, but now offers it fully assembled, beautifully covered, and ready to go right out of the box. At first meeting with the new TRIO15 CLASSIC speaker — sight unseen till at the show — the first thought that came to mind was “vintage”.

The looks of the new “CLASSIC” speaker are indeed that, classic. But underneath all of that black-cloth and wood frame are features and components that are right in line with everything modern about PureAudioProject’s open-baffle designs. Beginning with the Voxativ AC-1.6 full-range driver. Considered by many as “the gold standard” by which all full-range drivers are measured. From there, dual 15-inch woofers carry the load underneath. Updated crossovers round out the features.

Though the modular feature of the new TRIO15 CLASSIC is missing, that allows many who have loved the sound of PureAudioProject speakers at shows (or in-home with owners of open-baffle speakers), the chance to jump in worry-free. No allen-wrenches required.

At the top of the system, well more like on-top of the amplifiers was this little box from Luminous Audio Technology. It is a passive preamplifier, but built out to the hilt with remote control, advanced attenuation, and LED display. Nothing sounds like a Luminous Audio Technology AXIOM II Walker Mod Preamp, because that’s the idea — it sounds like nothing.

Powering the whole affair a monster pair of Pass Labs xa160.8 amplifiers. What are they? More of just about everything: 72 output power-MOSFETs, higher input impedance, higher capacity power supply and the ability to deliver over 320 watts per channel in class A with greater dampening. The 160.8’s deliver power and finesse in spades.

The Sound

The bass is always fast with well-executed open-baffle designs, and the sound coming from the new TRIO15 CLASSIC is right there at the top of them. Especially with how linear the drivers are when they coalesce to create an expansive wall of sound that fools the visual senses. You’d swear that sounds were coming from distant places outside of these small hotel room walls.

Most noticeable was how close to the back wall the demonstration system was located. Obviously a symptom of the exhibition space and the need to have room for people to take a seat inside. But despite that hang-up, the room sounded great. Imagine how much better it would be, with a little more space to breathe, and in your home.