At AXPONA 2022, I felt that the Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers–winner of a rare PTA Summit Award–was hampered by one of those big, problematic downstairs ballrooms where all the huge systems are usually located. I could “hear through” that room and experience why Dave McNair uses the Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers ($37,000/pr USD) as his professional reference monitors. Still, I didn’t feel like I had the whole picture on these granite towers. Outside of dropping by Dave’s house in North Carolina unexpectedly, I knew I needed more seat time.
At the 2022 Pacific Audio Fest, I felt like I could finally hear the true nature of the Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers. Yes, Val Cora was exhibiting in a BIG room, maybe even bigger than at AXPONA, but with a system including VAC amplification, Cardas cabling, LampizatOr digital and the flagship analog rig from Pro-Ject, his speakers sounded focused and powerful.
I immediately noticed the vast distance between the Acora Acoustics SRC-2s loudspeakers–was it twenty feet? More? Sometimes that’s a recipe for an incomplete center fill, but not here. As I mentioned, focus was the key here, with precise imaging and deep bass that can only be referred to as concussive. These loudspeakers are certainly heavy–over 250 pounds each–but they’re not HUGE speakers. Still, I feel like the scope and impact here rivaled the sound from speakers much larger than these.
In addition, a smaller system featuring the Acora Acoustics SRB monitors ($15,000/pr), with the ever-impressive SRS-G stands ($5,000 pr), was located along a side wall and was not playing while I visited. The next time that I visit with Acora Acoustics at a high-end audio show, maybe Capital Audiofest 2022 in November, I wouldn’t mind sitting down and re-acquainting myself with this very special two-way. But I simply can’t discount the pure strength and musicality of the mighty Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers.
