In one of the three rooms from Next Level HiFi, a dealer in the Chicago area, and Audio Group Denmark, the Børresen X3 loudspeakers ($12,000/pr) were pumping the jams with the Axxess Forté 2 integrated streamer ($8,000), Ansuz PowerSwitch A3 Ethernet Distribution ($4,000) and Mainz8 A3 Power Distributor ($3,700), all connected with Ansuz cables. The sound was truly great from this Danish company, which has been rocketing onto the hi-fi show scene over the last several years. In particular, the imaging was solid with a central image positioned well behind the plane of the speakers.
Words and Photos by Graig Neville
The electronics in the Next Level HiFi room were just as packed with tech as the speakers. Take the Mainz8 A3 for example: it contains 31 Tesla Coils for noise reduction, 3rd generation dither circuitry, and star grounding. The Ansuz Mainz8 creates a quiet backdrop for the rest of the system by reducing voltage spikes from dirty power and then providing a clean voltage to the rest of the gear. The PowerSwitch A3 ethernet switch does to digital signals what the Mainz8 does to power, making a quieter digital cable that purports to provide a more stable voltage signal.
In addition, all of the the casework is made from a composite material that resists vibration. All of this points to high tech, of course, and Audio Group Denmark has support and agreements with the Danish government to continue pushing the technological envelope in audio.
The Børresen X3 loudspeakers in the Next Level HiFi room produced prodigious bass from such a small form factor. Sporting ribbon tweeters, carbon fiber drive units and composite material cabinets, this little powerhouse can pump out serious, clean bass. The drivers are a space-age sandwich of two layers of carbon fiber spaced with an aramid honeycomb. Despite the 4.5-inch drivers, bass output extends down 35Hz at 88dB efficiency at 4Ω. These little speakers are a back-breaking 121 lbs each!
The maestro of the Next Level HiFi system, the Axxess Forté 2 integrated, has a built-in streamer and DAC contain within this diminutive non-switching class A 100 watt per channel amplifier. Sporting over 100 tesla coils, composite materials and UMAC TM technology, the Forté 2 seems like a science fiction product.
This all comes together into a system that defies what we expect from an audio company. The amount of available bass in a small cabinet, the clean distortion-free sound from the composite carbon drivers, and the energy from the small form factor electronics all synergizes to something that exceeds the sum of its parts.
If you would like to hear even more coverage from AXPONA 2024, check out our recap report and highlights from our audiophile-oriented show The Occasional Podcast. You can stream the episode direct from the embed below, or from your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, Android, Google, Deezer, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.
Why does Audio Group Denmark always play their demos at such high volumes? I first heard at 2022 Axpona, the SWAudio Fest Dallas, then again last week in Chicago. The high beat music isn’t what I listen to, yet seems to be what sounds best(?) from this mfg. Is it a Danish thing? Or a Lars thing?
I’m wanting to like this brand especially with new offerings in acceptable price range.
Thx.