Axpona 2016 - Chicago's Westin O'Hare - April 15th-17th Seaton Sound Central
Moderator 2,166 posts Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
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It's that time of year again and we are back in the same, massive space at the end of the hall so we only annoy the rest of the first floor when the subs really stretch their legs. [thumb]

Building on the experience of what worked well last year and what we ran out of time to get done for last year, we will have much more to check out in the entryway of the room, and are stepping it up to a 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos system.  I'll be using a pair of MiniDSP DDRC-88A units to correct the LCR, multiple subwoofers, 4 surrounds and 4 height channels.

Ken Whitcomb of Calibrations, Inc., who is responsible for Art Sonneborn's awesome video, will again be helping make sure the video is stellar with one of the Sony 4k projectors and we'll even have the new Samsung 4K Ultra HD player and some 4K material on the PC.

Of course the front stage will have 3 Catalyst 12Cs around and behind the Screen Excellence Enlightor 4k woven AT screen, and 6 of the new F18 subwoofers with 1 F18+ and 2 F18-Slaves per stack.  We had some fun taking some pictures to get people's attention in the event guide, and once again I'm the one providing scale for these beasts:

[Mark-6F18-800sq] 
[F18x6-1]  


Here is what show goers will see in the event guide directing them to our room:
[Seaton16-System-Axpona] 
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
For those who did not catch the details of the system we assembled last year, please check out some of the feedback and pictures in this thread.

Here is a shot of last year's room:
[Axpona-wide-Room]  

Forum member and Catalyst 12C & SubMersive owner "FOH" helped shoot a short walk through of our 2015 Axpona demonstration.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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audioguy 764 posts
audioguy
Mark:  Your flyer has this as your website:  http://www.seatonsound.net

When I tried to go there, I got a notification from GoDaddy about the availability of the URL.  You may want to check it out.
Our Theater
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calentz 210 posts
calentz

audioguy wrote:
Mark:  Your flyer has this as your website:  http://www.seatonsound.net

When I tried to go there, I got a notification from GoDaddy about the availability of the URL.  You may want to check it out.

I addressed that subject some time ago when people were having a hard time contacting him. He assured me that E-Mails were getting through.
Carl
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
audioguy wrote:
Mark:  Your flyer has this as your website:  http://www.seatonsound.net

When I tried to go there, I got a notification from GoDaddy about the availability of the URL.  You may want to check it out.


The URL is ours.  When we had to juggle some hosting the static page didn't get transferred.  The website will be up with product info before the start of the show.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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pbc 29 posts
pbc
Mark, can anyone attend Axpona if in Chicago or is the show VIP only?
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
pbc wrote:
Mark, can anyone attend Axpona if in Chicago or is the show VIP only?


Hi pbc,

Axpona is similar to Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in being a consumer show rather than an industry/dealer show such as CEDIA and CES.  Ticket pricing is found here on the Axpona Website.  I am waiting an e-mail back to post up a discount code for the 3 day pass (no discounts available on 1-2 day passes).

While the blocked hotels filled up very quickly, being close to O'Hare there are many hotels nearby both south of the Westin on River Rd. and a few to the north.  The hotels which were blocked will have a shuttle, but any of the hotels nearby are a very short cab ride apart so a car would only be needed if you wanted to head somewhere public transit wouldn't easily take you (the CTA train that heads downtown is just south of the highway).
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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mattmc 6 posts
mattmc
Will you be showcasing any of the 15" submersive (hp or f2) units, or will your booth be dedicated to the 18" subs?
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
mattmc wrote:
Will you be showcasing any of the 15" submersive (hp or f2) units, or will your booth be dedicated to the 18" subs?


We will have the SubMersives on display both static and in use.  I believe I'll be using 2 F2's at the rear of the room to help smooth the response across the seating area.  We are also looking at having a small 2 channel setup at the entry to the room with 2 speakers and a subwoofer or two.  The 12' tall blue curtain we placed across the room blocks light from the doors, helps with the acoustics and better protects the expensive Sony projector.  

Most importantly that curtain keeps the most cynical critics from taking impressions of a system while standing against the back wall where things never sound good. [tongue]   

On the front side of this curtain we had a table and 2 SubMersives.  This year I hope to set up a minimalist 2.1 stereo system in this place:

[Axpona-Entry] 
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Lsc 3 posts
Lsc
Went to Axpona on Friday. Seaton ended up never opening their doors. Last year they opened the doors at 3pm.

Needless to say it was pretty disappointing.
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audioguy 764 posts
audioguy
Lsc wrote:
Went to Axpona on Friday. Seaton ended up never opening their doors. Last year they opened the doors at 3pm. Needless to say it was pretty disappointing.


I don't think that is the case as folks on AVS talked about how great it sounded.
Our Theater
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Lsc 3 posts
Lsc
audioguy wrote:


I don't think that is the case as folks on AVS talked about how great it sounded.


Really? Ok well at 6pm on Friday they stil didn't open. Stuff was still on boxes etc.

Last year Seaton was the best thing at Axpona and I was looking forward to seeing the 18" monsters! I saw them as I snuck in for a sec but nothing was operational.
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Stereodude 397 posts
Stereodude
audioguy wrote:
I don't think that is the case as folks on AVS talked about how great it sounded.

Where on AVSforum is this being discussed?  I poked around a few of the subforums and didn't find any chatter, though I could have easily overlooked it.
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ghall 2 posts
ghall
It is under Audio / 2-Channel sub forum.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/173-2-channel-audio/2425146-axpona-2016-coverage-avs-forum.html

There are also a few pictures over at the shack forum.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/173-2-channel-audio/2425146-axpona-2016-coverage-avs-forum.html

Is that a new surround speaker I see?  Looks to be a Cat 8 that went on a diet.
 
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
Lsc wrote:
Really? Ok well at 6pm on Friday they stil didn't open. Stuff was still on boxes etc. Last year Seaton was the best thing at Axpona and I was looking forward to seeing the 18" monsters! I saw them as I snuck in for a sec but nothing was operational.


We were operational Saturday and Sunday.  We had some unexpected issues related to setup and then some very peculiar HDMI handshake issues with the 4k players, Sony projector and the Yamaha CX-A5100.  Magically everything started talking as it should with full Atmos playback on Sunday morning.  Who knew HDMI really did need break in?!? [mad]

The result we had running by 11am Saturday and then Sunday was quite impressive.  We'll have some pictures and new product info to post through this week and next.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
ghall wrote:
It is under Audio / 2-Channel sub forum.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/173-2-channel-audio/2425146-axpona-2016-coverage-avs-forum.html

There are also a few pictures over at the shack forum.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/173-2-channel-audio/2425146-axpona-2016-coverage-avs-forum.html

Is that a new surround speaker I see?  Looks to be a Cat 8 that went on a diet.


We had all of the models used in the surround setup on static display at the entry of the room.  Here you can see both the new Spark (tall) and Spark XC (short) models.  That's a Catalyst 12C and F18 on the left and right respectively.

[Spark-Display2]

[Spark-Display1]   
Both models are passive.  The Spark does look like an 8C since it uses the same cone and suspension from the 8C woofers in the form of a passive radiator.  For those not as familiar with PRs, the passive radiator serves the similar function as a port, but doesn't suffer from airflow non-linearity nor does it let high frequency content through the opening.

Final pricing is subject to change, but I am planning to introduce these at $1195 for the Spark and $895 for the Spark XC.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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pbc 29 posts
pbc
Any update on shipping/lead times for the passive Spark's Mark?
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
pbc wrote:
Any update on shipping/lead times for the passive Spark's Mark?


Cabinets and passive radiators are finalized, with the custom mounting brackets to minimize depth to the wall already being sampled.  I'm working with our suppliers on availability of the custom coaxial in the Spark before I make any commitments on that front.  We will have as many as anyone wants to order by July 1st.  I'm working on how many and how soon we'll have units available prior to that.

We also have a 3rd model which will be a matching Spark tower (name TBD) which will add 12" to the height of the Spark and move the coaxial to the top with passive radiators below.  Functionally it will be the same speaker designed to be paired with a subwoofer, but not require a stand.  Pricing is projected at $1495 each.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Stereodude 397 posts
Stereodude
Mark_Seaton wrote:
Here you can see both the new Spark (tall) and Spark XC (short) models...
   
Both models are passive.  The Spark does look like an 8C since it uses the same cone and suspension from the 8C woofers in the form of a passive radiator.  For those not as familiar with PRs, the passive radiator serves the similar function as a port, but doesn't suffer from airflow non-linearity nor does it let high frequency content through the opening.

Final pricing is subject to change, but I am planning to introduce these at $1195 for the Spark and $895 for the Spark XC.

When you say passive you mean each one is connected to two channels of an outboard amp from Speakerpower with custom DSP programming in it via 4 binding posts, or you mean each can be connected to a single channel of any amp (without any DSP programming) and have a full passive crossover inside them?

Are there still plans for remote active & passive versions of these new Spark speakers or are they now passive (single channel / any amp / no DSP) only?
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
Stereodude wrote:

When you say passive you mean each one is connected to two channels of an outboard amp from Speakerpower with custom DSP programming in it via 4 binding posts, or you mean each can be connected to a single channel of any amp (without any DSP programming) and have a full passive crossover inside them?

Are there still plans for remote active & passive versions of these new Spark speakers or are they now passive (single channel / any amp / no DSP) only?


These are fully passive with internal crossover to allow use with any conventional amplifier or receiver.  I need to go through the last polishing of the crossover design and get them outdoors to confirm for sure, but sensitivity is in the 92-95dB @ 2.8V/1m range.

The passive models can be converted to fully active or similar options when I have an amplifier I feel offers a worthwhile value.  It currently looks like we can have SpeakerPower produce for us an external amplifier for 2 Sparks which would sell for ~$2200.  That may make sense for some customers and we'll continue to explore various options.  In such case, if running new wires in walls for Sparks, I would recommend 4x #12 or 4x #14 wire to each location to make such an upgrade an easy change down the road.

That said, through a lot of testing and design work, I have been able to work up what I feel is a very well behaved passive crossover, which enables customers to get up and running with less expensive amplification or even a receiver.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Stereodude 397 posts
Stereodude
Thanks for the reply Mark.  So currently the remote active version is more or less on ice for the time being?

Speaking of amplifiers I got an e-mail from Monoprice the other day that was pimping a Monoprice branded 7 channel 200W amp. [crazy]
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pbc 29 posts
pbc
Hi Mark.. Sorry.. To confirm both the smaller Sparks and bigger sparks will be available July 1?

What are the dimensions of the larger ones.. I think the small versions dimensions are posted somewhere but haven't seen the taller ones.
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
pbc wrote:
Hi Mark.. Sorry.. To confirm both the smaller Sparks and bigger sparks will be available July 1? What are the dimensions of the larger ones.. I think the small versions dimensions are posted somewhere but haven't seen the taller ones.


After we get a few things packed up today I'll get some dimension drawings up, but the form factor of all 3 models are the same with the only difference being the height.

All are 11.5" wide, 6" deep (6.5" w grill) with 3.25" bevels on the rear vertical corners.

The Spark has 2 8" passive radiators flanking the 8" coaxial and a total height/length of 30".

The Spark XC is a sealed design with the 8" coaxial in the center of the 11.5" x 17" tall/long face.

The upcoming Spark FS will be the same 11.5" wide x 6" deep but have a box height of 42" with a standing height of ~44" with the included bass with spikes.  The 8" coaxial will be on top with the 2 8" passive radiators below.  The cabinet will look just like a Spark that has 12" added on the bottom.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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Stereodude 397 posts
Stereodude
Were you using the Art of Flight Blu-ray as demo material at AXPONA Mark?
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Mark_Seaton Moderator 2,166 posts
Mark_Seaton
Stereodude wrote:
Were you using the Art of Flight Blu-ray as demo material at AXPONA Mark?


Most of the demo was using 1-2 scenes from the Force Awakens, another 1-2 scenes from the remastered Fifth Element Bluray which is now in Atmos, a Samsung demo drive Ken Whitcomb of Calibrations Inc had hooked into his UltraHD player giving us native 4k material to feed the Sony VW5000ES laser projector with a clip from Star Trek, Into Darkness.  We cycled Art of Flight through the demo sequence every so often as to not excessively disrupt the food court next door.  We played Art of Flight for a few AVS members who requested, and a few times when we had a full house.
Mark Seaton
Seaton Sound, Inc.
sales@seatonsound.net
773-290-8436
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