CanJam Dallas 2024 - Coverage Sponsored by Noble Audio

CanJam Dallas 2024 was a huge success and larger than ever with seven smaller ballrooms added to the main ballroom, a big well done to Ethan and the gang. I would like to extend special thanks to Noble Audio for making this coverage possible, not only do they make incredible IEMs and now Headphones, they have always been a great supporter of the Personal Audio community in general often sponsoring our coverage of these events.

Noble Audio

Noble Audio were cheerfully demonstrating their full line of amazing In-Ear-Monitors and were focusing attention on their new Noble Audio FoKus APOLLO Wireless Over-The-Ear Headphone ($649) which I had the opportunity to test out on my flight home in preparation for an upcoming review. I was blown away by how well the active-noise-canceling worked. Another point of interest was the Limited Edition (only 118 made) Noble Chronicle IEM ($9,999) featuring an all titanium shell and is configured with dual bone conduction drivers, dual electrostatics, four balanced armature drivers, and coaxial dynamic drivers (10mm + 7mm) and is only available through select dealers (not available direct).

Danacable

It was a great and pleasant surprise to meet with Vinh Vu of Danacable who was making their first appearance at CanJam Dallas and debuting the Danacable Lazuli Voilà UV (TBA) specially designed for the HIFIMAN SUSVARA UNVEILED which I hope to review in the new future, an improvement on the previous versions it represents a change in design in that the right and left cables remains separate all the way to the connector which renders the cable less cumbersome. Of course, they were also demonstrating their other Voiced Cables the Danacable Lazuli Poème ($4,495) and the Danacable Lazuli Rêve ($4,495), as well as the legendary Danacable Head-Space Amplifier ($8,995).

HIFIMAN

While only a month has passed since CanJam SoCal 2024 HIFIMAN has managed to introduce three new products on top of the new products previously launched last month. First on the block was a new amplifier the HIFIMAN Goldenwave GA-10 ($1,599). Added to this was yet another and final UNVEILED model the HIFIMAN ARYA UNVEILED ($1,399), as well as HIFIMAN’s first multi-driver hybrid headphone the HIFIMAN ISVARNA ($2,899) featuring a planar driver plus a dynamic subwoofer driver.

Schiit Audio

Schiit Audio not only had both a private ballroom and a booth in the main ballroom, they one upped their game by having their private ballroom dedicated to their loudspeaker gear launching their “Get Forked” initiative which allows for central multi-room control of their products via a small Schiit Audio Forkbeard Module ($50) Bluetooth attachment and your smart phone or tablet with system health visibility including current, temperature, heater integrity, power output, and Class A engagement. Schiit Audio has eight Forkbeard-enabled products at launch, the Schiit Audio Gungnir 2 Multiform DAC ($1,599), the Schiit Audio Saga 2 Preamp ($329), the Schiit Audio Kara F Nexus Preamp ($799), the Schiit Audio Freya+ F Tube Preamp ($999), the Schiit Audio Vidar 2F Power Amp ($899), the Schiit Audio Aegir 2F Continuity +Halo Power Amp ($999), the Schiit Audio Wotan Nexus Power Amp ($1,999), and the Kraken 5-Channel Power Amp ($999).

Grado

Though not officially showing at the show Grado’s new flagship headphone the Grado HP100 SE Open Air Headphone ($2,495) made an appearance at several booths including Schiit Audio and Woo Audio.

Dan Clark Audio/HeadAmp

Once again Dan Clark Audio and HeadAmp shared a room displaying their magnificent products. Dan Clark Audio had their full line available for audition from their epic new Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone ($899) to their flagship Electrostatic Headphone the Dan Clark Audio CORINA ($4,499) each providing best in class performance whether it be their flagship Planar Headphones the Dan Clark Audio STEALTH Closed-Back Headphone ($3,999) and Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE Open-Back Headphone ($3,999) or the amazing Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Reference Planar Magnetic Headphone ($1,999) each made in house using drivers, unique technologies, and voicing all designed by Dan Clark. Providing the perfect match and counterpoint to Dan Clark Audio is HeadAmp whose wonderful HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier ($7,495) is universally recognized as one of the best Electrostatic Headphone Amps out there, and whose much anticipated HeadAmp CFA3 Gilmore Current Mirror Headphone Amp ($3,999 – $4,999 for the Deluxe Edition) had everyone lining up for an audition.

beyerdynamic

Making a rare CanJam appearance was beyerdynamic launching their new beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII Closed-Back Dynamic Headphone ($599.99) and beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII Open-Back Dynamic Headphone ($599.99), updated versions of their famous premium studio headphones. Also on display was their new beyerdynamic AMIRON 300 True Wireless Earphones with ANC ($279.99), along with the rest of their extensive line of headphones

AUDEZE

Aside from their usual stellar line of groundbreaking planar magnetic headphones Audeze was once again presenting one of the most exciting launches of the show with their newly updated Audeze CRBN² Electrostatic Headphone ($5,995). With a more linear tonal balance more similar to the Audeze MM-500 ($1,699) the CRBN² is a major step up from the original and a total game changer, retaining the greater dynamic range and impressive bass response of the CRBN while presenting the musicality of traditional electrostatics. As an owner of the original CRBN, I hope to be able to do a comparison review in the near future to give the CRBN² a full workout. Audeze are offering a Loyalty Update Program ($995) for those wishing to upgrade their existing CRBNs.