CanJam Hong Kong 2025 Event and Impressions Thread (January 18-19, 2025)

Jan 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM Post #166 of 191
From what I've seen, Hong Kong and Shanghai seem to be outliers compared to other CanJam destinations when it comes to impressions. Following CanJam Shanghai last year, I noted that almost all of the after-show thoughts were posted on China-specific social platforms and sites. Someone I know sent me a link to impressions on a gaming forum which folks here may want to see as well (https://forum.gamer.com.tw/C.php?bsn=60535&snA=26659), and @leylandi also linked his impressions a couple pages back. I'm sure there are many more impressions from the weekend out there, but I haven't come across them yet.
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM Post #167 of 191
Where are the impressions?? Did anyone go?
Most people there were Chinese and most of them did not speak English or just barely.
Hong kong is almost as Chinese as Shanghai.

A loooot of people were taking pictures, video, live blogging but obviously in Chinese and in Chinese websites.
Imagine a Chinese guy seeking for a show report in Chinese after the Dallas event...

However I do think this show was quite successful especially for a 1st edition.
Considering a growing number of audio brands are now Chinese or Asian, China is unavoidable.

I'm convinced a CanJam in Tokyo would be a great success as well, locals are really interested by high end audio gear and love this kind of meetups.
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM Post #168 of 191
It was very popular, but people here rarely make posts about audio gear in English. They have their own Facebook groups and forums where they post in Chinese, so most of the impressions are going there.
Can vouch for this - DCfever, Post76 and even Facebook is where I am seeing impressions.

Thanks to all those that came to the HK show and especially to those that came by and visited the Noble booth.

Screenshot_20250120_180127_WeChat.jpg

Thanks for joining the Wizard on this journey.
I did get to try the Fokus TWS at CanJam HK - but, being honest, I had not really listened to any Noble stuff before.
Any threads in here or around the net where I can learn more about Noble Audio? Or anyone have a TLDR I can go through?
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM Post #169 of 191
Alright I was there and it was quite a very vibrant Can Jam. I didn't really listen to much as I went for only half a day.

Highlights for me are:

ES Lab's EX-1a and ES-2a
I know Benson from work he did on my Sony MDR-R10. The guy is a breath of fresh air. A genius that doesn't quite know it and very honest. I went to his booth to pick up some variety of foams to try for my R10, but managed to listen to his new electrostatic products. These are truly remarkable items at a rather relatively accessible price point.

I believe the EX-1a is going to be around 900 bucks. It has excellent resolution and clarity. I don't know anything in that price range that can compete with it on those criteria. It is also tuned really well will an uncolored sound signature. Bass quality and punch is good for me, but the only area I felt perhaps could be improved was the sub bass extension. The bass that is there is quality, punchy, taut and fast, it's just not going to rumble rumble rumble, but it is tastefully done. This represents an amazing value at an accessible price point for those interested in maybe jumping in to electrostatic headphones.

The ES-2a is a really well done headphone. It has excellent body and that low bass that I felt a tad missing on the EX-1a is here. Very weighty sound that belies the typical electrostatic sound. In fact, according to Benson electrostatic headphones don't necessarily need to sound thin. He reckons we associate this thinness to electrostats because most of our introduction to those type of headphones have been with Stax, which he argues, this thinness is part of their actual deliberate tuning. Well I think he managed to prove his point. You have here an electrostatic headphone with excellent richness and body, with great bass weight, and again the tuning is superb. He's not going for a super colored sound. The sound here is rather unadulterated, with some slight warmth from the bass. It's rather spacious as well with pin point imaging as you'd expect. I'd love to hear this more in a quieter environment. I reckon this is better than the flagship products of some well known and established brands.

Hercules Audio Moses

The Hercules Moses is actually quite good. I thought it was impressive with its stock cable, but wouldn't have parted with my money. Something felt missing. Before I left, I was invited to listen with their upgrade cable which has no name yet. Now it felt truly special. It has outstanding resolution and space. Excellent clarity all round and with this cable it became more effortless and refined. I really liked it, it was both musically engaging and amazing technical prowess. I believe I heard the price was at $4200

Campfire Audio Clara:

I haven't delved much into the IEM world since the Sony IER-Z1R, an IEM I still own and hold in high regard after all these years. Recently I picked up the Eminent Ears Ruby, an IEM I think people are sleeping on. I wasn't really in the market for another IEM, but I listened to the Clara and was really drawn to its sound signature. This is an IEM with superb coherency. It just brings the music together and is at one with it. As such, it's a more subtly detailed IEM, not lacking in resolution, but emphasizing musicality over downright look at me technicalities. It's gently sloping towards the dark side. The treble here is super delicate and the tips one wears is really essential as some tips I am finding can perhaps kill the highs a bit too much. The bass is well done, a bit above what I would personally prefer, but it is still less than the Ruby. The main thing here with this IEM is that its tuning/signature allows you to simply get into the music. It has a level of refinement and ease with with it presents the music that simply allows you to listen for hours without fatigue. I ended up purchasing one at the show. I seldom buy IEMs these days, but this one has some magic to it.
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM Post #170 of 191
I did get to try the Fokus TWS at CanJam HK - but, being honest, I had not really listened to any Noble stuff before.
Any threads in here or around the net where I can learn more about Noble Audio? Or anyone have a TLDR I can go through?
(336) Noble Audio - the Wizard returns! | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org https://search.app/Wyt3VRdMc1FNGTUc8

Noble is one of the original boutique audio companies.




 
Last edited:
Noble Audio Stay updated on Noble Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/NobleAudio https://www.twitter.com/noblebywizard https://www.instagram.com/nobleaudio https://nobleaudio.com/en/ contact@nobleaudio.com
Jan 21, 2025 at 4:29 AM Post #171 of 191
Come to canjam socal
Yes, congratulations to Head-Fi on a very successful Inaugural event at Hong Kong. It's an amazing CanJam vibe where you can feel the audiophile passion and having the great conversations with the people who visited as well as connecting with the manufacturing experts. I am looking forward to going to the CanJam Socal :beerchug:
 
Jan 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM Post #173 of 191
Thanks Head-fi and the exhibitors for making this great event successful.
I can see a lot of praise locally in various forums and I was delighted to attend this show though I only have about 3 hours on Sunday afternoon.

The scale of this show is not as big as the AV show that is held in Hong Kong every year in August. Still, it is good for head-fiers to audit those desired products without waiting in a long queue and the environment was quieter so we could hear more clearly about the sounds of IEMs/ headphones/DAC amp, etc.


wristband.jpeg
Canjam exhibitors.jpeg
Canjam 1.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Jan 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM Post #175 of 191
Thanks Head-fi and the exhibitors for making this great event successful.
I can see a lot of praise locally in various forums and I was delighted to attend this show though I only have about 3 hours on Sunday afternoon.

The scale of this show is not as big as the AV show that is held in Hong Kong every year in August. Still, it is good for head-fiers to audit those desired products without waiting in a long queue and the environment was quieter so we could hear more clearly about the sounds of IEMs/ headphones/DAC amp, etc.


As I have only 3 hours on Sunday afternoon, I decided to audit those expensive setups and they include,
  1. Mola-Mola DAC (drives Final D8000 DC Pro with Antopodes K50 G4)
  2. Warwick Electrostatic headphones (Aperio system, Bravua and the Sonoma system)
  3. Weiss Helios DAC (drives Audeze headphones)
  4. Boulder 812 DAC/Preamp (drives focal Utopia Headphones)
  5. T+A HA 200 headphone amp & Solitaire P headphone combo
  6. and others
Will try to post my humble impressions about these setups as I am still a newbie in this hobby (head-fi). :bow:
 
Last edited:
Jan 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM Post #176 of 191
Maybe I post some photos of the show first. (not all of the exhibitors, I hope I could have more time)
 

Attachments

  • CJ10.jpeg
    CJ10.jpeg
    147.1 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ8.jpeg
    CJ8.jpeg
    153.7 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ7.jpeg
    CJ7.jpeg
    145.4 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ9.jpeg
    CJ9.jpeg
    142.4 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ6.jpeg
    CJ6.jpeg
    158 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ5.jpeg
    CJ5.jpeg
    145.4 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ3.jpeg
    CJ3.jpeg
    164.7 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ4.jpeg
    CJ4.jpeg
    174.8 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ1.jpeg
    CJ1.jpeg
    146.5 KB · Views: 0
  • CJ2.jpeg
    CJ2.jpeg
    164.4 KB · Views: 0
Jan 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM Post #177 of 191
Any impressions of Fiio FX17 and Steranko 22??

The S22 is slightly harder to drive at 24 ohms impedance. There is a new crossover PCB which is the brains behind it. A Tribrid driver IEM with the following RF graph. I highly recommend listening to the classical pieces on this for the audition. I prefer if you audition this and get a feel since everyone has different tastes. Hopefully I can get to CanJam Socal to allow you to audition it.

S22-1-FR.jpg
S22-5.jpg
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM Post #178 of 191
The S22 is slightly harder to drive at 24 ohms impedance. There is a new crossover PCB which is the brains behind it. A Tribrid driver IEM with the following RF graph. I highly recommend listening to the classical pieces on this for the audition. I prefer if you audition this and get a feel since everyone has different tastes. Hopefully I can get to CanJam Socal to allow you to audition it.

S22-1-FR.jpgS22-5.jpg
Looking great, Paul!!! @Steranko

I hope I get a chance to hear them soon!
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM Post #179 of 191
Thanks so much to the organizers, exhibitors, and of course, all of those who attended and made this such an awesome inaugural CJ Hong Kong! It was so much fun to visit such a beautiful and awesome place and to connect with so many folks! Thanks to all for their enthusiasm and positivity surrounding Clara and Astrolith. Excited for NY!!


IMG_4325 Large.jpeg
IMG_4280 Large.jpeg
IMG_4177 Large.jpeg
IMG_4267 Large.jpeg
IMG_4293 Large.jpeg
IMG_4310 Large.jpeg
IMG_4286 Large.jpeg
IMG_4394 Large.jpeg
IMG_4281 Large.jpeg
IMG_4421 Large.jpeg
IMG_4306 Large.jpeg

IMG_4176 Large.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4264 Large.jpeg
    IMG_4264 Large.jpeg
    375.2 KB · Views: 0
Campfire Audio Campfire Audio - Nicely Done. Stay updated on Campfire Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.campfireaudio.com/ Support@campfireaudio.com
Jan 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM Post #180 of 191
Thanks so much to the organizers, exhibitors, and of course, all of those who attended and made this such an awesome inaugural CJ Hong Kong! It was so much fun to visit such a beautiful and awesome place and to connect with so many folks! Thanks to all for their enthusiasm and positivity surrounding Clara and Astrolith. Excited for NY!!


IMG_4325 Large.jpegIMG_4280 Large.jpegIMG_4177 Large.jpegIMG_4267 Large.jpegIMG_4293 Large.jpegIMG_4310 Large.jpegIMG_4286 Large.jpegIMG_4394 Large.jpegIMG_4281 Large.jpegIMG_4421 Large.jpegIMG_4306 Large.jpeg
IMG_4176 Large.jpeg
Christopher, I want to sincerely than you and Kenneth for attending the inaugural Hong Kong event last weekend, all the way from Oregon!

If it wasn't for the brilliant new Ice Lab earphone, I would have made moves to acquire your wonderful new Astrolith!
I still have the Campfire Audio Dorado, however, and apart from the MMCX connectors, I am quite fond of them.

I didn't have the opportunity of speaking to you directly, but hopefully we can meet in person at the Singapore CanJam.

Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱
THE 001 Music (ministry)
 

Users who are viewing this thread

  • Back
    Top