X3

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" November 2020 iMac (i5, 256GB SSD, Ventura 13.3, 40GB RAM), 4TB external SSD with Thunderbolt 3, Audirvana Origin, Qobuz Sublime, Singxer SU-6 USB bridge, LHY Audio SW-8 switch, Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe, Sonnet Pasithea DAC; Active filter: icOn Gradient Box 2; Power amplifiers: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos, Goldmund/Job 225 on subwoofer; Headamp: Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Phones: HifiMan Susvara, Meze 109 Pro; Loudspeakers: sound|kaos Vox 3awf + sound|kaos DSUB15 on Carbide Audio footers, Audio Physic Codex, Qualio IQ [on loan] Cables: Complete loom of Allnic Audio ZL; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra on all source components, Vibex One 11R on amps, Furutech DPS-4.1 between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, LessLoss Firewall for loudspeakers, Furutech NCF Signal Boosters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat
2nd system: Source: Shanling M3 Ultra into Soundaware D300Ref SD transport to COS Engineering D1, iFi iDSD Pro Signature or Denafrips Terminator Plus 12th Anniversary firmware; Preamp/filter: Vinnie Rossie L2 Signature or icOn 4Pro, icOn 4th-order/80Hz active filter; Amplifier: Crayon CFA-1.2; Loudspeakers: MonAcoustic SuperMon Mini or Acelec Model One + Dynaudio S18 sub; Power delivery: Furutech GTO 2D NCF, Akiko Audio Corelli; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Audioquest Fog Lifters; Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z230 work station Win10/64; USB bridge: Singxer SU-2; DAC: legacy Auralic Vega; Head/speaker amp: Enleum AMP-23R; Speakers: EnigmAcoustics Mythology M1;  Headphones: Final D-8000
Upstairs headfi system: Source: Shanling M3 Ultra, Soundaware D300Ref; DAC/headamp: iFi iDSD Pro Signature; Headphones: Meze 109 Pro
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe; Loudspeakers: Zu Soul VI; Subwoofer: Zu Submission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: €10'000/pr

X-Man 3rd squadron: "Reporting for duty, sir!"

That was Børresen's X3 at Munich High End 2022. Heralding a new speaker range for Audio Group Denmark, it premiered a novel dynamic driver again developed in house. It exploits spread-tow carbon skins for that checker-board tell around a central aramid core. A titanium voice-coil former means low inductance. The company's signature planarmagnetic tweeter now loads into a squared-off wave guide. At €10K/pr for this 4-driver 2½-way, the X range slots below the Z range which sits below the original 0 series which since Munich now sits beneath the new M range.

Yes sir. This catalogue is getting seriously busy. Adapt. Improvise. Overcome. Axxess all resources.

The flagship M1 monitor¹ refines the 01 form factor to still racier proportions then tweaks driver tech to the extremes. It bonds a 0.04mm surface-treated titanium skin to Nomex honey comb, surrounds both sides with spread-tow carbon and connects it to an AI-modeled basket in 3D-printed zirconium. The motor system's trademark copper rings become pure silver for still lower inductance.

Aavik also previewed the 200wpc class A 880 integrated with LDR volume styled by ex Gryphon's Flemming Rasmussen. Ansuz showed a new D-TC Gold Signature cable range which, as the name indicates, features a silver/copper alloy with gold.

If this suggests a serious cash infusion to finance related R&D, a May 2022 press release signed on that dotted line: "Founders and majority shareholders Lars Kristensen and Michael Børresen sold 45% of their shares to Vækst-Invest and new CEO Kent Sørensen. Since their beginning in 2012, the group's companies have undergone profitable growth. Lars and Michael continue as CSO and CTO respectively. Kent held the position of CFO in Audio Group Denmark since 2020 and will now lead the companies as CEO.

"We've had a lengthy dialogue with Vækst-Invest and look forward to their joining us," states founder Lars Kristensen. "For our choice chemistry was crucial. We hold common core values. With our companies on the cusp of a very exciting future with high growth, a change of CEO means that I can now dedicate my focus to the sales and marketing of our products".

"Founder and CTO Michael Børresen adds: "I look forward to working with Vækst-Invest. They have vast experience of companies in niches selling proprietary products to the global market. I also look forward to applying even greater focus to developing our range with new innovative products."

"Over a number of years, we enjoyed an extensive dialogue with Lars and Michael," states Vækst-Invest II partner Lars Bundgaard Sørensen. "We're extremely impressed by their development and the professional job done on all fronts. There are many aspects to be highlighted but their execution of product development in particular is unique whilst at the same time experiencing growth in all markets".

"Partner at Vækst-Invest II Jeppe Hoff Nyby adds: "We very much look forward to growing these companies even more. They built an excellent platform which we shall continue to develop and strengthen in the years ahead." As planned, Kent Sørensen assumes the role of CEO in the three companies whose headquarters remain in Aalborg. "Together with the new shareholders, Audio Group Denmark will be run in the same spirit as today, with dedicated and capable employees in all functions. The pursuit of the perfect sound experience will continue for the benefit of our customers and end users alike.""
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¹ On the M1 from The Abso!ute Sound: "…the basket (frame) for the midrange/woofer driver is 3D-printed and made of pure zirconium. The company, which eschews the use of aluminum at all costs due to what it feels are non-musical mechanical properties, claims the cost of this single basket—about $13K—exceeds the combined cost of all the drivers in a Wilson XVX. (I suspect Daryl Wilson might have something to say about that.) The driver's motor system contains nearly 93 pounds of silver. Finally, the cone is a carbon/Nomex/titanium sandwich. With all this technology and expensive material, it's no surprise that the new model will come in at around $100K when released in the fall."

Like a proper IT startup scheduled to sell off to a big Multi National after ten years, our group of hifi brands first known as Next Level AsP now Audio Group Denmark have hit the same mark. Some of its expansionist drive takes their already very comprehensive catalogue further upmarket. €60K for the new flagship Ansuz power cord makes that point; €500K for the M6 tower another. Yet today's well-equipped and handsome X3 moves in what for our hifi maniacs in Aalborg is the opposite direction. It dives down-market without relinquishing established core tech. It still means proprietary low-mass drivers groomed for high power handling, expanded dynamics and very low noise. It even gets carbon-fiber cabinet detailing. First production was expected for Q4 2022. [M1 at right.]

For an interlude, CNN just then ran this article on a magnum bottle of 2017 Chateau Avenue Foch champagne that sold for $2.5 million with a fizzy gimmick: a single NFT for the digital art and intellectual property rights to an image of 'Bored Ape Mutant' and other collectible cartoon figures on the bottle. The article also explained that the buyers, two crypto investment brothers, had no plans to open their bottle. With everyone's buying power and priorities unique, I'll just add that unlike consumables, a good hifi continues to mint deep experiences across very many years. It's no flash in the pan, not even a memorable but all-too-short holiday. It's a renewable resource of sorts. Each time we press 'play', dead or otherwise absentee performers mingle in our crib to serenade us and whoever else is there.

It's also a home-based endeavor without exposure-related risks or protective decorum. Unlike haute horology, limited edition sneakers, bespoke exotic skin boots, flash cars, yachts and private airplanes worn or used in public, equivalently upscale hifi carries very limited bragging rights. We're down to just the occasional visitor actually recognizing what's in our stack. To get any respect, we must self-promote on insider blogs and fora. It's why buying an elite hifi is just an expression of desire and confidence. It barely serves as status symbol. With a typically significant loss on the used market, it's no financial portfolio choice either.