CEDIA 2024: Understanding Perlisten’s Game-Changing Vision for the Ultimate Audio Experience

(September 16, 2024) We had a lot of fun and insightful interviews at CEDIA 2024, but this chat with Perlisten's CTO, Erik Weiderholtz, was a highlight. If you want an inside understanding of Perlisten's approach to audio, you'll enjoy it.

Perlisten's presence was felt in a ferocious sound room headed by Trinnov. Perlisten's speaker array included its S7t Limited Edition Speakers, S5i width and surrounds, S4s ceiling channels, and 14 (yes, fourteen) D215s subwoofers.

You can watch the full interview with Perlisten by clicking here.

And, if you'd like to see the rack and behind-the-scenes backend of the sound room, click here.



Related Reading:

• StormAudio Joins Forces with Dirac and Perlisten to Showcase Home Theater Perfection at High End Munich 2023
• $30K, Limited to 50 Pairs. Meet Perlisten's New S7t Limited Edition Tower
• FORUM: Perlisten Passive Speakers and Sub Woofers
• Perlisten Audio's New R7t Loudspeaker Achieves Two THX Certifications for Its Playback Prowess

 

[Todd Anderson]

I know @Mike Schramm liked the Perlisten system…

What stood out to your ears, Mike?

 

[JStewart]

The few times I’ve got to listen to Perlisten subs they have been really good.
Hard to fathom how 14 together might perform.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I'm not sure I've heard these yet... or did they have a room in Tampa a couple of years ago when we were there? I don't or can't remember.

They are sure gorgeous-looking speakers. I would love to hear them in a two-channel setup.

 

[JStewart]

When you were there in they had the 10” set up. Bottom photo in this post. That set up sounded great.

Post in thread 'Florida International Audio Expo Returns This Coming February, 2023'
https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/f...ns-this-coming-february-2023.11522/post-88965

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I guess I didn't get a chance to really listen to it. There were quite a few rooms that were too crowded.

 

[Mike Schramm]

I know @Mike Schramm liked the Ascendo system…

What stood out to your ears, Mike?

I did like the Ascendo room, quite a bit. However, I heard Perlisten speakers for the first time at AXPONA '23, then again at AXPONA '24. Both times the Perlistens were jaw droppingly good in my opinion. Both of those experiences were also 2 channel, so hearing them at CEDIA this year was the first time I had heard them in a home theater environment - and it was incredible. To my untrained ears they sound full and clean. The low end is tactile and the highs don't sound bright at all. It's just a very "complete" sound, if that makes any sense. I know they were paired with a Trinnov at CEDIA, but based on what I heard at AXPONA, I'd wager the speakers sound that incredible with or without a high end processor like that.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Not to take away anything from the clean sound – because they are serious, top-level speakers – your ears were definitely experiencing the power of Waveforming. The impact of Waveforming on the low end is significant.

FWIW, I agree with you 1000%. They put on quite the show!

 

[Mike Schramm]

I'm sure that is true. It would have been interesting for them to do a demo with Waveforming on, then show that same clip again with Waveforming off to truly experience what it was doing. Did you notice a difference in the low end between the Storm and Trinnov rooms? Both sounded incredible to me, I don't think I can say one was better than the other when it comes to bass.

The Perlisten towers I heard at AXPONA had me shaking my head in disbelief that it was a true 2.0 channel setup. The bass coming out of those speakers was incredible.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Yeah, that would have been great for you to hear because it helps to tune your ear to what's happening in the room.

Yes, I did notice a difference in bass between the two rooms. I wouldn't say one was better than the other, but I think the Storm room had slightly tighter bass in that the decay time was tightened up a tad bit more.

What would have been an educational opportunity would have been being able to get up and walk around to different seating areas. I think then, we may have heard Trinnov offer a slightly more even bass experience. But, not entirely sure. Would have loved to play around with it.

I know one thing, neither room had bloated bass at any seating position!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I had to add that Max Cooper song to my Roon playlist... pretty awesome!

 

[Mike Schramm]

Couldn’t agree more, both rooms were fantastic.

If I could, I’d take the Perlisten speakers and pair them with the Ascendo 28 Squared subs. Then I’d be living the dream!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I did like the Ascendo room, quite a bit. However, I heard Perlisten speakers for the first time at AXPONA '23, then again at AXPONA '24. Both times the Perlistens were jaw droppingly good in my opinion. Both of those experiences were also 2 channel, so hearing them at CEDIA this year was the first time I had heard them in a home theater environment - and it was incredible. To my untrained ears they sound full and clean. The low end is tactile and the highs don't sound bright at all. It's just a very "complete" sound, if that makes any sense. I know they were paired with a Trinnov at CEDIA, but based on what I heard at AXPONA, I'd wager the speakers sound that incredible with or without a high end processor like that.

Mike, was just pointed out to me that I said you liked the Ascendo system (in my original question)... oops. I actually meant the Perlisten system!

 

[Mike Schramm]

Yeah, I wanted to give Ascendo their credit, they were fantastic speakers. But boy oh boy do I love me some Perlistens!

 

[Todd Anderson]

You're not alone. A lot of these high-level speakers perform similarly, but Perlisten has always sounded right to my ears too. Of course, let's not forget, the St7 LE's were being used in the demo room this year. Those are $30K. No joke cashola!

 

[Mike Schramm]

And here's the thing (DJ has mentioned this as well and I totally agree): Do those Perlisten's sound $27,500 better than say, an SVS Ultra Pinnacle? That's a REALLY hard sell. They absolutely sound better, but that much money better? It's just not realistic for a guy like me.