Show conditions continue to be a limiting factor to these ears. So picking a best of show is rather dicey, especially considering I didn’t hear everything by choice. Then there is the music, which tends to be a clash of pop techno, smooth jazz and tired chanteuse.
When a designer takes an all out assault on a product I expect the earth to move, the hairs to stand on the back of my neck. That didn’t happen. For me there is no best of show nor three that truly stand out.
I find it more interesting what a designer can do with limited funds, especially when providing for an every man system. With that in mind three speaker systems come to mind.
Boenicke W8se they disappeared, sounded musical, and were a surprise of the show due to sound and format. Driven by a Technics integrated amplifier. I’d like to hear these with Rowland electronics.
Grimm LS1be self powered, DSP corrected, and musical. These have me rethinking internally powered speakers.
MBL Radialstrahler 126, a proper sense of scale, driven by MBL C51 integrated and C31 DAC. A real world system that could easily fit in most audiophile’s listening rooms.