By Juan C. Ayllon COVID has taken a huge toll on businesses worldwide, and pro audio shows and support concerns certainly were no exception. Barreling down a country road in northeast Illinois yesterday, I spotted a sign announcing a "Pro Audio Liquidation Sale." With my experience in church sound booths and DJ'ing, this grabbed my attention, so I pulled over to this warehouse on the outskirts of Antioch, IL. I was not disappointed. Off to the left side in a roomful of mixing boards, lights, speakers, cabling and other professional audio-visual gear was the largest pair of Eastern Acoustic Works speakers I'd seen (many years ago, I had been impressed with a much smaller pair of EAW speakers our church used at the time). For a brief moment, I imagined these massive carpeted birchwood beasts bellowing glorious strains of Pink Floyd's album, Wish You Were Here at the front of my listening room. Forget that they wouldn't fit through our front door, much less down our basement stairs, or that Belle would hate them, but doggone, that would be transcendant! Bringing me back to reality, proprietor Siamanto "C" Etian explained that his company, Soundz AVL, has provided audio, video and lighting equipment for large shows and venues for over 46 years. However, as with many other industries, the impact of COVID-19 was disastrous to their business, hence he has begun liquidating his vast inventory. Pointing me to a couple arrays of SLS speakers, he said that acclaimed producer and musician Quincy Jones gave them big credibility when he used them in shows in the early 2000s and remarked how much he loved their sound. One of the few professional speakers that boast planar ribbon high frequency drivers, Etian said that they indeed sounded phenomenal. Just down the road, the church, Prince of Peace, spent $240,000 on their SLS system, he claimed, adding, "I know the rep that sold it to them." Sitting atop opened mobile cases, an array set of SLS speakers complete with amplification is being offered at $45,000. Clearly, as an audiophile reviewer, these wares would do me no good. However, beyond the intrigue factor, it occurred to me that friends in professional audio or who run houses of worship might find this information especially useful, so I am putting this out there.
Pro Audio Liquidation Sale Soundz AVL 40424 N. Deep Lake Road Antioch, IL 60002 (847) 838-2121 (847) 514-1952 (Cell)
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Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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