An unmissable event for sound and image enthusiasts, the Paris Audio Video Show 2025 once again attracted large numbers of visitors to discover never-before-seen demos at the Palais des Congrès. This year, Audio-Technica and Genelec shared their expertise in two separate listening areas, in addition to their dedicated stands. This gave music lovers the opportunity to attend sessions guided by specialists, and to preview new products.
ATH-ADX7000: the flagship of open-back headphones
This year, Audio-Technica had a major surprise in store for PAVS 2025 visitors. For the first time, the brand presented its latest open-back headphones, the ATH-ADX7000, the latest showcase of its historic expertise. These exceptional headphones are positioned at the top of the range, above the ATH-ADX5000 model.
Made in Japan, they feature the brand’s exclusive HXDT technology. The latter uses a highly controlled molding and alignment method to ensure that every component of the driver is perfectly concentric, resulting in exceptional precision.
New AT33x moving coil cartridges
Presented as the first major update to the brand’s phono cartridge range in over 10 years, the AT33x series consists of three stereo models, the AT33xMLB, AT33xMLD and AT33xEN, as well as the AT33xMONO/I and AT33xMONO/II mono cartridges. The stereo cartridges feature two moving coils that improve channel separation and maximize frequency response, while preserving the signal from distortion. They adopt a zinc chassis blended with an aluminum-polymer alloy to limit internal resonance.
An exceptional turntable and top-of-the-range headphones: Audio-Technica expertise
On stand B5, floor 3 (Bordeaux Hall), Japanese brand Audio-Technica presented a wide range of its historic expertise. Among all the equipment on display, two models were of particular interest to audiophiles: the AT-LPA2 turntable and the ATH-ADX3000 hi-fi headphones.
The former features a fully transparent design and robust construction with a 20mm thick acrylic platter and a dense chassis. A manual, belt-driven model, the AT-LPA2 combines refined aesthetics with precise sound reproduction thanks to its AT-OC9XEN moving-coil cartridge featuring a nude elliptical stylus. The latter is mounted on a carbon tonearm.
For their part, the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 hi-fi headphones adopt an open architecture, with 58mm transducers designed to reduce distortion while delivering natural, detailed sound. Hand-assembled at the Machida factory in Tokyo, they illustrate the expertise of a brand that has been developing headphones since 1974.
Visitors to PAVS 2025 also admired the AT-LP70XBT Bluetooth turntable and AT-SP3X active speakers, designed for simple everyday listening, thanks in particular to their wireless connectivity. The new ATH-R range of open-back headphones (R30x, R50x and R70xa) was also on show. These models are aimed at home-studio creators and enthusiasts in search of a precise reproduction.
Listening sessions with an expert
Audio-Technica also offered visitors to the show an immersive listening experience in room 305. Several sessions were organized each day, focusing on the brand’s turntables, phono cartridges and hi-fi headphones. Each presentation was led by a specialist, enabling audiophiles to obtain detailed explanations and ask questions.
Highlights included listening to the AT-LPA2 turntable, AT-VMx phono cartridges, and ATH-ADX3000 headphones. These demonstrations were accompanied by direct discussions with the brand’s product experts. Outside these scheduled times, the equipment remained available on request.
Audio-Technica listening sessions (Saturday and Sunday)
- 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.: AT-LPA2 turntable
- 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.: AT-VMX phono cartridges
- 12:15pm to 12:35pm and 4:15pm to 4:35pm: ATH-ADX3000 hi-fi headphones
A studio approach at the heart of the show
In the next room (304), Genelec presented its latest innovations in monitoring speakers. The flagship innovation is the 8380A, a three-way active speaker featuring a 15″ woofer and an MDC coaxial driver housed in a DCW waveguide. The goal: a precise, controlled, diffraction-free sound reproduction, suitable for professional environments.
Demonstrations were given by Gilles Pétrotey, the brand’s Product Manager, who offered stereo sessions with the 8380A, as well as an immersive 7.1 configuration based on the “The Ones” series. The installation highlighted the dynamic and imaging qualities of Genelec speakers, already recognized in mastering and post-production studios.
Visitors could to listen to this equipment upon reservation or on demand, allowing them to compare the performance of different models and appreciate the brand’s positioning in the professional segment.
Summary
Audio-Technica and Genelec strengthened their presence at the Paris Audio Video Show 2025 with dedicated demo areas. The Japanese manufacturer focused on its fundamentals – hi-fi headphones, turntables and cartridges – while seeking to appeal to the general public with a particular emphasis on ease of installation and audio quality. Genelec, for its part, emphasized sonic precision and technical innovation in the world of monitoring.
