Orchard Audio Demos Active Speakers & New Headphone Amp at AXPONA 2025

Orchard Audio, the New Jersey-based maker of high-performance audio electronics, will be at Chicago’s AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) show with two rooms featuring the brand’s amplification tech. In room 452 of the Schaumburg Convention Center, Orchard will be collaborating with Creative Sound Solutions (CSS), Danville Signal, and Hollis Audio Labs to present a 3-way active speaker system based on the CSS Criton 3TD-X floor-standers ($5,500/pair in passive form). In the Ear Gear Section, at Table 8204, Orchard will be debuting its powerful new headphone amplifier, the Valencia ($2,000, preorder special $1,600).

 

For the innovative setup in room 452, the Danville Signal dspNexus 2/8 Audio Processor ($4,000) will be used as the control center, taking in analog or digital audio and creating a digital crossover for the speakers. The crossover filters to be used in the demo were designed by CSS, with programing supported by Hollis Audio Labs. Six Orchard Audio amps will be used: one Starkrimson Mono Premium 150-watt amp ($1,000 each) for each tweeter and mid-woofer, and a Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium 500-watt amp ($2,500 each) for each pair of woofers. In order to allow attendees to hear the benefits of this approach, a standard Criton 3TD-X speaker with a traditional passive crossover will also be on hand for A/B comparisons.

Orchard Audio first announced a collaborative effort with Danville Signal and Hollis Audio Labs in September of last year. Users can buy an electronics package to be used with a variety of 2-way, 3-way, or 4-way speaker systems. The dspNexus runs on Analog Devices’ state-of-the-art ADSP21569 SHARC+ digital signal processor and uses AKM’s flagship VELVETSOUND AK4499EX DAC chips. Users can choose from Orchard’s amplifier offerings based on the needs of the loudspeaker in question. Because the dspNexus processor is such a complex and powerful tool, configuring it can be challenging. When you purchase an Orchard/dspNexus package, Hollis Audio Labs provides a complete configuration of the Audio Weaver software, including room correction and fine-tuning, included in the price of the package.

Why A Digital Crossover?

Orchard Audio says that digital crossovers have lower distortion and allow for tighter placement (higher orders) of the crossover. They are also more economical than large, complex passive crossovers, which require the use of many costly parts. Digital crossovers allow for better control over phase and time, resulting in audible and measurable acoustic benefits. The frequency bands for each driver can be shifted in time, producing a more coherent sound. This ability to optimize the coherence between the individual drivers gives designers control over how and when the sound reaches your ears, in a way that is much more difficult (if not impossible) using a passive crossover network.

We’re thrilled to bring these exciting developments to AXPONA 2025. Our collaboration with CSS, Danville Signal, and Hollis Audio Labs showcases the potential of active speaker systems, while the Valencia headphone amplifier reflects our dedication to innovation in personal audio. We can’t wait for attendees to hear what we’ve been working on.

— Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat, Founder and CEO of Orchard Audio

Orchard Audio Valencia Headphone Amplifier

In AXPONA’s Ear Gear Section, Orchard will be at Table 8204 introducing a fascinating new product called the Valencia headphone power amplifier. Making its world debut at the show, the Valencia delivers up to 17 watts of power, promising an exceptional listening experience with even the most power-hungry headphones. Orchard says that the Valencia was designed with three purposes: to be the world’s first dedicated balanced headphone power amplifier; to be one of the world’s cleanest measuring headphone amplifiers; and to be one of the most powerful headphone amplifiers available today. The Valencia is a class AB power amp that “accurately and effortlessly pushes any modern headphone from 16Ω to 600Ω, inside an absolutely pitch-black noise envelope,” according to Orchard Audio.

We minimized components and eliminated all complications to the signal path. You won’t find a gain selector, secondary inputs, or volume control on Valencia. It is purely a power amp. Measuring a SINAD of 118dB, Valencia is the pinnacle of a modern transparent amplifier. Never before has a headphone amplification system been designed to traverse with so little interference. Audiophiles often ask if an amplifier is warm, sibilant, or adds weight and depth to the sound. Valencia adds nothing.

— Orchard Audio

Because the Valencia is a pure power amp, the user must control the volume using a pre-amp or DAC with built-in volume control. Orchard points out that because the Valencia is so powerful, the listener has the responsibility to control the input voltage to prevent possible damage to both the headphone and the listener’s hearing. That said, when equipment pairing is handled with care, the Valencia can reportedly drive “even the most sensitive IEMs with a completely black background, if the source gear shares a near-zero noise floor.” To keep the circuit as clean and simple as possible, the Valencia features just a single set of balanced XLR inputs on the rear, and a single 4-pin XLR output on the front. Every unit includes a 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm Pentaconn adapter. Orchard says that while RCA to XLR adapters may be used on the rear inputs, single-ended headphone connections are not supported by Valencia.

Orchard Audio Valencia: What About Speakers?

Although the Valencia is mainly intended for use with headphones, around back you’ll see a set of speaker-style banana taps, which can be used to power high-efficiency speakers (with sensitivity ratings of 95dB or higher). The Valencia delivers about 7 watts into 8 ohms, while maintaining “the same pitch black background that headphones enjoy,” according to Orchard Audio. Note that the speaker taps are always active, and should not be used at the same time as the headphone output.

Heading to AXPONA?

From April 11th-13th at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago, AXPONA 2025 will feature over 200 listening rooms, an expansive Expo Hall, and the Ear Gear section. The first 33 visitors to Orchard Audio’s Room 452 on each of the three days will receive a free box of Girl Scout cookies.

More information:

Orchard Audio Active Speaker Electronics Package

Orchard Audio Valencia Headphone Power Amp

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.