Audiophile News, Opinion and Insights

PSB Speakers just announced the launch of a new generation of the highly acclaimed Imagine Series speaker line at Toronto Audio Fest. The latest edition of the Imagine Series consists of the B50 Bookshelf, T54 and T65 Tower speakers. The… Read More »

One of the ugly truths of consumer electronics is that stuff breaks. When we’re lucky, a malfunction occurs while the product is still under warranty. But what do those warranties actually cover, practically speaking? The following stories draw from my… Read More »

Børresen is thrilled to introduce the X2 speaker, a sleek and elegant, three-unit, floorstanding loudspeaker, that is the smallest model in the award-winning X series. This new loudspeaker reflects Børresen’s commitment to meeting diverse needs of listeners while maintaining the… Read More »

Audiophile loudspeaker company, Bowers & Wilkins, has launched a new version of its award-winning wireless speaker in collaboration with long-standing partner, McLaren Automotive. Introducing the new Zeppelin McLaren Edition. Read More »

Gryphon’s highly anticipated Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier will make its North American Dealer Debut today, Thursday, 16 November at The Sound Environment, Omaha, NE. Anthony Chiarella, Gryphon’s North American Director of Sales and Marketing, will present the amplifier and be… Read More »

For most audiophiles, the road to sonic nirvana often follows the path of increasingly better equipment. Many of us spend decades and untold thousands of dollars replacing an existing something for a something better – all in the hopes of… Read More »

We talk a lot about how the future of the audiophile hobby needs to be inclusive. We need to ditch some of the old-school standards and practices like only listening in a messy listening room by yourself versus having your… Read More »

Meze Audio is happy to launch 109 Pro Primal: a very special edition of its award-winning 109 Pro headphones and the latest addition to the exclusive Meze Audio Art Gallery collection.  These headphones are handmade by Meze Audio’s skilled artisans,… Read More »

Monitor Audio just announced the launch of the new Anthra Subwoofer Series like the Monitor Audio Anthra W15 reviewed here. This highly anticipated range introduces a trio of high-performance powered subwoofers into the Monitor Audio portfolio. Each of the three… Read More »

For the past few months, I have been somewhat obsessed with these new Gallium Nitride (GaN, for short) amplifiers. Long-time Stereophile writer and classical music recording engineer John Marks was the first to hip me to the concept via an … Read More »

Audiovector ApS, internationally-acclaimed producer of High-End loudspeakers, has chosen Specialty Sound and Vision, LLC (SSV) to represent their brand in the US. SSV is charged with growing Sales, Brand Awareness and Market Presence for the Danish icon and assumes these… Read More »

Victrola announced the upcoming integration of its Victrola Stream turntable line with Roon, a music management and listening solution offering Airplay, Chromecast, and high-performance Roon Ready connectivity, making the wireless vinyl listening experience even more immersive. Along with the new… Read More »

Luxman continues to prepare for 2025, the company’s centennial, with a new top-of-the-line integrated amplifier. In addition to the company’s trademark sound quality, the L-509Z is the first component to incorporate the Luxman Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES1.0) in both… Read More »

At the AXPONA audiophile show in Chicago this past spring, I had a conversation with a well-respected member of the audiophile community, on the manufacturer side, who was talking about the future of the hobby. His premise was that for… Read More »

The audiophile hobby is guilty of a lot of things, perhaps the most painful of which is our overreliance on often-confusing terminology. This is the case for nearly every category of the hobby. On the pages of FutureAudiophile.com, we try… Read More »

Victrola, a company known for home music playback for more than 115 years, is out with a new turntable that features support of the Qualcomm® aptX Adaptive Bluetooth connectivity or wired with switchable preamp. Victrola’s Hi-Res Carbon (read the full… Read More »

My publisher, Jerry Del Colliano, says I coined the term “Oligarch Audio,” but because I form all my thoughts in a spoken and written language, in my case English, I doubt I’ve ever had a completely original thought in my… Read More »

Marantz is introducing its all-new STEREO 70s 2-Channel Hi-Fi Receiver at this week’s CEDIA EXPO in Denver, Colorado Designed to perform like a full-sized amplifier, the slim and distinguished design of the STEREO 70s elevates any AV system and is… Read More »

Marking seven decades of audio excellence, Marantz proudly presents the 70 Days for 70 Years Trade-In program staring on September 1. This event presents a unique opportunity for both long-time Marantz aficionados and newcomers to elevate their audio setups and… Read More »

There were a lot of things that shocked me during the pandemic. Having sold HomeTheaterReview.com and AudiophileReview.com about 100 days before the shit hit the fan with a global  pandemic, I was trying to figure out at nearly 47 years old… Read More »

Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (“SIE”) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Audeze, a leading audio technology brand and pioneer of high-end gaming headphones. The acquisition will strengthen SIE’s efforts to continue innovating when it comes… Read More »

 The 600 Series has always played a critical role in the Bowers &Wilkins portfolio – not least as the company’s second-longestcontinuously available series after the iconic 800 Series Diamond. Ata time when increasing numbers of listeners are demanding higherquality sound, either through vinyl or high- resolution streaming, the600 Series S3 represents the perfect first step to experiencing music playback designed to be respectful of the artist’s intent – making it theideal entry point into the Bowers & Wilkins brand. The new range includes four distinct models: the floorstanding 603 S3, the 606 S3 stand mount, the 607 S3 bookshelf speaker plus the HTM6S3, a dedicated center channel for home theatre. Each model is available in a choice of finishes, including Oak, White or Black –… Read More »

Audiophiles have a long  and strange relationship with video, be it TVs or projection. Many old-school audiophiles refuse to put a television between their best audiophile loudspeakers when home theater enthusiasts use this configuration as the basis for their entire… Read More »

The Florida International Audio Expo just announced the dates for its fifth show, taking place Friday–Sunday, February 16–18, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore hotel. Tickets and hotel reservations are now available.  Florida International Audiophile Show 2024… Read More »

Gryphon Audio Designs ApS, designer and manufacturer of Ultra-Luxe Audio Systems, introduced its EOS 5 Tower Loudspeaker on 11 August at HKAV (Hong Kong Audio Video) 2023.Building upon technologies pioneered for Gryphon’s revolutionary EOS 2, the larger EOS 5 adds… Read More »

One of the biggest conundrums in the audiophile world is how some change-resistant audiophiles haven’t embraced the amazing power of streaming music. For the cost of one Compact Disc per month, you can have access to nearly every recording made,… Read More »

Community is a big aspect of being an audiophile. Like cliques in a made-for-TV high-school drama, audiophiles love to find like-minded music lovers that believe in a common ideology. That clique then follows the path to what they feel is… Read More »

Anybody tired of inflation yet? I sure as hell am, and I bet you are, too. I refinanced my home-equity loan to help get FutureAudiophile.com funded and off the ground. Less than a year later, the cost of the interest… Read More »

n celebration of Rhino’s 45th anniversary this year, the label is launching Rhino Reds, a new series of limited-edition reissues pressed on custom “Rhino Red” vinyl.  The Rhino Reds series debuts with a reissue of GOLDEN ALBUM, a 1968 compilation by… Read More »

Denon just announced the launch of two affordable 8K audio/video receivers (AVRs) ideal for small to mid-sized home cinema applications. The 7.2 channel AVR-S770H and the Denon AVR-S670H provide the latest features resulting in outstanding performance, making them the ideal solution for discerning… Read More »

A close friend of mine is a big-time wealth manager and former executive at Goldman Sachs. While not normally prone to conspiracy theories, he has strong beliefs that retail, as we’ve known it, is dead. When pressed, he points to… Read More »

HIFIMAN just debuted a new fully balanced Class A desktop headphone amplifier, the GOLDENWAVE Prelude. Originally released by the GOLDENWAVE brand that was acquired by HIFIMAN earlier this year, the Prelude headphone amplifier (SRP: $2,499), which is GOLDENWAVE’s reference headphone amplifier, boasts… Read More »

Gordon J. Technologies Inc., parent company of Clarus high-fidelity audio cable, power conditioners and digital-to-analog convertors, and its sister company, Tributaries A/V Cables, today announced a series of new, high end audiophile AC Power cables designed to use advanced technology… Read More »

Gordon J. Technologies Inc., parent company of Clarus high-fidelity audio cable, power conditioners and digital-to-analog convertors, and its sister company, Tributaries A/V Cables, today announced two new series of high end audiophile turntable cables — Aqua and Crimson — designed… Read More »

From day one, the goal of FutureAudiophile.com has been to be a disruptive force in the world of consumer electronics, specifically the audiophile hobby. Like it or not, the demographics of audiophilia are changing. We owe a big debt of gratitude… Read More »

Wireworld RCA Plug Tonearm Cables Wireworld Cable Technology, a long-standing leader in the audiophile cableindustry, announces the release of four new cables for turntables withRCA plug connections. These four cables, named Solstice 8, Eclipse 8,Silver Eclipse 8 and Platinum Eclipse… Read More »

Powered by tremendous enthusiasm from often younger generations, much greater scrutiny is being paid these days to the environment and the impact we have on it. We are moving towards the goal of reducing our carbon footprint. We are looking… Read More »

There are a lot of things the audiophile world does well. For decades, we presented the coolest new tech at the Consumer Electronics Show. More importantly, the audiophile hobby allows us to bring music into our lives in ways that is often… Read More »

Audiophile headphone company, HIFIMAN, just announced both the acquisition of a respected audio designer/manufacturer and the debut of a new DAC/headphone amplifier that takes full advantage of HIFIMAN’s acclaimed Hymalaya Pro ladder DAC.  New from the GOLDENWAVE brand, the GOLDENWAVE SERENADE desktop… Read More »

Pangea Audio Distributing, a developer and manufacturer of high performance, high-value audiophile accessories, today announced a new wall-mount turntable shelf designed to withstand weights up to 40 lbs. The Pangea Audio Turntable Wall Mounted Premier SE Shelf MKII (SRP: $199.95), upgrades its predecessor,… Read More »

One of my favorite places on Earth is the North County region of San Diego. Sound United (right before they got bought by medical technology company Masimo for a cool $1,000,000,000) moved to a sleepy little cul-de-sac in Carlsbad, with… Read More »

Right now, I’m on a crappy flight in United (seat 1E on a crappy old Trump-Shuttle-era 757) en route home from a very well-attended and produced AXPONA 2023 audiophile show. Props the the AXPONA people, who put a lot of… Read More »

Ultimate Ears Pro (UE Pro) has introduced its UE PREMIER in-ear monitors featuring a groundbreaking 21 drivers on each side for hi-fidelity audio.  Boasting a frequency range of 5Hz-40kHz, UE PREMIER are UE Pro’s most powerful, nuanced and versatile in-ear… Read More »

MartinLogan loudspeakers just unveiled their Motion Foundation Series, a new line of products that redefines affordability while maintaining the brand’s commitment to an uncompromising audio experience. Designed to capture new customers and cater to emerging audiophiles, the Motion® Foundation® Series… Read More »

When Mark Knopfler famously sang about “money for nothing and chicks for free,” he might have over-exaggerated the glamor of working in consumer electronics, but not by that much. Never have I had so much fun going to work in… Read More »

Wireworld Cable Technology today announced the release of their Stratus™ and Electra™ Shielded Mini Power Conditioning Cords. These cords feature a new conductor geometry that provides shielding and isolation from external interference. They’re called ‘Power Conditioning Cords’ because they extend… Read More »

I was first introduced to audiophilia by way of an all-McIntosh system when I was 15 years old. I was still riding a bicycle and most of the music I heard was by way of a handheld AM transistor radio… Read More »

Audiophiles tend to fall into a number of different camps when it comes to the philosophy of system design. The first one if the Linn Camp, which suggests that your system is only as good as your main source component. That’s… Read More »

There was no more unifying concept for my college buddies and me than going Compact Disc shopping. In the mid-1990s, the CD was the unquestioned king of all silver-disc media, and when we weren’t spending every free dollar on audio gear,… Read More »

Gramophone just announced the Grand Opening of their fifth and newest showroom, the one-of-a-kind Gramophone Experience Center.  The exclusive showcase, located at 8 West Aylesbury Road in Timonium, Maryland — next door to Gramophone’s existing retail location — features some… Read More »

Debuting in the new DB12, Aston Martin drivers will be able to enjoy the newly developed Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System in their cars for the first time, as two iconic British brands announce an exciting new audio partnership.… Read More »

T.H.E. Show, North America’s longest-running HiFi audio trade show, is announcing the launch of their record label, T.H.E, Music Group, and accompanying radio show, T.H.E. Radio Show, marking a new era in the HiFi audio industry. This innovative venture will… Read More »

Las Vegas is the undisputed gambling mecca in the United States and perhaps the world. Home to casinos galore, breathtaking hotels, entertainment of all varieties and even a surprising amount of debauchery, Vegas is a gambler’s paradise. Catering to all… Read More »

Rhino Records label is launching an exclusive premium vinyl series, Rhino High Fidelity (Rhino Hi-Fi). These high-end, limited-edition vinyl reissues of classic albums claim to represent the pinnacle of sound and packaging.  The first two Rhino High Fidelity albums are… Read More »

Gryphon Audio Designs ApS, designer and manufacturer of Ultra-Luxe Audio Systems, proudly announces the world premiere of their new Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier, today at HIGH END Munich, Atrium 4.1, Room E120. Surpassing the legendary Diablo 300 was no simple… Read More »

One of the biggest historical criticisms of the audiophile hobby is that many old-school traditionalists sometimes fall into a habit of listening to audio more than listening to music. In a perfect world, your audio system should be able to… Read More »

Swiss high-end audio firm, Audio Technology Switzerland SA, announces the High End 2023 Munich show official world debut of the Nagra Classic DAC II. Nagra’s newest digital offering, the Classic DAC II, features the same NADM (Nagra Audio Digital Module)… Read More »

Marantz, a leading manufacturer of high-performance audio and video equipment, is proud to announce the launch of the silver gold finish for its Marantz SACD 30n, CINEMA 40 and 50 AVR receivers. The new color will be available exclusively on … Read More »

At the High End Munich show 2023, Grimm Audio introduces the MU2 high-end music streamer to the audiophile audience. The MU2 is a sister product of their famous MU1. It offers the same functionality with integrated Roon Labs Core and… Read More »

NAD Electronics will launch the NAD C 3050 Integrated Amplifier (read the review) at High End Munich in Germany. Demonstration sessions of the C 3050 Stereophonic Amplifier will run, for the first time, at the show in Room D108 in… Read More »

Bluesound today announced the launch of a special limited-run Anniversary Edition NODE X streamer created in celebration of its 10th anniversary. The NODE X, in a unique silver finish, takes the brand’s iconic NODE hi-res player and, yet again, sets a new standard… Read More »

Florida-based Reel Sound Distribution Inc. is now the exclusive distributor of the world-famous line of hi-fi audio products from Metaxas & Sins, following a partnership agreement with designer Kostas Metaxas. The Metaxas & Sins line of audio equipment includes the… Read More »

The Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus is and always has been a unique combination of unbridled ambition and revolutionary design – the result oftruly original ‘outside the box’ thinking that perfectly encapsulates the Bowers & Wilkins brand philosophy. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of this iconic loudspeaker, Bowers and Wilkins has produced a unique pair in a dramatic Abalone Pearl finish.Pearl is, of course, the perfect … Read More »

Audiophile music can be tough to swallow for non-hobbyists. Incredibly well-recorded albums from mostly unknown artists with unfamiliar songs and often obscure musical genres can be a bit off-putting to anyone who hasn’t already drank the Kool-Aid. If you’re buying… Read More »

Designed to work perfectly with the Denon PMA-1700NE affordable integrated amplifier and DCD- 1700NE CD Player, the DNP-2000NE is packed with advanced features to provide an immersive music experience like no other. Denon’s new audiophile grade end point HEOS integration… Read More »

Audiophiles collect gear. Audiophiles collect music. Many of us also collect books that enrich the hobby. These can range from technical explainers to music-oriented to books about the hobby and the business itself. While these books can be a design… Read More »

The Diamond Surround Sound System by Bowers & Wilkins, whichalso featured in the launch of the new BMW 7 Series models,combines expert engineering and elegant design to deliver an audiophile-grade experience throughout the vehicle’s interior. Dan Shepherd, Vice President of… Read More »

It has been a long time since I rock and rolled… and I think thousands of others at AXPONA 2023 felt the same way. For the past few years, real-world fears of COVID-19 made it unreasonable to for most of… Read More »

Qobuz, one of the leading high-quality music streaming and download platforms, is continuing its international expansion with its launch today in Canada. With Qobuz hitting the market, all Canadian music lovers who are looking for a unique music experience will… Read More »

Overall, despite a very successful launch, there are a few things I wish I would have done differently from the get-go with FutureAudiophile.com.  One of the biggest faux pas was picking a higher-commission source for affiliate sales as opposed to going… Read More »

Sony Electronics announced the MDR-MV1 Reference Monitor Headphones, designed for professional sound engineers and music creators. The headphones combine sound quality with long-lasting wear and reliability. Their open back design enables accurate reproduction of a wide sound field, making them… Read More »

Rotel, just announced the launch of three new Michi Series 2 models – Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier, X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifiers and P5 Series 2 Stereo Preamplifier.These latest models demonstrate the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional… Read More »

Last week, I was talking to the guys at Linn about getting Paul Wilson one of their legendary LP-12 audiophile turntables for review, which looks to be about two weeks away from arriving at Paul’s home. Linn’s audiophile philosophy pretty… Read More »

Vinyl fans have new reason to celebrate as Luxman America introduces the eagerly-anticipated PD-191A analog player. “So many music lovers have told me how much pleasure they get from the PD-171A,” said Jeff Sigmund, president. “This new player is more… Read More »

JAVA Hi-Fi’s new six-strong lineup of audiophile stereo preamps, stereo power amplifiers employ breakthrough technologies and unique circuit designs. The result is exceptional audio quality, designed to cater to the demands of the most discerning audiophile.  The JAVA integrated amplifier… Read More »

Ansuz just introduced the new PowerSwitch Generation 3 series. With the integration of technological advancements, Ansuz have significantly strengthened the X-TC, A2 and D2 Ansuz PowerSwitch models. In Ansuz’ quest to unlock the full acoustic potential of music playback, their… Read More »

Few teenagers forget buying their first car. My father refused to give me a car like all of the other 16-year-old kids at my fancy prep school in Philadelphia. He played me cassette tapes of 1970s sales training guru and… Read More »

VANA LTD, Importer and Distributor of many luxury audiophile brands, will introduce WANDLA: the first “stand-alone” DAC from Ferrum. Ferrum’s complete range of award-winning products will be on display in Ear Gear booth # 1205 and room #8208 of the… Read More »

The new Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 in-ear monitors offers the best audio performance in its class, with TWS transmission coupled to a single 9.2mm bespoke drive unit in each earbud. Pi5 S2 also offers seamless access to user-selectable noise… Read More »

The year was 2007, and Tam Carlson was a man on a mission. Tam wanted to build a cost-no-object listening room seating 20, in which every last detail would exist only to serve the playback of great music from an… Read More »

The upcoming AXPONA audiophile consumer show will return for the 12th edition, April 14-16. Audiophiles, music lovers, musicians and collectors will unite at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center to experience a record breaking show featuring 500 exhibitors and… Read More »

Spin-Clean International, creators of the award-winning Spin-Clean Record Washer (read the review here), just launched the industry’s first education program specifically designed to inform young vinyl music enthusiasts about the importance of cleaning and maintaining their record collections. The announcement… Read More »

There are tens of thousands of audiophile components on the market today from hundreds of well-known and well-respected brands. Many of them have very specific naming conventions that are the handiwork of experienced marketing executives, Madison Avenue PR firms, enthusiastic… Read More »

“This is a transformational period in digital audio, and the new D-07X digital player is at the cutting edge,” said Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America. The player supports MQA-CDs, MQA files, 32-bit/768 kHz PCM, 22.4 MHz DSD, conventional USB… Read More »

In 2019, Silent Angel, designer of High End digital components, introduced the Rhein Z1, which was immediately hailed as a new standard in high value audiophile music servers. Now, Silent Angel proudly debuts Rhein Z1 Plus: an all-new design whose… Read More »

NAD Electronics just announced the retail availability of the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer (read the review here) , a minimal, high-performance streaming component that equips any existing stereo or home-theatre system with networked music streaming capability. With support for… Read More »

Campfire Audio has announced the launch of the next generation of its most iconic hand-crafted audiophile IEMs. Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ and Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ reimagine the boutique manufacturer’s flagship models with improved shell designs, re-engineered acoustic chambers, and the latest… Read More »

Andover is now shipping the Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 ($299 – read the review), the latest addition to its Spin Collection, striking the ideal balance between value performance and convenience for vinyl fans. Featuring high-quality materials, precision-engineered parts and plug-and-play design, SpinDeck… Read More »

It doesn’t take a lot of investigation to determine that audiophile equipment prices can get very expensive. In our beloved industry, we see floorstanding speakers, audiophile subwoofers, power amps, stereo preamps, and beyond that cost well into the five-figure range—and… Read More »

AXPONA is known for featuring world-renowned brands and manufacturers, showcasing the most innovative products and services in the high-end audio industry.  The following is a summary of first-time exhibitors that will be at AXPONA 2023, representing a number of product… Read More »

Qobuz, the music lovers’ high quality music streaming and download service, is launching a new community platform designed to connect audiophiles and music lovers around the world: Qobuz Club. The interactive forum will allow Qobuz users to convene with like-minded… Read More »

Historically, audiophile-grade amplifiers hold their value over time. So do good stereo preamps. The best audiophile floorstanding loudspeakers also hold their value in most cases over a reasonable amount of time. Solidly built audiophile turntables don’t tend to lose their… Read More »

SVS, leading manufacturer of high-performance speakers, subwoofers, wireless audio, and accessories, proudly announces the new 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer, a breakout first offering in the architectural subwoofer category from one of the fastest growing audio brands in the world. SVS spared… Read More »

My audiophile publishing comeback wasn’t supposed to ever happen. When I sold HomeTheaterReview.com and AudiophileReview.com back in late December 2019, I told anybody that would listen that I was pretty much done. I was looking for some new challenges and… Read More »

HIFIMAN just announced a new closed-back headphone designed for professionals and hobbyists who demand detailed, accurate representations of their music, podcasts, and other sound recordings. The new HIFIMAN AUDIVINA (SRP: $1,999) is a closed-back planar headphone that relies on HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnets to… Read More »

Early in his tenure as Parasound’s new owner, David Sheriff made a commitment to the company’s legendary designer, John Curl, to  bring more of his new ideas to the fore. To accelerate this process, Sheriff has hired Darren Myers as… Read More »

PSB Speakers, together with hearables start-up Sonical and audio specialists MQA, announced a partnership that will attempt to define a new category of high-resolution audio headphones. The product combines high resolution wireless transmission, proven high-fidelity design, and Sonical’s CosmOS platform.… Read More »

So there you are, all primed and ready for a true audiophile experience with your bad-to-the-bone stereo system – the one you’ve spent months/years/decades researching, curating, purchasing, and setting up. You select the music, press play, and wow, doesn’t it… Read More »

Much lip service has been given to the failing health of the audiophile hobby, and with the demographics looking about as close as you can get to 100 percent male and a median age of well over 55, who could… Read More »