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This is FutureAudiophile.com’s Featured Review page

The T+A Criterion S240 speaker at an angle

Featured @Featured

T+A Criterion S240 Loudspeakers Reviewed

T+A is a German company that has a history dating back nearly 50 years. There aren’t many brands that have that type of staying power. Brands that survive that long do so because they build great products, offer true value… Read the Review »



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Krell amps at our publisher's condo back in the early 2000s.

Can One Fix a Broken Audiophile Company?

It is going on three years (July 1) since my last drink of wine or Scotch or vodka (or anything boozy). COVID and too-much-MSNBC-inspired fistfuls of Titos on too many nights and it wasn’t making me really all that happy.… Read the Review »


Bowers & Wilkins keeps making refinements to one if its most important products.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed

Everybody needs a good pair of audiophile-grade headphones in 2026. Post-COVID work conditions make using a good pair of cans for Zoom calls perfectly normal. ANC (noise-canceling) can save the day on a flight where there are any number of… Read the Review »


The Allnic L-7000 dressed in black.

Allnic L-7000 Stereo Preamp Reviewed

Allnic Audio is a high-end audio equipment manufacturer specializing in vacuum-tube electronics and analog audio components for audiophiles. Allnic has a broad product family, consisting of preamplifiers, power amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, analog components (phonostages, step up transformers, and moving coil… Read the Review »


An early look at Jerry's Marina Del Rey Condo (before professional photos) but post room treatment installation.

How $1,500 in Room Treatments Makes More Sonic Difference Than a $15,000 Component

If our readers ever wonder if we love them, this article shows them just how much. Our ad money, aka: how we make our living around here, comes from ads promoting buying more audiophile equipment. The hobby is about buying… Read the Review »


ELAC NAVA100 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Reviewed

FutureAudiophile’s mission has always been, at its core, to bridge the gap between seasoned audiophiles and those just discovering and (hopefully) falling in love with the hobby. This means we review, discuss, and report on gear across the entire performance and price… Read the Review »


The Pass Labs XA 160.8 Class A mono amps installed in Jerry Del Colliano's reference audio system

Pass Labs XA 160.8 Mono Power Amplifiers Reviewed

Nelson Pass is the Enzo Ferrari of audiophile power amps. He is also the G.O.A.T. when it comes to amplifier designers, as well as an overall wonderful person personally and (full disclosure) a client  from Day One here at FurureAudiophile.com.… Read the Review »


Dan D'agostino's steampunk inspired power amps bring a lot of power (and headroom) to the table for audiophiles who can spend at this level.

How Much Power Does the Average Audiophile Really Need?

There has been a popular saying bouncing around the automotive industry for years, especially among those who like high horsepower gasoline engines – “There’s no replacement for displacement.” Essentially, this means the more horsepower, and equally important, the more torque… Read the Review »


Meze Strada closed-back headphones are very luxurious.

Meze Audio Strada Closed-Back Headphones Reviewed

Meze Audio was founded in in 2011, when Antonio Meze, who was travelling for business with his Fender Stratocaster, wanted a pair of headphones that he could connect with musically in the same way that he did with his instrument. From… Read the Review »


Dr. Pax bought Magnepans for the Shelemay Lab at Harvard University without ever going to a stereo store.

Where Does a Young Audiophile Experience a Great Stereo System?

During our recent event at Harvard University, where we donated a $150,000 audiophile system to the Shelemay Audio Lab a few weeks back, a number of really fascinating conversations were had. One was with the 33-year-old PhD. director of the program, John… Read the Review »


The PSB BP-12 is a big boy subwoofer that caught Michael Zisserson's attention.

PSB BP12 Subwoofer Reviewed

The moon landing was faked. 5G is going to control your mind. It keeps getting crazier, too. Did you know the Earth is flat? Worst of all: subwoofers are not loudspeakers, just accessories! To me, this last conspiracy is the most interesting.… Read the Review »


Marten Parket Trio speakers, at $33,000 a pair, compete in the high end loudspeaker world fantastically.

Marten Parker Trio Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

Marten is a Swedish high-end loudspeaker manufacturer, founded in 1998 by Leif Mårten Olofsson. To this day, it’s still run as a family business in Gothenburg, Sweden. It began with a deep personal obsession: why don’t speakers sound like real… Read the Review »


The GoldenEar SuperSub X is an old school classic.

GoldenEar SuperSub X Subwoofer Reviewed

GoldenEar Technologies was founded in 2010 by industry legend Sandy Gross, Don Givogue, and Bob Johnson. The company quickly became known for their Triton series of speakers, which integrated powered subwoofers into the main cabinet, a design hallmark of Gross… Read the Review »


Designer colors appeal but audiophile sound from an earbud appeals more.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless Earbuds Reviewed

Despite what you might see in the news – with celebrities and athletes reverting back to wired headphones for whatever reason – true wireless earbuds are more popular than ever and here to stay. Improvements in battery life, DSP, noise… Read the Review »


Fosi electronics are really fun and super affordable - a great starting place for new audiophiles.

The Ultimate Audiophile Elixir is Not Streaming, Vinyl or Unlimited Access to Music

Fresh back from our event at Harvard University where we (along with our clients/partners) donated a $150,000 audiophile system to the Shelemay Audio Lab in their music school, we have had a good chance to check in with the Generation… Read the Review »


The Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature speakers in their signature blue color.

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature Speakers Reviewed

When I was offered the opportunity to review Bowers & Wilkins Signature version of their third-generation 705 stand-mount speakers, I jumped at the chance. I have previously reviewed the 702 S2, 702 S2 Signature and the 702 S3 floorstanding models.… Read the Review »


The Fosi Box X5 phonostage in a slick little vinyl-first system.

Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamplifier Reviewed

It’s easy, as a columnist, to forget the “why.” Sure, it’s fun to review oligarch audio and even high end into the multiple kilo bucks range, but a vast majority of music enthusiasts just have more important things in life… Read the Review »


The SVS SB17 out in the wild.

SVS SB17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer Reviewed

Youngstown, OH-based SVS began in business with the idea of creating a high-performance yet affordable subwoofer long before the current regime made them into the industry player that they are today. Today’s SVS recognized the need for subwoofers in two-channel… Read the Review »


Inner-ear waxing is a new trend among audiophiles?

Shocking New Audiophile Hearing Upgrade Going Viral With Enthusiasts 

When I was in college and working with Joe Cali and Mark Levinson, selling the world’s most expensive audio systems at Cello Music and Film Los Angeles, I wanted to be just like my mentors. I know that I am a very good audiophile… Read the Review »


The Peachtree Carina X integrated amp is an audiophile favorite but also sold in more mainstream distribution too. The best of both worlds.

Peachtree Audio Carina X Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Peachtree Audio was founded in 2007 and operates out of North Carolina. In recent years, they have made a name for themselves by utilizing a direct-to-consumer model and leveraging the newer class D amplification technologies such as Hypex NCore and … Read the Review »


One way to save money is to buy a $179 IKEA equipment stand. In more modern times, this is replaced now by a $7,000 SolidSteel rack.

Is the Law of Diminishing Returns a Real Thing for Audiophiles?

The audiophile hobby is many things to many enthusiasts. For some, the first goal is all about the glorious reproduction of recorded music, sonic excellence being the end result. For others, it is the thrill of the chase for new and… Read the Review »


The Paradigm Defiance S12 subwoofer is striking in white.

Paradigm Defiance S12 Subwoofer Reviewed

Paradigm has been in business now for close to 45 years and they have built a reputation based on blind testing and scientific measurements, historically leveraging the NRC (National Research Council of Canada) facilities to help actualize their philosophy and… Read the Review »


The Piega Coax GEN2 611 Floorstanding Speakers in silver

Piega Coax GEN2 611 Floorstanding Speakers Reviewed

The Piega Coax GEN2 611 is a  $21,995 Swiss-made floorstanding loudspeaker built around a proprietary coaxial ribbon driver and an aluminum enclosure. The Piega Coax GEN2 611 model sits approximately in the middle of the current Coax product line. As… Read the Review »


Wireworld speaker cables feeding Jerry Del Colliano's Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 speakers.

How and Why to Creatively Hide Your Audiophile Cables

There is no one category with more controversy in the audiophile hobby than cables. Noel Lee, the founder of Monster Cable and the genius behind the Beats brand of headphones that would ultimately would be co-opted by Dr. Dre and… Read the Review »


Young Nasim and his friends at AXONA 2023

16 Tips to Inspire Women to Learn to Love an Audiophile System

To say that the audiophile hobby is a bit of a sword fight is a complete and total understatement. Don’t believe me on how male dominated the audiophile hobby is? This year, attend any one of the many, very well-organized… Read the Review »


The ELAC Debut Connex DCB61 powered speakers living well in the living room at Eric Forst's home.

ELAC Debut ConneX DCB61 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

Audiophiles, in general, are a strange lot. We speak in what many would describe as a foreign language, dream about cables, cords, and codecs, and we spend an unhealthy amount of time fantasizing about racks (of the AV variety, that is). We pour… Read the Review »


The Buckeye Hypex NCx252MP offers class-A-like sound from a small, affordable, class-D chassis.

Buckeye Amps Hypex NCx252MP Power Amp Reviewed

It is no secret that I am a bit of an audiophile extrovert. I will talk to people anywhere and everywhere – especially at an audiophile show and especially younger audiophiles. When asked, nearly without exception, younger audiophiles will tell… Read the Review »


The MartinLogan Grotto 15 is a very powerful subwoofer for the under-$3,000 category.

MartinLogan Grotto 15 Subwoofer Reviewed

MartinLogan has carved out an impressive place in the audiophile hobby. They are, at present, the likely leading and perhaps best-known manufacturer of electrostatic speakers in business today. Ranging in cost of up to nearly $120,000 per pair, their speakers… Read the Review »


The Arcam ST25 is a more simple yet still very high end audiophile music streamer.

Arcam ST25 Network Streamer Reviewed

I have been keeping an eye on the new Arcam lineup over the past year or so. Harman, Arcam’s parent company, has been showing off the brand’s gear at their CES and CEDIA booths in recent years. The traditional Arcam… Read the Review »


The Benchmark Media HPA-4 fits nicely on a desk or in an equipment rack.

Benchmark HPA4 Headphone/Line Amplifier Reviewed

In 2025, I have had a nice run of headphone amplifiers. I have had the opportunity to review a wide range, from the small and inexpensive up to the $3,500 and a bunch in between. This has provided me with… Read the Review »


The Bowers & Wilkins DB1D Subwoofer looking sexy dressed in black.

Bowers & Wilkins DB1D Subwoofer Reviewed

If there is an audiophile company that needs no introduction, it’s Bowers & Wilkins. Their legendary speakers are used in some of the most famous studios in the world, including Abbey Road and Skywalker Ranch. When I learned that I… Read the Review »


The Dali Opticon 8 speakers installed nicely.

Dali Opticon 8 MkII Loudspeakers Reviewed

I’ve been an audiophile since the mid-1980s.  Since that time, I’ve owned more loudspeakers than I can remember, and I’ve listened to several hundred beyond those that I ultimately purchased. I have owned countless passive speakers and a few powered… Read the Review »


A front of house view of the audiophile system donated to Harvard University by FutureAudiiophile.com and a select group of our sponsors.

The Future of the Audiophile Hobby on Display at Harvard University’s Shelemay Audio Lab

On February 11, 2025, FutureAudiophile.com, donated a $100,000, plus a 2.1-channel, reference-level audiophile system to Harvard’s Shelemay Audio Lab. Program director John Pax is a 33-year-old PhD who is promoting the health, lifestyle and musical advantages of listening to music on a… Read the Review »


The Dutch & Dutch 8C speakers installed in Mike Prager's listening room.

Dutch & Dutch 8c Active DSP Loudspeakers

Audiophiles can be a fractious lot – if you doubt that, dip into any online discussion of MQA. Yet there’s one truth that almost all of us accept: in the pursuit of high fidelity, room acoustics plays a huge role,… Read the Review »


The DALI Cupid speakers dressed up for Christmas at Eric Forst's house.

Dali KUPID Compact Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

We all know the struggle. A new piece of gear pops up in your Instagram feed (you follow us for this very reason), catches your eye, and suddenly you’re smitten and in full-fledged research mode. Weeks, maybe even months of reading, watching,… Read the Review »


Fosi ZX3 amp stacked

Fosi Audio ZA3 Balanced Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

It was some time ago that I was able to demonstrate that it is entirely possible to capture the essence of loving music through a $500 audiophile system (read the article). The “TL;DR” of this article is simple: Synergy and… Read the Review »


REL subs are most famous in higher end applications, to present bass energy in a line array. The REL 212 does this without needing to buy six subs.

REL Acoustics Serie S 212 Black Label Subwoofer

The REL Acoustics Serie S line, in second position to the Reference Line, has undergone a full revamp six years in the making. The Serie S line comprises four models featuring new amplifiers, drivers, and enclosure designs. The Serie S… Read the Review »


Stromtank is a German-made AC power conditioner product that is as high end as they come.

Should You Keep Your Audiophile System Always Powered Up?

Before leaving for the 2025 Capital Audiofest (read Jerry Del Colliano’s 15 Thoughts article here)in Rockville, MD, I took the time, as is my custom, to completely power down my entire audio system. I also took the extra precaution of… Read the Review »


U-Turn Audio Orbit Special in Blue

U-Turn Orbit Special Turntable Reviewed

With so many respectable turntables on the market right now in the less-than-$600 market, it can make it hard for any of the different options to really stand out. The Orbit Special by U-Turn Audio finds itself directly in that… Read the Review »


A good turntable often has a long shelf life.

When is the Best Time to Replace an Audiophile Component?

“Because things eventually wear out and need replacing…” This simple answer to a presumably simple question – why I should replace something audiophile – carries a bucketful of stipulations and conditions. There is no one perfect answer, despite the nearly… Read the Review »


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