Displaying items by tag: germany - StereoLife Magazine

An increasing number of music producers and sound engineers are working not in perfectly treated control rooms but in bedrooms, rented flats or compact home studios where installing large monitors and carrying out full acoustic treatment is often simply not realistic. It is exactly these users that Beyerdynamic is targeting with Headphone Lab, a new free DAW plug in that turns the German manufacturer's studio headphones into a software based reference listening environment for precise mixing and mastering. The solution combines tonal calibration to a studio reference level with a realistic simulation of a high quality loudspeaker system, so that users can make confident mix decisions even in rooms that are far from ideal from an acoustic point of view.

EVE Audio has introduced a new generation of nearfield monitors with the EXO Series, a family of compact loudspeakers designed to combine advanced acoustic engineering with straightforward, hands-on control. Consisting of the EXO 24, EXO 25, EXO 27 and EXO 28, the range is intended to bring EVE's trademark precision and translation to a wide spectrum of users, from home producers and musicians to engineers working in more demanding project and professional studios. The focus is on monitors that sound honest, integrate naturally into modern hybrid workflows and are easy to set up and tune in a variety of rooms.

HEDD Audio has expanded its headphone line-up with HEDDphone Two Unplugged and HEDDphone Two GT Unplugged, new cable-free editions designed for experienced listeners who already own their preferred aftermarket cables. Both models retain the full-range Air Motion Transformer sound that defines the HEDDphone series and are supplied simply as headphones with a carrying case, omitting the standard cable set to remove redundancy and offer a more focused, better-value package. The concept is to deliver the complete sonic performance of the regular HEDDphone models for users who want to integrate them directly into existing high-end cabling solutions.

Beyerdynamic introduced two new professional DJ headphones - the DJ 300 PRO X and DJ 300 PRO X Club - designed to bridge the gap between live performance and studio work. The new headphones are built around the idea of flexibility and durability, offering a modular design that allows users to switch between on-ear and over-ear configurations within seconds. At the heart of both models is a newly developed 45 mm dynamic driver, engineered to deliver a balanced, powerful and detailed sound that remains clear even at high playback levels. Compared with conventional DJ headphones, the transducer offers a wider dynamic range and improved control across the frequency spectrum. The low end is deep and punchy, providing a solid foundation for beatmatching and cueing, while the treble retains crispness and precision without fatigue. Beyerdynamic says that the driver design is tuned to maintain accuracy under high sound pressure levels, ensuring clarity of kick drums, hi-hats and sequenced synth lines typical of modern electronic music.

Sennheiser unveiled the HD 550, a hi-fi headphone that balances revealing performance with effortlessly smooth tuning. Boasting sprawling stereo imaging and an ultra-light build, the HD 550 is an open invitation to unpack the lush layers of today's music and games for hours on end. "Audiophiles looking for featherlight headphones with honest voicing and deep bass extension are in for a treat. While the HD 550's airy detail is obvious, customers will fall in love with its delightfully polite touch - perfect for listening for hours on end." - said Klaus Hanselmann, Sennheiser Audiophile Product Manager.

Whenever I grumble about the fragmentation of the audio equipment market, which translates into a huge variety of equipment available in stores, but also problems for customers to sort it all out in their heads and make a choice, I get a press release about new speakers, amplifier, or wireless headphones. If only these were brands whose existence I was aware of, whose products caught my eye while browsing magazines or reports from exhibitions, but this is not always the case. Later it turns out that we are not at all dealing with a small factory founded by enthusiastic students, but with a company operating continuously for thirty years, boasting many successes, awards, and, of course, a large group of loyal fans. Such was the case with Lindemann.

Dual is one of the brands highly regarded by audiophiles, vinyl enthusiasts in particular. And there's a good reason for that. The German manufacturer has produced so many outstanding turntables that it's hard to count them all. A well-preserved or restored Dual can be connected to any stereo system, even an expensive one, and not only will it look great, but with an appropriate cartridge, it should also sound so good that new, mid-range turntables will hide under the sofa with shame. Until recently, if you wanted to buy a Dual product, you would have to be patient, search through popular auction services and find a professional who could bring old electronics to factory condition. Fortunately, today Dual's products are not only museum pieces, decorations in trendy cafes, or turntables for connoisseurs who can appreciate the quality of their craft and sound. After the reactivation of the company, you can now purchase them again in audio stores. How did it come about? Is it something more than a short, one-time spurt? And why did so many vinyl fans get goosebumps just hearing that Dual was back in business? To find out, we decided to look at the company's history and find out what makes it so unique.

Dual has recently made a spectacular comeback. The legendary turntable manufacturer, which not long ago we used to associate only with vintage gear, suddenly came back into the game. First, a high-end model Primus Maximus was presented to the world, which can be interpreted as a kind of manifesto, a showcase of technical capabilities, and perhaps an announcement of the following models, which will be its simpler and cheaper counterparts. However, if we are looking for a budget turntable, we should instead not look at the devices occupying top positions in the catalog. I know, at first glance, all the inexpensive models available on the market seem similar. Still, it is enough to look at a few key components such as a cartridge, tonearm, drive, and rear panel equipment to already have an idea of which one is built solidly and which one just looks nice in pictures. If you take the time to do this, you will realize that Dual is not only a company with a history dating back to 1900 and an object of sigh for audiophiles who remember the 1970s, but also a company that offers some of the most interesting and best-equipped budget turntables. Will the automatic CS 429 be further proof of this thesis?

New generations of iconic Audio Physic loudspeakers become smaller but more technically advanced, and each design equipped with a certain number of drivers is replaced by a new one. Some speakers, such as the Tempo, have resisted this trend, while others are now significantly smaller than before - the Avanti floorstanders being a case in point. Fans of Audio Physic's compact loudspeakers couldn't wait for the next incarnation of the Spark model. For a long time, the manufacturer argued that this function is fulfilled by the Classic 8 and Classic 15 models. It seemed that we would never see the new Spark again, but the Germans surprised us, and doubly so. Firstly, they have just announced the introduction of the new Spark, and secondly, they have made significant changes in its design. Yes, the new one is a three-way monitor.

Dual is one of the brands most respected by audiophiles. It has produced so many great turntables that it's hard to count them all and a well-preserved Dual turntable, especially if we are talking about high-end models, is an excellent investment. After a restoration, such a source can be connected to any stereo system, even an expensive one, without complexes. Not only will it look great, but with the correct cartridge, it should also sound so good that owners of new turntables will feel embarrassed. Until recently, Dual's turntables could only be purchased on the second-hand market, but fortunately, the company has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, releasing several interesting and affordable turntables. I was most interested in the CS 418, a classic manual turntable with a built-in phono stage, belt drive, easy-to-use tonearm, and Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. And the price - €499 for a brand new Dual? I had to see what's what.