Displaying items by tag: france - StereoLife Magazine

French company Octavio has created a compact network amplifier built for audiophiles and music lovers who appreciate modern solutions at an affordable price. The founders of the young manufactory say they wanted to democratize hi-fi and simplify the stereo system and the process of using it. The company was born in two student apartments in Lille. Its founders, David and Victor, owned vintage audio systems whose sound they greatly appreciated, but which were not compatible with new formats, digital sources, or streaming services. So they both faced the same problem - how to preserve the quality of their hi-fi setup while easily taking advantage of the latest innovations? The idea of parting with their existing system was unimaginable to them. What if the solution was simply to upgrade it rather than replace it? After months of designing and testing, they created a device that made their dream come true. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Octavio was born.

Boasting a worldwide success, the Borea range now includes two new active and connected models in bookshelf format. The Borea Active speakers are genuine high-fidelity systems. Compact and all-in-one, they provide a rich audio and video experience - stream your music in high resolution with Bluetooth aptX, reproduce the warm sound of a vinyl turntable, link your TV, or create a fuller experience with the addition of a subwoofer. The Borea Active BR02 BT and Borea Active BR03 BT speakers create a compact and powerful all-in-one Hi-Fi system with multiple features. These active speakers have been designed for modern and versatile use.

Focal is adding a bookshelf model and a center speaker to the Aria K2 family, allowing for a range of thrilling hi-fi and home cinema set-ups, alongside the Aria K2 936 floor-standing speaker launched last year. Aria K2 is a special edition of the original high-performance Aria 900 range, first launched by Focal in 2013. The Aria K2 906 and Aria K2 Center join the Aria K2 936 in offering an exceptional listening experience, enabled by a range of Focal innovations, including a next-generation K2 cone.

French manufacturer of digital audio brings new enhancements to its DACs, which benefit from a series of new features under the EX label. These include a network input giving access to streaming functionalities, as well as a USB slot for direct connection of storage media. Additionally, a DSP-based acoustic correction feature offers a wide range of possibilities for adjusting to the listening environment. Extended version of the B.dac, the B.dac EX is a response to many requests for network playback and D/A conversion functionalities in a single product.

Focal unveils a new reference - Clear Mg. In addition to their sophisticated finishes, the sound reproduction of these open-back headphones is even sharper than that of their Clear predecessor. The luxury of Focal products lies in their performance and the experience they offer, as well as in every detail that enhances the object to make it more than a set of headphones. After four years of research and development, the engineers at Focal have designed a Magnesium dome for the Clear Mg speaker drivers. This new alloy, combined with an M-shaped dome, contributes to even more lightness, rigidity, and damping, the three success factors for a speaker driver. The sound reproduction is fine, precise, and impactful, for a striking sound.

Since 2013, Aria has been a leading range among high-performing and expressive Hi-Fi loudspeakers. With its natural flax cone and sleek style, Aria marked a decisive point in Focal's history. And the story continues. As part of its process of constant renewal, the St. Étienne brand completes its line with the launch of Aria K2 936, a new edition of the Aria 936 model that features its iconic K2 cone and the Ash Grey exclusive finish.

Less than three years after the launch of the Utopia open-back headphones, Focal returns to center stage with its closed-back headphones of outstanding quality - Stellia. Equipped with the brand's very best technology, incorporating numerous innovations and providing excellent soundproofing, Stellia delivers exceptional sound quality everywhere you go, without compromising on style or sophistication. Because, at Focal, innovation goes beyond technology, it influences product use and aesthetics.

After Elear, Utopia and Clear - its three leading open-back headphones - Focal set itself a new challenge - to integrate the best of its technologies into an unprecedented closed-back solution, to experience absolute sound everywhere and anywhere. Integrating speaker drivers into closed-back headphones, without making any concessions on the reproduction of the lowest frequencies - that is the new chapter in the Focal story that the engineers have just finished writing by pushing the limits of acoustic research and development. By creating Elegia.

Triangle introduced two new subwoofers benefiting from the experience of its previous models and expanding its Thetis and Tales ranges. The manufacturer took the opportunity to optimize the amplifiers on all models by focusing on the power handling of the driver at high volume as well as the dynamic range.

Focal is confirming its position as an innovative manufacturer of hi-end headphones with the launch of Clear. Benefiting from the research and development that went into developing the Elear and Utopia headphones, the Clear sets the benchmark for open-back headphones.