Displaying items by tag: portable - StereoLife Magazine

Final Audio Design, the Japanese high-end audio specialist, has announced their latest venture into the world of gaming and VR with the new VR2000 earphones. For close to five decades, Final has long proven their mastery of all things hi-fi. Starting in 1974 with the development of high-end turntable cartridges, amplifies and CD transports, and more recently moving onto portable audio with their award-winning headphone and earphone models - final's experience and insight is unmatched.

Astell&Kern introduces the second generation model of its popular and award-winning entry-level player, the A&norma SR25 MKII. Every aspect admired about the original SR25 is retained with the new model improving on the audio performance, adding new features, such as a balanced 4.4mm headphone jack, and tweaking its already eye-catching and ultra-compact design. The A&norma SR25 MKII represents the perfect entry-point into Astell&Kern's unrivalled world of high-resolution music playback on-the-move.

FiiO launches the K7 - balanced desktop headphone DAC and amplifier featuring dual AK4493S DACs, dual THX AAA 788+ amp technology, USB/Optical/Coax/RCA inputs, and both 6.3mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs. Building upon the success of previous FiiO desktop amplifiers, the K7 utilises a truly balanced six-stage audio circuit consisting of: DAC, Low Pass Filter, Volume Control, Buffer Amplifier, Pre-Amplification, and Headphone Out. Throughout this signal path, audio signals from each channel are processed separately by the K7, thereby reducing crosstalk, and ensuring the best sound quality possible.

Grado introduced the new Statement Series, which brings fourth-generation X Drivers to the wooden GS3000x and GS1000x. The GS1000x combines mahogany and ipê wood, while the GS3000x houses the company's most powerful driver yet inside a metal chamber surrounded by a single body of cocobolo wood. Along with the superior sound these new drivers produce, the GS3000x and GS1000x also utilise Grado's improved 12-conductor braided cable and new headbands. Both are hand assembled in Brooklyn, New York.

Bowers & Wilkins has launched its new flagship wireless headphone, the Px8. The new model sets a new reference standard for sound, build and finish in the active noise cancelling wireless headphone category. The heart of the Px8 is the same active noise cancelling wireless platform found in the Px7 S2, already one of the best-sounding headphones in its class. In Px8, that stellar performance is taken to even greater heights of detail, resolution and spaciousness thanks to all-new bespoke 40mm Carbon Cone drive units.

Meze Audio announces its first pair of dynamic open-back headphones - the 109 PRO. Made from carefully curated and responsibly sourced materials, including walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel, and vegan leather, the 109 PRO is a comfortable, lightweight, yet highly durable headphone capable of producing a natural, emotionally engaging listening experience. "Our obsession with art, exceptional sound, and timeless design drives us. We only create what we love, and the 109 PRO is no exception to that. We poured our soul into every aspect of its design - from the premium materials used to its intricate engineering. And because we don’t follow trends, nor do we let them influence us, the 109 PRO is built to sound, look and feel great for years to come." - said Antonio Meze, lead designer and founder, Meze Audio.

Astell&Kern reveals the Kann Max portable digital audio player (DAP), the 4th model in its acclaimed Kann series. By applying advanced design and audio technology, this newfound power is also housed in a more compact and lightweight chassis. The result is an even wider variety of headphones, including sophisticated high impedance models, can be optimally driven without the need for additional amplification. Music fans can experience the original studio-quality sound without compromise - anywhere, anytime. As the power output increases, so does the noise level that adversely affects the audio performance. Through innovative integrated circuit design, Astell&Kern is able to achieve a low noise level while hitting the new 15Vrms 'Super' output setting.

Astell&Kern introduced the second generation model of its popular and award-winning entry-level player, the A&norma SR25 MKII. Every aspect admired about the original SR25 is retained with the new model improving on the audio performance, adding new features, such as a balanced 4.4mm headphone jack, and tweaking its already eye-catching and ultra-compact design. The A&norma SR25 MKII represents the perfect entry-point into Astell&Kern's unrivaled world of high-resolution music playback on the move. Astell&Kern A&norma SR25 MKII feature upgrades include Replay Gain function to uniformly adjust volume playback from sound sources up to 24 bit/192 kHz, AK File Drop for easier wireless file transfers, BT Sink function for simpler connection of the SR25 MKII to an external Bluetooth device, and extra internal silver-plated shielding, first seen in the higher-end SP2000T, to protect from electromagnetic interference.

Bang & Olufsen and Cisco announce the Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980, a luxury business headset that pairs Bang & Olufsen's unique combination of timeless design, unrivaled craftsmanship, and powerful sound with Cisco's integrated meeting controls, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, and frictionless IT management capabilities to ensure long-lasting, secure communications. "Clear and seamless audio is essential for the hybrid work environment. We're thrilled to work with the leaders in luxury audio solutions, Bang & Olufsen, to bring to market the highest quality audio device for business - combining high-end aesthetic, complete functionality, and fantastic quality." - said Jeetu Patel, EVP, and GM, Cisco Security and Collaboration.

Astell&Kern introduces its latest in-ear monitor, the AK ZERO1, featuring three different types of drivers to deliver a ground-breaking hybrid sound. Composed of a micro planar dynamic driver, dual balanced armature drivers, and a dynamic driver, this unique design combines the sonic characteristics of each driver to produce unprecedented natural audio. Astell&Kern has set new standards in IEM engineering to get the music fan closer to the original studio sound.

The Micro Rectangular Planar Dynamic Driver is a specially developed, highly advanced driver that allows a planar driver design, normally difficult to scale down for headphones, to be applied to in-ear monitors. Adopting a sturdy and lightweight planar membrane to minimize frequency loss, this is combined with a vibration panel boasting a high-polymer and thin metal film to create crystal clear and dynamic high frequencies. The AK ZERO1's driver system also features dual BA drivers, using custom-designed coils to deliver transparent vocals with super-low distortion. Couple this with the single 5.6 mm dynamic driver to ensure rich, controlled and deep low frequencies, and the AK ZERO1 is poised to deliver its pioneering hybrid sound.

To realize this new sound through the ideal frequency response, a Crossover Network design was generated based on a thorough understanding of each driver's parameters. Once established, each driver is carefully placed in the optimal position, enclosed in specifically designed acoustic chambers manufactured with 3D printing technology. These precision enclosures cleverly eliminate unnecessary movement and resonance from the drivers to ensure stable performance. Lastly, the main precision-tooled housing reduces internal and external vibrations to deliver the most focused and accurate sound possible.

To further maximize the audio performance the AK ZERO1 arrives equipped with a pure silver-coated OFC cable. Exquisitely crafted with high-purity silver plating and copper, alongside aluminum plugs, this design strives to maintain the transparency of the audio signal. Elsewhere, the MMCX connectors ensure a prime-quality connection between the ear housing and cable, offering long-lasting and stable performance. For discerning audiophiles looking to experience the highest quality audio possible from their AK ZERO1 IEMs or any other MMCX-connector compatible headphones, Astell&Kern is launching an optional 4.4mm cable. The PEP11 sports larger aluminum-machined 4.4mm plugs and features the same top-quality high-purity silver plating and copper cable.

Astell&Kern's recognizable bold diagonal design language continues on the AK ZERO1, with the premium cut metal surface brilliantly reflecting the light. The shape of the housing and the slender ear nozzles have been carefully designed and refined to not only provide a secure and comfortable fit but to deliver the sound efficiently and accurately through your ears. To further provide a snug fit, five different-sized pairs of silicone ear tips and one set of foam tips are supplied, along with a carry case to keep your IEMs pristine during transit. The Astell&Kern AK ZERO1 is priced at £649/$699/€749 and the PEP11 is priced at £119/$130/€139. Info and photos by Astell&Kern via Armour Home.