Displaying items by tag: stereo - StereoLife Magazine

Audio Pro, the award-winning Scandinavian audio brand known for redefining what compact speakers can do, is opening a new chapter in wireless sound for the US and international markets. Following the rollout of its W-Generation speaker range, the company is now introducing W-Generation versions of its most powerful models, Drumfire II W and Drumfire D-2 W, completing a family that refreshes almost every aspect of the Audio Pro experience, from the control app and streaming platform to the core sound signature and industrial design. Positioned as a complete evolution rather than a minor refresh, the W-Generation is designed to offer a smarter, more robust multiroom platform, a more powerful and refined acoustic performance and a cleaner, more unified aesthetic across the line.

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.

In the high-end headphone world there is an increasingly visible split between large, system focused designs for strictly home listening and models created for mobile music lovers who do not want to choose between convenience and refined sound. It is into this second category that Meze Audio now introduces the Strada, a wired over ear headphone that combines the Romanian brand's characteristic attention to design with carefully considered ergonomics and easy drivability from portable sources. The combination of golden brown Macassar ebony and a deep green magnesium frame makes the new model stand out at first glance, while its dynamic drivers are intended to deliver a rich, musical presentation even when the listener is using a portable player.

More and more listeners are happy to stream music from a smartphone, laptop or games console, but do not necessarily want to accept a step down in quality compared with a full-sized hi-fi system. It is this group that Astell&Kern is targeting with the AK HC5, a compact USB digital to analogue converter that brings the flagship DAC architecture from the Korean brand's top portable players into a highly portable dongle format. The new device is intended as a natural companion for smartphones, notebooks and gaming hardware in situations where convenience matters as much as sound quality and where users would like to get closer to the performance associated with high end portable players.

In the world of hi-fi there are few things as satisfying as a well voiced compact monitor that can fill a living room with the authority of larger loudspeakers while looking like a small piece of industrial art. It is exactly this role that Bowers & Wilkins has in mind for the latest version of its smallest 700 Series model. The 707 Prestige Edition is a standmount loudspeaker created for music lovers who are unwilling to compromise on either aesthetics or sound quality and who appreciate carefully executed details and a finish that clearly sets their speakers apart.

Harman Kardon is returning to the market with a new generation of one of its most recognisable speakers. Aura Studio 5 is the latest incarnation of the brand’s transparent audio system, designed not only to fill a room with music but also to shape the atmosphere with light that matches the moment, from a calm background glow to the visual backdrop for an evening with friends. The new model immediately stands out through its form. A slim, transparent dome with an undercut edge reveals a multi layer interior that creates a sense of depth and visually draws the eye into the centre. Light plays across the subtly tinted, slightly mirrored surface, while the whole structure sits on a soft looking base finished in a high quality acoustic fabric. As a result the iconic Aura silhouette has gained a more contemporary, slightly more substantial profile that is at home in both minimalist and more cosy interiors.

iFi Audio is launching the iDSD Phantom as the most advanced product in its history, a single-box flagship that combines a reference DAC, network streamer and powerful headphone amplifier. The new model is aimed at listeners who want a system voiced as close as possible to studio monitoring, but wrapped in a form that integrates into a domestic setup. Rather than a minor upgrade to the earlier Pro iDSD, the Phantom is built on a substantially reworked platform that revisits everything from the digital core and streaming engine to the analogue output stages, power supply and user interface, with the stated goal of delivering the most refined listening experience the company has created so far.

Audeze is expanding its presence in the gaming world with the Maxwell 2, a new planar magnetic headset designed to set a higher benchmark for audio on consoles and PCs. The newcomer takes over from the original Maxwell, a model that earned praise from gamers, reviewers and audio professionals alike for bringing serious hi-fi sound into the world of competitive and immersive gaming. In Maxwell 2 every major element has been revisited and refined to deliver higher fidelity, improved comfort during long sessions and more robust, flexible connectivity across platforms. The idea is to create a headset that can satisfy demanding esports players who rely on absolute precision just as well as casual gamers who value immersion and comfort above all else.

Cambridge Audio is entering a new territory, bringing its experience in building amplifiers, streamers and all-in-one systems into the world of active loudspeaker sets. The British brand has unveiled the L/R Series, a family of advanced active stereo systems designed to replace a traditional separates system and combine loudspeakers, amplification and streaming in a single, tidy package. The three models, L/R X, L/R M and L/R S, target the same part of the market that has so far been strongly represented by brands such as KEF and Sonos, offering users a fully fledged stereo system with built-in amplification, straightforward wireless connectivity and sound that is intended to work equally well for nearfield listening, in a larger living room and even as part of a setup for film soundtracks and immersive Dolby Atmos material.

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.