Displaying items by tag: streaming - StereoLife Magazine

Marantz has introduced the second generation of its Cinema Series AV receivers. The new family consists of the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 and slimline Cinema 70s Series 2. The company has not opted for a major visual overhaul, as the distinctive styling of the current range has proved to be one of its strongest features. Instead, the most important changes have been made inside the receivers and within their software. Marantz promises improved sound quality, wider access to Dirac Live room correction, new installation tools, expanded streaming capabilities and additional features designed for modern gaming PCs and consoles.

Klipsch is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a major overhaul of one of the most recognizable parts of its powered-speaker lineup. The Fives II, The Sevens II and The Nines II retain the familiar three-step hierarchy of the previous generation, but little else has simply been carried over. All three models combine Klipsch's horn-loaded acoustic design with a completely new electronics platform developed by Onkyo engineers in Osaka, while adding built-in network streaming, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos and a much broader range of system functions. The new generation was first shown at CES 2026 and has since reached stores in the US, UK and Europe.

The Wireless Box E is one of those small Pro-Ject components whose purpose becomes clear the moment you see where it is meant to sit - not on a hi-fi rack, but directly on the back of a loudspeaker. Instead of adding streaming to an existing amplifier, as the Stream Box E does, the Wireless Box E takes the idea further by turning a passive speaker into a wireless active audio system. It is a compact mono streaming amplifier that connects directly to speaker terminals, removing the need for a separate amplifier and allowing users to build a flexible, app-controlled stereo or multi-room setup with traditional passive loudspeakers.

Jamo has unveiled Hyg, a new series of wireless speakers inspired by the Scandinavian idea of "hygge" - warmth, comfort, ease and a sense of connection. After announcing its new Concert Legacy and Concert Element loudspeakers, the brand is also entering a more lifestyle-oriented part of the market, but without abandoning the design values that have long been associated with Scandinavian audio. The Hyg series launches with three models - Hyg Flex, Hyg Flow and Hyg Reflect - each built around a different listening situation, from room-filling sound at home to portable outdoor use and quieter bedside listening.

Harman Kardon has refreshed one of the most recognizable products in its catalog. The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi is a new version of the transparent speaker system that, for many years, was associated mainly with computers, desktops and its distinctive, almost sculptural form. This time, however, the emphasis shifts clearly toward a modern wireless system for everyday music listening. The transparent subwoofer and slim satellite speakers remain, but they are now joined by Wi-Fi connectivity, support for popular streaming platforms, Bluetooth 6.0, app-based control and lighting effects that react to the music. The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi is therefore not just another variation of a familiar design. It is an attempt to adapt this idea to the way music is used at home today - without signal cables, without a traditional source and, in most cases, without the need to connect anything apart from power.

JPLAY has received a major update that expands the app with one of the most requested features in its recent history - full support for the HQPlayer library. For hi-fi users, this may be a more significant change than a simple feature list would suggest, because JPLAY has never positioned itself as just another app for playing music. From the beginning, it has functioned as a specialized control center for listeners using streamers, network DACs, services such as Qobuz, Tidal and HighResAudio, and local UPnP libraries. Now it adds the ability to browse and control an HQPlayer library directly from within JPLAY, alongside dynamic Smart Playlists, a completely new History screen with a calendar view and several refinements based on community feedback. The update is available in the latest version of the app as a free upgrade for existing users through the App Store.

Harman Kardon revealed the Aura Studio 5 Wi-Fi, a new wireless speaker that develops one of the most recognizable lines in the company's catalog. The Aura Studio series has always stood apart from typical home speakers not only because of its sound, but also because of its form. Its transparent dome and lighting effects were never just decorative extras, but part of the product's identity from the beginning. In the latest version, Harman Kardon takes that idea further, combining the familiar design with Wi-Fi connectivity, support for popular streaming systems, multi-room operation, Bluetooth 6.0 and a more elaborate acoustic structure. The Aura Studio 5 Wi-Fi is therefore intended not only as a striking object for the home, but also as a fully fledged network speaker for everyday music listening.

iFi Audio has refreshed one of its most accessible product families with three new ZEN Air 2 devices, each designed to solve a different and very common problem in everyday music listening. The ZEN Air DAC 2 is a compact digital-to-analog converter with a headphone amplifier, aimed primarily at people who listen from a computer, play games, watch movies or work at a laptop and want a clear upgrade over a standard audio output without building a large system. The ZEN Air Phono 2 is a phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges, allowing a turntable to be connected to an amplifier, active speakers or another component that lacks a suitable phono input. The ZEN Air Blue 2 serves a different purpose again. It is a Bluetooth receiver that allows a traditional amplifier, stereo system or pair of active speakers to gain wireless playback from a phone, tablet or computer. Together, the three models form a simple, affordable and compact route to upgrading an existing system without replacing its core components. In other words, iFi is not offering one universal box that tries to do everything, but three specialized tools - one for headphones, one for vinyl and one for Bluetooth streaming - each aimed at one of the most familiar weak points in home audio.

Astell&Kern has introduced the PD20, a new premium portable audio player that combines the Korean brand's familiar idea of a self-contained high-end source with unusually advanced sound personalization. In an era in which many listeners use a smartphone as their main music device, such a product may seem like a niche proposition, but this is precisely the field in which Astell&Kern has built its reputation over the years. The PD20 is not another all-purpose gadget. It is a dedicated player for users who want a local hi-res music library, high-quality headphone outputs, a serious DAC section, support for high-resolution formats and the ability to adjust the behavior of the amplifier stage to suit different headphones.

Kanto Audio has introduced a redesigned generation of its speaker lineup, led by the new Tuk Grand flagship and accompanied by updated versions of the company's Yu4, Yu6, and Tuk models. The refreshed range represents a broader acoustic and industrial design revision across both powered and passive variants. Originally launched in 2014, the Yu series helped establish Kanto Audio's reputation for compact, accessible loudspeakers combining integrated amplification with modern connectivity. The Tuk followed in 2019 as a more performance-oriented model positioned closer to the hi-fi segment. With the introduction of the Tuk Grand and the redesign of the existing families, the company is now extending that concept with larger enclosures, revised driver integration, updated electronics, and a new visual direction intended to align more closely with contemporary interiors.