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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.

Wilson Benesch announced the Greenwich Turntable, a new model within its GMT analogue platform that establishes the entry point into the company's latest reference-level record playback architecture. Rather than representing a simplified derivative of existing designs, the Greenwich Turntable is conceived as the foundation of a modular analogue ecosystem in which structural, damping and isolation strategies evolve progressively through the GMT range while preserving a common motor platform. This approach allows owners to enter the architecture at the Greenwich level and move upward toward Prime Meridian and ultimately the flagship GMT One without replacing the core drive system.

Grado Labs revealed the Signature S550, the latest addition to its growing Signature Line of open-back headphones and the fourth model in the series following the earlier S950 and S750 variants. Designed as a wood-housed dynamic headphone tuned for a warmer and more relaxed presentation than some traditional Grado designs, the S550 combines the company's 50 mm S2 driver platform with Brazilian walnut earcups and a modular cable architecture intended to support both desktop and portable listening systems.

SVS has expanded its compact subwoofer lineup with the introduction of the SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution, a new sealed-cabinet model designed to deliver reference-grade low-frequency performance from an enclosure measuring just 11 inches across. Positioned as a successor to the earlier 3000 Micro, the new version brings updated drivers, a more powerful amplifier platform, and significantly increased DSP capability while maintaining the lifestyle-friendly form factor that made the original model popular in space-constrained listening rooms.

Schiit Audio has introduced the Eitr 2, a compact digital-to-digital converter designed to improve signal integrity when using computers, tablets, or smartphones as audio sources in high-performance playback systems. Building on the concept of the original Eitr released in 2017, the new version expands connectivity with AES/EBU output, introduces support for the company's Forkbeard control platform, and replaces the earlier USB interface with Schiit's proprietary Unison USB architecture. Rather than acting as a conventional converter, the Eitr 2 operates as a signal-conditioning stage between a USB source and an external DAC. Incoming USB audio is reclocked and regenerated before being transmitted through transformer-isolated AES/EBU and coaxial outputs or via optical TOSLINK, with support for PCM signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The inclusion of a balanced AES interface is particularly notable at this price level, as it is typically reserved for professional or higher-end consumer equipment.

Klipsch has introduced the ProMedia Lumina, a new 2.1-channel desktop speaker system that updates one of the company's longest-running multimedia audio platforms with revised acoustics, expanded connectivity, and integrated lighting control. Positioned as the successor to earlier ProMedia configurations first introduced in 1999, the Lumina version adapts the concept for contemporary desktop environments used for gaming, content creation, remote work, and everyday listening. The original ProMedia series established a distinctive position in the compact speaker category by incorporating horn-loaded high-frequency drivers, a feature rarely found in desktop audio systems. The new ProMedia Lumina continues this approach with updated MicroTractrix horn technology, now implemented in a wider geometry intended to improve dispersion and maintain clarity in nearfield listening conditions. Each satellite speaker uses a two-way configuration with a 3-inch midrange driver designed to support dynamic output and intelligibility across mixed-use scenarios ranging from voice communication to music playback and gaming.

Grado Labs has introduced the Classic Series, a newly defined structure within its headphone portfolio that brings together several of the company's most recognizable open-back models under a single lineup while incorporating the latest X2 driver platform across the range. The move formalizes the role of these long-standing designs within Grado's evolving product architecture, positioning the Classic Series alongside the Signature Line and Wireless Series as one of the three pillars of the manufacturer's current headphone catalog.

Écoute Audio has introduced the TH1, a pair of high-end wireless headphones built around a signal architecture more typical of a compact hi-fi system than a conventional Bluetooth design. Instead of relying on an integrated system-on-chip solution that combines decoding, processing and amplification in a single platform, the TH1 use a discrete dual-mono topology with a dedicated DAC stage, a tube preamplifier and separate Class A/B amplification for each channel. The result is a product positioned not simply as another premium portable headset but as a wearable extension of traditional hi-fi design logic.

Harman Kardon has introduced the Luna 2, a compact wireless speaker that continues the brand's familiar way of approaching the lifestyle audio segment. Instead of presenting another purely technical Bluetooth speaker built around ruggedness or raw output figures, the company is clearly aiming at a product that can function as part of the home environment first and as a portable speaker second. The new model is intended for everyday listening in spaces such as the living room, kitchen, terrace or garden, combining a small footprint with a more refined visual identity and a feature set that goes beyond simple Bluetooth playback.

Perlisten entered the hi-fi market in a way that surprised many - suddenly, yet with clear ambition. Its debut was far from accidental, led by seasoned engineers and managers with decades of experience in transducers, measurement systems, and loudspeaker design. Co-founder and president Dan Roemer brings over 25 years of industry expertise, including work with the NHT research group, MITek Corporation, and projects in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Lars Johansen, with more than 30 years in audio, has contributed to brands like JBL, Harman Kardon, Klipsch, and Jamo, and later served as partner and president of Miller & Kreisel, supplying solutions for recording studios and premium home theatres. Since its formal launch in 2016, Perlisten has aimed to deliver top-tier products, reflected in its pricing. The introduction of the more accessible A-Series marked a shift, opening the brand to a wider audience. Interest continues to grow, yet many enthusiasts remain unaware of the company's origins, the people behind it, and its long-term objectives. This is why I decided to speak with someone who has been with Perlisten from the start and understands every stage of its development - from early concepts and factory selection to launches and subsequent product lines. Erik Wiederholtz, Perlisten's Technical Director, is an acoustics specialist with experience in transducer modelling, dynamic speakers, MEMS digital microphones, hearing aids, headphones, and small speakers. Our conversation, I believe, will shed light on the company's foundations and help readers understand what Perlisten represents.