Displaying items by tag: bluetooth - StereoLife Magazine

FiiO has introduced the Snowsky Disc, a portable high-resolution audio player that leans deliberately into nostalgia for classic disc-based portables while relying entirely on modern digital hardware. This compact circular player is aimed at listeners who enjoy physical interaction and the visual language of older audio gear, but do not want to give up the convenience of file playback, hi-res support and compatibility with contemporary listening systems. Its chassis is made from aluminium alloy, while the front is dominated by a round touchscreen used not only for playback control but also for album art and lyric display. During playback, the interface can simulate a spinning disc, reinforcing the visual link with traditional Discman-style devices even though the music itself comes from microSD storage or wireless streaming rather than any physical medium.

Astell&Kern is one of the most recognisable brands in the high-resolution portable player segment. The company built its reputation on advanced Android-based digital audio players designed to combine high sound quality with support for streaming services and a distinctive angular industrial design. The A&ultima line serves as the manufacturer's flagship series, where its most sophisticated technical solutions typically make their debut, including complex DAC configurations, elaborate headphone amplification stages and proprietary technologies intended to improve signal processing and reduce noise. Limited editions of these players have long attracted particular attention, and because copper is a material that carries strong positive associations in the hi-fi world, the standard A&ultima SP4000 is now joined by a special A&ultima SP4000 Copper version. According to the manufacturer, copper has been used not only for visual impact but also as a component intended to influence the sonic character directly. The new model is aimed at listeners who treat a portable player as a fully fledged high-end source in any listening environment.

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.

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.

Final Audio Design has introduced the ZE300, an ultra compact noise-cancelling true wireless earphone created for everyday listening in the smallest form factor the company has produced so far. Each earpiece weighs 4 g and the design draws on Final's Cotsubu series, coming in 20 percent smaller than the ZE3000 SV to offer a secure, barely there fit that is particularly suitable for smaller ears and extended wear. The ZE300 is aimed at users who want a light, discreet earphone for music, podcasts, video and day to day use, with an emphasis on comfort, clarity and versatility rather than showy styling.

Triangle Electroacoustique is introducing a new generation of its premium wireless loudspeaker system with the launch of Capella 2, a pair of active bookshelf speakers designed and manufactured in France and supplied with a dedicated network hub. Building on the versatility and musicality of the original Capella concept, the new system aims to offer a more intuitive user experience and a higher level of performance, combining the brand's acoustic know how with modern streaming technologies and fully wireless communication between speakers. The idea is to provide a complete all in one solution that can handle television sound, vinyl and high resolution streaming with equal ease, while remaining compact enough to integrate discreetly into a wide range of living spaces.

FiiO is expanding its line-up of advanced portable players with a new flagship model, the M27. The device has been designed as a portable-desktop crossover, combining the freedom of listening on the move with the performance and flexibility of a full-size desktop component. In practice the M27 can work both as a standalone player with a powerful headphone amplifier and as a high-quality digital source in an elaborate stereo system, which according to the manufacturer is intended to set a new benchmark in the high-end portable player segment.

When Fezz Audio, then a small, unknown domestic manufacturer, unveiled its first amplifier ten years ago, very few people believed it stood a chance. Yes, the company was connected to a respected producer of transformers used by prestigious audio brands, but as its own label it simply did not exist in the consciousness of audiophiles. At launch, Fezz brought only a single product to market. It was not a compact digital-to-analog converter, not a lavishly equipped solid-state integrated, but a modest tube integrated that, from the customer's perspective, distinguished itself mainly with its reasonable price and a handful of available color finishes. How was this oddity ever supposed to shake up the tightly sealed hi-fi world? And yet, within just a few months, Silver Luna was on everyone's lips. Reviewers and music lovers quickly took to it, drawn by its honest, fully tube-based sound and its raw, minimalist, slightly industrial styling. It was a straightforward, sensible piece of gear with no gimmicks, no cosmetic frills, no wooden ornaments - just engineering focused on doing one job well. It turned out you really could build tube amplifiers in Europe that didn't cost as much as a new car.

Primare has unveiled its new all-in-one audio system, the Allt-i-Ett - a complete high-end solution combining a network player, amplifier and loudspeakers within a single elegant enclosure. Designed to deliver premium performance with Scandinavian simplicity, the Allt-i-Ett embodies the Swedish manufacturer's minimalist approach to audio engineering. Its name, meaning 'all-in-one' in Swedish, reflects both the concept and the company's philosophy of bringing outstanding sound quality to as many listeners as possible, without the need for multiple components. At its core, the Allt-i-Ett delivers a powerful 300-watt peak output supported by advanced digital signal processing and a versatile range of connection options. The system is designed for both convenience and fidelity, offering easy integration into any modern living space. It caters equally to those who want a refined, plug-and-play system and to experienced audiophiles seeking a high-performance secondary setup.

Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the Px8 S2, its new flagship wireless headphone, representing the brand's most advanced design and engineering effort to date. Introduced on 24 September 2025, the Px8 S2 replaces the previous Px8 as the company's top model in the over-ear category, combining luxurious materials, refined ergonomics and significant acoustic upgrades. Drawing on decades of loudspeaker and studio monitoring expertise, Bowers & Wilkins continues its pursuit of what it calls the "True Sound" of the artist's intent. The Px8 S2 builds on this philosophy with newly developed 40 mm Carbon Cone drive units and a discrete internal amplifier system designed to reduce distortion, increase resolution and produce a more natural, detailed soundstage. Each driver sits within a redesigned acoustic chassis that includes a new suspension, magnet and voice coil arrangement, angled precisely toward the ear to improve imaging and spatial consistency across the listening field.