Next summer Yamaha is brining the next generation of NS-5000 loudspeakers. Yamaha has explored in the past few years various possibilities for implementation of new technologies and materials, that would make a key elements in the making of the next generation of the speakers. Primal goal was the natural sound that inherits all the best attributes from the legendary NS-30 and NS-20 speakers released back in the 1968. Yamaha wants to bring a balanced sound across the entire bandwidth and overwhelming low distortion. Photos by Yamaha.

Audiophiles rarely agree with one another. They even divide their community into various groups that are sometimes incomprehensible even to their members. The same kind of sound can be a true discovery for some people and a complete failure to others. Examples of such situations can be multiplied indefinitely. Therefore we found it quite strange and unique that everyone seemed to speak one voice about one of last year's exhibition at Audio Show in Warsaw. Especially remarkable that show's visitors emphasized the sonic excellence of loudspeakers made by so little known manufacturer from Poland. The name of the main company is Audiothlon but it has two brands under its wings. Historically the first one was Enerr, making power cables, conditioners and accessories. The second brand is Equilibrium making speaker and interconnect cables, and whole loudspeakers. While the cables are fairly well known and have been reviewed a couple of times, speakers evolved rather quickly. We couldn't wait to see them in the final form. The Ether Ceramique is the pinnacle among the speakers designed to fit normal and smaller listening rooms.

France is known not only for automobiles, excellent cuisine, high fashion and jammed streets of Paris. It is also one of the most important countries on the audiophile map of the world. It's the birthplace of brands such as Triangle, Lavardin, Lecontoure, Atoll, Devialet, Cabasse, Micromega, YBA, Fadel Art or Jadis. However, one of the most meaningful companies in the area of the speakers and accessories is Focal. And we are not talking only about the French, but worldwide market. Now this company, which a few years ago was known as JMLab, has several production centres. Collectively they occupy an area comparable to small refinery.

New headphones by AudioQuest use earcups made from a revolutionary new material known as Liquid Wood - actual wood that has been combined with reclaimed plant fiber, heated, liquefied, and processed in such a way that it can be injection molded. NightHawk is also the first completely original production headphone to use a 3D-printed part - a biomimetic grille that uses a complex diamond-cubic latticework to diffuse sound and defeat resonances. More info is coming soon. Photo by AudioQuest.

Classé has announced the availability of a new series of components called Sigma. The first devices from these line will be 7.1-channel home cinema processor and two power amplifiers - for two or five channels. Each of the them will provide exactly 200 watts per channel at 8-ohm load. Could this be an interesting idea for a hi-end stereo system and multichannel home cinema all in one? SSP processor and the AMP5 power amplifier will be priced at $5000, while the AMP2 stereo amplifier will cost $3500. Photos by Classe Audio.

The technical and sonic characteristics of the Phonitor 2 were translated into a more compact and less expensive format to create the Phonitor Mini. Small and sturdy housing and affordable price make it the perfect headphone amp for home studios, hi-fi enthusiasts and mobile recording and mixing. New model features the Phonitor Matrix to recreate speaker-like working conditions and the second generation of 120-Volt amplifier technology. Photos by SPL.

Canta Audio Topaz line stage is the outcome of several years of research and development. Its designers opted for a tube-based line stage design, as tubes allow for the most minimalistic approach, regarding the number of components needed, in comparison with solid state. Topaz has five analog inputs, two preamp outputs and one record output. The whole device weighs 14 kilograms. Photos by Canta Audio.

We have just received images of the new phono preamp of the Wall Audio company. Technical data have not been published yet even on the manufacturer's website, but the pictures show quite a lot. If we get more information, we will write about it. Photos by Wall Audio.

The new headphone amplifier Germany works with headphones with an impedance range from 60 to 600 ohms. In addition, A2 has the ability to drive two sets of headphones at the same time. On the back we have two RCA inputs and one output, so we can pass the signal through. However, the most impressive thing is the notch on the cover, so you can see what is happening inside. Price - €1490. Photos by Beyerdynamic.

Plinius introduces a stereo power amplifier designed for professionals. Home Theatre installers had been using Plinius amps and in their words found them bulletproof, so the company designed a smaller enclosure. But the amp still weighs 32 kg and delivers 310 W into 8 ohms. Price is estimated around €8900. Photos by Plinius Audio.