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AV News & Editorials

AV News

GPMI: A New 8K HDMI Competitor Emerges From China

— May 27, 2025 18:00

GPMI: A New 8K HDMI Competitor Emerges From China

The General Purpose Media Interface, or GPMI, is a new competitor to HDMI. Promising higher bandwidth, high power delivery, and other benefits, GPMI looks great on paper. Read on to learn more.

Subwoofer Reviews Review

SVS PB17‑Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer Review

— May 26, 2025 00:00

SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer Review

The SVS PB17-Ultra 17" subwoofer with 2,800W, triple 4" ports delivers earth-shaking output with precise finesse and superior infrasonic performance that outshines the PB16-Ultra model it replaces.

AV News

T.H.E. Film Festival To Join T.H.E. Show Events in 2025

— May 19, 2025 00:00

T.H.E. Film Festival To Join T.H.E. Show Events in 2025

T.H.E. Enterprises announced T.H.E. Film Festival that will be held in conjunction with each of its upcoming HiFi shows. This new film festival will feature movie screenings with high end audio gear.

In-Wall & Outdoor Speaker Reviews Preview

Grimani Systems Redefines Dialogue with their Reflectance Sound Projector

— May 24, 2025 12:00

Grimani Systems Redefines Dialogue with their Reflectance Sound Projector

Grimani Systems Reflectance center channel delivers a lifelike, immersive virtual center image with precise dialog and makes the entire front stage feel like it’s emanating directly from the screen.

AV News

Shure Scores Major Victory Against Counterfeiters

— May 16, 2025 12:00

Shure Scores Major Victory Against Counterfeiters

Shure has worked with Chinese police to take down a network of counterfeiters. Along with 2 other audio manufacturers, Shure helped to shut down a criminal network selling millions in fake audio gear.

AV Preamp and Processor Reviews Preview

Marantz 13.4CH AV 20 Pre/Pro and 12CH AMP 20 Power Amplifier Review!

— May 20, 2025 08:00

Marantz 13.4CH AV 20 Pre/Pro and 12CH AMP 20 Power Amplifier Review!

Marantz announced their 13.4-channel AV 20 Preamp and 12-channel AMP 20 Power Amp designed to deliver similar performance to the their flagship AV 10 and AMP 10 but for smaller systems and less cost.

AV News

JBL Synthesis Readies 36‑Channel SDP‑80 Home Theater Processor

— May 13, 2025 00:00

JBL Synthesis Readies 36-Channel SDP-80 Home Theater Processor

JBL Synthesis is preparing to launch the SDP-80 home theater surround processor supporting 36 channels of immersive audio and will use the excellent Trinnov Optimizer EQ room correction solution.

Subwoofer Reviews Preview

DALI Speakers Launches New Flagship V‑16 F 16" Subwoofer

— May 15, 2025 11:00

DALI Speakers Launches New Flagship V-16 F 16" Subwoofer

DALI's new flagship V-16 F is an absolute beast with a 16" driver, a 1,500-watt amplifier, and quadrupole ports. DALI has gone to great lengths to ensure that fidelity is not sacrificed for output.

Editorials

Masimo Sells Sound United to Harman/Samsung, Creates Audio Empire?

— May 09, 2025 12:00

Masimo Sells Sound United to Harman/Samsung, Creates Audio Empire?

Masimo is selling its audio division, including Denon and Bowers & Wilkins, to Harman (Samsung) for $350M, creating an audio empire and ending its $1B investment in Sound United amid investor backlash.

HDTV Reviews Preview

TCL QM7K Series: Advanced Halo Control System & Bang & Olufsen Audio

— May 05, 2025 00:00

TCL QM7K Series: Advanced Halo Control System & Bang & Olufsen Audio

TCL released their new QM7K series of TVs that integrates the Halo Control System, enhanced QD-Mini LED backlighting, and premium Bang & Olufsen sound for models ranging from 55” to a whopping 115”.

AV News

Kaleidescape Joins 8K Association, Netflix Adds HDR10+

— May 07, 2025 00:00

Kaleidescape Joins 8K Association, Netflix Adds HDR10+

Kaleidescape joined the 8K Association. This is the first hint that Kaleidescape has ambitions to offer 8K content in the near future. Meanwhile, Netflix has begun streaming content in HDR10+.

HDTV Reviews Preview

Sony Announces 2025 TVs and BRAVIA Projector 7

— April 28, 2025 00:00

Sony Announces 2025 TVs and BRAVIA Projector 7

Sony has announced its 2025 TV lineup, led by a new flagship QD-OLED called the BRAVIA 8 II. Sony also released their new BRAVIA 7 Projector that includes their killer processing at a lower price.

AV News

SVS 7.4‑Channel Reference System Chosen For T.H.E. Film Festival

— May 01, 2025 00:00

SVS 7.4-Channel Reference System Chosen For T.H.E. Film Festival

SVS will be the exclusive audio partner for T.H.E. Film Festival. The company will provide a $25K 7.4-channel system with the brand’s flagship Ultra Evolution speakers and 17-Ultra R|Evolution Subs.

In-Wall & Outdoor Speaker Reviews Review

Focal 302 On‑Wall Speaker Review

— April 23, 2025 00:00

Focal 302 On-Wall Speaker Review

The Focal 302 On-Wall Speaker is a 2.5-way on-wall speaker engineered to deliver audiophile-level sound while maintaining a compact and elegant form factor.

Editorials

Global Tariff Fears Cause Panic in Audiophile Industry at AXPONA 2025

— April 29, 2025 14:00

Global Tariff Fears Cause Panic in Audiophile Industry at AXPONA 2025

The audiophile industry panicked at AXPONA 2025 as new global tariffs up to 145% hit. How will rising costs reshape the future of buying high-end audio gear? The impact may be bigger than you think.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Preview

WiiM’s $299 Vibelink Amp Offers Power Instead of Streaming

— April 15, 2025 00:00

WiiM’s $299 Vibelink Amp Offers Power Instead of Streaming

The new WiiM Vibelink Amp ($299) is the company’s first non-streaming product. The compact Vibelink offers 100 Watts of power and is designed to be used with the WiiM Ultra or other sources.

AV News

Victrola Acquires KLH Audio

— April 29, 2025 00:00

Victrola Acquires KLH Audio

Turntable pioneer Victrola has bought loudspeaker manufacturer KLH Audio. KLH was a major HiFi player in the middle of the 20th century, and the company was relaunched in 2019. Read on to learn more.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Preview

Orchard Audio Demos Active Speakers & New Headphone Amp at AXPONA 2025

— April 11, 2025 00:00

Orchard Audio Demos Active Speakers & New Headphone Amp at AXPONA 2025

At AXPONA 2025, Orchard Audio is demonstrating their Valencia Headphone Power Amp with 17W of power and an innovative active speaker electronics package, complete with an active/passive comparison.

Editorials

Samsung UWB May Revolutionize Lossless/Wireless Headphones: But For Who?

— April 24, 2025 00:00

Samsung UWB May Revolutionize Lossless/Wireless Headphones: But For Who?

Samsung patents its plan for Ultra-WideBand headphones and earbuds. Could this be start of true lossless & hi-res portable audio streams? Or does Samsung have a different purpose in mind?

Bookshelf Speaker Reviews Preview

Klipsch Updates Klipschorn and La Scala Speakers w Active Option

— April 03, 2025 00:00

Klipsch Updates Klipschorn and La Scala Speakers w Active Option

Klipsch has launched new versions of its Klipschorn ($17,998/pair) and La Scala ($14,998/pair) speakers. Both feature new modified Tractrix midrange horns and updated compression drivers.

AV Gadget Reviews

Kaleidescape Introduces $2K Strato M Movie Player, But There’s A Catch

— April 21, 2025 00:00

Kaleidescape Introduces $2K Strato M Movie Player, But There’s A Catch

At $2K, the new Kaleidescape Strato M Movie Player is the brand’s least expensive device that can act as a standalone player or be part of a multi-zone Kaleidescape system but not in 4K resolution!

Floorstanding Speaker Reviews Preview

Norway’s ‘Ø Audio’ Debuts Icon 12 Loudspeaker, Gains American Distribution

— March 31, 2025 00:00

Norway’s ‘Ø Audio’ Debuts Icon 12 Loudspeaker, Gains American Distribution

Norway’s Ø Audio debuted its 2nd-gen Icon 12 loudspeaker ($23,4k/pair) at the 2025 FAE Show, delivering a stunning demo. Now available in the USA, this brand aspires to be the next hot ticket in hi-fi.

Trade Show Coverage

The Best Loudspeakers We Heard at AXPONA 2025

— April 17, 2025 00:00

The Best Loudspeakers We Heard at AXPONA 2025

The 2025 Axpona show proved hi-fi is alive and well despite prognostications to the contrary . Check out our report on some of the most interesting and best-sounding loudspeakers.

Headphone Reviews Preview

New Focal Bathys MG: High‑End Sound From a Bluetooth ANC Headphone?

— March 27, 2025 00:00

New Focal Bathys MG: High-End Sound From a Bluetooth ANC Headphone?

Focal released a new and improved Bathys MG headphones featuring new ear cushions, digital microphones for improved noise cancellation and drivers using a magnesium M-shaped dome for better sound.

AV News

Immersive Lunar Documentary By Tom Hanks Blasts Off At Space Center Houston

— April 14, 2025 00:00

Immersive Lunar Documentary By Tom Hanks Blasts Off At Space Center Houston

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks is a new immersive documentary playing at Space Center Houston. Space Center Houston renovated and upgraded its IMAX theater to prepare for the new movie.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Preview

Rotel’s New DX‑3 DAC/Headphone Amp Is The ‘Ultimate Desktop Companion’

— March 25, 2025 00:00

Rotel’s New DX-3 DAC/Headphone Amp Is The ‘Ultimate Desktop Companion’

Rotel’s DX-3 ($1,499)is a DAC, headphone amp, and preamp all in one. The compact DX-3 is designed to be the “ultimate desktop companion,” ready to drive your favorite headphones or powered speakers.

AV News

HARMAN Becomes NASCAR Technology Partner, Will Deliver Audio Upgrades at Racetracks

— April 07, 2025 00:00

HARMAN Becomes NASCAR Technology Partner, Will Deliver Audio Upgrades at Racetracks

HARMAN is now an official NASCAR Technology Partner. The company will provide gear from JBL Professional and other iconic brands to deliver “best-in-class” sound at NASCAR racetracks.

Floorstanding Speaker Reviews Preview

Sigberg Audio Saranna Active Floor‑Standing Loudspeakers With Cardioid Bass!

— March 18, 2025 00:00

Sigberg Audio Saranna Active Floor-Standing Loudspeakers With Cardioid Bass!

Sigberg Audio's Saranna is a high-end active speaker with a coaxial tweeter/midrange and dual 8" subwoofers in a cardioid alignment, ensuring big performance and easy room placement in a sleek package.

AV News

Simon Fraser University Acoustics Lab Features 128‑Channel Immersive System!

— April 01, 2025 00:00

Simon Fraser University Acoustics Lab Features 128-Channel Immersive System!

Canada’s Simon Fraser University has built a cutting-edge acoustics lab with a 128-channel system. The new lab is devoted to “immersive communication” and spatial acoustics processing.

Floorstanding Speaker Reviews Preview

The Arendal Sound 1961 Loudspeaker Series Is Back!

— March 11, 2025 15:00

The Arendal Sound 1961 Loudspeaker Series Is Back!

The Arendal Sound 1961 Loudspeaker Series has returned to production after a two-year hiatus. The 1961 Series is perfect for smaller spaces and lower budgets, without sacrificing quality.

Home Theater Calibration

10 Characteristics of Great Audiophile Sound

— March 26, 2025 00:00

10 Characteristics of Great Audiophile Sound

Gene's YouTube video explores 10 key characteristics of a great audiophile playback system. This article delves into those traits and discusses how to optimize your setup to achieve audio nirvana.