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AV News & Editorials

AV News

Legacy Audio Named Exclusive Sound Sponsor For T.H.E. Film Festival

— October 15, 2025 12:45

Legacy Audio Named Exclusive Sound Sponsor For T.H.E. Film Festival

Legacy Audio is confirmed to be the exclusive sound sponsor for the T.H.E. Film Festival, which will take place as part of the Total HiFi Experience Show in New York, Oct 24-26, 2025.

Ultra HD Blu-ray and DVD Player Reviews Preview

Magnetar MKII Series Blu‑ray Players ‑ The New Oppo?

— October 12, 2025 00:00

Magnetar MKII Series Blu-ray Players - The New Oppo?

Magnetar has announced new versions of its high-end Blu-ray players. The UDP900MKII ($3,299.99) and UDP800MKII ($1,799.99) will arrive later this year with upgrades across the board. Read on.

AV News

ROCKTOBER Giveaway: Win a Rocksteady Portable 2.1 Stereo System!

— October 07, 2025 00:00

ROCKTOBER Giveaway: Win a Rocksteady Portable 2.1 Stereo System!

WIN a Rocksteady Stadium Portable Bluetooth 2.1 Stereo system by Rocksteady Audio, carrying case included. Our ROCKTOBER giveaway is FREE to enter, but Halloween night at 11:59pm, entry will disappear!

Floorstanding Speaker Reviews Preview

Focal $69K DIVA MEZZA UTOPIA Active Wireless Speakers Preview

— October 09, 2025 00:00

Focal $69K DIVA MEZZA UTOPIA Active Wireless Speakers Preview

The Focal DIVA MEZZA UTOPIA ($69K/pair) is an active wireless streaming speaker with four 8" woofers, a 6.5" mid, 1" Beryllium tweeter, and 500 watts of Naim amplification for stunning wireless sound.

AV News

Dirac Live ART ‑ Active Room Treatment Available on Denon/Marantz AVRs!

— October 06, 2025 00:00

Dirac Live ART - Active Room Treatment Available on Denon/Marantz AVRs!

Dirac Live ART is now available on select Denon and Marantz AVRs and processors sharing a key feature discussed in this article. A Dirac Live ART license costs $299 for current Dirac Live and DLBC users.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Review

Marantz Link 10n Streaming 2.1CH Hi‑Fi Preamp Review

— September 27, 2025 18:00

Marantz Link 10n Streaming 2.1CH Hi-Fi Preamp Review

The Marantz Link 10n 2.1CH streaming preamp delivers reference performance, stunning looks, and rich, engaging musicality—an ideal high-end hi-fi hub for discerning audiophiles of digital or analog music.

AV News

What We Know About Dolby Vision 2 So Far

— October 02, 2025 00:10

What We Know About Dolby Vision 2 So Far

After more than a decade, Dolby Vision is getting its first major update. Dolby Vision 2 uses “powerful and intelligent technologies” to deliver picture quality enhancements beyond just HDR.

Soundbars and Surround Sound Reviews Preview

KEF Aims High With $2,500 5.1.2 XIO Soundbar

— September 23, 2025 16:00

KEF Aims High With $2,500 5.1.2 XIO Soundbar

KEF’s first-ever soundbar, the new XIO, is a 5.1.2-channel system supporting Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio—packed with advanced tech including all-new Uni-Q MX driver arrays.

AV News

‘Apollo 13’ Launches Into IMAX Theaters For One Week Only

— September 22, 2025 15:50

‘Apollo 13’ Launches Into IMAX Theaters For One Week Only

Apollo 13 is coming to IMAX theaters near you. This limited re-release runs from Sept 19-25 to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary. Apollo 13 has never been shown in its entirety in the IMAX format.

Subwoofer Reviews Review

MartinLogan Dynamo 12 Subwoofer Review

— September 13, 2025 08:40

MartinLogan Dynamo 12 Subwoofer Review

In our review, the MartinLogan Dynamo 12 subwoofer proved to be a powerful 800W 12" sealed sub with ARC room correction, app control, wireless connectivity, deep accurate bass and it excelled with music.

AV News

Spotify Premium Is Lossless Listening At Last, But with Caveats?

— September 15, 2025 00:00

Spotify Premium Is Lossless Listening At Last, But with Caveats?

After years of delays, Spotify is finally rolling out lossless audio quality to subscribers of its Premium plan. Lossless audio is offered via FLAC, but it maxes out at 24-bit/44.1kHz. Any caveats?

Bookshelf Speaker Reviews Preview

The DALI KUPID Bookshelf Speaker Promises ‘True Hi‑Fi Sound’ For $600

— September 10, 2025 00:00

The DALI KUPID Bookshelf Speaker Promises ‘True Hi-Fi Sound’ For $600

DALI KUPID bookshelf speaker ($600/pair) packs high-end Danish sound into a compact, colorful design. Just 1" from the wall, it delivers big performance and superb value—premium audio made affordable.

AV News

Hi‑Fi Hotels: The Audiophile Vacation Destination

— September 02, 2025 18:00

Hi-Fi Hotels: The Audiophile Vacation Destination

Could Hi-Fi Hotels be the next trend? We look at the Central Station Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee and the hotel Il Sereno Lago Di Como in Italy to see their audiophile-quality systems for hi-fi listen.

Bookshelf Speaker Reviews Review

RBH Sound 55‑ir LCR Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review

— September 01, 2025 12:00

RBH Sound 55-ir LCR Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review

RBH Sound's 55-ir LCR speaker ($1,600/pair) packs a big punch from a reasonable size. Two beefy 5.25" woofers and an AMT tweeter in a dual ported cabinet make this a wildly dynamic bookshelf speaker!

AV News

Ascendo’s New 100" Infrasonic Subs: The World’s Largest?

— August 26, 2025 11:10

Ascendo’s New 100" Infrasonic Subs: The World’s Largest?

Great Scott! Ascendo Immersive Audio unveiled the THE64 SUB PRO and the world’s largest 100" subwoofer, THE100 SUB PRO—sealed, passive beasts built to deliver earth-shaking infrasonic bass.

Floorstanding Speaker Reviews Preview

GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Tower Speaker Overview

— August 25, 2025 12:35

GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Tower Speaker Overview

The New GoldenEar T44 ($4,900–$5,300/pair) is a slim, compact floor-stander with powered bass. It's the first new GoldenEar speaker since PML Sound International’s acquisition; we give our impressions.

AV News

Prince – Sign O’ The Times’ To Be Released in IMAX, Opening August 29th

— August 22, 2025 09:00

Prince – Sign O’ The Times’ To Be Released in IMAX, Opening August 29th

The 1987 film Prince – Sign O’ The Times is getting a global theatrical release in IMAX theaters on August 29th, 2025. This newly-restored film shows Prince at his creative peak.

Headphone Reviews Preview

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ANC Headphone Review: Bluetooth 5.2 Futurism in a Worthy Upgrade

— August 17, 2025 00:40

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ANC Headphone Review: Bluetooth 5.2 Futurism in a Worthy Upgrade

We reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless ANC Headphone. Premium noise canceling & audiophile sound w/ 5-band EQ. Upcoming updates add spatial audio, Bluetooth 5.2 LE Audio LC3 codec & Auracast.

AV News

Tim Burton's ‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Returns’ In Dolby Cinema Theaters For One Night Only!

— August 19, 2025 09:00

Tim Burton's ‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Returns’ In Dolby Cinema Theaters For One Night Only!

Tim Burton’s 1989 masterpiece Batman is coming back to the big screen for one night only. On August 25th, both films will be presented in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos at an AMC theater near you!

AV Gadget Reviews Review

Denon DP‑3000NE Turntable Review

Xavier Burgos (Captain Analogue) — August 11, 2025 10:00

Denon DP-3000NE Turntable Review

In our review of the Denon DP-3000NE, we found it fully redefines the $2.5–$3K turntable class, fusing vintage charm & modern tech for precise, rich, and truly fatigue-free analog bliss.

Trade Show Coverage

Audio Advice 2025 Show Demo Report

— August 07, 2025 00:00

Audio Advice 2025 Show Demo Report

Audio Advice Live 2025 continues to deliver for the 4th year in a row. Find out which demo rooms stood out the most, featuring Focal, B&W;, Polk, Sony, MartinLogan, MoFi, JTR, SVS, Trinnov, and many more.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Preview

NAD Introduces the Masters M33 V2 Integrated & M23 V2 Power Amplifier

— August 09, 2025 00:00

NAD Introduces the Masters M33 V2 Integrated & M23 V2 Power Amplifier

NAD announced the M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amp ($7,199) and the M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier ($4,999). The M33 V2 gets a better DAC and Dirac Live Bass Control option; the M23 V2 gets improvements too.

Trade Show Coverage

Audio Advice Live 2025 Steps it Up w BIGGER Demo Experience Rooms!

— August 02, 2025 11:00

Audio Advice Live 2025 Steps it Up w BIGGER Demo Experience Rooms!

Audio Advice Live show is back on August 1–3, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina & will have over 60 experience rooms and 12 immersive Dolby Atmos theater systems. Watch our Youtube for full coverage.

Audio Amplifier Reviews Preview

New JBL Synthesis SMA Series Multichannel Amps Now Shipping

— July 23, 2025 00:00

New JBL Synthesis SMA Series Multichannel Amps Now Shipping

The JBL Synthesis SMA-4750 and SMA-8300 Class D amplifiers promise high power and performance, and system-friendly flexibility for luxury home theaters. Both amps are bridgeable for almost 4X power.

AV News

Focal Diva Utopia Gloss Finishes, IsoAcoustics Unveils GAIA Neo Feet

— July 29, 2025 00:00

Focal Diva Utopia Gloss Finishes, IsoAcoustics Unveils GAIA Neo Feet

Focal has introduced three new high-gloss finish options for the Diva Utopia active streaming speakers. IsoAcoustics has introduced upgraded versions of its GAIA isolation feet. Read on to learn more.

Subwoofer Reviews Review

MartinLogan Abyss 10 Subwoofer Review

— July 14, 2025 00:00

MartinLogan Abyss 10 Subwoofer Review

MartinLogan Abyss 10 Review: This $1,899 powered subwoofer packs 800W, a 10" driver, and dual radiators into a compact 15" cube and Anthem ARC room correction. Can this sub really deliver deep bass?

AV News

Pioneer Splits From Premium Audio Company

— July 28, 2025 08:00

Pioneer Splits From Premium Audio Company

Pioneer and PAC ended their partnership after acquisitions by automotive-focused firms. Will Pioneer and Onkyo AVRs now diverge in premium home theater audio tech?

Headphone Reviews Preview

Focal Bathys MG ANC Headphone Review: Evolution of Mg Precision

— July 03, 2025 00:00

Focal Bathys MG ANC Headphone Review: Evolution of Mg Precision

Focal Bathys MG with Bluetooth ANC headphones hits the hi-fi wireless scene with serious upgrades—our review breaks down whether this pure-MG successor is an evolution or a revolution.

AV News

New ‘Pure Audio Streaming’ Service Promises Lossless Immersive Audio via AURO‑3D

— July 22, 2025 00:25

New ‘Pure Audio Streaming’ Service Promises Lossless Immersive Audio via AURO-3D

Set to launch July 25, 2025, Pure Audio Streaming will be the first to offer immersive, lossless hi-res audio streaming using AURO-3D. Does it stand a chance?

Subwoofer Reviews Preview

Q Acoustics ‘Q Sub Series’ Subwoofers Overview

— July 02, 2025 00:00

Q Acoustics ‘Q Sub Series’ Subwoofers Overview

Q Acoustics new Q Series subwoofers come include the 8-inch Q SUB80 ($899), the 10-inch Q SUB100 ($1,049) and the 12-inch Q SUB120 ($1,199). The affordable subs come with cool DSP features.

Editorials

I Translated Gen Z Slang Into Audiophile Review Terms. It Got Wild!

— July 11, 2025 14:00

I Translated Gen Z Slang Into Audiophile Review Terms. It Got Wild!

The core audiophile audience is aging, and the future of hi-fi depends on engaging Gen Z. By using their lingo in reviews, we can spark interest and pass the torch. What Gen Z terms describe your gear?