JL Audio Gotham V2 Review
March 22, 2022 Comments Off on JL Audio Gotham V2 Review
https://stereo-magazine.com/review/jl-audio-gotham-v2-review
The Superbass mission should succeed. We STEREO editors have long been convinced of the value of high-quality subwoofer support thanks to such, admittedly rather rare experiences. There remains much more than “just” the bass as a benefit, the whole sonic picture becomes more relaxed, more natural and confident, audibly larger and wider, because the human brain immediately perceives through the lower frequencies and more clean energy in the lower registers that this has to be a large room; the sense of space is much more obvious. Otherwise sometimes sharp hissing sounds are softened. If you take the subwoofer out of the playback chain after the best possible measurement, room EQ and thus ideal integration and a few tracks you have heard, you are horrified at how much is suddenly missing.
JL Audio‘s flagship Gotham V2 stands as a technology leader, as “Formula One”, which is supposed to – and can – show what is possible in the lower layers in terms of outstanding quality. It masters both the depth down to below 20 Hertz and the ultimate precision with virtuosity – and not least thanks to the 4.5 kilowatt amplifier power and efficiency, it is a master of volume, which makes it an absolute reference for both music and cinema beyond our test experience. It thus eludes, for obvious reasons, its assessability by moving into the “high-end extreme”. It doesn’t get any better. Wow!
JBL 4309 Loudspeaker Review
March 21, 2022 Comments Off on JBL 4309 Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/jbl-4309-loudspeaker
In absolute terms – and here we’re talking about speakers both much larger and considerably pricier – these little JBLs do give away something in terms of rib-tickling weight, but then what would you expect with their dinky 165mm mid/bass drivers? What they do well, however, is cover their tracks with a sound so well-integrated and balanced that their sins of omission are easily overlooked, especially in smaller spaces where they shift more than enough air to turn on the thrills. And all this while delivering fine detail and bite in the midband and treble. Also, for the record, having tried them with the treble turned up and down, I returned to the default setting for the best balance of attack and sweetness.
And yes, my friend, they can certainly rock, as was proved with I Don’t Live Here Anymore, the big-production latest set from The War On Drugs [Atlantic SEL 2-666913]. There’s just so much going on here, and yet JBL’s 4309s do a great job of revealing the detail in the dense, retro-tinged mixes while still keeping the music moving along smartly. ’80s sound meets ’70s-styled speakers? Perfect!
Sennheiser IE 900 universal fit in-ear monitors
March 21, 2022 Comments Off on Sennheiser IE 900 universal fit in-ear monitors
The same recording allows the IE 900 to showcase their talents where a smooth, even and utterly convincing description of the frequency range is concerned. Not many groups manage to make modern instrumentation sound as antiquated, whiskery and woody as The Band, and the Sennheisers are almost gratuitously detailed from the top of the frequency range to the bottom. Bass is full-figured but fleet of foot, with plenty of substance but next-to-nothing by way of overhang – control is absolute. At the opposite end, there’s absolutely as much bit and shine to treble sounds as is acceptable – but though they periodically threaten to spill over i
MayFly MF-201 loudspeaker Review
March 19, 2022 Comments Off on MayFly MF-201 loudspeaker Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/mayfly-mf-201-loudspeaker
The 201s’ internal skyline diffuser succeeds not just as an intriguing novelty but as a factor in the excellent sonics these speakers produce. How big that factor is, only Trevor May knows. It would be impossible for the rest of us to say until we listen to the standard MayFlys as well as to a neutered version, with that complex wave trap cut out and replaced by, say, fiberglass or acoustic foam.
Not that it matters. For all anyone cares, the enclosures can be filled with tea leaves and old sneakers, as long as it sounds good.
Happily, the sound of the 201s—diffuser and all—varies from very good to stellar. Though slow to quicken the pulse, these speakers are not shy or retiring, but you may have to take the time to find the right placement. Yes, sometimes I found myself wanting a little more bite from the MayFlys, to really convey the brainstem-shaking power of Led Zeppelin’s “The Lemon Song” or Rage Against the Machine’s “Bombtrack.” Then again, with 95% of the recordings I played, muscular rock included, the MayFlys were satisfying and often beguiling. I won’t compose an Iliad to sing their praises, but they garner an easy recommendation.
darTZeel NHB-108 model two power amplifier $53,000 Review
March 19, 2022 Comments Off on darTZeel NHB-108 model two power amplifier $53,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/dartzeel-nhb-108-model-two-power-amplifier
DarTZeel’s NHB-108 model two, the latest iteration of darTZeel’s first product, is among the most satisfyingly musical amplifiers to ever sing in my system. Rather than hit you over the head with its strengths, it seduces with its exceptional embrace of music’s essence. Details frequently submerged in the sonic fabric surface with a delicacy and rightness that illumine what you’ve previously been missing. This holds true for intimate solo vocals, classical chamber music, and big-boned rock, jazz, orchestral music, and opera. Especially when paired with its matching NHB-18NS preamplifier and top-line Zeel 50 ohm BNC interconnects, the NHB-108 model two sounds disarmingly transparent, real, present, and alive.
When matched with speakers that present challenging loads to amplifiers, the NHB-108 model two’s bass can’t equal that from more powerful amplifiers. Some who fall under its spell may be tempted to follow Delétraz’s advice and change their speakers. There is an inherently nonmechanical, organic flow to the NHB-108 model two’s golden sound that will keep enticing many a music lover back for more.
Magnetostatic Headphones “Apollo”
March 18, 2022 Comments Off on Magnetostatic Headphones “Apollo”
https://stereo-magazine.com/article/sendy-audio-apollo-headphones-top-technology-cheaper-price
The headband is made of goatskin leather, and its ergonomical design is said to be comfortable to wear and counteract fatigue, even after long periods of use. The earpad is made of protein materials together with memory foam, and has a bowl-like design, aiming to enclose the entire ear. The L and R markings are clear and easy to see. Both ear cushions are removable and can be easily and conveniently replaced; the cable is also detachable. Forward-facing connection terminals aim to ensure that the cable does not fall onto your shoulders when wearing the headphones.
Devialet Phantom II 98dB – Stereo Wireless Speaker Review
March 18, 2022 Comments Off on Devialet Phantom II 98dB – Stereo Wireless Speaker Review
https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/devialet-phantom-ii-98db-stereo-wireless-speaker-review
In the Phantom II 98dB, Devialet has succeeded in taking all the quality and character that made the original Phantom speaker so good, and managed to significantly shrink it while still retaining its very high performance. The Phantom II has been elevated to true wireless hi-fi status by introducing the ability to stereo-pair these units. Incredibly, despite the ear-pleasing performance, it’s still the striking aesthetic and unconventional bass driver design that makes it a talking point in any room – and thanks to its wireless integration, every room.
Astell&Kern A&ultima SP2000T – Vacuum Tube
March 18, 2022 Comments Off on Astell&Kern A&ultima SP2000T – Vacuum Tube
ACOUSTIC SIGNATURE MONTANA NEO TURNTABLE REVIEW
March 17, 2022 Comments Off on ACOUSTIC SIGNATURE MONTANA NEO TURNTABLE REVIEW
The entire sonic presentation is detailed, 3-dimensional, and consistent. Every sound has a solidity and dynamic forcefulness that mimics life. This is not a perception that one or more veils has been deleted, but instead, that a direct connection to the recording microphone has been locked in. Where lesser turntables have noticeable differences – a little more of this, a little less of that – the Montana Neo raises the bar in every parameter for a significant system upgrade for all types of music. Just as the Origin Live tonearm expands the performance envelope of the Clearaudio turntable, the Montana Neo upgrades the sonic potential of the Origin Live tonearm. The combination of the Montana Neo turntable, Origin Live Agile tonearm and ZYX UNIverse Optimum moving-coil phono cartridge is stunning! The AS TA-7000 NEO tonearm arrived late in the audition and will be covered in a future article. Initial impressions are positive.
Questyle Audio M12 portable USB D/A headphone amplifier Review
March 17, 2022 Comments Off on Questyle Audio M12 portable USB D/A headphone amplifier Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/questyle-audio-m12-portable-usb-da-headphone-amplifier
Hart starts Copland’s “Billy’s Bounce” (16/44.1 ALAC file, unreleased) with a quiet dotted pattern on snare and hi-hat but gradually increases the complexity of the accompaniment, exploring the different textures of his ride and crash cymbals as first Abercrombie then Copland take solos. When Hart takes his own solo, the sounds of the toms, snare drum, and kickdrum were well-differentiated. The final rimshots on the snare almost took my head off when, seduced by the clarity, I set the M12’s volume to “100”!
The M12 handled DSD data with aplomb. An album I have mentioned several times in my reviews is violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Lars Vogt’s superbly idiomatic performances of the Brahms Violin Sonatas (DSD128 files, Ondine ODE1284-2D/HDtracks), especially the first sonata. Pressing “Play” in Roon turned the data status LED red, and the violin sounded appropriately delicate and the piano suitably majestic when required, both instruments suspended in a subtle ambient halo.
Audiophilepure 
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