Focal Aria K2 906 Loudspeakers $2398 Review
March 23, 2022 Comments Off on Focal Aria K2 906 Loudspeakers $2398 Review
https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1659-focal-aria-k2-906-loudspeakers
I then turned to a track I often use to evaluate speaker transparency, which relates to the clarity of a speaker and how well it projects sound without calling attention to itself. Colin James’s “National Steel,” from National Steel (16/44.1 FLAC, Warner Music Canada), is a well-recorded, minimalist track that is an excellent test for this attribute. The tune opens with two guitars, one centered at the back of the stage, the other off to the left and closer to the front. On this track, I like to focus on the reverberation of the strings during the attacks and decays, to see if the sounds remain focused in space, or if subtle cabinet resonances “link” the aural image back to the speaker, muddying the sound and hindering the illusion of realism. I can say without hesitation that the Focals did not disappoint in this category. They placed the guitar plucks authoritatively, with attacks and decays confined to well-defined aural bubbles that hung in free space—it sounded very real indeed.
Audeze LCD-5 Planar Magnetic Headphone Review
March 23, 2022 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-5 Planar Magnetic Headphone Review
I can see some listeners maybe even finding the headphone right on the edge of too-detailed, but I didn’t think this was the case. I loved how much texture these headphones draw out of every frequency range and every genre of music. It’s addictive, though it does speak more to the analytical, gear-loving side of my brain than some dynamic headphones, which seem to focus my attention more on spatial qualities or a softer presentation. The LCD-5 won’t hide any warts in your recordings.
Soundstage on the very best DACs and amps gave me a sense of height, width and immersion in recordings that was novel for me. I tried some VR, Ambisonics and Dolby content on these and had to pick my jaw off the floor. The LCD-5’s extreme resolving, dynamic and spatial characteristics make it ideally suited to immersive audio experiences which are not merely impressive or enjoyable, but which seemed to erase any hint of gimmick and substitute it for reality. Well-heeled gaming nuts and immersive audio pros may find the LCD-5 a revelatory listen.
NOBLE AUDIO FOKUS PRO REVIEW
March 22, 2022 Comments Off on NOBLE AUDIO FOKUS PRO REVIEW
This is the most impressive side of the FoKus Pro. I don’t know if it’s the configuration or wizard’s magic, the unit has a really solid technical foundation and it should be a reference for future TWS earphones. The soundstage feels wide and relatively deep. The positioning of the instruments feels accurate and the separation is impressive. The PRaT is solid, the unit has good attack and decay, handles congestion with ease, and does not feel claustrophobic with any genre. The tonal balance is quite good too if you don’t mind EQ’ing the bass response a couple of decibels. The FoKus Pro is the most capable TWS that I’ve listened to, period. In fact, I was starting to lose hope in the development of wireless earphones. Thanks to Noble, I now am reminded that much better products can be launched into this industry and I am once again looking forward to the future.
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.
Audiophilepure 
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