Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker Review
February 5, 2026 § Leave a comment
The ability of the Monitor 8s to reveal details was illustrated by several recordings that Philip auditioned during the review period. For instance, with The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco, Philip describes how he “could hear everything through the Arendals” and that the pair “sounded as clean as any speakers” he’s ever reviewed. “Adderley’s band was spread wide across the front of my room, and the position of each musician was a cinch to visualize.”
Listening to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Moanin’, Philip writes how “the wide stage conveyed by the Arendals was bookended by the rich tones of the trumpet on the left and the tenor saxophone on the right. The drum kit emerged with commendable clarity almost directly behind the right speaker, which seemed to disappear entirely.” He sums up his listening impressions of this song by explaining that the speakers “called little attention to themselves and simply communicated what was in the grooves of the vinyl.”
Philip compared the 1528 Monitor 8s with his reference speakers: a pair of Monitor Audio Gold 300 5Gs. The Gold 300 5G is a three-way design that is now discontinued. It sold for US$9500 per pair when Philip made his purchase. Like the Monitor 8, the Gold has two 8″ woofers, but it has a 2.5″ midrange and a 1″ AMT-type driver for high frequencies, and it’s a floorstander. Philip describes an extensive back and forth that demonstrated to him that both pairs of speakers have “a fair amount in common,” but in the end, he leaned more to the 1528 Monitor 8s, declaring: “At higher volumes, the Arendals were more effortless, betraying no sense of exertion whatsoever. That being said, the 300s could also play louder than I’m able to tolerate, but the Arendals were just more at ease doing so. . . . For this reason, I found they encouraged higher playback. If you have a large room and/or listen at high volumes, you’ll almost certainly favor the Arendals.”
SME Model 8/309 turntable/tonearm Review
February 4, 2026 Comments Off on SME Model 8/309 turntable/tonearm Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/sme-model-8309-turntabletonearm
The SME Model 8 takes an already impressive entry level design in the Model 6 and significantly uplifts its performance. The plinth developments, the new AC motor drive system developed from the Model 60, and the change of tonearm to the 309 have really given SME’s baby a boost. Easy to set up, this stylish performer offers more than a tantalising taste of the brand’s higher end turntables. SME is on a roll.
EarMen CH-Amp Signature $949 Review
February 3, 2026 Comments Off on EarMen CH-Amp Signature $949 Review
While I could reach levels that satiated my desired listening level, I came close to max (26 out of 30 on the volume) to attain that, even on full volume LO. At full volume, I could listen, but it was beyond my comfort level. Some may be able to reach that full-volume level, but I could not.
All of the other listening headphones were able to be powered through the 4.4mm balanced jack with ease.
I never had to move past 22/30 to attain an adequate listening volume. Combined with a source input that has plenty of juice, though, the CH-Amp Signature could readily drive anything I sent its way.
Octave Audio • HP 300 SE Preamplifier $8250 Review
February 3, 2026 Comments Off on Octave Audio • HP 300 SE Preamplifier $8250 Review
https://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/octave_hp_300_se.htm
One final thought is about warm-up time. The review sample of the HP 300 SE was delivered with, reportedly, many hours of use, but I was not totally comfortable with the sound until the unit had been on for at least an hour. The sound when first turned on wasn’t harsh or bass-shy, but rather unnaturally fast and insistent. I can’t say these made music unlistenable, but as soon as I discovered the sound of a fully warmed up HP 300 SE, I always turned it on an hour or two before listening, and I strongly recommend you do the same.
Questyle SIGMA Portable DAC and Headphone Amp $599 Review
February 2, 2026 Comments Off on Questyle SIGMA Portable DAC and Headphone Amp $599 Review
The SIGMA is a first-rate DAC/Amp that should make any audiophile happy. Having found the audio qualities excellent, I have a few reservations. As a portable system, there is no way to attach the device to your phone or music player, so you can carry them together. It’s awkward at best. Even worse, there is no case, and with the beautiful glass front and back pieces, I can sense an unhappy ending if the unit is dropped or the glass surfaces become scratched. I am surprised there was no case that comes with this device, and no thought given to how to carry it with a music source. I don’t think most people want to carry a music player or phone, with wires coming out to attach to the SIGMA in a loose configuration. Yes, Bluetooth will keep it wireless, but there’s still the SIGMA to carry around with a lot of exposed glass.
BGVP Astrum Review $649
February 1, 2026 Comments Off on BGVP Astrum Review $649
The inside of the lid has a mirror-framed window filled with floating silver grains. Tilt the lid up and down, and they drift slowly, like an hourglass turned sideways. It is strangely calming and completely unexpected.
The packaging unfolds in tiers. First is the IEM tray, lit dramatically by the spotlights. The tier underneath it contains a heavy metal carry case sitting in its own cutout bed.
The case has a vintage feel and paintwork, like old silverware. Under the carry case, we have four ear tip packs spread neatly, each in its own labelled box. And tucked underneath everything is a small card hiding a pair of batteries you insert to power the lights.
Every layer rests on plush blue suede padding, soft to the touch from top to bottom. This is not the kind of box you put away. It is the kind you sit with for a minute, appreciating how over-the-top and thoughtful it is.
GRADO Signature S750 Open Air Dynamic Headphones $1,695 Review
February 1, 2026 Comments Off on GRADO Signature S750 Open Air Dynamic Headphones $1,695 Review
With the S750 Grado has well earned their Product of the Year Award and I’ll repeat my comment of then; representing the entry level for Grado’s Signature series of headphones, with the audiophile timbre, extreme efficiency, and dynamic range that denotes the Grado sound, the Grado Signature S750 has a unique subsonic heavy tonal balance that resonates with old Delta-Blues recordings, giving them a more modern feel. Jazz fans will love the liquid mid-range vocal reproduction, and Progressive Rock and Pipe Organ fans will adore the pulsating subsonics. And let’s not forget speed that is a rarity in dynamic headphones. Simply another gem from Grado, congrats.
PLUSSOUND SONORA SE Review
January 30, 2026 Comments Off on PLUSSOUND SONORA SE Review
Lower mids have real body. There is enough energy packed in the region to keep things warm, full, and intact. Bass guitar lines feel fleshed out instead of stringy, and cello carries weight with texture still intact.
Male vocals land with a convincing tone, and the small nuances come through easily: huskiness, throat texture, little breaths between phrases, and those tiny dynamic shifts that make vocals feel alive. Resolution is strong, so clarity comes without stripping the note or bleaching timbre.
As the midrange climbs into the upper midrange, presence and definition return in a controlled way. The region keeps the lights on but the glare off.
Vocals sharpen in outline, and articulation becomes cleaner and more obvious, without turning shouty. Female vocals sound clear and well-drawn, guitars have clean string snap, and piano attacks carry crisp edges. Micro-detail is plentiful, with an easy presence rather than a forensic one.
Audiophilepure 
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