Home Theater News & Reviews
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AV News & Editorials
‘Qobuz Connect’ Feature Goes Live on Denon, Marantz, and 50+ More Hi‑Fi Brands
‘Qobuz Connect’ feature has arrived, offering simplified control between devices. This new feature has already been embraced by dozens of audio manufacturers, including Denon and Marantz.
The Grimani Systems MP‑84 in ceiling mini‑port speaker ‑ The Future of Home Audio
The Grimani Systems MP-84 is a virtually invisible in-ceiling speaker. It conceals an 8-inch woofer and 2-inch tweeter inside a large aluminum cabinet hidden inside the ceiling. Read on to learn more.
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.
Kaleidescape Launches New ‘Strato E’ 4K Movie Player at $3K
The new Kaleidescape Strato E ($2,995) is now the company’s least expensive 4K movie player. It offers 4K video with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, lossless audio, and an internal 480GB solid-state drive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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+.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.