Embattled audio brand <A HREF="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com">TAG McLaren Audio</A> is showing more signs of life since <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11701/">hitting the ropes</A> earlier this summer. After completing "a full strategic review of its participation in the audio market," the company had <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11718/">announced</A&gt; a re-focused effort to continue.

Anthony H. Cordesman and John Atkinson tackle the classic <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/914/">Vandersteen 2C loudspeaker</A> in a review from 1986. "Whenever I think of cone speaker systems, I think of three brand names: Snell, Thiel, and Vandersteen," says Cordesman, prompting JA to add, "I must say that I just don't understand how Richard Vandersteen can sell the 2Ci at a hair under $1200/pair and expect to make any money."

Although the CD was successfully released into the music industry gene pool 20 years ago, several companies are still tinkering with its DNA in order to assist record labels in restricting how consumers use their discs.

"At a mere $65,000," Martin Colloms states, the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/909/">Wilson Audio Specialties X-1/Grand SLAMM loudspeaker system</A> "could be regarded as something of a bargain." MC then goes on to explain himself in great detail. The "longest, most thorough speaker review we have ever published!" notes John Atkinson, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Late summer isn't typically a time when new audio products appear, but on August 29 we received two noteworthy announcements.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) may spend the rest of its associated life in litigation&mdash;as either as the initiator or the recipient of actions intended to determine who can use its products, under which circumstances they can do so, and how much they should pay, assuming they are allowed to use them.

At the end of July, UK-based TAG McLaren Audio, which had been experiencing difficult trading conditions and was reducing its workforce, issued a rather pessimistic <A HREF=&rdquo; http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1701&rdquo;>announcement</A&gt;. The core of the announcement concerned the firm's commencement of "a full strategic review of its participation in the audio market."

It's been a rough year for the music industry&mdash;and possibly an even rougher one for audiophile labels. The Dorian Group, however, seems to be thriving. Parent company to Dorian Recordings, the Dorian Group announced last week its acquisition of Reference Recordings. During its 25 years in business, RR has consistently garnered praise from audiophiles for the sound quality of its recordings, and has scored eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards.