Since it started in late 2020, this column has emphasized the imperative for bricks-and-mortar hi-fi dealerships to evolve if they want to survive and thrive in the current era. They—indeed, the whole industry—need to attract new customers as they give existing customers reasons to keep coming back.

In its current form, Houston, Texas–based dealership 3mA arose from founder and majority owner Johnny Yip's connection with Luis Miranda, a customer. The two became partners when Miranda bought into the business in 2017.

Miguel Zenón: Golden City
Zenón, alto saxophone; eight others
Miel Music MZ10 (CD). 2024. Zenón, prod.; Ryan Streber, eng.
Performance ****½
Sonics ****½

In the current, not-so-new millennium, there have been very few jazz musicians more decorated than Miguel Zenón. Among the many accolades he has received are Grammy awards and nominations, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a MacArthur Fellowship (known as the "Genius Grant"). He has lived at or near the top of the major jazz polls for years on his instrument, the alto saxophone.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued two new/newly revised rules relevant—or possibly relevant—to the hi-fi industry.

As John Atkinson reported in the October Stereophile (see Industry Update), the FTC recently announced a revision to the "Amplifier Rule," with changes that took effect in August. It's the culmination of a process that lasted several years and a significant modification of a rule that has been in place for half a century. Amplifier manufacturers take note. Then in mid-August, the FTC announced the final version of a new rule aimed at banning fake reviews and fake product testimonials. It also forbids companies from intimidating people engaging in critical speech.

Pat Metheny: Bright Size Life; Bill Charlap Trio: And Then Again; Altus: Mythos; Brian Landrus: Plays Ellington & Strayhorn.

Pearl Jam: Dark Matter; English Teacher: This Could Be Texas; Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones: TexiCali; Guided By Voices: Strut of Kings.

Mozart: Symphonies 29 & 33, Clarinet Concerto; Bruckner, Bates: Symphony No.7; Resurrexit; Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II: Carousel; Sibelius, Prokofiev: Violin Concerto; Violin Concerto 1.

The Focal Diva Utopia loudspeaker made its US debut in New York City this past week, showcasing the combined expertise of French and English partners Focal and Naim in their first fully active, wireless, and connected loudspeaker.

Focal and Naim Audio CEO Cedrick Boutonet and group marketing manager Réjean Bedel were on hand to introduce the Diva Utopia at Manhattan’s Par Excellence store located in NYC’s fashionable East Village and the Bowery, where the city’s derelict community once held sway, now replaced by hip cafés and bars.