EQ Audio Video: Musical Fidelity, Focal, WireWorld, Norstone, Aragon, Audience, AudioQuest
I generally avoid home theater rooms at an audio show because typically—and reasonably—they’ve been set up mainly with the cinematic experience in mind rather than the musical one. So I hesitated before entering the two adjoining EQ Audio Video rooms because they had screens. But with a little prodding from company owner Ed O’Hearly—he assured me that the systems in the rooms were strictly stereo—I acquiesced. I’m glad I did.
Focal Diva Mezza Utopia Active Wireless Loudspeakers Unveiled
Focal has just announced the Diva Mezza Utopia, a larger and more powerful sibling to the Diva Utopia active wireless speaker system it debuted last year. The new addition maintains the Diva Utopia form factor and aesthetic while upping the size of the four woofers from 6.5" to 8" and power from 400W to 500W per speaker. The result is a speaker system Focal states will "effortlessly fill" rooms up to 1076 sq ft. in size with sound.
Formula for Fidelity: Oneiros Loudspeakers Channel Racing Excellence
At an exclusive event hosted by Manhattan Motorcars in New York City, I had the chance to speak with Walter Schofield, a consultant representing Oneiros loudspeakers. Surrounded by luxury automobiles, our conversation explored why these ultra-high-end speakers fit perfectly into a dealership known for its selection of rare, exclusive, and exotic vehicles.
From Simaudio's Moon: A new product, a new series
Simaudio has introduced a streaming network streamer/integrated amplifier, the Moon 371, the first product in a new, more affordable series called Compass. Why Compass? The name evokes the name of the higher-end North series, introduced in 2023. "Compass guides you North," a Simaudio rep said at a press event in Boucherville, across the river from Montreal.
Gershman, Krell, ExaSound, Cardas
In a near-repeat of my visit to the Gershman Acoustics room at 2019’s Toronto Audiofest, I got the chance to meet up with the Toronto-based company’s Ofra and Eli Gershman and also Krell COO Walter Schofield.
Grado adds Signature S750 with new S2 driver and "B" cushion
Grado has announced the Signature S750 headphones, the third model in its Signature Line. At the heart of the S750 is an all-new S2 50mm driver paired with a newly developed "B" cushion, a combination designed to fine-tune the listening experience.
Grado Labs Signature HP100 SE Headphones: A Modern Homage to a Classic
Grado Labs has introduced its latest flagship headphones, the Signature HP100 SE. This new model pays tribute to the pioneering HP1 headphones released by founder Joseph Grado in the early 1990s—a product some consider the genesis of the high-end headphone market.
Inside the Oneiros Audio Speaker Launch with Living Colour
High-end audio product launches are often modest affairs. The unveiling, on December 5, 2024, of the Oneiros Audio loudspeaker ($650,000/pair) was an exception. A collaborative effort by Fidelis Distribution, Nexus Audio Technologies, and Sohmer Associates, the event, which occurred at the Power Station in NYC's Hell's Kitchen, apparently spared no expense.
LINK Cable Series from Advance Paris To Debut at AXPONA 2025
Advance Paris, the French hi-fi manufacturer, has announced the release of LINK, a new series of cables designed for high-fidelity audio setups.
MoFi Distribution, Part 4: Wharfedale, BAT, MoFi x Fender
The MoFi Distribution classic gear fun continued in Suite 346, with two pairs of Wharfedale Heritage Linton speakers ($1799/pair), stacked, with the one on top inverted so that the two tweeters were in the middle. One Wharfedale Linton stand ($399/pair) supported each side's stack.