While condenser microphones often steal the spotlight when it comes to professional recording, the market offers a plethora of high-quality dynamic microphones capable of delivering equally outstanding audio capture. These mics are not only convenient to connect and intuitive to use, but crucially, they come at a more accessible price point compared to condenser…
We initially thought the 700 series was an anomaly, but unexpectedly, in 2024, TEAC has equipped the more affordable, second-tier flagship Reference 500 series with a Discrete DAC. The first model featuring this is the UD-507, the star of this review. It’s a multi-functional unit, essentially combining a DAC, an analog preamplifier, and an analog…
While eagerly awaiting these two headphones for an in-house review, last month I received an invitation from the distributor, Audio Basic, to visit MUSEND, a headphone store in Ximending, Taipei, for a listening session of the closed-back Azurys headphones. I’ve attended headphone listening events many times before, but they were always for flagship products…
The world of digital audio was supposed to be simple: one cable, pure sound, zero static. Yet, for thousands of home theater owners, the reality of connecting a TV to a soundbar or receiver via Optical (TOSLINK) or Coaxial cables is often a frustrating experience of absolute silence. Unlike the modern “smart” HDMI connections that…
There are few things in the world of home entertainment more disheartening than settling in for a movie, pressing “Play,” and being greeted by a silent, black screen or the dreaded “No Signal” message. You know the player is on. You know the TV is on. You can hear the disc spinning or see the…
In the ecosystem of home entertainment, the humble remote control is the command center. We often take it for granted until the moment we press “Power” and… nothing happens. The immediate reflex is to swap the batteries. But what happens when fresh AAAs don’t solve the problem? For many, this marks the end of the…
We have all been there: You turn on your Bluetooth speaker to relax with some music, but instead of playing your playlist, it emits a triumphant beep indicating it has connected… to something else. Is it your iPad in the other room? Your roommate’s laptop? Or perhaps your neighbor’s phone from three weeks ago? Bluetooth…
There is perhaps no modern frustration quite as specific as the silent Bluetooth speaker. You have the playlist ready, the mood is set, and the hardware is charged, yet the technology refuses to bridge the gap between your phone and the room. Bluetooth is a brilliant technology when it works—a seamless invisible cable carrying high-fidelity…
True wireless earbuds have historically been primarily viewed as products prioritizing convenience, often lacking the detailed acoustic design found in over-ear headphones. However, the Pi8 and Pi6 represent a distinct departure. It’s said that B&W specifically enlisted the design teams behind their acclaimed Px8 headphones and 700 Series loudspeakers to overcome the physical limitations…
Taiwanese display brands have been actively investing in the development of MiniLED and QLED displays in recent years, yielding numerous excellent products on the market. However, when it comes to combining both technologies and developing MiniQLED models, Sampo stands out as the most proactive. As a long-established Taiwanese audio-visual brand, Sampo has consistently demonstrated a…
Audio Research Corporation (ARC) was founded in 1970 by William Z. Johnson (1926-2011). He had previously established an audio store called Electronic Industries in 1951, specializing in custom-built amplifiers for clients. His first creation for a customer was a three-chassis tube amplifier. After many years in business, in 1968, William Z. Johnson sold his patents,…
Upon unpacking and examining the AVR-X6800H, we found that its circuit layout, while not quite reaching the lavish, symmetrical design of the flagship AVR-A1H, represents a significant leap from its predecessor, the AVR-X6700H. It’s not just about added features or refined settings; crucially, the key components and materials have been substantially upgraded, with some…
There is a distinct difference between “watching TV” and “experiencing a movie.” The former is passive, a background activity often accompanied by scrolling through phones or folding laundry. The latter is an event—a dedicated block of time where we suspend disbelief and allow a story to transport us. As home theater technology advances, bridging the…
The line between high-end cinema and interactive entertainment has never been blurrier. Modern video games are masterpieces of visual storytelling and sound design, often rivaling the production values of Hollywood blockbusters. Consequently, the days of gaming hunched over a small monitor are giving way to the immersive grandeur of home theater gaming. When you connect…
Of course, the true cinematic immersion comes from watching movies on a large screen with the lights off, projected by a projector. This is arguably the simplest justification for the existence of high-end 4K projectors. However, I cannot ignore the trend of ever-larger televisions. Some enthusiasts might lean towards watching streaming movies on a 4K…
For the past decade, Marantz has utilized both Class D and Class AB amplification in parallel. Far from neglecting Class D, they’ve even gone so far as to design and produce top-tier Class D amplifiers for their flagship models, maintaining an open and active attitude towards new power amplifier circuit technologies. The genesis of…
Recognizing the needs of listeners in modern living spaces, American speaker manufacturer Klipsch has shifted its focus in recent years. Their home theater offerings are no longer solely massive multi-channel speaker systems but increasingly feature size-friendly Soundbar products. These systems save space and reduce the need for cables, offering even those with smaller rooms…
Recognizing the strengths of their WS-X1A, Yamaha has strategically streamlined its features to introduce the new WS-B1A Bluetooth speaker. While it shares the identical design blueprint with the WS-X1A, the WS-B1A foregoes the stereo pairing capability. This means it operates purely as a standalone unit, a deliberate choice that perfectly aligns with the needs…