High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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07 / 01 / 25

Audiophiles: July's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music
Plus high-end audio gear reviews, show reports, and more!
Within the July 2025 issue of Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine, we feature a special world premiere review of the much-anticipated Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker. Our Senior Editor, Tom Lyle, was amazed by the lifelike sound. With two more show reports, HIGH END in Munich and InfoComm in Orlando, there's a lot to unpack from these major consumer electronics showcases. Within this issue, we're focusing on what everyone is talking about: Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI can be very helpful and a big timesaver, it can also replace some human activities. We know the music BUSINESS is already taking great advantage of AI, which also rings higher profits for record labels and removes the problem of costly and emotional human musical artists. Why pay for a human to create music and a human tour when you can outright own it thanks to AI? Modern technology and all that.

Speaking of modern tech, our July issue also features our special exclusive review of Chesky Audio's modern LC1 bookshelf monitor. Built in the USA, the LC1 monitor's enclosure is a multi-layer, high-mass, non-resonant shell made from a proprietary high-density polymer. Chesky Audio leverages modern 3D-printing techniques to create a single-piece, multi-layer structure. In addition, our World Premiere Review of the Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker showcases full-range, ultra-transparent sound quality.

Genesis' Gary Koh says the Samba floorstander is the result of "years of intensive development." He also says that besides the two years it took to design the Samba, it "utilizes all the technologies that Genesis developed over the past 30 years." Three decades; that's the same as our 2025 anniversary celebration. Dive into July's Enjoy the Music.com audiophile Review Magazine and discover the high-end audio gear that's redefining high-fidelity listening this summer. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> Audiophiles: July Review Magazine's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music.

Audiophiles May Be The Last Line Of Defense Against The Music BUSINESS
With MIDI, AI, etc, why should the music BUSINESS use (costly and emotional) human musicians?
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin And His AI Assistant
So I asked my AI assistant, "With computers and MIDI, why should the music BUSINESS use human musicians when a performer will be fine?" It replied: Here's why real humans still hold the cards—even in an age of perfect-on-paper MIDI and algorithmic "performers": Emotional Nuance and Imperfection • A live player breathes life into a line: tiny timing fluctuations, micro-dynamics, soft attacks and releases that MIDI CC can only approximate. • Those "mistakes" are often what move us—think of the humanized swing feel in jazz, or a vocalist's crack at the bridge that makes a song unforgettable. True Creativity and Spontaneity • Computers follow rules. Humans break them, riff on the spot, invent a lick that becomes a genre's signature. • In-studio, session pros will suggest chord tweaks, melodic turns, or rhythmic feels that no preset or randomizer would generate.
---> Audiophiles May Be The Last Line Of Defense Against The Music BUSINESS.

It's Sad, But This AI-Generated Band Will Make Some Musicians Give Up
The music is actually pretty good.
Article By Bobby Owsinski
Artist and bands face so much natural competition these days that it's a wonder why anyone even does it all. Not only do you have to worry about the other 120,000 tracks that are uploaded every day, but you now have to worry about AI-generated music as well. Case in point, a presumably AI-generated band called Velvet Sundown, as outlined by Musically. Velvet Sundown has 325,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and 1,500 followers. Everything about this band screams AI. For instance, their bio states, "This four-piece band bends time, fusing 1970s psychedelic textures with cinematic alt-pop and dreamy analog soul" Okay, maybe that's the writing of a clever publicist, but the bio goes on, ""Formed by vocalist and mellotron sorcerer Gabe Farrow, guitarist Lennie West, bassist-synth alchemist Milo Rains, and free-spirited percussionist Orion ‘Rio' Del Mar, the band feels like a hallucination you want to stay lost in."
---> It's Sad, But This AI-Generated Band Will Make Some Musicians Give Up.

12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek Show Report
And some 'modern breakthroughs' that are shaping the Future of your audio (and video).
InfoComm 2025 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Held within the Orange County Convention Center from June 7th through 13th, InfoComm 2025 was the largest professional audiovisual (AV) trade show in North America. While this is not an 'audiophile show' open to the public, it brings together industry leaders, cutting-edge immersive modern audio and video technologies, and immersive experiences. Attendees explored thousands of products related to audio, collaboration, display, audio / video streaming, control systems, enterprise IT, security, VR, higher education, and live events. For modern technology enthusiasts, the exhibit floor had several dynamic zones, with dedicated areas for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) innovations for immersivephiles, IP communications, and smart building systems. Beyond the exhibits, InfoComm 2025 offers a robust education and networking program that caters to every facet of the industry.
---> 12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek Show Report.

World Premiere Review!
Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
You're drawn into the music by its amazing, lifelike sound.
Review By Senior Editor Tom Lyle
I first became aware of Genesis speakers when I was a young man, shortly after they were first introduced in 1991 via the audiophile press. It was tough to ignore the fact that anyone who discussed this brand of speakers never failed to mention their chief designer, the late Arnie Nudell, and his passion for research and development, as well as the use of premium materials, their impeccable design, and, by all reliable accounts, their outstanding sound quality. Genesis introduced their more affordable G7 Series in 2005, beginning with the G7c, also known as the Convertible, a bookshelf speaker designed by Genesis' Arnie Nudell, who sadly passed away in 2017. The G7c speakers were soon followed by other models created by Mr. Nudell's successor, Gary L. Koh, who is now Genesis' Chief Designer and the CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies. These newer models included the G7p (Petite) and the G7f, a floor-standing model with an active side-firing woofer. Although the G7 Series was discontinued in 2018, it has now been reintroduced.
---> Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor Loudspeaker Review
Clean, spacious, and incredible transparent sound.
Review By Ron Nagle
You know, I heard it through the grapevine. Chesky Audio's LC1 Bookshelf Monitor loudspeaker was mentioned in show reports I found online. Many critics remarked how great these inexpensive $996 bookshelf speakers performed. At the same time, I received a shout-out from my friend and colleague Rick Becker at Enjoy the Music.com, and he thought the LC1 would be perfect to audition in my smallish 12' by 19' foot ear cave listening room. Initially, that seemed to make a lot of sense. The old audio adage tells us, small speakers fit in a small room. So I cast my lot and submitted my case on the Chesky Audio web space. It turns out that they were in such demand that there was a serious backlog. The designer, Lucca Chesky, is pretty much a one-man band who is busy 3D printing and finishing them by hand. The backstory has him still in high school when he developed the LC1 bookshelf monitor speakers as reviewed here.
---> Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor Loudspeaker Review.

Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The Go!
We test four retro CD players; the winner will surprise you!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
As a world traveler, sitting within the "tuna can" for over six hours can be a mind-numbing experience. Other than the lousy airline food and ever-declining quality of onboard service, bringing your entertainment during a trip is a must. Also, those who are allowed to enjoy music at work will find this review enlightening. Portable systems must be just that, completely portable, and therefore mandate the use of headphones. So what is an audiophile to do with all the junk at mass market stores? Any audiophile worth their salt would never choose MP3 or other lossy compression schemes devices. "The iPod" shouts the Apple Dumpling Gang from the back of the room. No thank you. While it is indeed a great mass-market product, its music reproduction abilities are far behind what is truly possible. As for portable DVD units, I tried a few and feel they were just ok with higher resolution digital discs, yet most audiophiles have only one real choice.
---> Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The Go!

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

06 / 27 / 25

Magenta RealTime (RT) Open-Weights Live Music Model
Are you a music lover wishing you could create your own tunes in Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/48kHz? Imagine yourself expanding on Miles Davis' great jazz works, or Buddy Rich's lightning-fast drumming. You can now easily create Jazz, Classical, Prog, or other music genres to bring more joy and happiness into your life. Welcome Magenta RealTime (Magenta RT) Research, the new open-weights, live-music generative model designed for fully interactive creation and performance. As the open-weights counterpart to Google DeepMind's Lyria RealTime (which powers Music FX DJ and the Google AI Studio real-time music API), Magenta RT brings that same on-the-fly generative capability to a community-driven platform. Clocking in at 800 million parameters, there's a lot to digest here. Real-Time Generation Architecture and Performance Live music generation demands real-time factor > 1 (i.e. generate more audio than wall-time), causal streaming, and ultra-low latency control—challenges were meet by adapting the MusicLM framework into block autoregression. Style embeddings—computed as weighted averages of text or audio prompts—let you morph instrumentation and genres instantaneously. On a Colab v2-8 TPU, every 2 seconds of audio takes just 1.25 seconds to generate (real-time factor ≈ 1.6), and you can shorten the chunk size further to tighten control latency. Fidelity uses SpectroStream (48 kHz stereo successor to SoundStream, with 24-bit/192kHz being possible in a future release) and trained a joint music+text embedder, MusicCoCa, drawing on MuLan and CoCa research.

Creative Possibilities, Ethos, and Roadmap Magenta RT unlocks exploration across genre boundaries—imagine hybrid timbres you've never heard, DJ-style live interpolation, or immersive soundscapes for galleries and games. The goal is to amplify human creativity, not replace it: real-time interaction fosters a dynamic flow state where every prompt tweak impacts the music you hear, steering creation toward more personal, in-the-moment artworks and performances. Unlike batch-style generators, live models inherently balance listening and generation, avoiding a surplus of passive outputs. Current limitations include a Western-instrumental bias, non-lexical vocalizations only, two-second style-control latency, and a 10-second context window (so it won't autonomously build extended song structures). In coming weeks, the company plans to roll out on-device inference, fine-tuning tools, and next-generation real-time models boasting even higher quality, lower latency, and richer interactivity.

06 / 26 / 25

Celebrating 45 Years Of The First Sony Walkman
The birth of Sony's TPS-L2 Walkman began in early 1979 when co-founder Masaru Ibuka asked for a compact stereo player to use on long flights. Norio Ohga, then President of Sony's audio division, handed the request to engineer Kozo Ohsone. In just four days, Kozo stripped a home Pressman mono recorder of its speaker and recording circuitry, added stereo playback electronics and amplification, and delivered a palm-sized prototype to Ibuka. Enchanted by the result, Sony chairman Akio Morita green-lit full production under the model code TPS-L2 (Tape Player Stereo L2) with twin headphone jacks, a "fader" button for in-headset conversations, and a sub-$200 (~$780 in 2025) price target. It hit Japanese stores on July 1, 1979 (¥33,000) and reached the U.S. market in June 1980, setting the stage for what would become the world's first truly personal audio device.

Externally, the TPS-L2 wore a slim blue-and-silver metal case measuring just 88 x 133.5 x 29 mm (WxHxD) and weighing about 390 grams. Internally, it jettisoned the press-and-play mechanics of Sony's earlier cassette recorders in favor of a purely playback-only, stereo tape transport. Two AA batteries powered roughly eight hours of continuous music; a two-position tone switch let users compensate for chrome tapes and Dolby noise reduction; and a pair of independent volume sliders ensured balanced left / right output. Its frequency response was only 40 Hz to 12 kHz, with a maximum output of about 15 mW per channel (stereo). The new Sony TPS-L2 was said to pushed portable fidelity to new heights, while the built-in electret microphone and Hotline function eliminated the need to pause playback for a brief chat—an ingenious nod to co-listening experiences.

Upon release, the Sony TPS-L2 portable stereo cassette tape player became an instant cultural phenomenon. It transformed sidewalks, gyms, and commutes into personal soundscapes, giving rise to mix-tape culture and redefining the act of listening as a private, mobile ritual. Despite an initial 30,000-unit run—of which only 3,000 sold in month one—it rapidly sold out via word-of-mouth, propelling Sony to sell over 400 million Walkmans over the next decades. More than a gadget, this now-old mid-to-late 1900s device cemented the idea of high-quality portable audio (personal audio, HeadFi, etc), directly inspiring the design philosophy of MP3 players, smartphones, and enjoying "music on the go" a fundamental part of modern life.

06 / 25 / 25

Cirrus Logic CS5308S / CS5304S ADCs And CS4308S / CS4304S DACs
Cirrus Logic, a renowned leader in innovative audio technology, has expanded its Pro Audio portfolio by launching two new analog-to-digital converters (ADCs CS5308S and CS5304S) and two new digital-to-analog converters (DACs CS4308S and CS4304S). Designed with affordability in mind, these converters deliver exceptional audio performance without compromise, making them ideal for a variety of setups—including Hi-Fi stereo playback systems, professional audio installations, musical instruments, and USB audio interfaces. This strategic launch underscores the company's commitment to democratizing high-quality audio technology for both high-end and mid-tier devices. Incorporating premium features, the new ADCs and DACs are engineered to enhance the audio experience through advanced functionalities. Key improvements include a hybrid gain control for precise signal adjustments, differentiated digital filters that allow users to tailor their sound signature, and an exceptional power-to-performance ratio for superior sound quality paired with energy efficiency.

Moreover, the ease of integration of these devices means they can be seamlessly incorporated into diverse audio configurations, thereby broadening the range of applications and accessibility for professionals and prosumers alike. The announcement reflects on Cirrus Logic's forward-thinking approach. Jonathan Taylor, Pro Audio Product Marketing Manager, emphasized that these additions provide innovative solutions that balance high performance with cost-effectiveness, extending the reach of Cirrus Logic's technology to a broader audience. Meanwhile, acclaimed recording engineer and producer George Massenburg highlighted the converters' ease of implementation during critical listening tests, indicating that these devices are poised to set new standards in professional audio applications. "In a recent series of critical listening tests, Cirrus Logic's Pro Audio technology stood out conclusively against high-end, industry-recognized studio converters," said George Massenburg. "Cirrus Logic's dynamic range, transparency, and fine detail converge brilliantly with their relative ease of implementation—these are no less than the future of converters for professional audio applications."

06 / 24 / 25

Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 A/V Event In Scotland
The Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 is poised to become one of Scotland's most anticipated audio and visual events. Set for November 8th and 9th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport, the show brings together audiophiles, Audio / Video (A/V) immersivephiles, and industry experts under one roof. Organized by the Chester Group—renowned for their previous successful events—the show marks the second edition since its relaunch after a 17-year hiatus. With a reputation built on delivering great sound and hands-on experiences, the event promises to build on its past success, it offers an exciting preview of emerging trends and technological advancements in audio and visual display.  At the show, visitors will be treated to an expansive array of displays featuring some of the world's finest audio brands. Attendees can expect live demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment ranging from high-fidelity home theater systems to state-of-the-art streaming A/V setups.

The event is set to showcase innovative domestic and international manufacturers The 2025 edition plans to broaden its appeal by expanding the vintage corner dedicated to new and used vinyl records, merging the allure of classic sound with contemporary tech marvels for an all-encompassing audio experience. Beyond the technical showcases, the Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 is designed to be accessible and engaging for a broad spectrum of visitors and audiophile / immersivephiles. Early bird tickets are attractively priced at £10 for both days when purchased by June 30, with prices adjusting thereafter, while children under 15 can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The venue's excellent transport links—being close to the Ingliston Park and Ride and having nearby tram stops—ensure that visitors can navigate the grounds with ease. This event not only celebrates the brilliance of audio and visual innovations, but also serves as a dynamic cultural gathering for those passionate about high-quality sound and immersive experiences.

06 / 23 / 25

Capital Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Expands
Capital Audiofest (CAF) 2025 is set to take place from November 14th to 16th at the Hilton Rockville in Maryland, continuing its legacy as the East Coast's largest and most beloved high-end audio show. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, offering three full days of immersive listening experiences, gear demos, and community engagement. Founded in 2010 by Gary Gill, CAF has grown from a grassroots gathering into a cornerstone of the North American audiophile calendar, drawing enthusiasts, engineers, and manufacturers from across the globe. The 2025 edition promises to uphold its reputation for warmth and accessibility, with a family-friendly atmosphere and a strong emphasis on music appreciation. Music lovers will enjoy a CAF record-breaking ~150 listening rooms, each tailored by exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations in audio reproduction. Attendees can expect to audition everything from cost-no-object reference systems to clever budget-friendly setups, with a wide range of analog and digital front ends. The Atrium Marketplace will be buzzing with vendors offering rare vinyl, CDs, accessories, and audiophile curiosities, while the theater and bar areas will host live music performances and special evening events.

CAF has added two large demo rooms at the EVEN Hotel across the street, plus there's two nights of great live music! Exhibitor interest continues to surge, with 2025 expected to feature a record number of brands across categories like loudspeakers, tube and solid-state electronics, streaming solutions, and personal audio. The show's inclusive vibe makes it a favorite for both legacy manufacturers and boutique newcomers looking to connect directly with passionate listeners. With immersive audio gaining traction, some rooms may feature Dolby Atmos and other spatial formats, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of high-fidelity listening. The CAF mobile app will help navigate the venue and flag must-see rooms, while first-timers are encouraged to bring familiar music on both USB and vinyl for reference listening. Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or a curious newcomer, Capital Audiofest 2025 offers a welcoming, hands-on celebration of sound that's as much about connection as it is about gear.

06 / 20 / 25

AXPONA 2025: Inside the 4th-Floor Sonic Playground
Gear, great grooves, and perhaps some juicy gossip too!
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
"From Rick's exceptionally detailed report below, AXPONA's buzzing 4th floor seemed like a self-contained city of high-end audio, where every hallway bend revealed another system vying for 'best-in-show' bragging rights," says Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director Steven R. Rochlin. "From boutique vacuum tube and solid-state amplification to floorstanding and stand-mounted flagship loudspeakers, the rooms here proved that innovation and indulgence can coexist in seriously photogenic style. Let's all dive into Rick's excellent room-by-room report for the gear highlights, sonic surprises, and insider gossip you might've missed!" Rick's report begins with Harmonia Distribution out of LaVerne, California, in conjunction with local retailer Quintesence Audio (who had multiple rooms on the 1st Floor), put together a very nice sounding system with Fyne Audio F701SP stand-mounted monitors in gloss black driven by the Pathos Acoustics InPol Remix MkII tube hybrid integrated amp.
---> AXPONA 2025: Inside the 4th-Floor Sonic Playground.

06 / 19 / 25

The Music Industry Just Took A Backwards Step On Streaming Pricing... In Glorious HD
Editorial By Tim Ingham
Founder Of Music Business Worldwide
Amazon's Echo Studio launched in Q4 2019 at a $199.99 price point in the US. "In 2019, Amazon launched Amazon Music HD, a high-quality audio streaming offering that is available to customers at a premium price in the United States. We believe the value proposition that streaming provides to consumers supports premium product initiatives." This, from Warner Music Group's pre-IPO filing last year, is a key part of the modern music industry's big sell to investors. Just you wait, it says: streaming is $9.99-a-month today, but tomorrow, oh man, the possibilities for building on this price-point are endless. Today (May 17), those possibilities hit the floor with a thud. A thud captured in stunning HD sound. It was a noise that hurt my ears – and reiterated a troubling power balance between music rightsholders and Big Tech.
---> The Music Industry Just Took A Backwards Step On Streaming Pricing... In Glorious HD.

This Is The Best Time To Be A Music Enthusiast
Product development, reviews, and true lossless hi-resolution on the rise!
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
Over 25 years ago when I started Enjoy the Music.com there was very little info about high-end audio / audiophiles online. Today, that has all changed as we have thousands of websites from the latest and greatest gear to vintage audio, DIY, headphones, etc. In addition, we now have more manufacturers than in the history of our hobby! It is virtually impossible to keep up with it all, let alone report on every new piece of high-end audio equipment. I'd be slapped silly by not mentioning that true lossless high-resolution music, without the 'need' for typical music BUSINESS lossy compressed scams and schemes, is now mainstream and not limited to only a few niche' streaming music players. Without a doubt, this is the best time to be a music enthusiast! Way back when in the 1980s and 1990s there were only a tiny few small digest-sized print publications plus Audio and Stereo Review (to name a few) here in the States. Europe and other parts of the globe had their fave publications. It was like we were part of a super-secret hobby we all love. There was a tribal feeling about it all too!
---> This Is The Best Time To Be A Music Enthusiast.

06 / 18 / 25

Date Change: HIGH END 2026 From June 4th To 7th
HIGH END 2026 represents the biggest high-end audiophile show's 40-year history: after more than two decades in Munich's MOC, and Frankfurt before that, the world-leading high-fidelity audio event migrates East to the Austria Center Vienna (ACV). The venue's 26,000 m² of newly refurbished, digitally future-proof exhibit space spans multiple levels and purpose-built halls, giving brands everything from intimate listening rooms to cavernous product-launch stages. The High End Society picked Vienna precisely because the ACV's modern acoustics, fiber backbone and modular floorplan let manufacturers push experiential demos far beyond the limitations of Munich's hotel-style cabins—think full Dolby Atmos suites, immersive headphone quiet zones, car-audio test rides inside the complex, plus many spaces for home audiophile stereo sound systems. The relocation also taps into Vienna's musical halo: attendees can spend the evening at the Musikverein, then audition the same Mahler symphony on an immersive home audio rig the next morning. It is, quite intentionally, a love letter to the city that still bills itself as the capital of classical music.

You'll want to adjust your travel dates, though. Originally slated for May 28th to 31st, the inaugural Vienna edition has been nudged to June 4th through the 7th (2026) so it doesn't clash with the Eurovision Song Contest, which will also flood the city that month with ~500,000 people. The extra week not only frees up hotel capacity (and tames the dynamic pricing algorithms) but also restores the show's tradition of opening on a public holiday, handy for German and Austrian retailers who can slip away without shuttering their stores. Expect four days split into two trade-only sessions followed by a consumer weekend, a format that has proved wildly successful in Munich. Early buzz from exhibitors who tested the ACV said the new venue is unequivocally better thanks to sound isolation, more natural daylight, and easier freight logistics than the MOC. In short, HIGH END Vienna 2026 isn't just a change of scenery—it's the industry's bid to future-proof the premier immersive audio showcase for the next quarter-century.

06 / 17 / 25

audioXpress' July 2025 Issue
Editorial: Mixed Senses And Audio Vocabulary
Illusonic IAP 8 Advanced Audio Processor And Preamplifier
Burkhard Vogel Extends Valuable Knowledge On Op-Amps
Beat Tracking Explained
Linearizing Microphones CORE+ By DPA
A Microacoustics Modeling Primer Part 1
Audio Amplifier Power Measurement
Low Frequency, Very Low Frequency, And Infrasonic Annoyance
Instrument Amplifier Effects Loops
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "Writing about Music is like Dancing about Architecture, someone once said. I did use the sentence a few times, particularly in the years when I was the editor of a music publication and we had to convey in words how a performance or recording made us feel. At the time, I really had to master that art—after all, you want to do justice to artists and their music, and you need to keep readers engaged and wanting to buy the record. When I'm in a position to judge how things sound and I have to write about it, I am fully conscious that I am describing purely subjective impressions that are frequently ephemeral and subject to shift under different conditions, or at another time. Is Writing about Audio Like Painting about Philosophy? Yes, the process of picking words to describe emotions and general sensory perception is a bit like philosophy. It can be systematic, reflect critical thinking, and employ logical analysis, conceptual clarification, and argumentation. Robert Harley (of Absolute Sound fame) uses words such as tone color, and liquidity, to describe sounds, and I get it."
---> audioXpress July 2025 Issue.

06 / 16 / 25

Roger Daltrey Has Been Knighted By King Charles III
Sir Roger Daltrey, the 81-year-old co-founder and powerhouse voice of The Who, has been knighted in King Charles III's 2025 Birthday Honors list. The accolade caps more than six decades of boundary-shattering rock—from the microphone-lassoing ferocity of "My Generation" to the operatic ambition of Tommy—and places Daltrey alongside fellow honorees such as Steve Winwood and David Beckham as cultural titans formally recognized for shaping modern Britain's artistic identity. The monarch's citation praises not only Daltrey's musical legacy but his tireless philanthropy: as driving force behind the Teenage Cancer Trust he has helped raise over £36 million (about $48 million) and fund 28 specialist cancer units across UK hospitals. Accepting the honor, Daltrey called it "a dream come true" and dedicated the knighthood to the "unsung heroes" who fuel the charity's work, underscoring how rock-and-roll bravado can translate into life-changing support for young patients.

Beyond the pageantry of Buckingham Palace, Daltrey's elevation to "Sir" crystallizes a life arc that began in a West London council flat, detoured through expulsion from Acton County School, and exploded onto the global stage when The Who detonated their instruments at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Those early years forged an artist who merged raw working-class grit with operatic ambition, pioneering the rock opera format and shaping Britain's self-image as a nation that exports cultural rebellion as effectively as it once exported wool. Today, scholars routinely cite his staccato bark on "My Generation"—delivered at age 21—as the moment British youth culture severed the last umbilical tie to deference; in 2025 the monarchy has, deliciously, bestowed its highest deference right back at him. As honorary patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, Daltrey personally curates the annual Royal Albert Hall gig series, persuading A-listers—from Paul McCartney to Ed Sheeran—to play for a fraction of their usual fees.

Those concerts, raffles, and backstage memorabilia auctions have now generated more than £36 million (~$48 million), underwriting 28 age-specific oncology wards across the U.K.; a sister charity, Teen Cancer America, replicates the model in U.S. hospitals. The knighthood also foreshadows The Who's swan-song tour, "The Song Is Over," beginning at Fenway Park this August (2025) with a rotating cast that includes Billy Idol and Feist.

AXPONA 2025 Part 7: High-End Audio's Fantastic 5th Floor
Great gear reveals and audiophile trends for music lovers.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Bob opened The Analog Shop in 1992, in nearby Victor, New York, about the time I discovered high-end audio, and we became friends in the ‘90s, bartering furniture for his children's rooms for audio gear. Another passion of Bob's was collecting and reading rare books and first editions. He carried very reputable lines, treated customers fairly, and was a good man. As it says on his website, he wasn't ready, but he went peacefully on April 14, 2025. A good friend asked me why I keep writing about the AXPONA 2025 high-end audiophile event when the show happened two months ago and has been eclipsed by the HIGH END show in Munich. A lot of other websites have hit the high spots for readers and viewers who see show reports primarily as "news." The print magazines lag because of the lead time necessary for publication and distribution.
---> AXPONA 2025 Part 7: High-End Audio's Fantastic 5th Floor.

06 / 13 / 25

audioXpress' 2025 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook
The freshly minted 2025 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) by audioXpress packs the same exhaustive supplier, vendor, and service-provider listings that make it the audio sector's go-to rolodex, but layers on even more editorial firepower for an era when hedging bets and diversifying supply chains feel existential. The book opens with J. Martins' sweeping State of the Speaker Industry report, tracing last year's bull run through Q3 2024. Dan Digre, who has captained MISCO Speakers for 40+ years, dissects what "resilience" really looks like for a U.S. loudspeaker manufacturer with Asian operations, offering granular anecdotes on dual-sourcing, component localization, and the chess game of logistics. Audio Engineering Society (AES) president Gary Gottlieb zooms out, revisiting the Society's 75-year history of standards-setting (think balanced lines, loudness metering, immersive-audio reference curves) and arguing that today's fractured, app-centric ecosystem needs an even stronger AES backbone. Meanwhile, WiSA Association chief Tony Ostrom maps the future living room, where Next-Gen WiSA E silicon, content-aware DSP, and true Hi-Res lossless wireless channels turn the "cable salad" into a clean mesh of intelligent nodes.

True to LIS tradition from audioXpress, the 2025 volume also serves as an industry time capsule. Shure's centennial, MISCO's 75th, Peavey's 60th, Listen Inc.'s 30th, Sensaphonics' 40th, and Menlo Scientific's 40th each get retrospective essays that blend company lore with tech milestones—like Shure's Unidyne-III capsule or Listen's SoundCheck platform—illustrating how historic R&D decisions still ripple through today's product roadmaps. Even relative newcomer Speakerbench earns a five-year look-back, chronicling how Jeff Candy and Claus Futtrup's cloud-based transducer modeler evolved from DIY curiosity to professional staple after its March 2020 launch. Rounding things out, the perennial Q&A spread corrals candid insights from executives at Genelec, K-Array, THX, Eminence, AtlasIED, Renkus-Heinz, Brane Audio, and Dongguan Yuonyunn on topics ranging from metamaterial diaphragms to AI-driven room correction. Whether you crack the spine of the print edition or deep-dive the continuously updated online directory, LIS 2025 remains an indispensable compass for anyone steering R&D, sourcing, marketing, or sales in the loudspeaker universe—and subscribers to Voice Coil, audioXpress, or the Sourcebook itself have just enjoyed seeing their complimentary copies this week.

06 / 12 / 25

McIntosh Laboratory Factory Tour
Gramophone gives us a look at a legendary premium audio company.
Founded in 1949, McIntosh Laboratory offers premium home audio systems that produce an exceptional audio experience. While the company initially focused on stereo system, in modern times they have expanded to offer stereo and immersive audio multi-channel audio products. McIntosh Labs is best known for their signature blue Watt output meter and green logo. McIntosh Labs' products are designed and handcrafted at their Binghamton, New York factory by passionate employees who love music. Furthermore, McIntosh Labs has powered moments in music history and pop culture including the USA's then President Lyndon Johnson's inauguration speech to the first Woodstock music festival. Many also know the company for helping power the now-famous Grateful Dead 'Wall of Sound'.
---> McIntosh Laboratory Factory Tour.

Valve Amplification Company Factory Tour
An exclusive factory tour of VAC thanks to Jay's Audio Lab.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Valve Amplification Company (VAC) was launched by chief designer Kevin Hayes with a passion about music realism so it sounds like the real thing within your home. With many awards and positive reviews globally in many publications, VAC products are considered masterpieces as they not only sound incredible, they also look the part too. According to VAC, "The difference between a good amplifier and a great amplifier resides in the details, and in the passion of the designer. One of the reasons for superiority of VAC equipment is that VAC uses vacuum tube technology almost exclusively. After almost 100 years since its invention, the triode vacuum tube remains the most linear (accurate) amplifying element known producing superior sonic performance."
---> Valve Amplification Company Factory Tour.

Klipsch: In 1989 A Fan Visits The Klipsch Factory
Plus a bonus video interview with Paul W. Klipsch!
Enjoy the Music.com is featuring very special vintage videos! The company's self-proclaimed "#1 Klipsch Fan" Kevin visits the Klipsch in Hope, Arkansas back in 1989 and enjoyed videoing a special factory tour. As many audio historians know, the genesis of the company began within a tiny tin shed back in 1946. This is when Paul W. Klipsch designed and hand-built the legendary Klipschorn speaker with the goal of bringing live music into his home. Today, that tin shed is now a full-fledged factory with its own cabinet production line, while Klipsch's headquarters have moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Getting back to Paul W. Klipsch, it was during his service at the Southwest Proving Grounds that he refined his corner horn speaker design.
---> Klipsch: In 1989 A Fan Visits The Klipsch Factory.

06 / 11 / 25

Musician, Producer, & Singer/Songwriter Brian Wilson Passes
Brian Douglas Wilson, best known as a member of The Beach Boys, was born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, and grew up in the working-class Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. A childhood accident left him virtually deaf in his right ear, yet he became enthralled by harmony after hearing his mother sing Gershwin and by studying the sophisticated voicing of the Four Freshmen. Gifted a reel-to-reel recorder at 16, he mastered overdubbing, teaching his brothers Dennis and Carl intricate vocal parts before recruiting cousin Mike Love and schoolmate Al Jardine to form the Pendletones—renamed The Beach Boys upon the 1961 release of their debut single "Surfin'." Wilson quickly emerged as the group's creative engine, penning sun-drenched hits like "Surfin' U.S.A.," "California Girls," and "I Get Around" while serving as bassist, keyboardist, arranger, and producer, an unprecedented level of control for a pop musician of the era.

Between 1964 and 1967, Brian Wilson all but reinvented studio craft, applying Phil Spector's Wall-of-Sound tactics to ever-denser vocal stacks and orchestration. He wrote or co-wrote more than two dozen U.S. Top 40 singles, became the first pop artist formally credited for writing, arranging, producing, and performing his own material, and shepherded the Beach Boys' landmark album and audiophile favorite Pet Sounds (1966), whose emotional intimacy and tape-loop experimentation astonished peers—Paul McCartney famously called "God Only Knows" the greatest song ever written. Its standalone follow-up, the modular psychedelic single "Good Vibrations," broke structural norms with its theremin-soaked, multi-section form, while the abandoned Smile project fueled his legend as rock's tortured auteur. The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper, released a year later, was conceived partly in response, sealing Wilson's reputation as a visionary who expanded pop's vocabulary and ambitions.

The creative peaks came at a steep personal cost. A panic attack on a 1964 flight triggered his withdrawal from touring; by the late-1960s, he spiraled into reclusive bouts of depression, overeating, and substance abuse, exacerbated by an abusive father and a reported controversial / controlling relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy. Officially fired from the Beach Boys in 1982, Wilson rebounded with a self-titled solo album in 1988, the same year the band entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he later earned Songwriters Hall induction in 2000. Extensive touring between 1999 and 2022—often spotlighting complete performances of Pet Sounds and Smile—reintroduced his genius to new generations. After the 2024 death of his wife Melinda, his family sought a conservatorship due to a major neurocognitive disorder, and on June 11, 2025, the singer-composer passed away at the age of 82, closing one of popular music's most triumphant lives.

Pure Audio Streaming Lossless Immersive Music Service
For modern music lovers and Immersivephiles^TM, Pure Audio Streaming sets out to be the first service that treats immersive music with the same no-compromise reverence audiophiles and music lovers expect from Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Music. Instead of Dolby Atmos's lossy streams or other proprietary lossy formats, Pure Audio Streaming is built around the AURO-3D codec and the Artist Connection back-end. Together, they can deliver uncompressed PCM up to 7.1.4 channels at 96 kHz, plus Hi-Res Audio lossless stereo up to 192 kHz and a true-to-source 48 kHz binaural fold-down for headphone listeners. The catalogue debuts with more than 300 master-grade titles—Grammy-winning releases such as 2L's "LUX" included—that were previously locked to Pure Audio Blu-ray discs; a public demo in AURO-3D's reference room at HIGH END 2025 in Munich proved the stream can replicate the holographic depth of the original discs while adding the convenience of on-demand access.

Two tiered plans keep things straightforward: The "Stereo" subscription for legacy audiophile enthusiasts unlocks 192 kHz PCM stereo and the AURO-derived binaural mix, while the modern music lover "Immersive" plan layers on 5.1 and full 7.1.4 AURO-3D streams—all bit-perfect, all DRM-secure. Early-access slots were sold during the 2025 HIGH END Munich show, and the formal launch is slated for Q4 2025. To hear the immersive tier you'll need an HDMI-capable streamer, a receiver that can decode AURO-3D, and ideally a 7.1.4 speaker array, but even a modest 5.1 setup or a quality pair of headphones reveals the uncompressed heft that others music services still downsample. Pure Audio Streaming's message is blunt: if you've invested in a reference-grade rig, why settle for lossy physical formats or anything less than studio-master fidelity, channel count? Modern Immersivephiles now have access to modern solutions.

Audiophile Insights At AXPONA 2025 Sixth Floor
Exploring next-gen high-end audio technologies.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Alta Audio teamed up with ModWright to put together this great room with more going on than first meets the eye. As I've said several times before, I really like the Alta speakers with the curved sides when finished in gloss black, and they did not disappoint here. I noticed the absence of spikes in favor of sound-absorbing pads from either Symposium Acoustic or AV Room Service, presumably. The doublewide Solidsteel rack was filled with a confusing array of equipment. Below the blue Pure Fidelity turntable on the right was the ModWright LS 300 Reference tube balanced preamp. Below that was a ModWright power supply and a Pure Fidelity Conductor power supply for their turntable. On the bottom right was the ModWright tube Analog Bridge that fed the digital source signals up to the LS 300 preamp. On the left side of the rack was a SOTA Nova VII ($7k, starting price) turntable with an MM cartridge. Below that was the ModWright Reference PH 150 phono stage handling the signal from the blue Pure Fidelity turntable.
---> Audiophile Insights At AXPONA 2025 Sixth Floor.

06 / 10 / 25

Legendary Singer, Songwriter, And Musician Sly Stone Passes
Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart on March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, emerged from a musically enriched family that nurtured his innate talent at an early age. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Stone was immersed in the gospel traditions of his church and learned multiple instruments during his formative years. His early career saw him working as a disc jockey and record producer, which melded with his passion for performance to eventually form the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone. This group, renowned for its unique blend of funk, soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel, became a cultural beacon in the late 1960s and early 1970s, celebrated for its racial integration and innovative sound that captured the revolutionary spirit of the era.

In later years, while Sly Stone's early artistry helped define an entire genre and inspired countless musicians, his personal life was marred by relentless struggles. His battles with drug addiction and health issues, including a prolonged fight with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, shadowed the latter part of his career and life. Despite these challenges, Stone's musical legacy endured—his pioneering rhythms, socially conscious lyrics, and electrifying live performances resonated with diverse audiences and left an indelible mark on the fabric of popular music. His memoir and retrospective projects further cemented his status as a visionary whose contributions continue to inspire and reverberate across generations.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," said a statement from the family of Sly Stone. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come. Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024. We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support."

06 / 06 / 25

Hi-Fi+ June 2025 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: What Is Essential To Audiophiles
AudioQuest Rocket 44, Mackenzie RCA, And Carbon USB Cables
Audiomica Rhod, Dolomit, Europa Ultra... AcouPlex Cables And Supports 
Innuos PhoenixNET And PhoenixUSB Network Switch And USB Reclocker
finite elemente CARBOFIBRE° Statement Equipment Platform
Melco S1 Network Switch
Synergistic Research PowerCell SX Mains Conditioner
Chord Company PhonoARAY Turntable Grounding
Furutech Project V1 Cable System
Entreq Macro Box Kit Magnetic Field Control
JPlay Music Software
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "The concept of 'Audio Essentials' is at once controversial and ever-changing. It's controversial because there remains a contingent of audio enthusiasts who dismiss everything in the pages of this issue as nonsense on stilts. And it's ever changing because we keep finding more aspects of the audio chain that can benefit from a spot of care and attention. Care and attention goes beyond simply spending your way out of bad sound; it's about getting the basics right and then seeing what lies beyond. The basics too often seem like a lost art, as indicated by the Gordian Knot of cables that often features at the rear of so many systems. Simply addressing that mess of cables – and getting each component sitting level on a light, yet rigid surface – can make a big difference to even the most humble system. Similarly, ensuring where your loudspeakers – and, for that matter, you – are positioned in the listening room can bring out the best in a good system, and help smooth out the nasties in a bad one."
---> Hi-Fi+'s June 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.

06 / 05 / 25

World Premiere Review!
Acora Acoustics QRC 2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
First-class sound quality in a luxurious form factor.
Review By Rick Becker
Val Cora must have spotted my press pass when I first encountered their SRB two-way stand-mounted monitor at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest show back in 2019. He encouraged me to take a closer look and listen as I didn't seem particularly interested. It was my subconscious fear of tipping over heavy stone or aluminum speakers that I later traced back to a childhood trauma incident. Fast forward to 2023 and I've become one of Acora Acoustics' biggest fans, typically including them among the Best Rooms awards in my show reports. Not so much because I like them as because they're so damn good. Val has been a master of setting up rigs in a wide variety of rooms supported by a diverse selection of amplification and front ends. That he consistently features different top-level turntables and phono cartridges has been a particular delight, though he also showcases digital front ends. I fear that since he recently acquired Audio Research, his presentations may become more restricted to their products.
---> Acora Acoustics QRC 2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Words? Music? Both? Neither? What Do You Listen For?
How various people listen to music.
Article By Roger Skoff
I recently saw something on Facebook that caused me to do some serious thinking – not on the subject of music, but that, as I hope you'll agree, is still perfectly applicable to our music listening. It's just one simple sentence: "I never said she stole my money" –  but, as the person who posted it pointed out, it can have seven entirely different meanings, depending on which one of the seven words making it up you choose to put the emphasis on: For example, "I never said she stole my money" means something different from "I never said she stole my money", which means something different from "I never said she stole my money", which means something different from "I never said she stole my money", and so on, through the entire sentence, with each new emphasis creating a whole new meaning. Isn't it exactly the same with music? Even with classical music, where every note to be played by every individual instrument is written down and unchanging, isn't every different performance by every orchestra or every conductor still different?
---> Words? Music? Both? Neither? What Do You Listen For?

Previous High-End Audio News
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