High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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01 / 06 / 26

CES 2026 Open In Las Vegas This Week For Consumer Technologies
While no longer a showcase for high-end audio, there are still a handful of exhibitors demonstrating high-fidelity audio gear at the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. Running through January 9, and is shaping up as a showcase for AI-driven consumer tech, next-gen TVs, and mass-market audio rather than boutique audiophile gear, Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to the immersive tech-driven sound showcases. The opening day in Las Vegas brought a flood of announcements from major technology manufacturers and startups alike, with the CES 2026 show calendar running media previews from January 4 and public access beginning today. Many consumer electronics and technology companies aim to set product and marketing agendas for 2026; organizers expect attendees and exhibitors across the expanded convention footprint. AI integration may be the dominant theme on the CES 2026 show floor, with everything from wearables to smart home devices and video systems touting on-device or cloud-assisted intelligence as a headline feature.

On the product side, yes home audio, though mainly high-definition television and display technology grabbed early headlines as manufacturers pushed soundbars, next-generation panels and color technologies, while PC and gaming vendors used CES 2026 to tease hardware updates ahead of spring launches. Automotive and mobility exhibits continued to grow, with several automakers and suppliers showing in-car AI, immersive multi-channel surround sound, and internet connectivity demos alongside concept vehicles. Major consumer brands also leaned into immersive audio and home entertainment, unveiling new soundbars, mass-produced loudspeaker lines, and integrated ecosystems aimed at mainstream buyers. CES 2026 is a place to learn and experience broad, mainstream industry direction as high-end audio has long moved onward to specialized shows for a proper luxury environment.

Despite the heavy audio presence from large consumer electronics firms, CES 2026 features relatively few boutique high-end audio manufacturers compared with past years, or the CES 2000s heyday ~25 years ago. With affluent music lovers seeking the best experience, CES 2026 is obviously overshadowed by personalized, exceptional, dedicated fine high-end audio events. The Florida International Audio Expo, Capital / Southwest / Pacific Audiofest, Toronto, Montreal and more benefit those seeking top quality as found only at specialized audio events, a trend visible in exhibitor directories and category previews. Audiophile coverage and exhibitors are best found at the aforementioned shows, and no longer are a realm of Consumer Technology Association's CES technology showcase. While there is representation from hearing tech and mass-market audio at CES, high-end loudspeaker and amplifier makers have opted to skip the Las Vegas floor in favor of targeted audiophile shows or direct launches. You can see many audiophile show reports at this link.

01 / 05 / 26

Coast To Coast Sound: Southwest, Pacific, And Capital Audiofest 2026
Three major regional audio shows are set to punctuate the 2026 listening calendar, offering audiophiles, industry professionals, and Enjoy the Music.com, three distinct chances to hear the latest in high-fidelity home audio sound. Southwest Audiofest will convene in Dallas from March 21st through 23rd, bringing a weekend of room demonstrations, dealer rooms, and manufacturer showcases aimed at the southern U.S. market. Pacific Audio Fest arrives on the West Coast in Seattle from September 11th through 13th, promising a mix of boutique home audio equipment, high-end audio listening rooms, live music sessions, and product debuts that highlight Pacific Northwest designers and retailers. Capital Audiofest closes this trilogy of audio events in the nation's capital from November 13th through 15th, positioning itself as an East Coast hub for home stereo sound systems. All events will feature the latest in lossless Hi-Res Audio streaming music and networking among distributors, dealers, and music lovers.

Enjoy the Music.com will will be at Southwest Audiofest's Dallas luxury home audio event emphasizing both stereo and immersive room setup, plus hands-on listening, with organizers focusing on acoustically treated demo spaces and curated vendor lineups that let attendees compare speakers, amplifiers, and turntables in real listening conditions. The show attracts manufactures, distributors, and independent high-end audio retailers who bring both established brands and custom systems, alongside seminars on various topics. For many visitors, the draw is the ability to audition complete systems rather than isolated components, making the Dallas weekend a practical stop for buyers planning serious upgrades.

Pacific Audiofest in Seattle leans into the region's strong love of music and audio culture while also showcasing full-scale stereo systems. Enjoy the Music.com expects to hear dedicated dealer listening rooms, manufacturer listening rooms, and live music performances that demonstrate how equipment compares with real music. The festival's timing in September often dovetails with product cycles from boutique makers, and organizers usually program panels on topics such as digital streaming quality, DAC design, and the resurgence of vinyl LPs. Local music venues and independent record stores frequently collaborate with the event, giving attendees a taste of Seattle's broader audio and music scene.

Capital Audiofest in Washington DC rounds out the year with a focus on both residential audio and the very best in high-end home sound system installation, offering seminars for music lovers alongside lovely listening rooms. The November dates make it a convenient late season event for manufacturers and distributors to preview holiday releases and for dealers to finalize year-end orders. Enjoy the Music.com expects a mix of home stereo and immersive sound demonstrations, multi-channel Immersivephile^TM audio showcases, and sessions on the latest in streaming platforms and room calibration tools, plus ample opportunity for networking among East Coast manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

01 / 01 / 26

January 2026 Review Magazine — In-Depth Equipment Reviews And Best Of Capital Audiofest 2025 Awards!
Ring in the New Year with sense-sational sound from your new hi-fi system!
Enjoy the Music.com's January 2026 issue continues to celebrate the site's 30th anniversary with a lively mix of forward-looking editorials, in-depth equipment reviews, and an expansive Capital Audiofest 2025 show report — all aimed at both seasoned audiophiles and newcomers exploring high-end sound. Our editorial section opens the issue with a renewed optimism for 2026, noting a resurgence across physical media and streaming that promises broader interest in high-fidelity listening; Roger Skoff's lead piece frames the year as one of renewed energy for the music and audio industries, while May Anwar's "Passport To Sound" advocates for audiophile education and outreach to younger listeners. These editorials emphasize that our love for music contributes to a healthier ecosystem for manufacturers and listeners alike, and the issue pairs historical perspective with practical calls to bring new audiences into the hobby.

Luxurious high-end audiophile equipment reviews within Enjoy the Music.com's January 2026 Review Magazine is both deep and diverse, featuring a world premiere review and definitive hi-fi gear appraisals. Standouts include a definitive look at the Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II integrated amplifier, a world premiere Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD/CD player and DAC, and a muscular appraisal of the Pass Laboratories X600.8 monoblocks, each presented with technical context and listening impressions that help readers translate lab specs into real-world musicality. The issue features ultra-high-end components (monoblocks and flagships) with the high-value SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution subwoofer, giving you insight across the sound spectrum.

Our Capital Audiofest 2025 show report is presented as a comprehensive, multi-part feature that captures the event's scale and highlights, including the Best Of Capital Audiofest 2025 Blue Note Award winners and detailed room reports by Rick Becker and others. The show coverage documents standout rooms at CAF 2025 and emphasizes how shows remain essential for discovering new products and refining listening preferences. Together, Enjoy the Music.com's January 2026 issue's show report and equipment reviews create a practical roadmap: what to hear at shows, which components to audition, and how to interpret show impressions for home systems. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

Get Ready Audiophiles And Music Lovers, It's Coming!
Hmmmm... what we can expect from 2026?
Editorial (Mainly) By Roger Skoff, With Slight Additions By Steven R. Rochlin
Happy New Year from all of us here at Enjoy the Music.com! This is going to be a great year! After a fitful 2025 now in the rearview mirror, both the music industry and our own luxurious high-fidelity audio industry—the companies and people who bring us the audiophile gear we use to enjoy the music—are poised to reach new highs and to reach more people than at any recent time! We live in interesting times, CDs are back, reel-to-reel tape thriving, vinyl LPs... and an abundance of true lossless Hi-Res Music (20-bit/88kHz and higher) digital streaming to everyone in the world. Change is in the air. Can you hear it? The music business enters 2026 with a kind of renewed energy it hasn't felt in a long while. Streaming is still the engine, but it's no longer the only story. When it comes to profits, physical media and merch provide an excellent return on investment. Subscription numbers for streaming services continue to climb, and even the ad-supported side—after uncertainty through much of 2025—seems to have found its rhythm again.
---> Get Ready Audiophiles And Music Lovers, It's Coming!

Passport To Sound: An Invitation To What The Audio Show Can Become 
Bringing fun and education to young music lovers and future audiophiles.
Editorial By May Anwar
Every Saturday morning of my childhood began with Beethoven. The Appassionata Sonata or Symphony No. 5 spilled from my father's turntable at a volume that stirred my heart before I was fully awake. The turntable sat on a heavy wooden credenza, its glass lid closed like a museum case. We children could admire the record collection stored inside but were never allowed to touch the equipment itself. The system was sacred. Surrounded by music, I assumed I understood it. Years later, I realized I had only been granted access to listen but had never truly learned what made a system sound good. When I received my first cassette player as a teenager eager for independence, I traded quality for freedom and never looked back. By college, I had forgotten what music was meant to sound like. I listened to compressed, flattened tracks through cassette players, then MP3 players, and eventually voice-activated devices that made listening even more casual.
---> Passport To Sound: An Invitation To What The Audio Show Can Become.

Inside Capital Audiofest 2025: Exclusive Show Report & Latest Gear
New high-end audio trends, top hi-fi gear, plus audiophile insights and cutting-edge innovations.
Welcome to Enjoy the Music.com's comprehensive Capital Audiofest 2025 show report. Capital Audiofest (CAF) 2025 took 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 was open for all music lovers 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 continues to grow from a grassroots gathering into a cornerstone of the North American audiophile calendar, drawing enthusiasts, engineers, and manufacturers from across the globe. Our Capital Audiofest 2025 show reports are now online and being updated through December. Be sure to read our exciting, exclusive, and expanded coverage of CAF 2025!
---> Inside Capital Audiofest 2025: Exclusive Show Report & Latest Gear.

Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II Luxury Hi-Fi Int. Amp — The Definitive Review
A masterful and musically satisfying experience that had me magically mesmerized.
Review By Dr. Matthew Clott
Caveat: Yes, the Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II solid-state integrated amplifier, as reviewed here, has been out for many years. So why review it now? Well, for starters, wouldn't you say yes if you were asked to review it?!? Secondly, I think that with the introduction of some new similarly-priced integrated amplifiers and a new interest in truly reference high-end audio performance at this level, it would be irresponsible of us here at Enjoy the Music.com not to remind you that the new stuff is not always the best. Sometimes we must look to the established to reinforce what our references actually are. Thirdly, sometimes a review after a unit has been out for some time helps to re-evaluate its place in the market as its price matures with the flow that has represented the high-end audio world in recent years. Vitus Audio's founder, Hans-ole Vitus, fell in love with music at the ripe old age of 12. That passion developed into a lifelong obsession with audio perfection as he matured.
---> Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II Luxury Hi-Fi Int. Amp — The Definitive Review.

SVS' SB-5000 R|Evolution Will Not Be Televised — It Will Be Felt!
Deep bass with exceptional musicality, bass speed, and a potent 2000 Watts!
SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution Subwoofer Review By Rick LaFaver
If Santa missed the mark on giving you the gift of deep, room-shaking bass this year, meet the SVS 5000 R|Evolution SB-5000 sealed subwoofer — the sub that transforms your music listening experience (it's not only for movie explosions). Within this review, Enjoy the Music.com tests the SVS SB-5000 active subwoofer with 2000 Watts from a real-world stereo perspective, showing how a high-performance subwoofer can do more than boost LFE at 80Hz: it fills the gap where your speakers naturally roll off, adds authoritative low-end detail, and restores the rhythm, weight, and physical deep bass connection to your favorite tracks that have been missing… until now. The SVS subwoofer was tested alongside my reference Vapor Audio Cirrus loudspeakers and go-to Arte Forma amplifier, aiming for a musical, real-world setup. I tried the preamplifier output so the SVS could receive a full stereo analog feed and make the most of its 295 Hz Analog Devices DSP and the SVS app's fine-tuning.
---> SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution Active DSP Subwoofer Review.

Pure Power, Pure Pleasure — Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier Review
Quietly powerful, exquisitely precise sound that delivers recording-studio clarity.
Review By Tom Lyle
The Pass Laboratories X600.8 monoblocks did not simply arrive — they announced themselves. Two Pass Laboratories X600.8 monoblocks for review here at Enjoy the Music.com, each a 123-pound monument of metal and circuitry, crossed my threshold and turned the upstairs listening room into a battleground for gravity. Their bulk filled the doorway, their presence and proportions, and for a moment the house felt like it had been claimed by something far more serious than furniture. Furthermore, I needed a little help getting them into position within my listening room. Besides being quite heavy and quite large (19" x 21.5" x 11" WxDxH), my listening room is on the top floor of our home. On their website, Pass Labs says that the Pass Laboratories X600s can "...effortlessly drive the most demanding loudspeakers to musical nirvana." With 600 Watts under the hood, it should be obvious that these monoblocks can drive just about any pair of speakers one can think of....
---> Pure Power, Pure Pleasure — Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier Review.

How A Vinyl LP Record Is Made
We tour Quality Record Pressings / Acoustic Sounds vinyl LP pressing plant.
Vinyl LP Pressing Plant Tour By Steven R. Rochlin
Enjoy the Music.com and Enjoy the Music.TV invite you behind the scenes for an exclusive tour of the Quality Record Pressings (Acoustic Sounds) vinyl LP pressing plant. This special presentation takes you into the heart of a facility dedicated to preserving the art and craft of analog sound, showing how passion and precision come together to make the records collectors and audiophiles cherish. On the factory floor we join plant manager Gary and owner Chad Kassem as they walk us through each stage of production. From the initial mastering and lacquer cutting to the creation of metal stampers and the actual pressing of vinyl, they explain the purpose of every step and the reasons each detail matters. Their hands-on approach and decades of experience make the technical process accessible and fascinating. Guiding the tour is Steven R. Rochlin, Creative Director of Enjoy the Music.com, whose commentary ties the factory's methods to the listening experience. He highlights how choices made during production—materials, temperature control, and quality checks—directly influence the final sound.
---> How A Vinyl LP Record Is Made.

Tube-Powered Perfection: Nagra Tube DAC + Classic PSU Review
Nagra's vacuum tube DAC & Classic PSU = Luxury listening & modern music magic!
Review By Tom Lyle
Nagra is a Swiss audio equipment manufacturer that has been in business for over 65 years. Their professional portable tape recorders were an industry standard for many decades, even appearing as props in many films and television shows. Their reputation was rock-solid even before they started manufacturing high-end audio equipment in the 21st Century. Because of this, and because of the fine high-end audio components they've been designing and manufacturing since 2012, I suppose there are many audiophiles, and plenty of non-audiophile, who might add the Nagra Tube DAC and its matching Classic PSU power supply to their systems without an audition, or without reading reviews on the subject. They might not even discuss this purchase with anyone else, other than perhaps their significant other. Less than two years ago I reviewed Nagra's most current linestage, the Enjoy The Music Legendary Performance award-winning Nagra Classic Preamp.
---> Tube-Powered Perfection: Nagra Tube DAC + Classic PSU Power Supply Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

12 / 30 / 25

Revealed! ESS ES9291 ADC/DAC: Sabre Codec With +121dB DNR
ESS Technology, a well-respected company that designs and markets Hi-Res Audio devices for mobile, consumer, automotive, and pro / audiophile systems, has expanded its SABRE CODEC lineup with the ES9291. ESS Technology's ES9291 is a  new stereo SMART CODEC that combines analog inputs and outputs with integrated ADC and DAC converters. Positioned for professional audio equipment, the device is aimed at high-end microphones, audio interfaces, live-stream setups, powered speakers, mixers and portable recorders, offering a compact solution for designers seeking premium analog performance. The ES9291 delivers ultra-low noise conversion with a True dynamic range of +121 dB and THD+N specified at –110 dB per channel across both ADC and DAC paths, making it a cost-effective option for applications that demand high fidelity. On-chip features support high sample rates and modern digital audio formats, enabling manufacturers to meet stringent audio quality targets without large external component counts.

Under the hood, ESS's Hyperstream IV architecture and second-generation Audio Signal Processors (ASP2) on both ADC and DAC paths bring the company's signature SABRE sound while improving power efficiency versus prior generations. The ASP2 engines enable advanced inter-path mixing and on-chip processing—multi-band PEQs, mixers, expanders and compressors, stereo widening and specialty filters such as RIAA and crossovers—while ESS's SI Studio simplifies ASP2 programming and can reduce or eliminate the need for external DSPs. Output capability is handled by a low-noise PowerLine Driver that supports a 2 Vrms line output and delivers up to 70 mW per channel from the internal charge pump or up to 125 mW into 32 Ohm with an external negative supply. The ES9291 also integrates design-friendly features including an APLL, temperature sensor, jack detection, programmable mic bias, independent digital volume with up to +42 dB gain, low-noise reference regulators, eight preprogrammed digital filters, multiple I/O formats and support for high-resolution PCM and DSD inputs. The device ships in a 48-pin 7 mm x 7 mm QFN package, with evaluation boards, reference designs and samples available through ESS representatives and distributors.

12 / 29 / 25

200 Million Music Lovers: Spotify Wrapped 2025
Spotify's annual year-in-review feature for music lovers, Spotify Wrapped 2025, has achieved unprecedented success and has reached over 200 million engaged users within just 24 hours of its launch! This is a remarkable 19% increase year-over-year and a milestone that represents the platform's biggest Wrapped launch in its decade-long history. Last year's iteration (2024) required 62 hours to reach the same benchmark, making this year's 2025 rapid adoption particularly noteworthy for the streaming giant. This year's edition introduced enhanced features designed to create deeper connections between music enthusiasts and their listening habits, including more layers, stories, and interactive elements than ever before. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek celebrated the achievement on social media, emphasizing how the experience connects users worldwide through shared musical experiences.

Beyond user engagement, Spotify's Wrapped 2025 generated exceptional social media traction, with over 500 million shares recorded in the first day alone—a 41% increase compared to last year. These shares include both native in-app sharing and external screenshots and downloads, demonstrating the feature's viral appeal across multiple platforms. The sharing phenomenon highlights how Spotify Wrapped has evolved from a simple year-end summary into a cultural moment that drives conversation and connection among music fans globally.

The record-breaking performance comes as a significant win for Spotify, particularly following last year's AI-centered approach that received mixed reactions from audiophiles and music lovers alike. This year's return to fan favorites combined with new interactive features has clearly struck the right chord, solidifying Wrapped's position as one of the most anticipated digital experiences of the year. As the streaming platform continues to immerse their listeners in great music, the 2025 edition's success demonstrates the enduring power of personalized data storytelling in creating meaningful user engagement.

12 / 22 / 25

Florida International Audio Expo Show Report In February 2026
The eighth annual Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) returns as the Southeast's most eagerly anticipated high-end audio gatherings, bringing together music lovers, audiophiles, immersivephiles, and industry professionals for a long weekend of listening, discovery, and community. FIAE show's 2026 edition continues the event's tradition of pairing commercial exhibits with live music and educational programming to give visitors both demonstrable gear experiences and context for what they hear. From Friday through Sunday, February 20th through 22nd (2026) at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, ticketing options include single-day and multi-day passes to suit casual visitors, dedicated musicphiles, and audiophiles / immersivephiles alike. Organizer statements and press coverage emphasize that the 2026 event marks the Expo's eighth annual run, highlighting steady growth in both exhibitor participation and room counts; this expansion has translated into more than 100 exciting exhibit spaces that let music lovers compare loudspeakers, electronics, vinyl LP turntable systems, stereo / immersive headphones, cabling, and tweaks under real listening conditions.

That scale also attracts international and regional brands showing both new flagship components and specialty boutique products. The Florida International Audio Expo 2026 floor experience blends formal demo rooms with informal listening lounges. Step outside and enjoy special car-audio presence, thanks to IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Association), creating a cross-section of audio culture where home hi-fi enthusiasts can meet custom installers, aftermarket specialists, and accessory makers all in one place. Many exhibitors staff their rooms with designers and product specialists so visitors can ask technical questions and hear how products perform at reference levels. Enjoy the Music.com's highly-anticipated, and extensive, Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 show coverage will be online during the event.

12 / 19 / 25

Inside CAF 2025 Luxury Hi-Fi Show Part 2 — Capital Audiofest's Large Exhibit Rooms And Lobby Displays
Fresh trends, the hottest audio equipment, and rooms everyone's talking about.
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Step into the exciting Capital Audiofest 2025, where not-to-be-missed large exhibit rooms and lobby-level displays are featured within Part 2. Rick Becker's extensive CAF 2025 report showcases where sound becomes spectacle and every corner hums with possibility. This year's event brought together the world's most daring designers, boutique builders, and legacy brands under one roof, each booth a promise of sonic revelation. Read about how jaw-dropping stereo systems reveal the best in music, as Enjoy the Music.com's first-listen debuts are features too! Across the exhibit halls, we deliver to you our curated listening room reports that read like a map of audio obsession—ultra-high-end separates, room treatments that transform acoustics, and immersive setups that blur the line between live performance and playback. Here at Capital Audiofest 2025, leading electronic engineers and designers are on hand to help walk Enjoy the Music.com through signal chains, loudspeaker voicing, and the tiny tweaks that unlock massive improvements. Whether you're chasing the last detail in a reference system or hunting for a single component that changes everything, Rick Becker's CAF 2025 high-end audio show report below is a festival of ideas!
---> Inside CAF 2025 Luxury Hi-Fi Show Part 2 — Capital Audiofest's Large Exhibit Rooms And Lobby Displays.

12 / 18 / 25

North America Premiere Review!
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
The truth, and nothing else but the truth.
Review By Ron Nagle
Like the ravens at the White Tower, I cannot think of a more iconic audiophile symbol of England than Bowers and Wilkins. That's of course if you happen to look at the world through audiophile eyes. John Bowers and Roy Wilkins met during World War II while both of them were serving in the Royal Signal Corps. They began business as a radio and electronics retail shop located in the town of Worthing England. Bowers & Wilkins was founded in 1966 in Worthing, West Sussex, England. John Bowers started the business we now know as Bowers & Wilkins. At that time he was no longer involved with the retail shop. The first speaker production line was established in the retail shop's backyard. In 1970 Bowers decided to develop a loudspeaker wholly built in-house. The sizeable DM70 from 1970 combined electrostatics mid-and-high range drivers on top of a traditional bass unit. The distinct shape of the loudspeaker won a British Industrial Design Award. Good press reviews allowed the company to prosper.
---> Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

World Premiere Review!
Finalé Audio F-6 Hommage EF86 Edition Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier Review
How low can you go?
Review By Paul Schumann
Sometime in the mid-1990s, I was in a music store and noticed an audio magazine on the rack I had never seen before. It was Issue 12 of Sound Practices. I flipped through it and was fascinated by its retro take on audio, so I made the purchase. I read every article, but Herb Reichert's Causal Reactions column struck me to the core. This was back during a time when Herb Reichert was an arts school teacher and his vacuum tube efforts were dedicated towards DIY. His basic argument was this: the best way to evaluate an audio system is how it allows you to feel the emotions in your music. All other criteria are secondary. I know I've reduced a beautifully written article into a simple statement. But this statement leads the reader to the next question: What kind of system allows you to do this?
---> Finalé Audio F-6 Hommage EF86 Edition Review.

12 / 17 / 25

Inside UMG's Superfan Takeover: New Flagship Shops In N.Y. And London
Universal Music Group (UMG) is rapidly expanding its global network of brick-and-mortar UMusic Shop locations aimed at superfans, opening new permanent stores in New York and London and building on earlier launches in Tokyo and Madrid. UMG has been steadily growing a global portfolio of physical retail spaces designed specifically for superfans, turning music merchandising into immersive, local destinations rather than just online storefronts. The concept began with a flagship in Tokyo's Harajuku district and continued with a UMusic Shop inside the UMusic Hotel in Madrid, and now the program is scaling with additional high-profile openings to broaden UMG's real-world footprint. The most recent expansion brings two major new hubs to Western markets: UMusic Shop NY (New York) at 2 Penn Plaza in Manhattan and a UMusic Shop in Camden Market, London, placing stores in two of the world's most visited music and culture neighborhoods and positioning them near venues and tourist flows that amplify foot traffic and discovery. The New York location is UMG's first permanent brick-and-mortar superfan retail experience in North America, signaling a strategic shift toward long-term, physical engagement with fans.

Product strategy at the UMusic Shops emphasizes exclusive, artist-inspired collections and limited drops. Each shop stocks curated vinyl, artist merch, accessories and capsule collaborations that are available only in-store; recent rollouts have included items tied to artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Post Malone and KISS, alongside label-branded pieces and collectible releases that appeal to collectors and superfans alike. Stores also feature seasonal window displays and rotating product assortments to keep the offering fresh and collectible Retail TouchPoints. UMG operates the shops in partnership with UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, its entertainment-driven hospitality venture, and has used local collaborations to deepen cultural relevance — for example, a capsule with New York streetwear brand Awake NY debuted at the Manhattan shop. The company frames these locations as more than retail: they are fan hubs that combine shopping with experiences, hospitality elements and programming that bring fans closer to artists and the broader music community.

12 / 16 / 25

audioXpress' January 2026 Issue
Editorial: You Had One Job
Marenius A2B To MADI Converter
DECT NR+: A Wireless Solution For Real-Time Audio?
The AP-805 Accelerometer Amplifier And Analog Signal Processor
The Forgotten Pioneers
Speaker Innovation
Thin-Ply Carbon Diaphragm Tweeter Domes
Adaptive Nonlinear Loudspeaker Control
Guitar Amps Vs. HiFi Amps In the Early 1960s
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "The audio industry events calendar is looking busier than ever for 2026. At the time of writing for this issue of audioXpress, we are looking at a busy CES and NAMM Show, even with clouds of uncertainty hovering above both events. The surprising part is that, even with Trump tariffs and the erratic US administration policies, China is returning to CES in force. The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) will reopen its doors in full after extensive multiyear renovations, and remarkably, the South Hall ground level is already fully booked by manufacturing and design suppliers from China. The South Hall upper level will not be used for this edition, but CES exhibit numbers are still impressive considering the economic and political climate. The LVCC North Hall is again a vibrant space for connected, smart devices, AI, language translation, mobility, and sustainability. The Central Hall will return to the traditional Gaming and Audio and Video hub, with China taking over 50% of the area, replacing the dominant position once held by Japanese and Korean brands."
---> audioXpress January 2026 Issue.

12 / 15 / 25

Spinal Tap Movie Director Marty Di Bregi Passes
Marty Di Bergi, the wry, inquisitive documentarian who brought the world the rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, has died — leaving behind a legacy of deadpan curiosity, comic restraint, and a film that reshaped how we look at music and myth. Marty Di Bergi was, by design, an observer first and a now-legendary storyteller second. In fact, without Marty's deep kindness, many of us here at Enjoy the Music.com might never have come to know of Spinal Tap's life-changing music. Marty preferred to let his subjects reveal themselves naturally, lingering on small gestures, those precious awkward silences, and the private rituals that make performers of musical art truly human. In interviews, such as detailing the band's various drummers, and behind-the-scenes moments, Marty was kindly patient, gently skeptical, and always ready with a clarifying question that exposed more truth than any staged confrontation. On the road with the rock band Spinal Tap, Di Bergi's camera became a mirror for the band's contradictions: bravado and insecurity, spectacle and banality. The film's mockumentary form — intimate, improvisational, and deceptively simple — was presented as the work of an amazingly creative filmmaker who believed in letting life supply the punchlines; the character of Marty Di Bergi was the steady hand guiding that approach.

The massive impact of Di Bergi's work extended far beyond This Is Spinal Tap film's running time. This Is Spinal Tap single-handedly not only introduced the world to a now-legendary rock band, the film helped define the true potential of modern rock documentary and influenced generations of filmmakers and television creators who adopted its blend of realism, passion in music, and satire to explore culture, fame, and perhaps failure. What might have been a one-off prank on rock n' roll's excess, instead became a template for truthful comedy, and Marty Di Bergi's calm, documentary gaze into the camera is central to this globally celebrated achievement. Colleagues and fans remember Di Bergi for his dry wit and his refusal to punch down.

Marty Di Bergi's passing leaves a particular kind of silence for many of us here at Enjoy the Music.com: not the dramatic void of a headline, but the quiet absence of someone who honestly listened to music for the deeply human story that is beneath the surface noise. We are deeply humbled and grateful as Marty taught rock music audiences to not only listen, but to look closer, and to laugh with a little more sympathy. Marty Di Bergi will be remembered not only for a single film, he is forever within us all for helping a lifetime of others generously, for his humane curiosity he captured on film, and for his endless passion that made his movies feel like a magical discovery... His most recent interviews are below.

Gene Simmons Urges U.S. Congress On Radio Royalties
KISS frontman Gene Simmons urged the U.S. Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act, calling for AM/FM radio stations to pay recording artists for airplay for the first time and describing the current system as an injustice to performers. Gene Simmons took his case to Capitol Hill this week, appearing before lawmakers to press for legislation that would require broadcast radio stations to pay royalties to recording artists and producers when their recordings are played on AM and FM airwaves. Simmons framed the issue as a long-standing loophole in U.S. copyright law that leaves performers uncompensated while radio companies profit from their work, a point he emphasized in prepared remarks to lawmakers and in media appearances ahead of the hearing.

In testimony and interviews, Simmons argued that artists have historically received no performance royalties from terrestrial radio, even as songwriters and publishers are paid for compositions; he invoked iconic names to underline the scale of the perceived unfairness and said the status quo amounts to "robbery." Simmons' remarks were part of a broader push by musicians and industry groups to align traditional radio with streaming and satellite services, which already pay recording royalties to performers and rights holders. The campaign for change has drawn attention from a range of political and policy groups. Conservative organizations and some lawmakers have signaled support for the American Music Fairness Act, framing it as a bipartisan fix that would modernize copyright rules while offering protections for small local stations through modest, flat fees. Proponents say the bill would bring U.S. practice closer to that of other developed countries, where terrestrial radio pays both for compositions and recordings, and would create a new revenue stream for performers and producers who have long seen no direct payment for radio airplay.

Supporters on Capitol Hill say the proposal is designed to balance the interests of artists and broadcasters: the bill's sponsors have proposed low, flat fees for smaller stations while preserving broader access to radio for listeners, and they argue the change would correct a decades-old disparity between how songwriters and performers are compensated. Simmons' high-profile advocacy — including his walk through the Capitol and his testimony before a Senate subcommittee — has helped thrust the issue into the national spotlight and prompted renewed debate among lawmakers, broadcasters and the music industry. Broadcasters and some industry groups have pushed back, warning of potential costs to local radio and questioning the mechanics of implementing a new royalty regime; supporters counter that the measure is a modest, overdue correction that would finally pay performers for the use of their recorded work. Simmons has continued to press the point in interviews and public appearances, urging Congress to act and calling on the public and fellow artists to back the legislation.

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