High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

  We invite you to join our social media pages and meet music lovers and audiophiles from all around the world. Like and follow our social media pages to chat with our reviewers, industry luminaries, and our loyal followers. Stay informed about the latest high-end audio news, audiophile events, and updates related to Enjoy the Music.com. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

01 / 16 / 26

audioXpress' February 2026 Issue
Editorial: The Many Opportunities For Microphones
IK Multimedia ARC ON EAR
A Guide For Developers Evaluating And Testing BT
Phase And Delays Part 1—Exploring Different Types Of Delays
MF-100 Measurement Microphone Preamplifier
Michael Fay's Acoustic Essentials For Architects
Innovation, Expansion, And Wireless Evolution
A New Technology Frontier In Microphone Array Architecture
The Evolution Of Echo Cancellation And Noise Reduction
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "Have you noticed that voice interfaces and digital assistants are back, thanks to artificial intelligence? And that adaptive audio has gained a whole new meaning thanks to AI? What about transcription, summarization, translation, and other AI-powered features that now expand voice capture? Voice applications are everywhere, from more widespread communication and conferencing options to voice assistants or simple voice commands expanding to even more product categories. Even automotive is seeing increasing adoption of applications that require the use of more sensors, including microphones for adaptive features and more active control of car acoustics and sound sources. If you have to find a common technology denominator around these trends, it's easy to identify the preponderant role of microphones. None of those important trends—transversal from consumer to professional and even critical communications—can be realized without one or many microphones being involved."
---> audioXpress February 2026 Issue.

01 / 15 / 26

Audiophiles: A Plan We Can All Take Part In
Another crazy high-end audio music lover idea by Yours Truly.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
And what have we as an industry done with this educational opportunity? We've squandered it, that's what! WTF?!?! Of course the idea below is just that, just an idea and frankly while some might like this idea, doubt it'll go anywhere as it requires effort on your part. Go ahead, prove me wrong. Am not going to be a whiney bitch and complain about some gear being incredibly high-priced, as like cars there are Hyundai (very respectable, wife's daughter has one), BMW (wife and my car), and Ferrari (been there, done that, tracked the living daylights out of it until the engine needed a major rebuild). With high-end audio for 'normal people' out there, most music lovers think of whatever is $$$ (not just $$) in the big box stores as 'high-end'. They, you know, normal people, generally, have zero idea we as an industry exist in any true sense... at least in some meaningful way. WTF?!?!? So how are we as an industry going to reach the masses in a meaningful way to educate music lovers that we even exist?
---> Audiophiles: A Plan We Can All Take Part In.

Where Do We Go From Here?
Classic Audiophiles Versus Modern Music Lovers
Will 360-degree audio change the face of old-school stereo 'philes?
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
Modern times bring modern solutions. First came recording audio over 100 years ago using a now-primitive needle scraping wax. Eventually we humans invented the microphone, to eventually amplifying musical instruments to the point of going full-out synthesizing via Moog and others producing 100% electronically-created musical instruments. Music lovers over the generations have gone from the wax cylinder and vinyl LP recordings to today's pure digital Hi-Res Music. What was once a challenge to find that special rare vinyl LP record within your 2000+ collection has become to today's computer search feature that instantly streams your fave tune from the millions of albums available online. How are those 'Classic Audiophile' types going to accept the 'Modern Audiophile' is still yet to be fully grasped imho. Binaural and multi-channel sound within the consumer electronics industry has been around for decades. So has Roland's Q Sound that was developed during the 1980's, which is the aural soundscape cornerstone of Roger Water's breakthrough album Amused To Death.
---> Classic Audiophiles Versus Modern Music Lovers.

01 / 14 / 26

Montreal Audiofest 2026: The Ultimate Audiophile Experience
Montreal Audiofest 2026 (Salon Audio Montreal) returns March 20th through 22nd, bringing Canada's premier high-end audiophile event to the city. Organizers expect thousands of visitors eager to listen, see, and handle cutting-edge audio gear, with over luxury 300 brands showcased under one roof. The three-day festival is designed for audiophiles, videophiles, immersivephiles, and curious music lovers seeking modern immersive, hands-on experiences. As the largest audio event in Canada, the event gathers top distributors, manufacturers, and retailers from the high-end consumer electronics industry. Attendees can explore dedicated demo listening rooms, vendor booths, and curated exhibits that highlight the latest in luxurious loudspeakers, top-rated amplifiers, precision, turntables, immersive headphones & portable audio, plus home A/V systems. The show's scale and industry presence make it a must-visit for anyone tracking trends in premium sound and home cinema.

Inside each listening room, exhibitors share their passion for music through focused demonstrations of world-class sound systems. Expect setups ranging from accessible high-performance rigs to flagship installations, with systems priced from $5000 to well overv$500,000. EARVANA is Canada's first and only headphone-focused showcase, taking place inside Montreal Audiofest 2026. Over three immersive days, explore 8,000 sq. ft. filled with the latest Head-FI with headphones, earphones, in-ear monitors (IEM), headamps, Hi-Res Audio DACs, and accessories from top global brands.

Step into Prohibition Night at Montréal Audiofest for an intimate whisky and music pairing that engages every sense. Enjoy a curated tasting of six premium whiskies while listening to demonstrations on the festival's finest audio systems, creating a seamless blend of flavor and sound. In addition, Montreal Audiofest invites you to the Musical Wine Tour, an intimate VIP evening that pairs exceptional wines with world-class audio. Join a private guided circuit through six distinguished exhibitor rooms, where small groups of 8 to 10 guests are led by a professional sommelier. Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive Montreal Audiofest 2026 high-end audio show coverage will be online shortly after the event.

01 / 13 / 26

Home Audio Holiday Sales: Electronics Drive Year-End Gains
Online holiday sales climbed notably in December 2025, driven by a surge in e-commerce activity and a clear uptick in consumer electronics spending; analysts say this momentum supports a cautiously optimistic economic outlook for 2026. Online advertising budgets expanded notably in 2025 as all major brands chased the highly-profitable engagement and conversion rates during the holiday season, with digital channels accounting for the bulk of incremental spend. U.S. and global retailers celebrated December with strong online gains, as shoppers continued to favor digital channels for holiday purchases. E-commerce and online holiday sales in December 2025 rose broadly, with many trackers showing mid-single-digit year-over-year growth—approximately 7% on several measures. Overall holiday sales for November–December were about 4.1% higher year-over-year. Consumer electronics and digitally enabled channels outperformed, with some retailers reporting impressive double-digit online gains! Global online holiday sales were estimated near $1,290,000,000,000 ($1.29 trillion) for the season. High-end audio rejoice as payment-network data and industry trackers showed e-commerce growth outpacing overall retail, with consumers increasingly buying luxurious higher-priced items and tech products.

The consumer electronics category was a standout, with demand for devices rising as buyers enter new territory, or upgrade their existing electronics. Mobile commerce also played a central role: a growing share of online purchases originated on smartphones, amplifying the reach of flash deals and buy-now-pay-later options that supported higher average order values. Broader holiday tallies underscore the scale of the digital shift: aggregated platform data show record online holiday sales totals and a pronounced acceleration in the last two weeks of December, when year-over-year growth outpaced earlier parts of the season. That late-December strength suggests consumers remained willing to spend despite price pressures, and that retailers who optimized inventory and checkout experiences captured outsized gains. Analysts point to AI-driven search and recommendation tools as a key factor in converting intent into transactions during the busiest shopping windows. Looking ahead to 2026, economists and retail strategists are cautiously optimistic. The December momentum—especially the resilience of online channels and the rebound in electronics—supports forecasts for steady consumer spending in 2026, provided labor markets and wage growth remain stable.

01 / 12 / 26

Bob Weir's Legacy: Music, Kindness, And The Grateful Dead
News of Bob Weir's passing lands like a chord that hangs in the air long after the last note fades — as we remember his thoughtful kindness and magical music with the Grateful Dead. For decades, he was a steady presence at the heart of the Grateful Dead, a musician whose gentle authority on guitar and warm, conversational voice helped shape a sound that felt like home to so many. The grief that follows is not only for the loss of an artist but for the quiet, human light he carried through stages, studios, and the lives of countless listeners. In this moment, the music feels both unbearably fragile and fiercely alive. Bob Weir's playing and songwriting were never about showmanship alone; they were invitations to listen, to move, and to belong. He had a knack for turning a simple phrase into a doorway — into improvisation, into community, into a shared story that unfolded differently every night. Those who followed the band learned to expect the unexpected: a new turn in a familiar song, a laugh between musicians, a moment of collective breath. That spirit of openness is one of the truest parts of his legacy.

Beyond the stage, Bob's generosity and curiosity left an imprint on friends and fellow musicians. He mentored younger players, collaborated across genres, and never stopped exploring what music could be or whom it could bring together. Fans remember not just the concerts but the small, human exchanges — the way he acknowledged a crowd, the way he seemed to listen as much as he played. Those memories will be the threads that keep his presence woven into the lives he touched. Grief and gratitude can live side by side, and in honoring Bob Weir we hold both. We mourn the absence of a voice that helped soundtrack so many lives, and we celebrate the countless moments of connection his music made possible. In the days and years ahead, people will gather, play records, tell stories, and pass along the songs — and in those acts his influence will continue, quietly, insistently, beautifully. For now, we sit with the ache and the music, and we give thanks for the light he shared.

01 / 09 / 26

Hi-Fi+ January 2026 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: How Do Audiophiles Attract A Younger Audience?
Wilson Audio Sabrina V Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Unitra WSH-805 Integrated Amplifier
Davone Reference Three Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Audiobyte SuperVOX Digital-To-Analogue Converter
Eversolo T8 Streaming Transport
Hana Umami Black Moving Coil Cartridge
Meze 99 Classics (2nd Gen) Headphones
Audio Origami PU8 Tonearm
OePhi Kali Cable System
Wiktor Schulfer On Reinventing Unitra
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "According to science-fiction timelines, 2026 plants us in the middle of several dystopian eras. We're lodged somewhere between Soylent Green, Highlander II: The Quickening and Children of Men. So... Happy New Year! In fact, stepping away from international geopolitics and staying in our audio-enthusiast, music-loving lane, things look a lot better. Spotify is rolling out its lossless service to ever more countries, joining Qobuz and Tidal in delivering quality streaming. Meanwhile, LP leads the field in physical formats once more, but reports of CD's demise are greatly exaggerated, and seeing the re-emergence of tape shows people still love listening to music in any way they can. We're also seeing improvements in good audio equipment across the board, too. While it's easy to focus on the big ticket equipment, it's not hard to find outstanding audio products at every price point. And yet, audio companies keep spouting the same mantra; 'how do we attract a younger audience?' Every company is looking for that magic combination of interface, performance and design that will unlock an audience of Generation Alpha buyers."
---> hi-fi+ January 2026 High-End Audio Magazine.

01 / 08 / 26

PureAudioProject Duet 15 Loudspeaker Review
A benchmark performance open baffle loudspeaker.
Review By Dr. Jules Coleman
Featuring the extraordinary Voxativ Pife full range driver mated to a comparably fast 15" woofer, the PureAudioProject (PAP) Duet 15 offers the listener an unrivaled, relaxed, unhurried, yet fully resolved natural and immediate musical experience that box speakers, for the most part, can only dream of providing, and one that competitor open baffle designs will struggle, most likely with only limited success, to equal. These speakers are unassuming, seductive, and enthralling. I found myself unable to resist falling into the music's awaiting arms for the better part of the several months I was fortunate enough to have them in my home. The term 'open baffle' is vague. The standard design consists of a single baffle (think of the 'front baffle' of an enclosed speaker) on which one or more drivers are affixed. All open baffle speakers produced by PureAudioProject are of this sort.
---> PureAudioProject Duet 15 Loudspeaker Review.

LessLoss Giant Steps Equipment Feet Review
Enjoying the purity and immediacy of the music.
Review By Rick Becker
When I caught wind of the new Giant Steps footers from LessLoss audio I contacted Louis Motek immediately. Having written the first review of both his BlackGround Power Base and BlackGround for Speakers, I have very high regard for his work and the review samples of both reside in my system. The Giant Steps footers are even better, he claimed. I would like nine, I said, to try them on three successive components in the rig to experience how the effect intensifies and to try them under the corners of my loudspeakers. There was just one problem. It was the Fall audio show season and I was committed to covering the Toronto Audiofest 2024 in October and the Capital Audiofest 2024 in November. Back-to-back. I finished the Toronto report on a Wednesday and on Thursday I drove down to Rockville, MD. I knew I would not have time to write a review until the January issue....
---> LessLoss Giant Steps Equipment Feet Review.

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.

Previous High-End Audio News
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