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!

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.

12 / 11 / 25

AGD Productions SOLO Limited Edition GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifiers And Andante Mk II Preamplifier / DAC / Phonostage / Music Streamer Review
The apex of musical reproduction in ways no other Class D design has yet achieved.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
As a classically trained percussionist / composer whose forte gravitates towards modern chamber music, I naturally seek out and explore the most current of musical ideas – Those that delve into sonic territory yet undiscovered. Contemporary percussion recognizes the fundamental responsibility of the percussionist-as-inventor. Indeed, we percussionists are creatures donning many hats, an amalgam of scientists, naturalists, engineers, archeologists, et al, compelled to follow the sonic siren of our artistic goals, unconventional or otherwise, that ultimately shapes our art. We are musicians in search of a sound, whose obsession it is to seek the source and its means of actuation (Yes, in the right hands, everything is a potential musical instrument!).
---> AGD Productions SOLO Limited Edition GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifiers And Andante Mk II Preamplifier / DAC / Phonostage / Music Streamer Review.

World Premiere Review!
Wells Audio Innamorata III Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Incredible voicing, seductive soundscape, and high-performance musical pleasures.
Review By Ron Nagle
As an audio manufacturer and owner of Audible Arts, Jeff Wells is at the very foundation of what drives high-end, high-performance luxury audio. Need proof? Then read the below review of the Wells Audio Innamorata III power amplifier to truly grasp the outstanding nature of this product's design and engineering. Jeff Wells is an old-school entrepreneur who founded a family business in 2014 with only $2600 of spare parts and a great idea. There would be no high-quality audio today without small startups and visionaries who are willing to take great risks. And I say thanks to that group of audio entrepreneurs whose innovations are the lifeblood of our hobby! Let's take a look at the new Wells Audio Innamorata power amplifier.
---> Wells Audio Innamorata III Stereo Power Amplifier Review.

12 / 05 / 25

Hi-Fi+ December 2025 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: The Sound Of A Milestone As hi-fi+ Achieves 250 Issues
The hi-fi+ 2026 Awards
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
EMM Labs DA2i Digital-To-Analog Converter 
DeVore Fidelity O/Bronze Large Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker
Marantz Model 10 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Nordost QNET 7 Network Switch
Happy 250th! Celebrating 250 Issues Of hi-fi+!
Issue 250 And Beyond... We Look To The (Near) Future Of Audio. 
Meet Your Maker: Trilogy Audio Systems
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "We made it! 250 issues of hi-fi+. And the stars aligned to make this celebratory issue our annual Awards... just in time for Christmas, too. It doesn't get much better. OK, so perhaps the free Rolls-Royce with a glove-box filled with Patek Philippe watches for every reader we were hoping to give away this issue might have been a little better, but only a little! Keen calculating types might point out that 250 monthly issues would put the first issue of hi-fi+ back in February 2005, and yet the magazine was launched back in 1999. So what happened? For the first ten years of the magazine, hi-fi+ was a true periodical. The magazine was a quarterly at first, then moved to a bi-monthly, and only became a monthly magazine in January 2013. From the outset, the magazine set a high standard. We maintain that audio is a luxury product and, if you are reading about it, then it's best to do so in something that looks and feels luxurious. Alongside the high design values, by-product of high-quality paper gave us the reputation of being 'the best smelling magazine in the audio business.'"
---> Hi-Fi+'s December 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.

12 / 04 / 25

A Musical Joy To The World
Ways to spread holiday cheer to music lovers.
Article By Roger Skoff
Christmas, Chanukah (or Hanukkah), and Kwanzaa plus other celebrations are fast approaching and, if you haven't already decided who on your holiday gift list gets what, from where, this year, try giving music. Everybody loves to hearken to the herald angels singing and, if the stories are true, old Wenceslas really was a pretty good king. We also love to hear about merry gentlemen resting without dismay; about how Jimmy Dodd saw his mommy kissing Sana Clause; and how, even despite the Grinch's efforts in a different story, the light from Rudolf's nose saved Christmas eve. Some of us even like to remember that old dreidel we made out of clay... or new fuses for our audio gear.
---> A Musical Joy To The World.

Enjoy the Music.com Exclusive!
Métronome Technologie Launches Their World-Class Kalista Mantax DAC
Musical revelations in Vienna!
Coverage By Greg Weaver
Thursday morning, November 16th (2023) found myself on an airplane bound for Vienna, Austria. I had been invited to the private launch event for the new flagship Kalista Mantax DAC, to be held at the Adagio Vienna City Hotel on Saturday, November 18th. The Adagio Vienna City sits just south of the Donaukanal, an arm of the nearby Danube River, and just immediately west of where the Wiental Kanal flows into it, bordering Vienna's city center. This places it just inside what is known as "The Ring," the popular name given to a series of wide tree-lined boulevards that encircle nearly the entire center of the city. "The Ring" is about six and a half kilometers long (~ four miles) and arguably offers more historical sights lining its edges than any other road in the world.
---> Métronome Technologie Launches Their World-Class Kalista Mantax DAC.

12 / 03 / 25

Music Lovers Rejoice Online As Holiday Sales Surge
With many music lovers sourcing their rare music and high-end audio hardware online, online sales surged significantly this Thanksgiving, with total online spending over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday) reaching a record $44.2 billion! This is an impressive 7.7% increase from the previous year. On Thanksgiving Day alone, online sales hit a record $6.4 billion, up 5.3% from 2024. Black Friday also saw record online spending of $11.8 billion, an increase of 9.1% year-over-year. Around 152 million U.S. adults planned to buy tech products between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, and 59% of U.S. adults plan to purchase tech devices this holiday season. Online retail sales jumped sharply during this past week's holiday shopping period, with some retailers reporting double-digit traffic gains and strong Cyber Week spending that outpaced many forecasts.

Retailers and analytics firms reported that ecommerce dominated the Thanksgiving-to-Cyber Monday window, with online sales climbing across categories as consumers shifted more of their holiday shopping online. Industry trackers noted a broader "Cyber Week" effect that extended deals and promotions beyond a single day, helping push online spending higher than many had expected. Data from multiple analytics firms show the scale of the surge: Cyber Week online sales rose notably year-over-year, driven by heavy activity on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Adobe and other analysts put Cyber Monday alone at more than $14 billion in U.S. online sales, while the five-day holiday stretch produced tens of billions in digital purchases as shoppers chased discounts on electronics, apparel and home goods.

Warner Music Group And Suno Next-Gen Licensing AI Music Platform
As human musicians continue to take a back seat to technology within popular music and movies, Warner Music Group (WMG) and AI music startup Suno announced a landmark partnership recently to develop next-generation licensed AI music tools that the companies say will expand computerized audio creation possibilities. Human music creators hope WMG will protect and compensate artists and songwriters for their efforts, which is why using AI brings financial benefits to music labs as it reduces the payout to humans. The agreement pairs Suno's generative technology with WMG's artist development expertise and resolves prior litigation between the two firms, setting the stage for a coordinated push into AI-driven music creation and discovery. Both companies claim the collaboration will prioritize human artist rights and monetization, giving creators control over whether and how their names, likenesses, voices and compositions are used in AI-generated works. WMG framed the deal as a way to shape licensed models that reflect the value of music across platforms, while Suno described the partnership as a means to accelerate new features for creation, collaboration and fan interaction. Either way, it seems a path to reducing human creation of music has been agreed upon.

Suno plans to roll out new licensed AI models in 2026 and phase out its current models to ensure following legal guidelines, with product changes tied to the launch: audio downloads will require paid accounts, free-tier creations will remain playable and shareable but not downloadable, and paid users will face monthly download caps with options to purchase additional downloads. The companies said these changes are intended to support sustainable monetization for artists as the platform scales. The agreement also includes Suno's acquisition of Songkick, Warner Music Group's concert-discovery platform, which Suno will continue to operate to strengthen and monetize artist-fan connections. WMG and Suno described the collaboration as a blueprint for a licensed AI music ecosystem that is said to balance various innovations with artist protections and new revenue streams.

12 / 02 / 25

Inside CAF 2025 Luxury Hi-Fi Show Part 1 — Capital Audiofest's Top Floors With 84 Rooms
New trends you need to know about, the latest audio gear, and not to be missed rooms!
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
After driving down to Rockville from Rochester, NY, on Thursday afternoon, I got a fresh start on Friday morning to report on the Capital Audiofest 2025 luxury high-end audio show for Enjoy the Music.com. I figured I would need all three days to cover the entire show, but was able to spend the last couple of hours on Sunday doing a final sweep of the most prominent rooms. My Capital Audiofest 2025 show repot Part 1, seen here, covers the 84 rooms on the 8th, 7th, and 6th floors, and Part 2 (coming soon) will cover everything on the 3rd (ground floor), which includes all the large rooms and a hallway full of sleeping rooms, plus the Atrium. As with my extensive Toronto Audiofest 2025 report for Enjoy the Music.com of the October show, I will not be covering each room in as much detail as in previous years. Hopefully, I will give you enough clues so you will be able to dive deeper into the internet, or simply contact the companies directly.
---> Inside CAF 2025 Luxury Hi-Fi Show Part 1 — Capital Audiofest's Top Floors With 84 Rooms.

12 / 01 / 25

December's Holiday Soundtrack: Ultimate Gift Guides, Exclusive Reviews & Toronto + CAF 2025 Show Reports
Give better sounding gifts this holiday season thanks to our curated guides.
Enjoy the Music.com's December Holiday issue continues our 30th anniversary celebration with a curated mix of seasonal features, in-depth equipment reviews, and comprehensive show coverage from Toronto Audiofest and Capital Audiofest 2025. This issue combines expert holiday gift guides, thoughtful essays on the emotional and physical benefits of music, and historical retrospectives that invite readers to revisit top-rated gear and landmark articles from decades of high-end audio journalism. Expect more CAF 2025 coverage soon as we continue to track the latest trends and innovations in audio.

Featured reviews and buying advice include a world-premiere evaluation of the sculptural MC Audiotech TL-8 floorstanding loudspeakers, the compact Nirvana Audio Chronos Optimizer, and the value-focused Hegel H150 streaming amplifier, each tested for design, sonic signature, and real-world listening performance. We also cover practical upgrades like IsoAcoustics GAIA I Neo isolation feet and system tweaks across price ranges. With detailed show reports, demo impressions, trend analysis, and two curated Great Audiophile Gift guides, this December issue is both a definitive reference for serious audiophiles and a seasonal resource for holiday gift shoppers for their music lover. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

Musick Hath Charms.... 
Why you really need your home audio sound system.
Article By Roger Skoff
Did you ever hear a quotation like "Music has power to charm the savage beast"? Although practically everybody has, and practically everybody guesses it to be by William Shakespeare, the real quote is actually "Musick hath charms to soothe a savage breast" and it was written (originally as "Musick has Charms to soothe a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.") by William Congreve as part of his tragic play The Mourning Bride, first performed in 1697. Although most people seem to get just about everything about the quotation (date, source, words) wrong, the fact is that it's far truer than many may think, and music may actually have real benefits for us as audiophiles. Besides just its hobby value, listening to music has actual physical benefits. Scientific research increasingly supports the idea that music has measurable healing effects—physically, emotionally, and neurologically.
---> Musick Hath Charms.... Why you really need your home audio sound system.

Toronto Audiofest 2025: Complete Show Coverage, Biggest Gear Reveals, And Best Demos
Canada's high-end audiophile premium audio / video equipment show.
The Toronto Audiofest 2025 unfolded over three immersive days, spotlighting high-end home audiophile gear, videophile equipment, modern immersive audio, and EARVANA—Canada's first and only dedicated headphone festival—within an expansive 8,000 sq ft showcase. Music lovers and audiophiles alike plugged in and demo'ed the newest in headphone and earphone technology, ranging from flagship over-ear designs to portable high-res in-ear monitors. With both general admission and industry badge options available, the event caters to casual enthusiasts and trade professionals seeking hands-on encounters with tomorrow's audio innovations. Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive, and extremely extensive, Toronto Audiofest 2025 high-end audiophile / immersivephile show coverage is now online!
---> Toronto Audiofest 2025 Luxury Home Audio Show Report.

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.

World Premiere Review!
Stunning Design And Mind-Blowing Bass: MC Audiotech TL-8 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
This sculptural speaker is a must-hear conversation starter for true music lovers.
Review By Bob Grossman
I have had the MC Audiotech TL-8 floorstanding loudspeakers within my home for the past two months, allowing me to experience them thoroughly, given my experience with many recordings in a variety of genres, as well as comparisons between CD and LP sources. As I sat in my living room writing for Enjoy the Music.com, I felt like I was out on the lawn enjoying a concert under the stars in Saratoga Springs, the Mann Music Center, or Bravo Vail outdoor theaters. Few people look for speakers that capture the unique sound of an outdoor performance. But my brother Michael pointed out that the Grateful Dead hated studio recording and rarely did it, instead preferring that fans enjoy live outdoor performances. Then Michael was captivated by the sound of the TL-8s speakers and said he felt transported back to San Francisco in the 1970s.
---> MC Audiotech TL-8 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Nirvana Audio Chronos Optimizer Review: Big Sound In A Small Package
If you value sensational sound, the Chronos delivers delightful audio.
Review By Rick Becker
One of the reasons I like to visit every room at audio shows is the possibility of discovering a truly outstanding new product. That's exactly what happened when I ventured into the Nirvana Audio room on the 5th Floor at AXPONA 2025 this year. Here is what I wrote in Part 7 of my show report: The name Nirvana struck a chord because of the American rock band, but I couldn't picture any audio components with that brand name. When I entered the room and saw some familiar gear hosted by a pair of Asian gentlemen, I still could not connect the dots. As I took a seat during my show report for Enjoy the Music.com, among the others in the room, it became apparent that the room was dedicated to a comparison listening test. But what? Eventually, I realized the little dark item on the counter at the right edge of the photo was the Chronos Optimizer pictured on the scrim in front of the window.
---> Nirvana Audio Chronos Optimizer Review.

Luxury Sound That Won't Break the Bank: Hegel H150 Streaming Amplifier Review
A great value for audiophiles and a smart buy for music lovers.
Review By Paul Schumann
Last year, I was lucky enough to review the Hegel H400 Streamliner, an integrated amplifier with a built-in streamer. It was a well-designed piece of equipment that sounded great. When I was offered to review its smaller sibling, it was an easy yes for me. The H150 Streaming Amplifier is Hegel's newest integrated amplifier on loan here at Enjoy the Music.com. The very clever engineers nicknamed it "The Prodigy" because, while being an entry-level product, it is loaded with features normally found on more expensive units. Hegel's H150 Streaming Amplifier is quite a bit smaller than their H400, with a footprint of only 17" x 13.8" and weighing in at 21.4 lbs. This meant it easily fit within my stereo cabinet, and I didn't have to bust a gut to get it there. An added plus! It has the same elegant design as the H400, and the fit and finish are superb.
---> Hegel H150 Streaming Amplifier Review.

Looking Back At Enjoy the Music.com's 25 Years Of Service
As we also celebrate today... and the future.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
When I initially realized 2020 would celebrate Enjoy the Music.com's past 25 years of being of service to the high-end audio / audiophile community, it brought a huge smile to my face. As one of the very first web-based sites online, there's quite a bit of history that was being made at the time. Back then virtually no print publication had a website. Yahoo was only a year old, while Google search engine would not appear online until three years later(!). Virtually no hi-fi print publication had a website back in 1995. Decades later, virtually every manufacturer and print publication has a web presence (and social media too!). Today, many enthusiasts within our hobby have their own web page, some of which are producing excellent articles and reviews too! As we're all in this together, Enjoy the Music.com is also celebrating decades of working with, and actively promoting, other magazines too! Please allow me to personally take this moment to thank both our longstanding, and newfound, global readers.
---> Looking Back At Enjoy the Music.com's 25 Years Of Service.

Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects Review
Let's go skinny dipping... with an impressive leap in cabling technology!
Review By Paul L. Schumann
Ok, we've all done it. We've swum in the water in our birthday suits. It may have been in a swimming pool, maybe in a lake or stream, maybe even in the ocean. I don't want to know your details, and I'm sure you don't want to know mine. But one way or another, we got naked outside and took the plunge.  And no matter the outcome, it was a memorable experience. Such as with the Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects. My familiarity with Kimber Kable goes back further than I like to admit. Back then I was still a novice to the world of high-end interconnects. It was 1997 and I just upgraded my CD player. When I got it home and plugged it into my system, my wife and I noticed that it didn't sound right. The tonal quality was pinched and it sounded nothing like it did in the showroom of the audio salon where I bought it. When I went back, they asked me what interconnects I was using.
---> Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects Review.

PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn1 Open Baffle Design Speaker Review
A trip down the rabbit hole.
Review By Paul L. Schumann
First of all, let me be totally upfront with you my dear readers, this is the first review I've written in a long time, so if I come off as an old curmudgeon, I apologize. In the business of high-end audio, the one constant is change. So when Steven asked me to review the Trio15 Horns, I knew I'd be in for a challenge. After so long, could I still use the reviewer part of my brain? Before you continue reading this, I would recommend you read Rick Becker's excellent review of the PureAudioProject Trio Horn1's sibling, the first generation of the Trio15 with TB driver. Rick does an excellent job of going through the assembly process of these early and more DIY speakers. I have to honestly say the Trio15 Horns that arrived at my humble abode were the latest generation, with Aluminum Frame and almost completely assembled. All I had to do is put in the horns, add capacitors to the crossovers, connect the drivers and was ready to go.
---> PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn1 Open Baffle Design Speaker Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

11 / 24 / 25

Chuck's Capital Audiofest 2025 Review: The Most Memorable Must-Hear System Demos And Stereo Setups
Inside CAF 2025's best demos with new gear, listening notes, and a few surprise standouts!
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Chuck Bruce
Capital Audiofest 2025 opened with an energetic pulse of innovation and craftsmanship, where manufacturers and boutique builders alike unveiled fresh takes on loudspeaker design, amplification, and source components. From compact two-way standmounts that surprised with full-range authority to sprawling open-baffle floorstanders that painted orchestral scale, the show offered a rare opportunity to hear how modern materials, refined crossovers, and careful cabinet engineering translate into musical realism. Attendees moved room to room, discovering bold new introductions—vacuum tube and solid-state amplification, steerable mid / tweeter loudspeaker modules, horn-loaded high-sensitivity designs—large mega-driver floorstanding loudspeakers... and the thoughtful system pairings that let each component reveal its strengths.
---> Chuck's Capital Audiofest 2025 Review: The Most Memorable Must-Hear System Demos And Stereo Setups.

11 / 21 / 25

UK To Make Reselling Concert Tickets For Profit Illegal
The UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation making it illegal to resell tickets for concerts, sports, theatre, comedy and other live events for more than their original face value, saying the move is designed to protect fans from inflated resale prices and "destroy the operating model of ticket touts". Under the proposed rules, secondary ticketing platforms would have a legal duty to monitor and enforce the cap on resale prices, limits would be placed on platform service fees, and individuals would be barred from selling more tickets than they were originally permitted to buy, measures aimed at curbing bot-driven bulk purchases that feed the secondary market. Government statements accompanying the announcement argued the measures would make resale tickets cheaper on average and return access to events for more fans, estimating collective annual savings for consumers and describing the policy as a fulfillment of promises to tackle extortionate touting practices. The announcement prompted immediate market and industry reaction, with shares of some resale platforms falling and major industry players and artists responding with a mix of support for fan protection and concern over impacts on legitimate secondary markets, while officials framed the push as a wider consumer-protection initiative by the current administration.

Legal experts warned the legislation could face challenges in court, particularly around enforcement against overseas platforms and the definition of "original price" for dynamically priced or package tickets. Industry groups representing venues and promoters said clarity would be needed on how exchanges can operate within the cap and whether compensation mechanisms will exist for legitimate resale when customers cannot attend. Consumer advocates welcomed the move but urged swift secondary legislation and clear guidance to avoid loopholes that could simply shift touting activity to private channels. Ministers indicated the bill will include powers for regulators to impose fines and demand data-sharing from ticketing firms, and that a phased implementation will give businesses time to adapt their systems. The government expects the measure to be tabled in the coming parliamentary session, with consultation on technical details to follow, leaving a likely implementation window of several months to a year if parliamentary time is secured. Officials said they will work with law enforcement and digital platforms to target automated buying tools and sophisticated resale networks.

11 / 20 / 25

World Premiere Review!
Audience Hidden Treasure In-Wall AC PowerCable And High Definition Wall Receptacle Review
Like a buried treasure that pays huge dividends in musical enjoyment!
Review By Rick Becker
If you're reading this review, you're either considering the installation of a dedicated line in what is likely your dedicated listening room or perhaps your home theater...  or maybe the video rig in your family room if you're seriously into watching TV. Or possibly, you've already installed a line and are wondering if this new Audience cable might be a worthwhile upgrade. In any case, I suspect you're already convinced that "everything matters" in high-end audio, especially cables. Keep reading. Audience is one of the most respected cable manufacturers and my ears perked up when I saw the ad for their new In-Wall AC cable. It's been 20 years since I reviewed Joe Skubinski's JPS Labs Power AC In-Wall cable. He's sold miles of it and "Big Red" has remained my reference dedicated line ever since. What's taken so long for the competition to arise?
---> Audience Hidden Treasure In-Wall AC PowerCable And High Definition Wall Receptacle Review.

Silent Angel Bonn N8 Data Switch Review
The Silent Angel Bonn N8 already has an audiophile following, but Martin Colloms says adding the Forester F1 power supply further levitates its performance.
Review By Martin Colloms
Thunder Data, the primary company responsible for the Silent Angel products was founded by two Chinese research engineers – Dr. Huang Jian and Chorus Chuang – specializing in both hardware and software development and engineering, and they have several patents in this field. Features of the already highly-regarded Bonn N8 eight-port Ethernet switch, which sells for £399, include fully balanced input and output transformers for every port, though it must be said that pretty much all such network connections are done this way even on low-cost Netgear switches. Further additions include damping pads on many internal components to reduce induced jitter from audio-related vibration, and the use of a low-noise high-stability reference clock to upgrade it to an audio-quality computer network switch. The eight ports are 100/1000Base-T gigabit specification, and the design includes a customized 'Silent Angel Noise Absorber' with two EMC filters for the main internal power supply and a further two for the clock generator circuit.
---> Silent Angel Bonn N8 Data Switch Review.

11 / 19 / 25

Florida International Audio Expo 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.

11 / 17 / 25

Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report Celebrating Craft, Sound, & Art Of Audio: Photofest 5
Next-level visual storytelling of high-end audio gear and audiophile room setups.
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Brett And Dylan Rudolph
Within Brett and Dylan Rudolph's Photofest 5, they elevate the visual narrative you loved within Photofest 4 by expanding beyond single moments into immersive visuals and mini-features that feature the latest hi-fi equipment. This series of pics pairs Brett and Dylan Rudolf's unmistakable photojournalism with fresh angles and narrative sequencing that show how a component lives within a home. Exhibitors have finalized their placement trials and their small adjustments that turn good sound into unforgettable listening. These photographs from the Capital Audiofest 2025 high-end audio event showcase how finishes, proportions, and placement interact with real rooms. From hand-finishing, candid frames, and the technicians / designers whose choices shape tone and presence, Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive Photofest 5 emphasizes process photography... and the human gestures behind final products. We want our extensive worldwide readers helping us celebrate our very special 30th Anniversary this year to gain an appreciation not just for the finished component, but for the craft and decisions that define its character.
---> Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report Celebrating Craft, Sound, & Art Of Audio: Photofest 5.

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