New Products

Pioneer has introduced a portable hi-res digital audio player with a balanced line output and matching “hi-res earbuds.”

Denon has added Bluetooth streaming capability and upgraded analog circuitry to the latest iteration of its popular CD-based M-Series minisystem.

Sennheiser has announced a higher-resolution, fully balanced version of the HDVD 800 headphone amplifier it introduced in 2013.

HiFiMan founder Dr. Fang Bian has been crafting fine headphones for more than a decade, collecting numerous awards along the way. In the past two years alone, five of his designs have been designated Top Picks in these pages. Despite this incredible success, Bian wanted more. He had a lifelong dream to fulfill: To create the “world’s best-sounding headphone.” As he put it, “While HiFiMan has made many good headphones, and people certainly enjoy them, none has ever fully satisfied that dream.”

Lake Grove, NY-based audio distributor Vana Ltd. has announced the arrival of an upscale European turntable in the U.S. market.

Integra DLB-5 Soundbar System
Object-based surround sound has advanced the art of home theater sound but at the cost of yet another set of speakers. Enter Integra’s DLB-5, which provides a simpler path. The 3.1.2-channel system comprises a passive soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and svelte 5 x 50-watt receiver that supports Internet Radio, several streaming services (including Tidal, Spotify, and Pandora), and more connectivity options than you’ll need: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Blackfire’s FireConnect, and DTS Play-Fi (due via a future firmware update).