Audio Video News

Questyle QP1R Music Player: $899

Although short on bells and whistles, the QP1R is a dedicated music player that offers four-figure sound and build quality at a three-figure price. Reviewer Mark Fleischmann put it this way: “If you don’t want to listen to music on a smartphone—but don’t want to spend more than three figures for a hi-res-friendly music player—then the Questyle QP1R hits the sweet spot just below $1,000. It’s well built, thoughtfully engineered, and easy to use.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Three gain settings
Heavy build and discrete components
Clickwheel nostalgia
Minus
No touchscreen or apps
No input for DAC use
No Bluetooth

Full Review Here

 

Paradigm Prestige 75F Loudspeaker: $1,499 each

Paradigm achieves affordable high-end in the Prestige 75F towers thanks to a beautiful design with a furniture-grade finish and reference-quality sound. Reviewer Mark Fleischmann wrote: “The combination of subtlety, power, and detail makes the beautiful cabinets dematerialize into an exceptionally wide, ethereal soundstage that’s rare to find in a pair of towers at this price.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
2.5-way crossover
Excellent build quality
Amazing soundstage
Minus
Gloss finish needs careful handling

Full Review Here

 

Cardas A8 Ear Speaker: $299

The A8 is big on transparency and delivers a huge soundstage with remarkably deep yet tuneful bass. In comparing it with a full-size headphone, Steve Guttenberg noted: “The A8’s soundstage is sharper in focus and more spacious. Uncompressed dynamics really cut loose over the A8, and resolution of the quietest details are revealed. That’s the sort of sonic information lesser in-ears gloss over.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Driver designed by George Cardas
Accommodates balanced cables
Extraordinary sound quality
Minus
Lacks mic or smartphone controls

Full Review Here