New Products

I was in Cupertino for Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 reveal, brought a pair home, and did some early listening away from campus. The pitch lines up with what I’m hearing so far: a quieter backdrop and firmer low end. Apple’s explanation is straightforward. The buds use a new multiport acoustic architecture that controls airflow into the ear canal, paired with foam‑infused ear tips (now five sizes, including XXS) to improve the passive seal.

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).

Acoustic Research, a brand with a storied history dating back to the early days of home stereo, has carved out a niche out for itself in wireless speakers since Voxx International acquired the brand more than a decade ago. More specifically, Bluetooth speakers that masquerade as lights.

Today in London, Arcam unveiled its latest audio line, the Radia Series, during a live event at the Vinyl Factory. The series features three integrated amplifiers: the Arcam A5, A15, and A25, alongside the Arcam CD5 CD player and Arcam ST5 high-resolution streamer. This initial offering represents a harmonious blend of Arcam’s established British audio heritage with modern design aesthetics and technology.

Ascendo Immersive Audio GmbH has unveiled its latest subwoofers, the 64-inch The64 Sub Pro Passive Infrasonic Sealed and the 100-inch The100 Sub Pro Passive Infrasonic Sealed, succeeding the The50 and The80 models. The company positions these as the largest home cinema subwoofers available, designed to enhance low-frequency performance for home theater and high-end audio systems.