When I picked up Pioneer’s SE-MASTER1 headphone at CEDIA Expo in October, I knew it was special. Substantial yet lightweight and exceptionally well crafted with scrupulous attention to detail, right down to the contoured ear cushions and engraved serial number. (Sorry, S/N 00001 is already spoken for.) If you were to crack open the ear cups, you’d find the same commitment to excellence in the form of a highly refined ceramic-coated aluminum diaphragm surrounded by a ribbed ring, designed to reduce distortion, all framed in a sturdy aluminum alloy to minimize resonance.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the giant behind the Fender Stratocaster, has just announced a new product line: in-ear monitors from the legendary guitar manufacturer. There will be five models when the products hit the shelves in March. However, it’s the history of these products that is the most interesting.
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.
England’s Naim Audio has introduced Mu-so Qb, a smaller version of the Top Pick winning Mu-so wireless audio system Sound & Vision reviewed in December.
Audio icon McIntosh introduced an AV processor, streaming audio player, and wireless speaker at CES 2016 in Las Vegas last week, all sporting the brand’s signature retro styling.
MartinLogan announced at CES 2016 that it has redefined hybrid electrostatic speaker technology with the Renaissance ESL 15A it plans to launch this spring.
SVS announced plans to unveil a multipurpose speaker at CES designed to convey height information in Atmos and DTS:X “immersive surround sound” setups or serve as a surround-channel or center speaker in setups where conventional placement is not possible.
Vizio has introduced the D-Series of budget-oriented TVs at prices ranging from $150 for a 24-inch edge-lit LED/LCD model to $1,300 for a 70-inch smart TV with full-array LED backlighting.