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Shure introduces the KSM44MP, a versatile large‑diaphragm condenser microphone designed for modern recording, from vocals and piano to ensembles and remote sessions.

It features a 1‑inch dual‑diaphragm capsule with natural frequency response, subtle high‑frequency presence, and ultra‑low self‑noise rated at 5 dBA.

Selectable polar patterns include cardioid, figure‑eight, and omnidirectional, supported by effective low‑frequency control that reduces off‑axis coloration and unwanted noise.

Technics SL-1500CS debuts in March 2026 as an affordable evolution of the award-winning SL-1500C, expanding Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) Drive technology into lower-priced turntables.

The SL-1500CS uses a coreless direct-drive motor with single rotor and stator, combining ΔΣ-Drive digital control to minimize cogging and reduce motor vibrations to near-measurable limits.

Lightweight platter designs particularly benefit from ΔΣ-Drive vibration suppression, allowing the SL-1500CS to deliver sound quality exceeding typical expectations for its price class.

Clab Ebony Titanium is a fully hand-built MC phono cartridge crafted in Rome, representing years of research and a no-compromise, restoration-driven design philosophy.

The cartridge uses a solid titanium body with ebony front plate, dual rare-earth magnets, and hand-wound copper coils on pure iron cores.

A solid diamond cantilever with Japanese MicroLine stylus (3×70 µm) delivers high resolution, deep soundstage, and minimized hysteresis distortion.

sensiBel licensed Sofics’ silicon-proven on-chip ESD protection to strengthen reliability of its SBM100B optical MEMS microphones ahead of volume production.

SBM100B combines optical MEMS IP, a silicon photonics circuit, and a digital ASIC built in standard CMOS, setting new benchmarks for MEMS microphone audio performance.

The microphone achieves 80dB SNR, 146dB SPL acoustic overload point, and 132dB dynamic range, exceeding conventional MEMS microphone capabilities.

Lexus promotes its first all-electric RZ SUV using a Miles Davis vinyl scene featuring the ultra-high-end VPI Titan Direct turntable.

The VPI Titan Direct costs $95,000—roughly double the Lexus RZ’s $47,295 base price—even before adding a phono cartridge.

VPI Titan Direct uses a high-mass magnetic direct-drive design, pneumatic air suspension, and a three-layer chassis for extreme resonance control.

Weiss Engineering introduces the Swiss-made DAC205-MK2, a compact High-End digital-to-analog converter emphasizing reliability, minimalist design, and professional-grade sound accuracy.

The DAC205-MK2 supports high-resolution PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD64/128 formats, delivering detailed, precise audio conversion for audiophiles and studio professionals.

All settings are controlled via robust physical switches on the chassis, deliberately omitting remote control or web interfaces to maximize stability and simplicity.

Lockwood Loudspeakers unveiled the Universal (XP5), a new floorstanding model described as a “modern classic,” blending compact proportions with uncompromising, authenticity-focused sound design.

The XP5 features a sealed 19 mm birch plywood cabinet, handcrafted in Hamilton, Scotland, with striking aluminum side panels and an integrated stand.

At its core is a custom 5-inch coaxial driver with treated paper cone, Alnico magnet system, and near point-source dispersion characteristics.

HiBy W4 combines DAC and headphone amplifier with eye-catching design, offering clip and magnetic MagSafe-style mounting for flexible, anywhere attachment.

Built-in 1500 mAh battery and Uncharge Mode disable smartphone power draw, extending playback time while reducing electrical noise and interference.

A 2-inch touchscreen displays album art in Bluetooth mode and enables pairing, playback, and settings control—still rare among portable DAC/amps.

Arendal Sound introduces the 1610 speaker series from Norway, a cost-optimized evolution of flagship 1528 models, targeting high-end performance without flagship pricing.

The four-model 1610 lineup features true three-way designs, competing with Focal, DALI, KEF, and others, priced from $2,300 to $7,600 per pair.

Cabinets use high-density HDF with extensive internal bracing, 46 mm curved front baffles, and carefully tuned bass-reflex ports for controlled, low-resonance performance.

JBL Synthesis announced a major ecosystem expansion at ISE 2026, unveiling nine new speakers, two AV processors, one AV receiver, and a 1 kW subwoofer.

The new in-wall flagship SCL-2XL replaces SCL-2, featuring four 8-inch woofers and a compression tweeter for reference-level LCR performance in large theaters.

New XL in-wall models SCL-4XL, SCL-6XL, and SCL-7XL emphasize tonal matching, controlled directivity, and easier installation, while existing SCL counterparts remain available.

Swiss sportswear brand On unveiled Cloudbeat, a conceptual Bluetooth speaker designed to clip onto clothing, developed by InOutGrid in the brand’s signature aesthetic.

Cloudbeat’s standout innovation is extreme repairability: no glue is used, only standard Phillips screws, allowing non‑experts to access internals by removing the back panel.

The removable rear panel is made from recycled EVA shoe soles, providing waterproofing while reinforcing On’s sustainability focus and material reuse strategy.

Optoma UHZ36 expands the brand’s 4K laser projector lineup, targeting budget-conscious home users needing bright, versatile performance without fully darkened rooms.

Rated at 3,500 lumens, the compact UHZ36 suits daylight viewing and everyday use, building on UHZ35 and UHD35x design concepts.

Uses a 0.47-inch 1080p Texas Instruments DLP DMD with 240Hz pixel-shifting, delivering UHD 4K-class images from approximately 2.1 million mirrors.

Musical Fidelity X-Power is a compact line power conditioner combining surge protection, extreme high-frequency noise suppression, and an integrated DC blocker for high-end HiFi systems.

Designed with only one IEC C14 input and one Schuko output, X-Power targets dedicated use with power amplifiers or clean supply for source-device chains.

Internally, a three-stage design includes dual surge protection, a custom EMI/RFI filter, and a DC blocker removing up to 2 V DC offset.

Audio Research I/55 is a compact tube integrated amplifier derived from I/70, succeeding I/50, targeting high-end listeners seeking classic tube sound with modern connectivity.

Fully tube-based amplification uses matched pairs of 6550 output tubes and 6922 input/driver tubes, adding Auto-Bias for continuous idle-current control without manual adjustment.

Rated at 2 × 50 W, the upgraded tube preamp offers wider gain range, stronger dynamics, Pre-Out outputs, and improved control with demanding loudspeakers.

Limited-production universal IEM STELLA launches February 28 at ¥660,000, marking the first collaboration between Astell&Kern, VOLK AUDIO, and Grammy-winning mastering engineer Michael Graves.

STELLA employs a quad-brid 12-driver architecture, integrating dynamic, balanced armature, planar magnetic, and electrostatic drivers within a precisely controlled six-way network.

The LF-H low-frequency system combines a 9mm M9-R dynamic subwoofer with dual BA drivers, covering 20Hz–600Hz for deep bass weight, speed, and controlled tonal balance.

Headphone Zone and Chinese audio brand KZ launched Thunder, their first ground-up co-developed in-ear headphones rather than a modified existing model.

Thunder is priced at 1,999 Indian rupees (~$22) and sold via headphonezone.in, offering 3.5 mm and USB Type-C versions.

The USB Type-C variant integrates a built-in DAC, eliminating adapters for smartphones without headphone jacks and ensuring consistent digital audio conversion.

Unison Research introduced the Italian-made Unico V2 series, featuring hybrid tube/solid-state Unico Pre V2 preamplifier and Unico DM V2 power amplifier with dual-mono architecture.

Unico Pre V2 flagship preamplifier debuts a new Unico design language, 15 mm aluminum front panel, Midnight Black or Velvet Gold finishes, and wood accents referencing brand heritage.

The Pre V2 uses a three-stage zero-gain hybrid topology with ECC83/12AX7 Gold Lion tubes, precision IC-based volume control, and extensive RCA, XLR, digital, and phono connectivity.

Devialet adds new Light Pearl and Deep Forest color options to its Gemini II true wireless earbuds, launching February 27 in Japan for ¥64,800.

Light Pearl debuts an ultra-matte off-white finish inspired by ceramic bisque, first seen with Phantom Ultimate, emphasizing elegant, cohesive Devialet design language.

Deep Forest introduces a rich, organic dark tone with subtle green nuances, expanding aesthetic variety while maintaining identical hardware and performance specifications.

Audio Reference becomes the new German distributor for British analog specialist SME, strengthening its high-end portfolio after Brexit-related market changes.

Founded in 1946 as The Scale Model Equipment Company, SME evolved from aerospace precision engineering to a global reference brand for tonearms and turntables.

Iconic Series II tonearms, especially models 3009 and 3012 from the 1960s, set international benchmarks for construction quality and audiophile performance.

NOW Music announces "NOW Yearbook 1985–1989: The Final Chapter – Extra," a 3CD companion release positioned as the definitive closing statement for 1980s Yearbook editions.

The 3CD set expands beyond the 4CD main release, featuring major 1980s artists like George Michael, Pet Shop Boys, a-ha, Eurythmics, Sting, Sade, and Bruce Springsteen.

Tracks span pop, rock, and synth-driven hits, including notable selections like "Kissing a Fool," "Born in the U.S.A.," "Just Like Heaven," and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go."