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iBasso DX340 debuts as a flagship digital audio player, including a Titanium Limited Edition of just 300 CNC-machined units for collectors.

Dual-OS design lets users switch between music-focused Mango OS and full Android 13, enabling both pure playback and streaming service access.

Modular amplifier system allows swapping the stock AMP15 via two screws; included module delivers 2150 mW per channel at 32 ohms.

Italian manufacturer Gold Note expands its 5.2 series with the CD-5.2 Compact Disc player, positioned as a direct evolutionary upgrade to the CD-5 model.

CD-5.2 integrates an AKM AK4493 DAC with fully balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, plus built-in volume control for direct power amplifier connection.

A redesigned black anodized, sandblasted aluminum chassis improves mechanical and electrical stability, delivering lower noise, blacker background, and enhanced micro-detail.

Emotiva DRA-1 is a fully balanced two-channel power amplifier from the Differential Reference Design series, complementing DRS-1 streamer, DRD-1 DAC, and DRP-1 preamp.

The amplifier uses Hypex NCoreX Class D modules, chosen for high energy efficiency, ultra-low noise, minimal distortion, and neutral sound character.

DRA-1 delivers 90 W per channel into 8 ohms and 130 W into 4 ohms (20 Hz–20 kHz), with THD below 0.02% and 0.05% respectively.

Maxell-branded MXCR-200 CD radio cassette recorder launches February 25, priced at ¥17,800 direct, integrating CD, radio, cassette, USB, microSD, and Bluetooth playback.

Designed around preserving music on cassette, the unit bridges analog warmth with digital sources, enabling cross-media recording and personalized listening styles.

Supports MP3 playback from USB memory and microSD cards, while recording CD or cassette audio to digital storage for easy archiving.

Prime Video will discontinue the Paramount+ add-on service in Japan on March 31, ending the ¥770 monthly subscription offering within the platform.

Active Paramount+ subscriptions will automatically terminate on March 31, even if the billing period extends beyond the official service shutdown date.

Customers with remaining paid days after March 31 will receive prorated refunds, credited back to their original payment methods, such as credit cards.

Fuji TV will broadcast the 2026 Formula 1 Preseason Test 2 live from Bahrain International Circuit on February 18–20 across Fuji TV NEXT, NEXT smart, and FOD.

Fuji TV NEXT airs all three days from 15:50–25:10 JST, while FOD streaming starts earlier at 15:20 JST, covering full daily sessions live.

Test 2 follows Test 1 (February 11–13) and reflects expanded testing schedules due to major 2026 regulation overhauls affecting chassis and power units.

Netflix began streaming Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ on February 16, expanding its Gundam catalog with a direct sequel set after the Gryps Conflict.

The series follows Bright Noa commanding the Argama cruiser, recruiting junk dealer youths led by Judau Ashta as mobile suit pilots.

Story centers on the First Neo Zeon War, pitting the ZZ Gundam against Haman Karn’s Neo Zeon forces.

Canton introduces the Reference 9 GS Edition compact two-way speaker, debuting at the Norddeutsche HiFi-Tage, integrating Reference-Alpha technologies into a space-friendly format.

High-frequency performance is enhanced with a 25 mm DLC tweeter crossing at 2.9 kHz, using diamond-like coating and a new waveguide-style acoustic lens.

Signal refinement includes upgraded Mundorf MKP capacitors in the crossover, aiming for improved resolution, coherence, and tonal precision over the standard Reference 9.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II wired earphones launch February 20 at ¥8,250, offering blue or gray finishes and a single 10mm dynamic driver design.

New 10mm titanium-coated PET diaphragm delivers fast transient response, clear bass punch, high-resolution treble, and under 1% distortion at 1kHz.

Kiwi Acoustic Resonance System 2.0 uses labyrinthine acoustic tubes to control back pressure, boosting sub-bass by ~8dB while sharply attenuating around 200Hz.

Source-Connect 4 becomes the first Dolby Atmos–certified remote collaboration tool with direct metadata connection to the Dolby Atmos Renderer.

The software supports up to 128 streaming audio channels, handling full Atmos beds, objects, and metadata without re-renders or channel limitations.

Mixers, directors, and stakeholders can remotely attend Dolby Atmos playback and mixing sessions from any location or monitoring setup.

AtlasIED unveiled Atlas+Fyne FC-D ceiling and FS-D surface-mount speakers at ISE 2026, leveraging PoE++ and Dante networking for single-cable, full-bandwidth audio.

Unlike typical PoE speakers, the coaxial Atlas+Fyne designs use PoE++ power to deliver higher headroom, dynamic range, and premium output without sonic compromise.

Each speaker integrates Fyne Audio’s Isoflare point-source driver, ensuring phase-coherent summation, constant directivity, lobe-free dispersion, and predictable coverage for commercial installations.

Questyle introduced Sigma and Sigma Pro portable DAC/AMPs, aiming to redefine mobile high-fidelity by delivering studio-grade sound quality in compact, travel-friendly designs.

Questyle Sigma miniaturizes the CMA 12 Master, using patented Current Mode Amplification (CMA) with ultra-low 0.0002% distortion and over 5 V output power.

Sigma supports high-resolution playback with PCM up to 768 kHz, DSD512, and a three-stage TTA decoding architecture for enhanced clarity and dynamics.

Excalibur Midnight Blue MC cartridge targets near–high-end performance using premium materials, positioned as the technical and visual flagship of the Excalibur lineup.

Unlike other models, Midnight Blue uses a Delrin (POM) body, chosen for high stiffness, low friction, and exceptional resonance control.

The moving-coil generator features a boron cantilever, true diamond stylus with Microridge profile, and an Alnico magnet drive system.

Cinema Audio Society launches the Jeffrey S. Wexler Award for Advancement in Sound Technology, debuting in 2026 to honor non-linear sound recording, editing, and mixing innovations.

Inaugural 2026 recipients include Digidesign co-founders Evan Brooks and Peter Gotcher, and Zaxcom innovators Glen Sanders and Howard Stark, recognized for transformative audio technologies.

Evan Brooks developed Sound Designer and Sound Tools, the first affordable professional digital audio workstation, directly enabling Pro Tools’ emergence as an industry-standard DAW.

AES Europe Convention 2026 marks the 160th AES event, held May 28–30 at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Copenhagen’s Lyngby campus.

The convention continues AES Europe’s tradition of high-level technical programs, focusing on immersive audio, artificial intelligence applications, and peer-reviewed research sessions.

Keynote speaker Geoff Martin, Bang & Olufsen Director Specialist for Audio Quality, presents “The Perceptual Irrelevance of Physical Measurements,” challenging conventional audio metrics.

Audio Note (UK) marks 35 years of its Oto integrated amplifier with the Oto SE 35 35th Anniversary Edition, described as the most substantial redesign in decades.

Originally launched in 1991, the single-ended pentode tube amplifier was Audio Note’s first fully in-house design, proving high musicality at a more accessible price.

The anniversary model introduces newly designed output transformers, an upgraded choke-based power supply, optimized timing constants, and revised output stage circuitry.

Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds achieve a claimed 25% better active noise cancellation using the new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e and four microphones per earbud.

Dual-processor architecture combines QN3e with Integrated Processor V2, enabling adaptive real-time ANC optimization, 32-bit signal processing, and improved mid-to-high frequency noise reduction.

Redesigned earbuds are approximately 11% slimmer with a rounder shape, larger internal ventilation, and new Noise Isolation Earbud Tips in four sizes for improved comfort and seal.

Vinyl’s resurgence (outselling CDs for three years) plus 50% of buyers lacking turntables drives Bluetooth models targeting wireless-first, under-40 listeners prioritizing convenience over traditional hi-fi stacks.

Sony PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT are fully automatic belt-drive turntables with aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, aluminium platters, built-in phono stages, USB vinyl ripping, and minimalist living-room-focused design.

PS-LX3BT ($400) uses a fixed cable and heavier 3.5g tracking cartridge, while PS-LX5BT ($500) adds gold-plated detachable RCA outputs, 2.0g tracking, stiffer chassis, and enhanced vibration damping.

Emotiva’s Differential Reference Design series includes DRS-1 streamer, DRD-1 DAC, DRP-1 preamp, and DRA-1 amplifier, priced $2,599 bundled or $699 standalone.

DRP-1 is a fully balanced preamplifier with electrically symmetrical, short signal paths and sealed electromagnetic relay input switching to minimize noise.

Volume control uses a precision resistor ladder instead of a potentiometer, ensuring accurate gain steps and channel balance across the entire range.

Huawei will unveil FreeBuds Pro 5 globally on February 26 in Madrid, ahead of MWC 2026, following their initial China debut in November.

Each earbud uses a dual-driver acoustic system, delivering clearer, richer sound and supporting AAC, SBC, LDAC, and Huawei’s L2HC codecs.

Lossless wireless audio is enabled via Huawei NearLink technology, offering transmission speeds up to 4.6 Mbps for high-resolution playback.