Latest Stories

Google is testing a conversational AI tool for YouTube on TVs, expanding beyond web and mobile to smart TVs, consoles, and streaming devices.

A new “Ask a question” field appears under videos, offering preset prompts or voice queries via on-screen microphone or dedicated remote control buttons.

Viewers can request contextual insights, such as recipe ingredients during cooking videos or the creation history of songs while listening.

Dutch manufacturer Hay End Audio introduced the Peitho 516DP, a floorstanding two-way dipole loudspeaker with an additional rear tweeter for enhanced spatial dispersion.

The Peitho series uses a simulated infinite baffle (open-baffle-like) design, delivering fast, neutral sound, high sensitivity, reduced resonances, and flexible placement near walls.

Peitho 516DP features a 12-inch paper-cone woofer, large horn-loaded compression tweeter with adjustable level, plus rear tweeter for wide, stable soundstage.

Neumann M 50 V revives the iconic 1960s tube microphone for orchestral recording, combining vintage circuitry with modern reliability upgrades.

An omnidirectional K 33 Ti capsule sits in a 40 mm acrylic sphere, using a new titanium diaphragm for stability and longevity.

Original circuit topology is retained but updated with an ultra‑low‑noise subminiature tube and RF‑shielded connector to resist modern interference.

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.

We Are Rewind announces a limited edition cassette player celebrating Pink Floyd, featuring the iconic Dark Side of the Moon prism artwork on the device.

The bundle includes a specially mastered Dark Side of the Moon cassette, produced with Sony and exclusively available within this limited edition package.

Unlike standard models using plastic controls, this edition upgrades to metal buttons, adding a more premium tactile feel and collector appeal.

Audioengine announces its 2026 Color of the Year, Limoncello Yellow, a limited-edition high-gloss finish spanning a fully coordinated desktop listening system.

The Limoncello Yellow collection includes A2+ speakers, S6 subwoofer, DS1M stands, and Crosley C6 turntable, all using matching real-wood cabinets.

Each product features a 13-step, piano-grade finishing process with sealing, layered paint, curing, and hand polishing for consistent high-gloss durability.

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.

Google announced beta rollout in Japan of Gemini’s music generation feature using DeepMind’s Lyria 3 model, creating high-quality songs within seconds.

Lyria 3 improves audio generation with automatic lyric creation, finer creative controls over style, vocals, tempo, and enhanced realism and musical complexity.

Gemini supports two creation modes: text-to-music for genre, mood, or memories, and photo/video-to-music using visual context to compose songs.

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.

MOONDROP SKYLAND is an open-back planar magnetic headphone launching February 19, priced at ¥130,000, featuring an exceptionally large 100mm planar driver.

Its proprietary Full Drive Tech (FDT) achieves 95.5% effective drive area, dramatically surpassing conventional planar designs and rivaling electrostatic headphone uniformity.

An ultra-thin ~500nm diaphragm and multilayer pure-silver etched circuit improve Lorentz force uniformity, reducing modal breakup and delivering smoother, more detailed treble.

Cyrus Audio unveiled the 80 AMP networked integrated amplifier at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026, following an earlier 80 Series preview at Munich High End.

The Cyrus Audio 80 Series comprises three full-size components, marking a shift from compact designs toward higher power, performance headroom, and sonic authority.

Unlike the Munich prototype, the 80 AMP now appears as a finished production model with its streaming section fully implemented and ready for market demonstration.

GEO Store released the Oboni 32-inch HD LCD Smart TV priced at ¥21,998, targeting first-time solo households and secondary-room entertainment needs.

The TV runs Google TV with preinstalled Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, plus Google Play access covering terrestrial broadcasts and internet streaming content.

It includes dual tuners for terrestrial, BS, and CS digital broadcasts, enabling simultaneous viewing and recording flexibility uncommon at this price range.

Shanling SMT1.3 launches February 27 at ¥138,600, offering a compact yet flagship desktop streaming transporter with aluminum chassis and dual color options.

Powered by a Rockchip 64-bit ARM Cortex-A55 processor, SMT1.3 runs a custom Android 12 OS optimized for high-fidelity digital audio playback.

It supports Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Roon Ready, using Shanling’s AGLO technology to bypass Android sampling-rate conversion limits.

iFi audio releases the ZEN Air Blue Black Bluetooth audio receiver on February 28, priced around ¥17,820, replacing the discontinued silver model.

Designed to convert Bluetooth audio from smartphones or PCs into high-quality streams for headphones, amplifiers, or active speakers via RCA output.

Upgraded Bluetooth engine uses Qualcomm QCC5100-series chipset, minimizing wireless audio degradation compared to wired playback through proprietary circuit design.

Yes reissued their 2002 concert album *Symphonic Live* on four 180‑gram vinyl LPs via Mercury Studios/UMG, released January 23, 2026.

The set captures the complete 14‑track Yes Symphonic Tour performance, recorded November 22, 2001, at Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam.

Lineup features Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, keyboardist Tom Brislin, joined by the European Festival Orchestra conducted by Wilhelm Keitel.

ATC celebrates 50 years with the EL50 Anniversary, a limited-production, fully active 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker rooted in the original 1978 “50” design.

Priced at £49,500 per pair in the UK and $99,999 in the U.S., the EL50 targets statement-class systems with studio-derived engineering credibility.

Each speaker integrates discrete tri-amplification delivering 200W bass, 100W midrange, and 50W treble via proprietary MOSFET Class A/B active electronics.

Deutsche Grammophon launches the new “Avantgarde” vinyl series, showcasing visionary 20th-century avant-garde recordings inspired by its iconic late-1960s and 1970s series.

Series 1 features works by Luca Ferrari, Tōru Takemitsu, and Mauricio Kagel, highlighting experimental compositions that shaped postwar and contemporary classical music.

All releases are remastered and cut directly from original analog tapes at Emil Berliner Studios, ensuring audiophile-grade fidelity and historical authenticity.

final launched the wired collaboration earphones “VR1000 for ASMR Patra White/Black” on February 20, priced at ¥5,980, expanding from limited direct sales to general retail.

The VR1000 marks Suo Patra’s first wired collaboration, developed after a 2025 survey showed strong demand for wired ASMR-focused earphones.

Sound tuning prioritizes ultra-close, soft-textured audio, minimizing high-frequency breath noise to create lifelike ASMR sensations resembling breath touching the ear.