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Top stories and articles from the last days.

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* Disney+ has completely removed HDR support, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, due to an ongoing patent dispute affecting all subscription tiers.

* Munich launches the inaugural Munich HiFi Days in March, filling the gap left by the departed international High End trade show.

* Starting in 2026, Dirac Live software licenses will be sold in-person at HiFi Klubben stores across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands.

* Marshall releases Mode USB-C wired earphones featuring a USB-C plug, priced at ¥8,990, targeting modern smartphones lacking 3.5mm headphone jacks.

Sonoro audio unveiled STREAMER and AMPLIFIER at ISE 2026 Barcelona, targeting professional multiroom and custom installation markets with reliability, integration simplicity, and high-fidelity sound.
Sonoro STREAMER acts as a network streaming hub featuring ESS SABRE DAC, HDMI eARC, optical S/PDIF I/O, analog inputs/outputs, subwoofer out, USB-A, trigger output, EQ, and bass management.
Sonoro AMPLIFIER combines streaming with a Class D integrated amplifier delivering 2 x 250 W into 4 ohms, ESS SABRE DAC, HDMI ARC, S/PDIF, analog input, sub out, LAN and WLAN.

JOYSOUND launches a limited collaboration room at Shinagawa Konan-guchi from March 4 to May 6 for the “Momoclo Summer Bakasawagi 2025” campaign.
The room features JBL Bar 1300MK2 soundbar, delivering Dolby Atmos playback of Momoiro Clover Z live footage with immersive, concert-like spatial audio.
Exclusive digest video content is curated from Day 2 of the “Momoclo Summer Bakasawagi 2025” Blu-ray, tailored specifically for this collaboration room.

Sony released flagship true wireless WF-1000XM6 on February 27, priced ¥44,550 direct, ¥45,000 on Amazon, in black or silver, both in stock.
As a successor to the 2023 model, Sony collaborated with mastering engineers to deliver sound faithful to artists’ intent.
Audio upgrades include new QN3e noise-canceling processor and a dedicated 8.4mm dynamic driver for higher resolution, richer detail.

iFi Audio introduced the second-generation GO link 2 USB DAC/headphone amplifier, redesigned to be 8% smaller and 29% lighter than its predecessor.
GO link 2 bypasses internal smartphone and laptop DACs, converting any USB source into a high-resolution digital player with true plug-and-play operation.
The ESS Sabre DAC supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and native DSD256, with optimized tuning reducing distortion by 62% versus the original GO link.

Nakamichi launches the Elite Pro P800J on February 27, an open-back wired headphone with an 80mm planar magnetic driver, priced around ¥142,220 for home use.
The design rejects portable-focused compromises, adopting studio-grade noise suppression using a 3-core shielded cable and 4.4mm 5-pole plug with dedicated GND.
A 4N OFC 1.3m cable with mini-XLR connectors physically blocks RFI/EMI noise, dramatically improving perceived silence and “blackness” in the audio background.

Jabra announced the Polish launch of Evolve3 85 (over-ear) and Evolve3 75 (on-ear) headsets, available from March 1, 2026, priced at PLN 1999 and PLN 1499 respectively.
Both models eliminate the traditional microphone boom, using Jabra ClearVoice with deep neural network (DNN) processing trained on tens of millions of sentences for professional voice clarity.
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation dynamically adjusts in real time during calls and music, complemented by Enhanced Spatial Sound and Sidetone for more natural, less fatiguing conversations.

Clearaudio Celebrity Edition turntable, co-designed with legendary jazz guitarist Al Di Meola, debuts a striking guitar-inspired aesthetic intended to be a visual centerpiece.
Advanced tacho Speed Control system continuously monitors platter rotation, compensating for belt tension and temperature changes to maintain precise 33 and 45 RPM playback.
Innovative Motor Suspension technology, derived from Clearaudio Reference Jubilee, isolates the motor to minimize vibration transfer and preserve sonic accuracy.

Fostex launches Amazon Japan–exclusive TH909LE, a simplified-package version of open-back TH909, removing the headphone stand and using minimal packaging, priced at ¥239,800.
Limited-quantity special sale confirmed on Amazon.co.jp, observed at 15:00 on the 27th, emphasizing availability only while stock lasts.
Open-back housings use premium Mizume Sakura wood, finished in Bordeaux urushi lacquer by Sakamoto Ototsugu Shoten, with dual-layer etched aluminum vents.

Valerion’s VisionMaster Max projector crowdfunding on Makuake reached over ¥300 million, marking its final day on the 27th with strong consumer demand.
To celebrate the milestone, all VisionMaster Max buyers receive two complimentary 3D glasses valued at ¥12,000, shipped after project completion.
As Valerion’s flagship DLP projector, VisionMaster Max delivers 3,500 ISO lumens brightness, positioning it as a ‘giant TV’ replacement.

LEWITT MTP 5 is a cardioid dynamic concert microphone designed for vocals, speech, podcasts, and instruments, featuring a rugged all-metal body.
A protective grille with an integrated safety ring prevents damage and handling issues when performers accidentally grip the grille during live use.
Innovative rubber capsule suspension improves comfort and suppresses sibilance more effectively than comparable stage microphones, enhancing vocal clarity.

Innuos expands its Stream Series with a dedicated hardware remote, enhancing usability by enabling direct, app-independent control of core playback functions.
The Innuos Stream Remote Control is designed specifically for Stream1 and Stream3, with full integration into Sense OS and the Sense App ecosystem.
Core controls include Play/Pause, track navigation, power on/off, and volume adjustment via Sense’s digital volume control, minimizing reliance on smartphones or tablets.

Disney+ has completely removed HDR support, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, due to an ongoing patent dispute affecting all subscription tiers.
Previously, static HDR10 remained as a fallback, but it was silently removed, leaving all Disney+ content available only in SDR format.
The affected Premium subscription costs €15.99 per month or €159.90 annually and was the only tier that originally included HDR formats.

OpenAI plans to enter consumer hardware with an AI-centric smart speaker, potentially launching around 2027, expanding beyond software like ChatGPT into physical products.
Unlike Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod, OpenAI’s smart speaker reportedly integrates a camera plus microphones, enabling environmental awareness and object-based visual queries.
The device could support face recognition for multi-user personalization and shopping use cases, with an expected price range of 200–300 USD and near-term delivery goals.

Harman Embedded Audio will showcase premium embedded audio and seamless connectivity innovations at Mobile World Congress 2026, held March 2–5 in Barcelona.
Demonstrations at the Harman Automotive booth (#2D51, Hall 2) highlight integrated hardware and software enabling intuitive, human-centered experiences across connected devices.
HEA emphasizes end-to-end B2B capabilities in audio and voice projects, supporting co-branding opportunities that strengthen product differentiation and brand identity.

Apple announced its first major 2026 event, branded a "special Apple Experience," scheduled for March 4 in London, New York, and Shanghai.
The most anticipated launch is iPhone 17e, logically timed after the iPhone 16e anniversary on February 19, signaling Apple’s continued mid-cycle smartphone strategy.
Rumored MacBook and iPad updates may introduce next-generation processors and possibly advanced display technologies, marking meaningful performance and efficiency improvements across core product lines.

Final Audio’s new DX4000CL headphones target a key closed-back flaw, aiming to deliver open-back-like clarity without excessive or muddy low-frequency emphasis.
A newly designed 40mm Paper-Carbon dynamic driver optimizes internal airflow, ensuring authentic bass response while preserving midrange and high-frequency accuracy.
The internal acoustic structure is carefully tuned to suppress unwanted resonance, reducing bass bloom and improving overall clarity and fidelity across the frequency range.

Oppo Enco Air5 Pro debuts in China as a midrange successor to 2024’s Enco Air4 Pro, priced at 330 yuan (~$48).
Outstanding battery life delivers up to 13 hours per charge without ANC, extending to 54 hours total with the charging case.
Audio upgrades include 12‑mm dynamic drivers with 100% increased amplitude for deeper bass, plus Bluetooth 6.0 and LHDC 5.0 support.

Cambridge Audio opposes the smart device obsolescence trend by delivering free firmware updates instead of discontinuing features on older Smart Audio products.
The update adds Spotify Connect with Lossless audio, Amazon Music HD, and newly introduced Qobuz Connect to devices up to 12 years old.
Network streamers using StreamMagic platform generations 2 and 3, dating back to 2014, remain fully supported and compatible with current apps.

Totaldac Balloon are claimed as the only fully passive spherical loudspeakers offering full-range response, high efficiency, and point-source sound reproduction without edge diffraction.
The two-way coaxial design combines a 10-inch bass-reflex woofer with a hidden 1-inch compression driver and circular horn integrated inside the cone.
A one-piece 500 mm spherical enclosure delivers low directivity, flat frequency response, 95 dB sensitivity, 8 Ω impedance, and up to 500 W power handling.

iFi audio launches the xDSD Gryphon Black portable DAC/headphone amp on March 6, priced around ¥107,800, featuring a redesigned black chassis replacing the discontinued silver model.
It uses the same Burr-Brown DAC chipset as the Pro iDSD Signature, supporting up to 768kHz/32-bit PCM, native DSD512, and full MQA decoding via a 16-core XMOS processor.
The PureWave fully balanced amplification circuit delivers up to 1,000mW at 32Ω, achieving high output power in a portable form with minimized signal loss and ultra-low noise.