Long faithful to the “shoebox” format, Hungarian manufacturer Heed is now revamping its Obelisk range of electronics by switching to conventional formats.
Now, only the Asterisk and Elixir ranges are still in half-size format, as the two new Obelisk I (Integrated) and SI (Super Integrated) integrated amplifiers join the Lagrange in terms of chassis dimensions – which, incidentally, was discreetly redesigned two years ago as the more musical Lagrange S.
The main reason for this change is the need to integrate more components, as buyers of integrated amplifiers now often want them to also have a DAC or even a streamer. And while these digital options are available in two different packs, Bluetooth and an MM phono input are standard on these new devices.
Another reason for the change is that certain miniature components are now difficult to find or much more expensive than before. So, in order to avoid increasing costs, the Budapest-based manufacturer has opted to increase the size of the case and integrate larger components. In addition, while the small format is particularly popular on the French market, it is a hindrance on others, which already prefer larger and more luxurious chassis in these price ranges.
Thanks to its dimensions, the Integrated can accommodate a more powerful power supply: it is advertised as being as powerful as the old Si3 with separate X2 power supply. Although not yet officially measured, the Integrated should deliver around 2 x 50W, while the Super Integrated, with a more powerful output stage and a larger power supply, is advertised as delivering 2 x 100W into 4 ohms. Its preamp section allows it to integrate four analog sources, and it has a 6.35 mm headphone jack on the front panel. The optional DAC card is based on one of the latest AKM conversion chips, which the brand uses for all its DACs, including the Abacus S, soon to be discontinued (test VU#43; Essential).
The Obelisk I is priced at 2 490 €, plus 500 € for the DAC (with 1 coaxial, 2 optical, and 1 USB) or 1 200 € for the DAC + Streamer version. A separate power supply will also be available in the near future to further enhance the performance of these new powerhouses, which will soon be reviewed in our magazine!
Like the Px7, which recently moved to S3, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 has been redesigned three years after its launch to improve its sound quality, comfort, and practical features.
The Px8 S2 has inherited the 8 better-positioned microphones from the new Px7 S3, which improve comfort during calls and, above all, pick up noise better to make the active noise cancellation (ANC) even more reliable, surpassing that of the previous generation, already very good.
Equipped with Qualcomm aptXTM Adaptive and aptXTM Lossless Bluetooth chips, the new B&W headphones allow you to listen to files at sampling rates of up to 96 kHz/24 bits thanks to their DSP and five-band equalizer. Added to the app at the end of the year, a spatial audio system will make listening even more immersive.
With its carbon cone drivers better anchored in the ear cup structure, the Px8 S2 gains in bass concentration and finesse across the entire spectrum. The silhouette is slimmer than the Px7 S3, gaining 6 mm and looking more luxurious, especially as it retains the Nappa leather ear cushion and headband covers, as well as an aluminum structure that is even purer than the previous model.
The USB-C port is used both for charging, for an improved battery life of around 30 hours, and for listening, which can also be enjoyed via a 3.5 mm cable with devices that do not have Bluetooth. Thanks to the redesigned parent app and better-placed buttons on the sides of each ear cup, the new Px8 S2 adds even more features that set it apart in the high-end wireless headphone segment.
Launched in Europe in two colors, dark (Onyx Black) and light (Warm Stone), it will be available on September 24 for 729 €.
To ensure the utmost temporal precision in its new digital-to-analog converter, Mutec combines a DAC with its proprietary 1G-Clock technology, known for its use in the MC3+ series.
With its clock and REVIVE resynchronization algorithm system, to which an external clock (REF10, REF10 Nano, etc.) can be added to manage streams with a frequency of over 10 MHz, the Australius stabilizes digital signals as effectively as possible, enabling it to decode files up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD512. To integrate the device digitally, eight inputs are available, including the usual S/PDIF or Toslink optical, but also an AES/EBU port, USB Audio with galvanic isolation, and I²S via HDMI or RJ45 ports.
Double mono for conversion based on Sabre PRO chips, which we were unable to find the reference, the DAC is powered by two separate power supplies between digital and analog sections. Designed entirely to reproduce and transfer the purest possible signal to the RCA or XLR terminals, the Australius also benefits from a generously filtered dual linear power supply. It will be available from the 4th quarter.
Just a few weeks after unveiling the TH910 and TH919, Fostex’s new dynamic headphones, the Japanese brand has revamped its planar dynamic equivalents to launch the TH1000RPmk2 and TH1100RPmk2.
As with the 900 series, an open-back headphone accompanies a closed-back headphone, and rather than the beautiful burgundy Urushi coating, it is Tokushima’s Aizome blue (known in particular from Hokusai’s paintings) that gives these models their identity. With a new membrane powered by more powerful magnets, the diaphragm, which is larger than that of the T50RP mk4, has been significantly improved compared to the version 1 of the two models released in 2024. The wide frequency response (10 Hz – 40 kHz) remains the same, as does the wide soundstage, two sound elements that we were able to verify during our visit to Fostex’s headquarters in Tokyo earlier this month. However, the drivers and air dumping control around them have been tweaked to better control wave propagation, resulting in purer sound.
For the mechanical parts, a magnesium alloy that is 20% lighter than aluminum is still used. The synthetic leather ear pads made from silk protein are covered with natural sheepskin leather. The asymmetrical cable uses pure 7N (99.99999%) OFC copper with a rhodium and gold-plated connector. It can be replaced on request with a symmetrical cable with an XLR connector (ET-H3.0N7BL), or with a cable with a 4.4 mm connector (ET-TH4.4BL), which arrived after the launch of the first version and is now available for the mk2.
Almost identical, except for their open ear cups with double-layer aluminum (TH1100RPmk2) or closed ear cups entirely covered in blue Aizome (TH1000RPmk2), both of these dynamic planar headphones have an impedance of 32 Ω, but different sensitivities of 100 dB for the TH1000RPmk2 and 96 dB for the TH1100RPmk2. Weighing approximately 420 g, they will be sold at prices similar or identical to those of the first versions and the 900 series models, i.e., approximately 3 290 € for the closed model and 3 490 € for the open model.
Unveiled at the Munich Show in May 2025, The Pledge joins the Heritage family from French manufacturer Davis Acoustics.
More conventional in its column shape, The Pledge retains the inclined demarcation introduced on The Wall speaker and continued on the more reasonable The Stage. This time on the side, this demarcation keeps the entire top of the speaker black, while its base can be chosen in light oak or darker walnut.
A true 3-way floorstanding speaker, The Pledge combines drivers all manufactured by Davis Acoustics, starting with the well-known 13 cm diameter Kevlar midrange, paired as on the Courbet No. 7 with a 17 cm woofer, but this time made of cellulose pulp rather than carbon fiber. With its new structure and large-diameter voice coil motor, The Pledge can deliver the same type of fast and ample bass as the other Heritage models. The tweeter returns to Kevlar, which has been so well developed by the brand over many years, with a 20 mm cone version.
With a circular bass reflex port located at the rear top, this new speaker retains its compact dimensions (100 x 20.5 x 30.5 mm), but weighs in at 30 kg per unit, which gives an idea of the quality of its structure and resistance to vibrations. And to improve it even further, The Pledge can be paired with a dedicated stand.
The pair is priced at 5 000 €, with an additional 600 € for the optional stands.
