Panasonic is bringing two mini systems to the hi-fi market as the year ends. Or rather four, if we take into account that like its subsidiary brand Technics, the black versions have a different model code than the silver ones. SC-PM110 & SC-PM112 Very compact, the...
Among the latest developments in Esoteric’s lineup, the XE series is the one that incorporates the new Master Sound Discrete DAC G2 architecture, based on a proprietary 2nd-generation FPGA architecture. Unveiled for the first time at the 2025 Tokyo Show alongside the...
The Nano Phono V2 was already part of Clearaudio’s catalog; now the brand has added the compact phono. Housed in an even more condensed chassis measuring 8 cm deep by 11.5 cm wide by 2.6 cm high, this new phono preamp can drive both moving-magnet (MM) and moving-coil...
Following CH Precision’s acquisition of Wattson Audio, the Madison range saw the Streamer undergo a minor update (review VU#59 FR), before the power amplifier (Madison Amp) and a separate power supply (Power S; review VU#63 FR) were introduced. At the same time, we...
While the reputation of headphones designed around electrostatic transducers is based on the finesse of their sound reproduction and the sharpness of the sound image they deliver, this technology remains particularly difficult to implement. Very few manufacturers venture into this field, even among the most expert in the world of headphones. Japanese headphone designer Stax has over 70 years of expertise and mastery of this technology. Today, it presents a unique combination of electrostatic headphones and a dedicated portable headphone amplifier. A first in this field!
Renewed in 2023 to become S3, the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series now comprises eight models, to which three Signature versions were added in 2024. Of these eight models, no fewer than three are compact speakers, the largest of which, the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3, stands out with its carbon dome tweeter decoupled from the cabinet. Priced at €2,990 per pair, this 800 Series seed already offers everything that characterizes the Bowers & Wilkins signature, with a racy and highly detailed sound that never overflows, even at the extremes, where this bookshelf speaker is happy to go without fear, even at very high volumes.
