The Yamaha NS-800A rivals speakers three times its price, delivering a luxurious sound, piano-gloss finish, and instrument-like musicality. Built on the same vibration-control principles as Yamahaโs grand pianos, it preserves sonic energy rather than deadening it.
Once dismissed as a passing fad, surround sound is staging a comebackโwith streaming giants offering immersive content and home tech better than ever, it may finally be time to rejoin the multichannel revolution.
Fed up with hype and high prices, this reviewer bought Cambridge Audioโs MXN10 with their own cashโand found a compact streamer that nails neutrality, boasts stellar software, and delivers serious value under ยฃ400.
Two years after downsizing seemed inevitable, Tom Gibbs finds himself retired, mortgage-free, and surrounded by two dream audio roomsโone digital, one analogโwhere Maggies, KLH Fives, and top-tier gear turn every listen into an event.
Roon-backed Dutch & Dutch wowed AXPONA 2023 with their $14,950 DSP-powered 8c speakers, while class-D amps from Amped America and live demos from Yamaha and GoldenEar showcased serious sonic chops.
Back in full force, AXPONA 2023 saw 366 exhibitors take over 12 floors of Chicagolandโs Renaissance Hotel, with standout launches from Luxman, DALI, Innuos, and Cabasseโand plenty of eye-watering cable prices to match.
From WWII-era DIY roots to a $49.9 billion global industry, hi-fi has evolved from two-radio stereo hacks to streaming giants and $10,000 speakersโhighlighting both tech innovation and the enduring allure of better sound.
After testing 49 amps, Jonson Lee crowns the Danish-built Densen DM-30 for its balance of smooth neutrality, reliability, and cool operationโoutshining even the visceral Proceed AMP5 and musical Audio Research D115.
Built around both vinyl and digital front-ends, this $50K two-in-one system marries Magnepan LRS panels with Zu Audio Omensโproving great sound isnโt about price tags, but system synergy, savvy tweaks, and soul.