After Bose surprised us earlier with what turned out to be a capable Soundbar 700, expectations are high for the successor, Smart Soundbar 900. The Soundbar 700 is still as good as it ever was, and with HDMI ARC it can be used with any TV. But the time has come for Bose too to …
“Iconic” is a misused term. But when it comes to Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin desktop speaker, it’s entirely justified. Very few speakers are as recognisable as it. Or as long-lived. The airship-shaped speaker made its debut in 2007 as a dock for the Apple iPod Touch (which has just recently been retired after 21 years …
Ray is the cheapest Sonos soundbar yet. The American manufacturer has previously impressed us with models like the Beam and Arc, both of which are among the most popular soundbars on the market today. It’s no wonder Sonos has done so well. One reason is their unique interface, which lets you control the products as …
Bowers & Wilkins needs no further introduction. The English manufacturer is famous for their well-made loudspeakers, not least the stylish 800 series, which is highly appreciated by studio engineers and discerning hi-fi enthusiasts alike. B&W hasn’t made as much of a name for itself on the soundbar front, but we were impressed by the high-end …
Finnish Genelec are best known for their studio monitors, speakers for professional studios, but some of the models are so “civilized” that they can be used at home without the professional equipment totally dominating the decor. The Genelec 6040R is one such speaker. An active two-way design that can be called either a floorstander or …
It’s only been a few months since we had the top-of-the-range 801 D4 from UK-based Bowers & Wilkins in for review. I was pretty quick to crown the speakers the best I’d heard. Perhaps a little too quickly … There’s nothing to criticise about the B&Ws when it comes to engineering and distortion-free sound reproduction, …
The original was launched in 1957 and was intended as a centre speaker (!) between a par of other Klipsch speakers, such as the huge Klipschorn. Maybe that’s why it didn’t get a name; it was just called Klipsch H. A bit shocking, when other models had cool names like Klipschorn and Cornwall. It wasn’t …
When you mention Technics, most people probably think of turntables. Maybe amplifiers, after all they have made many really good amplifiers. Tape recorders should also be mentioned, although most people have forgotten what they are and many have probably never seen one. But loudspeakers are hardly something you associate with Technics. They have struggled to …
Lack of space usually means small speakers with limited bass and sound pressure. The most ardent enthusiasts will buy a good subwoofer to minimise the problem, but it doesn’t always solve the whole equation. At least not if the speakers lack dynamic capabilities and start to fizzle like an overheated light bulb when you turn …
Danish Soundboks has achieved the same honour as Google and Photoshop: to become a generic term. When a party is thrown in the park, on the beach or at the festival camp, it’s done using “a soundbox” – whether or not that particular portable party speaker is of that particular brand. But the three versions …
Everyone who loves music and good sound has a relationship with JBL, whether they realise it or not: the American manufacturer has been around since 1946 and is a legend in speakers for PA systems, cinemas, music production and home hi-fi. The most exquisite hi-fi products come from JBL Synthesis, the company’s high-end division behind …
Argon Audio Fenris A55 is the largest model in the new Fenris series, which is (even) more affordable than the same company’s other active speakers. While the Fenris A4 and Fenris A5 models are compact speakers, the Argon Audio Fenris A55 is a full-size floorstander. Like the two smaller models, the Fenris A55 is available …
For most of us, a trip to Italy is about pasta, wine, gelato, summer and sun. You walk along cobblestones and are pestered by speeding scooters, while peering in shop windows, half looking for a new pair of shoes, a new shirt or just a place to settle down with a little drink in the …
We recently tested the Argon Audio Fenris A4, and now it’s the turn of the next model in the series, the Argon Audio Fenris A5. The family resemblance between the two models is obvious. You almost have to have the two speakers set up next to each other to spot the difference. Which is that …
Few speakers have left me on the couch with goosebumps all over. The Quad ESL 63 has done it. Sonus faber, Dynaudio and Audiovector have done it a few times. But very few speakers have left a lasting impression. These, on the other hand, have, and it didn’t take many minutes. Note the name: KEF …