Review: Bowers & Wilkins 804 Diamond loudspeaker

The B&W 804 Diamond heralds much of the technology as its larger 802 and 800 diamond siblings. How does it fare?  Read the full review of the B&W 804 Diamond here. 

Review: Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray Player

The Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray Player is up against some stiff competition with the Oppo BDP-103 and BDP-105 that set the industry standard. Does Panasonic's DMP-BDT230 make the grade?  Read the full review at Home Theater HiFi and find out. 

KEF M500 Headphone Review

Audiophile British speaker maker, KEF, has launched a new pair of on-ear headphones, the M500.  The $300 headphones aren't cheap but convey the best of the KEF heritage.  In a review of the M500s, NY Times Columnist Gregory Schmidt writes, "Sound through the headphones is vivid and full. On-ear headphones usually don’t offer a good seal, but these do a remarkable job of blocking noise. And they are comfortable."  Read the full review of the KEF M500 headphones here.

Revel Performa 3 Review: F206 Full range and M106 Monitor Speakers

Reviews of Revel's new Performa 3 line of speakers are in and they are getting spectacular feedback.  In The Absolute Sound, Neil Gader writes:

The Performa3 F206 and M106 are segment- defining loudspeakers. And by emphasizing the sonic totality of the listening experience, they have more than exceeded my already lofty expectations. I’m often told that there are no bargains anymore in the high end. Well, naysayers haven’t met the F206 and M106. So seek them out. Revel has just given “value-level” a fresh kick in the pants.

Read the full review of the Revel Performa 3 F206 and M106 speakers.

Parasound P5 2.1 Channel Stereo Preamp to Ship in September

Parasound has added a new 2.1-channel audio preamplifier to its high-end 'Halo' product family. The new Parasound Halo P 5, which replaces the popular and long-lived Halo P 3 stereo preamplifier, adds a high-quality DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with coaxial, optical, and USB inputs, subwoofer outputs with analog bass management, home theater bypass, moving-coil capabilities to the phono stage, and a precision, motorized volume control.  The DACs feature S/PDIF and toslink optical inputs and sampling rates up to 192kHz.  The USB input accepts rates up to 96kHz.  

Retail for the new P5 is $950.  Read more about the new Parasound Halo P5 over at the Absolute Sound.

Monitor Audio Updates Radius Series Speakers

Monitor Audio has announced an upgrade to its Radius Series line of speakers.  The new line up include everything from a wall-mountable cube to a DSP-controlled subs.  The new models are available in gloss black, white, and walnut and feature the following speakers:

• R45 wall-mountable cube speaker ($375/pr)
• R90 compact, two-way monitor (shown above, $500/pr)
• R225 compact LCR speaker ($400)
• R200 center speaker designed for mounting on a rack, cabinet, or shelf ($375)
• RadiusOne three-channel soundbar with three woofers and three tweeters; each channel has its own ported sub-enclosure ($825)
• R270 compact tower ($1,250/pr)
• R380 and R390 subwoofers featuring DSP control, an “ultracompact” enclosure, and a dual-driver system with side-firing active and passive drivers. The 200-watt R380 has 8-inch drivers and the 220-watt R390 has 10-inch drivers ($725 and $900, respectively); finish options are white with silver-cone drivers or black/dark wood with black driver cones.

HomeTheater.com has more coverage on the new Monitor Audio Radius Series speakers in their expanded news update.

Acoustic Sounds adds DSD digital downloads for audiophiles

Another music download store is entering the high resolution audiophile space, this time offering DSD formatted songs. Acoustic Sounds (http://store.acousticsounds.com/superhirez)

offers 46 albums in DSD digital format. DSD is the format of  SACD. 

Rip Your Vinyl Collection with NuWave Converter from PS Audio

PS Audio is releasing next month it's NuWave phono pre amp and DAC to serve as a high-end solution for ripping your vinyl collection into high end digital files.  The NuWave will function as both a dedicated phono preamplifier and digital-to-analog converter with the latter offering both PCM and DSD ripping.  The PS Audio NuWave will be available next month for $1,895.  You can read more about the PSAudio NuWave.

Onkyo launches new soundbars

Onkyo has launched two new soundboard that will be available in September for $499 and $699.  Read more at: http://www.hometheater.com/content/onkyo-expands-envision-cinema-line-new-soundbars

Dynaudio XEO 5 Loudespeaker Review

Do you want great audiophile sound but wiring your loudspeakers will be a challenge?  The Absolute Sound has published a review of the Dynaudio XEO 5 wireless loudspeaker system.  Read the Dynaudio XEO 5 Loudspeaker review and see if this audiophile speaker maker has conquered the challenges of high-fidelity wireless audio.

VPI Scout 1.1 Record Player Review

Read the review of the VPI Scout 1.1 Record Player.  The $2,095 player is reviewed in the current issue of The Absolute Sound. Read the full review of the VPI Scout 1.1. 

Bryston launches Model A series speakers

CEPro.com is reporting that Bryston will be introducing its Model A Series loudspeakers during the 2013 CEDIA Expo in Denver Colorado, which will take place from September 25-28.

The speakers are supposed to be a complement to the Model T series that Bryston introduced at CES earlier in the year.

The new Model A series will be available in Q4 of 2013.

The Model A speakers are moderately priced (for Bryston's standards):

• $3,250 for Model A1 Tower
• $2,395 for Model A2 Tower
• $1,995 for Model A3 Tower
• $1,200 Mini A bookshelf speaker

Audiophile News and Reviews

Welcome to Audiophile News and Reviews where you'll find a series of audio news and reviews from around the web. Come back here daily for frequent updates on what's happening in home theater.