High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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07 / 22 / 26

Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Luxury Hi-Fi Pre-Show Photofest Report
VIP preview from SWAF Dallas — flagship loudspeakers, vacuum tube amp, and a tasty small sample from Texas' luxury high-fidelity experience.
Photos By Mike Hawkins And Words By Steven R. Rochlin
The pre-show opened with a palpable sense of anticipation as press, dealers, and distributors filtered through registration and into the hotel's exhibit corridors. Registration and press check-in ran smoothly, as Enjoy the Music.com's signature orange lanyards and seminar schedules are in hand, while staff set up demo rooms and room acoustic devices for optimal sound. Some exhibitors room technicians are still making last-minute cable and loudspeaker placements. Rooms are set to showcased an impressive range of luxurious loudspeakers, boutique vacuum tube amplifiers, and high-end turntables and digital front end setups. Each may be staged on carpets and specialized equipment risers and racks. The variety of audiophile gear this weekend at the SWAF 2026 is making for a rich visual palette — glossy lacquer, machined aluminum, wood veneers, and warm tube am ps, filaments mix with the lasted solid-state amps, electrostatic and horn loudspeaker designs. Music lovers are provided VIP access to nearly endless close-up opportunities to both see and feel the world best high-fidelity audio equipment.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Luxury Hi-Fi Pre-Show Photofest Report.

audioXpress' August 2026 Issue
Editorial: No Going Back
AXPONA 2026 Select Highlights
Balanced Wiring And Active Ground Loop Isolation
Revisiting A Comparison Of Musical Characteristics
Designing The Dynaco ST-70 Series 3
Acoustical Planning For Venues
Strategies In A Software-Defined Landscape
Edge AI Is Not Just About Bigger Models
Marenius MICAMP M-32
Sonarworks SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring PRO
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "This should be the Acoustics Focus issue of audioXpress. Back in April this year, it became very clear to us that we would need to continue to follow up on what was happening in other fronts, catch up, and move on. Not that we didn't have enough interesting news in acoustics, but there are articles we wanted to get published that had been waiting for too long—not a nice problem to have. Part of that pressure has to do with the 2026 Audio Engineering Society (AES) Automotive Audio Conference that takes place in Detroit, MI, July 29-31. audioXpress started working on the content related to this important biennial conference earlier on and dedicated its June issue as scheduled to the topic. As this issue is the last one to get distributed before the event, we are pleased to include an important Market Update written by Roger Shively, who is also the Chair of the conference. The 6th AES International Conference on Automotive Audio will take place at the Huntington Place convention center—in the heart of the American automotive industry. And the topics couldn't be more pressing given the recognized dynamics in the automotive industry and how the role of Automotive Audio has evolved over the past five years."
---> audioXpress August 2026 Issue.

07 / 21 / 26

Global Music Industry Launches AI Labeling Program
A coalition of leading music organizations—including IFPI, RIAA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, The Grammys, SAG-AFTRA, and the Human Artistry Campaign—announced a new voluntary track-level labeling system to distinguish generative AI use in sound recordings. The initiative introduces two clear categories, "AI-Generated" and "AI-Assisted," designed to give fans immediate transparency across digital music services worldwide. This marks a significant step in ensuring that listeners know exactly how technology has been used in the creation of the music they enjoy. The move comes as streaming platforms report surging volumes of AI-created music. Deezer revealed that 44% of new tracks delivered to its platform were AI-generated, while Apple Music noted that more than one-third of uploads were fully machine-made. With such rapid growth in AI-driven content, the new labels aim to help audiences differentiate between recordings created entirely by artificial intelligence and those where human artists used AI tools in limited, supportive ways. This distinction is seen as crucial for maintaining clarity in an increasingly complex digital music landscape.

Executives from across the global music community emphasized that transparency is essential to preserving trust between artists and fans. RIAA Chairman Mitch Glazier and IFPI CEO Vikki Oakley stated that fans "want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen." Leaders from A2IM, WIN, and IMPALA echoed this sentiment, stressing that clear labeling strengthens authenticity, integrity, and provenance in the evolving digital music ecosystem. Their collective message underscores the importance of honesty in the relationship between creators and consumers. The Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. highlighted that the initiative ensures creativity and authorship remain central to every song, while SAG-AFTRA reinforced that AI should not replace or exploit artists without consent and fair compensation. The Human Artistry Campaign praised the program as a landmark step toward honesty and transparency, aligning with its principles of keeping human artistry at the heart of technological innovation. Together, these voices reflect a unified commitment to protecting human creativity while responsibly integrating new technologies.

The labeling system will use visual icons supported by metadata to indicate whether a track is AI-Generated or AI-Assisted. While initially focused on sound recordings, the framework may expand to lyrics, compositions, videos, and artwork as adoption grows. Industry partners will collaborate with streaming services, distributors, and standard-setting bodies to ensure broad implementation. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in balancing innovation with authenticity, setting the stage for a more transparent and sustainable future in music.

07 / 20 / 26

CD Sales Surge Ahead Of Vinyl Says Luminate's 2026 Midyear Music Report
Luminate's newly released 2026 Midyear Report reveals a surprising and decisive shift in the physical music market: compact discs (CD) are growing dramatically faster than vinyl LPs, marking one of the most unexpected consumer behavior pivots in recent years. According to the report, U.S. CD sales jumped 16% to 16.3 million units in the first half of 2026, while vinyl—long considered the dominant physical format of the streaming era—managed only 2.4% growth. The report attributes much of the CD surge to the continued strength of collectible and deluxe editions, particularly from K-Pop artists whose elaborate packaging, photo books, and bonus content have turned CDs into premium fan merchandise. Even when K-Pop releases are removed from the equation, CD sales still rose 6.7%, underscoring that the format's momentum extends beyond any single genre.

Vinyl remains culturally influential, but its slowing growth suggests that the market may be stabilizing or saturated after years of double-digit expansion. Rising manufacturing costs, long production lead times, and higher retail prices have made vinyl a more selective purchase for many listeners. CDs, meanwhile, benefit from lower costs, immediate availability, and a growing collector culture that values physical media as a tangible extension of fandom. Luminate's analysts note that the physical resurgence is happening alongside a broader expansion in global audio streaming, which climbed nearly 10% worldwide in the first half of 2026. Yet physical formats continue to play a crucial role in artist-fan engagement. The report highlights that 22% of U.S. music listeners qualify as purchase-based superfans, a group that disproportionately drives sales of CDs, vinyl, box sets, and other premium physical releases.

Taken together, the midyear data paints a picture of an audio market evolving in multiple directions at once. Streaming continues to dominate overall consumption, but physical formats—especially CDs—are proving unexpectedly resilient. As 2026 progresses, labels and retailers may increasingly lean into collectible packaging, limited editions, and fan-driven physical releases to capitalize on this renewed appetite for tangible music experiences.

This Weekend: Southwest Audio Fest 2026 Show Report
Reference-level hi-fi audio gear, seminars, & marketplace for audiophiles and music lovers.
Southwest Audio Fest 2026 returns to Dallas from July 23rd through 25th with a sharpened three-day schedule designed to maximize energy, attendance, and high-end listening opportunities. Organizers have officially dropped the traditional Sunday session in favor of a Thu-to-Sat format, responding to longstanding industry feedback about slow final day traffic. The new structure opens Thursday from 2 pm to 8 pm, followed by full days Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, creating a more focused and efficient show experience for exhibitors and attendees alike. Hosted at the Sheraton Convention Center in downtown Dallas, the 2026 edition offers expansive demo rooms, proximity to the Arts and Historic Districts, and easy access to restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions. Exhibitors will include major manufacturers, boutique builders, dealers, and independent designers presenting everything from floorstanding loudspeakers and reference turntables to cutting-edge DACs, streamers, and room treatment solutions.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2026 Show Report.

07 / 13 / 26

TIDAL Draws A Line: Streaming Service Ends Royalty Payments For Fully AI-Generated Music
TIDAL has officially become the first major streaming platform to cut off royalties for fully AI-generated music, marking a decisive shift in how the industry handles synthetic audio content. With the elimination of the controversial MQA music format, this may be another step in the right direction for TIDAL. Announced on June 29th, the policy states that tracks identified as 100% AI-generated will remain streamable but will no longer earn royalties or qualify for direct-to-fan sales, with enforcement beginning July 15. The company will also introduce a visible "AI" badge next to any track deemed wholly machine-made, giving listeners clear insight into how the music was created. TIDAL says this transparency is essential as its catalog has been increasingly flooded with AI-generated submissions from third-party distributors. The platform's leadership emphasized that the move is not anti-technology but rather a protection of human creativity and artist livelihoods. 

Beyond demonetization, TIDAL is taking a hard stance against fraudulent AI content, including songs that impersonate real artists or mislead listeners. Automated detection tools will identify and remove such uploads, aligning TIDAL with a growing industry trend toward policing synthetic music. Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and the audiophile lossless Hi-Res Music fave Qobuz have all introduced AI-labeling or filtering systems, but TIDAL's approach stands out by directly targeting revenue streams, not just visibility. Industry analysts suggest the policy could reshape how AI music is distributed. By eliminating financial incentives, TIDAL may reduce the volume of fully AI tracks while encouraging creators to use AI collaboratively rather than as a total replacement for human artistry. The company calls its new AI policy a "living document," signaling that further updates will follow as detection tools improve and the market evolves. TIDAL's decision arrives at a pivotal moment: AI-generated music uploads are surging across streaming platforms, and concerns about impersonation, spam, and artist displacement continue to grow. By prioritizing human-made work in its royalty system, TIDAL positions itself as a champion of authentic, organic creativity—and sets a precedent other services may soon follow.

07 / 09 / 26

World Premiere Review!
Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review
The Spice must flow.
Review By Paul Schumann
It's no secret that Hollywood has become the land of the sequel. Nine of the top ten grossing movies from 2022 were sequels. I excluded The Batman because it technically wasn't a sequel, but it was a reboot, for goodness' sake. Now I'm not going to bash sequels out of hand. I watch a bunch of them myself. My big complaint is when a sequel is done by a different set of writers and a new director and is so different from its predecessor in tone and theme that about halfway through I throw up my hands and ask, "Why am I watching this?". One sequel I'm looking forward to watching is Dune: Part 2. While they call it a sequel, it's more of a continuation of the first movie with Denis Villeneuve and his team completing the task. Even though I've only seen 2.5 minutes of it in a trailer, I am incredibly hopeful that this crew will bring the ship safely into the harbor. Yes, I could be wrong, but like Fremen, I believe.
---> Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review.

World Premiere Review!
Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 Preamplifier Review
An outstanding preamplifier with excellent connectivity for the music lover who desires more.
Review By Rick Becker
Backert Labs has seemingly come out of nowhere. Their first review appeared in 2015 and Enjoy the Music.com reviewed the 1.3 version of the Rhumba Extreme in 2019. This micro-manufacturer specializes in tube-powered preamplifiers, with a tube phono stage being a logical extension of their focus. All of their manufacturing and assembly is done in the USA. I had heard the buzz on the brand only one other time before my audio buddy, Tom, informed me that he had ordered a Rhumba 1.2 on US Audiomart that had been upgraded to a 1.3. Listening to his familiar system, I noticed an impressive improvement. When the 1.4 series was announced I contacted Andy Tebbe, the President and frontman of the company, and was promised a premiere review when the design was finalized. I waited, and waited, until finally, I met Andy at the Capital Audiofest. He explained that Bob Backert, the designer and CEO of this company kept coming up with incremental improvements that slowed final release.
---> Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 Preamplifier Review.

07 / 07 / 26

Pacific Audio Fest 2027: Music-Focused Premium Audio Experience
Pacific Audio Fest (PAF) will return January 15th through 17th, staging a music-first premium audio weekend at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Seattle's Southport. The three-day event promises live performances, immersive listening sessions, and a broad marketplace of premium audio brands, designers, and dealers. Organizers say the move to a new waterfront venue and a renewed emphasis on music aim to reconnect listeners with the emotional power of great recordings. The festival is being shaped as a music-focused audio experience for listeners at every level, from curious beginners to seasoned audiophiles. Attendees can expect demonstrations spanning vinyl playback, loudspeakers, headphones, streaming systems, amplifiers, and complete listening rooms. Exhibits will showcase both budget-friendly starter setups and high-end systems, giving visitors hands-on opportunities to hear how different gear changes the way songs and records come to life. PAF organizers highlight the convenience of moving from listening rooms to evening entertainment and social spaces without leaving the property, making the festival both immersive and easy to navigate.

"Pacific Audio Fest is all about music first," said Jonny Wilson, co-owner of PAF. "The gear definitely matters because it helps people connect more deeply with the songs, artists, and recordings they already love. We want this show to feel welcoming to anyone who loves music, whether they are just beginning to explore better sound or have been chasing great listening experiences for years." The weekend will also feature live music, opportunities to meet designers, makers, and curated listening experiences intended to educate and inspire both new listeners and longtime enthusiasts. Exhibitor information, ticket details, hotel reservations, and event announcements will be posted on their website as the show develops. Pacific Audio Fest is described as a community-driven event that brings together music lovers, premium audio brands, record collectors, and industry makers for a weekend of demonstrations, live performances, and shared listening.

07 / 06 / 26

Hi-Fi+ July 2026 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: High-End Vienna 2026 Is A Successful New Era For Europe
Magico M9 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Thales Reference And Magnifier Turntable And Phono / Line Preamplifier
ATC EL50 Anniversary Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Vinnie Rossi Brama Integrated Amplifier
SPL Phonos Duo Phono Stage
Ultrafide Audio DIAS-U8 Power Amplifier
Network Acoustics Muon2 Network Switch
Kii Audio SEVEN Active Stand-Mount Loudspeakers
in-akustik NF-2405 AIR XLR Interconnect Cables
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "Mid-way through the schedule of this issue, we had a true bellweather audio event. High-End Vienna, 2026 - the first show from the High-End Society at its new venue took place over the first weekend of June. While the Munich High-End show it replaces typically took place a couple of weeks earlier, the fledgling show suffered an unexpected delay because Austria won the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosting it in Vienna. That's one heck of a clash! This delay was the straw that broke the camel's back in the eyes of the naysayers. "It's doomed!" they said. "No one's going to go to Vienna... it's not a hub airport like Munich" was the grumble. "There aren't enough rooms!" and "The rooms are all wrong!" went the cries from the audio industry. Well... no! The show was a success. Far from the dramatic fall in attendance, numbers were up across the board. OK, so they weren't 'significantly' up compared to Munich 2025, but this comes after several years of at best stagnation and occasionally mild decline in attendance at Munich. The 'no one will show' fear was unfounded, especially on the trade days and Saturday. The Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi, which the Viennese evidently take quite seriously."
---> hi-fi+ July 2026 High-End Audio Magazine.

07 / 01 / 26

Flagship Audio Gear, World Premieres, & Show Coverage — July High-End Audio Review Magazine
In-depth listening notes, not-to-be-missed world premiere hi-fi reviews, plus HIGH END Vienna and Southwest Audio Fest 2026.
Great news for music lovers and audiophiles alike as our July Review Magazine is out and it's loaded with hands-on looks at top-tier amplifier, two interesting loudspeaker designs, world premieres, and more! Think long listening sessions, gear that makes you smile, and plenty of great gear pics for your next system upgrade consideration. If you love discovering what really moves the music, this issue is a treat. What really makes this edition buzz is the world premiere coverage — first listens and debut reviews of gear you may not have heard about anywhere else. Charney Audio Kit-1 300B tube amp, efficient Maestro XL speakers, the unique PERFECT8 Cube-S with Sub, and Merrill Audio's exciting reference-class Element 116MX amplifier.

There's also show coverage from HIGH END Vienna 2026, with special news as we're once again sponsoring the Southwest Audio Fest luxury audio event! You'll be seeing our lanyards once again, bringing our joyous orange signature color to Dallas. For the kids and newcomers, there's the Passport To Sound booklet. If you've not heard about this incredible resource, be sure not to miss this month's editorial! From high-end audio show sponsorships to educational initiatives — we welcome music lovers to discover a sense of where these world premieres fit into the broader high-end landscape. Our industry-leading show ties means we give back to the community. If you love discovering new flagship components or want the first word on gear that will define the next year of high-end audio, Enjoy the Music.com's exciting July Review Magazine is essential reading. Dive into the full issue and world premiere reviews, and plan your next audition. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music.
---> Flagship Audio Gear, World Premieres, & Show Coverage — July High-End Audio Review Magazine.

July 2026 High-End Audio Review Magazine — Celebrating Music, Community & The Gear That Brings Us Together
A passionate editorial for music lovers, audiophiles, and our global hi-fi Family.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
This issue of Enjoy the Music.com's high-end-audio Review Magazine arrives at a moment when the global audiophile community feels more connected—and more energized—than ever! Over the past 30+ years, our publication has served music lovers with high-performance audio reviews, show reports, industry news, and heartfelt editorials that celebrate the musical art of listening. This month, we continue that tradition with renewed purpose: to honor the people, the gear, and the shared passion that make high-fidelity audio not just a hobby, but a lifelong pursuit of beauty, discovery, and both human and emotional connection. As the Old Guard is now retired, and we thank them for their decades of service, it is time for fresh faces to take charge as new ideas within the world of modern hi-fi audio move us forward. This issue is written by music lovers for music lovers. Our well-respected musician contributors are not distant observers of music—they play it. We are honored to have musicians as part of the same global family of listeners who obsess over authenticity, realism, tone, texture, timing, and truth. Like you, we stay up late into the evening, sometimes into the early morning, (re)discovering favorite albums; debating the merits of solid-state, vacuum tubes, hornspeakers, planars, cone drivers, digital formats, phono cartridges, tweaks....
---> July 2026 High-End Audio Review Magazine — Celebrating Music, Community & The Gear That Brings Us Together.

Southwest Audio Fest 2026 Ignites Dallas With Luxury High-End Sound Systems
Three days of reference-level listening, product launches, seminars, and vinyl / CD marketplace for serious audiophiles and music lovers.
Southwest Audio Fest 2026 returns to Dallas from July 23rd through 25th with a sharpened three-day schedule designed to maximize energy, attendance, and high-end listening opportunities. Organizers have officially dropped the traditional Sunday session in favor of a Thu-to-Sat format, responding to longstanding industry feedback about slow final day traffic. The new structure opens Thursday from 2 pm to 8 pm, followed by full days Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, creating a more focused and efficient show experience for exhibitors and attendees alike. Hosted at the Sheraton Convention Center in downtown Dallas, the 2026 edition offers expansive demo rooms, proximity to the Arts and Historic Districts, and easy access to restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions. Exhibitors will include major manufacturers, boutique builders, dealers, and independent designers presenting everything from floorstanding loudspeakers and reference turntables to cutting-edge DACs, streamers, and room treatment solutions.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2026 Show Report.

HIGH END Vienna 2026 — High-End Audio Premiere Show Report
Where luxury and music loving audiophiles meet Vienna's musical heritage.
The HIGH END Vienna 2026 arrives with remarkable momentum: the world's leading international audio show is already fully booked several months before opening. Set to take place from June 4th through 7th at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV), the early sell-out signals not only strong demand, but also a collective eagerness across the industry to witness a landmark edition. After 21 years, relocating the event to Vienna marks a symbolic and practical fresh start that many exhibitors and visitors view as a turning point. Moving the show to the Austria Center Vienna represents a strategic milestone for HIGH END. The venue's modern infrastructure and forward-looking facilities create a canvas for exhibitors to showcase cutting-edge audio technology in a professional, flexible environment. Organizers and participants alike expect the center's layout and technical capabilities to elevate demonstrations, listening rooms, and product launches.
---> HIGH END Vienna 2026 — High-End Audio Premiere Show Report.

World Premiere Review!
Merrill Audio Element 116MX Review: High-End Monoblock Power Amplifiers With Exceptional Clarity & Dynamics
Our exclusive In-depth listening tests reveals the 116MX's exceptionally low noise floor, expansive immersive soundscape, and reference-level transparency.
Review By Tom Lyle
In this review, I will describe and sonically examine Merrill Audio's Element 116MX monoblock power amplifiers. Given the number of Merrill Audio reviews I have written over the past decade, I suppose some may accuse me of favoritism. I'm often chosen to review their components simply because I live close to their factory. As a bonus, they can deliver their products personally and then help me set them up, rather than simply shipping them to me. The Element 116MX is Merrill Audio's newest component, and the most powerful and most pricey amplifier I've reviewed from them. It is a significant upgrade over their earlier Element 116 (sans MX), which Dr. Michael Bump reviewed in the summer of 2019 in Enjoy the Music.com. In this very positive review, he remarked that the Element 116 "delivers some of the best amplification anywhere." Merrill Audio claims that the Element 116MX "offers greater clarity, detail, and dynamic range."
---> Merrill Audio Element 116MX Review: High-End Monoblock Power Amplifiers With Exceptional Clarity & Dynamics.

PERFECT8 Cube-S With Sub Review — Reference-Grade Musical High-Fidelity Loudspeakers With Real-World Transparency
A deep dive into PERFECT8's glass-enclosed omnidirectional loudspeaker sound system that delivers endless musical pleasures for both casual and serious listeners.
Review By Dr. Matthew Clott
OK. Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way... Yes, they are glass speakers, and yes, they sound "transparent." OK. Phew. Glad we got that over with! At a high-end audio show in 2015, I met Jonas from Sweden for the first time in a big room on the first floor. All Ypsilon electronics and their The Point speakers. All glass, open baffle design, dual dipole midrange, and a ribbon tweeter, each sitting on a sealed two-driver subwoofer. As the name implied, they were the closest thing to a point source I had ever heard. Tonally spectacular, they threw a massive sound stage forward, backward, sideward, upward, downward, and every other way there is; and absolutely vanished into that big room. I went back time and time again, and decided that I needed to get to know Jonas better and make sure I heard his room at every show I went to. I also remember the speakers were very expensive, so owning them was not going to happen back then; not without a divorce, and although I loved the speakers, I love my wife too much for that option....
---> PERFECT8 Cube-S With Sub Review — Reference-Grade Musical High-Fidelity Loudspeakers With Real-World Transparency.

World Premiere Review!
Charney Audio Kit-1 300B Vacuum Tube Amplifier & Maestro XL Loudspeakers: World-Class 300B SET Power Meets Voxativ Precision To Deliver Extraordinary Musical Realism
A deep-dive listening review of Charney's new 300B amplifier and Maestro XL musical loudspeakers featuring Voxativ AC-2.6 drivers.
Review By Paul Schumann
When I first walked into the Charney Audio room at Southwest Audio Fest 2025, I was greeted by this charming song by Victor Wooten. It was being projected into the room by a pair of Lumica VI loud speakers. Despite being a single-driver design, the Lumica VIs were pressurizing the room with their enormous rear-loaded horns. I was intrigued. The room was super busy at the time, so I snapped a few pics, moved on, and made a note to myself to swing back later. When I came back a couple of days later, "The Loneliest Monk" was once again playing, which I thought was an odd bit of synchronicity. I sat and listened to the Lumica VI speakers and was impressed by how they filled the room with just a pair of Voxativ AC-2.6 drivers. After taking some notes, I talked to Brian Charney about reviewing a pair of speakers. After describing my listening room to him, we decided that none of his speakers would perform their best there.
---> Charney Audio Kit-1 300B Vacuum Tube Amplifier & Maestro XL Loudspeakers Review.

Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review
The Spice must flow.
Review By Paul Schumann
It's no secret that Hollywood has become the land of the sequel. Nine of the top ten grossing movies from 2022 were sequels. I excluded The Batman because it technically wasn't a sequel, but it was a reboot, for goodness' sake. Now I'm not going to bash sequels out of hand. I watch a bunch of them myself. My big complaint is when a sequel is done by a different set of writers and a new director and is so different from its predecessor in tone and theme that about halfway through I throw up my hands and ask, "Why am I watching this?". One sequel I'm looking forward to watching is Dune: Part 2. While they call it a sequel, it's more of a continuation of the first movie with Denis Villeneuve and his team completing the task. Even though I've only seen 2.5 minutes of it in a trailer, I am incredibly hopeful that this crew will bring the ship safely into the harbor. Yes, I could be wrong, but like Fremen, I believe.
---> Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review.

Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
You're drawn into the music by its amazing, lifelike sound.
Review By Senior Editor Tom Lyle
I first became aware of Genesis speakers when I was a young man, shortly after they were first introduced in 1991 via the audiophile press. It was tough to ignore the fact that anyone who discussed this brand of speakers never failed to mention their chief designer, the late Arnie Nudell, and his passion for research and development, as well as the use of premium materials, their impeccable design, and, by all reliable accounts, their outstanding sound quality. Genesis introduced their more affordable G7 Series in 2005, beginning with the G7c, also known as the Convertible, a bookshelf speaker designed by Genesis' Arnie Nudell, who sadly passed away in 2017. The G7c speakers were soon followed by other models created by Mr. Nudell's successor, Gary L. Koh, who is now Genesis' Chief Designer and the CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies. These newer models included the G7p (Petite) and the G7f, a floor-standing model with an active side-firing woofer. Although the G7 Series was discontinued in 2018, it has now been reintroduced.
---> Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors SWAF 2026 Show Lanyards & Passport To Sound Booklet
High-end audio's leading online hi-fi publication once again shows its strong support for the industry and assists music lovers, too.
Southwest Audio Fest 2026 returns to the Sheraton Dallas Hotel from July 23rd through 25th, and this year's show arrives with an exciting partnership: Enjoy the Music.com, one of the industry's most respected online publications for over 30 years, is the official lanyard sponsor for the three-day luxury high-end audio celebration. Their support ensures every exhibitor and member of the press receives a premium lanyard the moment they check in. For youthful and aspiring music lovers, Enjoy the Music.com is once again providing the critically-acclaimed educational booklet Passport To Sound. Written by scientist and higher education instructor May Anwar, Passport To Sound is the industry's foremost publication to help both inquisitive adults and youthful enthusiasts about the fundamentals of the high-fidelity world. Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) 2026 is expected to host many exhibit rooms, featuring flagship sound systems, class-leading turntable showcases, top-level headphones, and product debuts from global manufacturers. The lanyards—worn by many throughout the weekend—serve as a unifying visual element while highlighting Enjoy the Music.com's ongoing support and our many years of giving back to the high-end audio community.
---> Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors SWAF 2026 Show Lanyards & Passport To Sound Booklet.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

06 / 25 / 26

Audiophiles: Can There Be Too Many Notes?
Not just listening, but truly hearing the music.
Article By Roger Skoff
Do you remember the part in the movie Amadeus where Emperor Joseph II, his Kapellmeister, and other music advisory staff, including Salieri, have just heard a part of Mozart's latest work, are less than pleased with it, and the emperor declares that it "has too many notes"? Mozart is shocked and amazed, and, to everyone's horror, openly disagrees with the emperor and his sycophants, saying, instead, that there are precisely as many notes as there needs to be. That was about an opera, The Abduction From The Seraglio, but the same thing could be said of any piece of music – there are neither more nor fewer notes than there needs to be to communicate what the composer is trying to say. I remember hearing a lecture many years ago about Beethoven, where the speaker was analyzing one of the great Beethoven symphonies, note by note, phrase by phrase, and showing that even that great and complex work was composed of just a few simple themes and leitmotifs, layered, interwoven, repeated, inverted, changed in key, and passed from one instrument or instrumental group to another.....
---> Audiophiles: Can There Be Too Many Notes.

World Premiere Review!
Synergistic Research PowerCell 14 Power Conditioner Review
Raising the performance of audiophile gear you plug into it.
Review By Rick Becker
The naysayers on internet forums will have a "hey"-day with this review. They complain about reviewers who proclaim that each new product they review is better than the last one. Well, I'm here to plead "guilty" as this is the third power conditioner I've reviewed in the past seven months, along with an incredible 650 photos and 59,000 words in the reviews of the Toronto Audiofest 2024 and Capital Audiofest 2024. Each power conditioner was better than the last, as well as significantly more expensive. Let me give you an overview in case you haven't been following along. My longstanding power conditioner, since July 2017 when the review was published by Enjoy the Music.com, had been the Synergistic PowerCell 8 UEF SE with an Atmosphere Level 2 power cord, a unit that sold for about $2000 at the time.
---> Synergistic Research PowerCell 14 Power Conditioner Review.

Previous High-End Audio News
For previous high-end audio and music industry news click here.