High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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02 / 02 / 25

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards Is Tonight
Tonight, the music world turns its eyes to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Hosted by the charismatic Trevor Noah, this year's show promises to be a spectacular celebration of musical talent, resilience, and philanthropy. The Technical Grammy Award will be presented to Dr. Leo Beranek (1914-2016) for his contributions to the field of audio engineering and acoustics. Enjoy the Music.com fans know that he was a renowned American acoustics expert and former MIT professor who also authored several influential books, including "Acoustics" and "Music, Acoustics, and Architecture". He was particularly known for his work in designing and evaluating concert halls and opera houses, ensuring optimal acoustics for performances. The 2025 Grammy Awards audio/video broadcast is planned to be headlined by Beyoncé, who has garnered an impressive eleven nominations for her album "Cowboy Carter," making her the most nominated artist in Grammy history. Joining Beyoncé in the spotlight are Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Charli XCX, each with seven nominations. The show will feature electrifying performances from these top nominees, as well as Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Best Engineered Album, consisting of a Grammy award for Classical and another for Non-Classical, is an award that recognizes the engineering excellence of an album. The award goes to the engineer(s) who demonstrate superior technical proficiency and creativity. The Grammy's Best Remixed Recording award honors the best remixed recording, acknowledging the creativity and technical skill involved in remixing an existing track. The Best Immersive Audio Album Award celebrates albums that provide an exceptional immersive audio experience, whether through surround sound, binaural audio, or other innovative formats. There's also a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Classical, which is similar to its non-classical counterpart, this award recognizes the engineering excellence of a classical album. Tonight's Grammy Awards are dedicated not only to celebrating music but also to supporting the community in its time of need. In addition to the main performances, the show will feature tributes to music legends such as Quincy Jones and celebrate the spirit of Los Angeles. Enjoy the Music.com readers know these tributes will add a heartfelt touch to the evening, reminding everyone of the enduring power of music.

02 / 01 / 25

February High-End Audio Review Magazine & FIAE Show Report
Our February 2025 Review Magazine continues Enjoy the Music.com's celebrating 30 years of service to music lovers, audiophiles, and immersive sound enthusiasts alike! We are truly grateful to you, our longstanding loyal readership, and newcomers too. This month we're showcasing historic audio gear reviews and articles during our past 30 years. Be sure to read Roger Skoff's "The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby Part 1" where he writes about where we've been, where we are today, and the possibilities of where high-end audio is going in the future. The spectacular Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show begins February 21st and we look forward to seeing you there! We wish our longtime international friends a prosperous Lunar New Year. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> February High-End Audio Review Magazine & FIAE 2025 Show Report.

The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby Part 1
Roger Skoff writes of things to come and how to make them better.
Article By Roger Skoff
I was recently asked by someone why I never write about how brilliantly the consumer electronics industry is doing and how, from being initially a hobby and then a cottage industry, some hi-fi companies are now being recognized by the big companies, acquired by them, and becoming, themselves, important contributors to the world economy, elements of our lifestyle, and shapers of our common future. All of those things are true. The consumer electronics industry has become colossal and affects the lives of every one of us in more ways than I can count. The problem is that it's not our sector of the industry that's being promoted by mainstream media outlets and, in turn, becoming essential to the way we live.
---> The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby Part 1.

Florida International Audio Expo 2025 Show Report
High-end audio / audiophiles and music lovers rejoice in Tampa.
The Florida International Audio Expo 2025 takes place from February 21st through 23rd at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon, the event's new, and larger, venue. The Florida International Audio Expo will showcase many floors filled with exhibit spaces featuring the latest in home and portable audio gear. You may enjoy an abundance of great sound from mono to stereo and immersive, plus various exhibit room will feature never before seen new products! Show attendees are the world's first to experience many of the best new high-performance, hi-resolution modern audio products. With many floors and large conference rooms of demonstrations to explore, attendees can experience luxurious immersive premium audio electronics, loudspeakers, turntables, and high-end audio headphones produced by manufacturers from all around the world.
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2025 Show Report.

Dan D'Agostino MAS Momentum Lifestyle Integrated Amplifier w/DAC & Audio Streaming Review
Only for music lovers, because that is the MLife's raison d'être – to enable the listener to revel in one's love of music.
Review By Tom Lyle
Many audiophiles are familiar with the name Dan D'Agostino, by virtue of him being the founder, CEO, and chief engineer at Krell which he founded in 1980. The products made by Krell, which included everything from power amplifiers to SACD players and speakers, were some of the best high-end components available. In 2009 he was ousted by investors that he invited into the company because they thought the company should change direction. Almost immediately after leaving Krell, he formed Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems. On a personal note, when I first became interested in audio in the 1970s the common wisdom at that time, and for quite a while after that, was that all power amplifiers that measure the same, sound the same.
---> Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Momentum Lifestyle Integrated Amplifier w/DAC & Audio Streaming Review.

Oracle Audio Delphi MK VI Turntable Review
A first-class turntable with incredibly advanced power supplies.
Review By Tom Lyle
My first "real" turntable after years of listening to crummy mass-market contraptions was an AR ES-1. Mounted on its arm-board was a Grace tonearm, but I eventually upgraded to a Magnepan model, which as it turned out was not really an upgrade but merely a move sideways. At the time I was listening to the AR table in my humble high-end system I was also spending lots of my audiophile hours with the now legendary Herb Papier, the maker of the Tri-Planar tonearm. He became, for lack of any other term, my analog and high-end mentor. Eventually he sold me his original version of the Oracle Delphi, which was one of his first "modern" high-end tables that he owned, of which he spent many hours and a good sum of money modifying.
---> Oracle Audio Delphi MK VI Turntable With SME V Tonearm Review.

Abyss AB-1266 Planar Magnetic Headphones Review
The journey is the destination.
Review By Dave Hanson
The practice of building a home system and tweaking it to perfection is a time-honored tradition among music lovers and audiophiles. And I'm not just talking about buying equipment and is plainly evident within my review of the Abyss AB-1266 headphones and you'll soon learn. It's about perfecting the angle of the speaker. Damping the reflective surfaces of the room. Perhaps even rewiring the electrical sockets in search of that last one or two percent. Few understand this practice better than Joe Skubinski of JPS Labs, a man who has built a name for himself in the world of high-end cables. A close listen to other JPS designs such as the Aluminata Power Cable ($3999) reveals a prodigious level of attention to detail at every stage of the build.
---> Abyss AB-1266 Planar Magnetic Headphones Review.

OPPO BDP-105 3D Blu-ray Universal Disc Player Review
I'd call it more of a disc player A/V processor.
Article By Bill Gaw
When you read this I'll be sunning myself during my three- month semi-retirement in the Caribbean. Why do I mention that? Because I'll probably be lying back on a chaise lounge with headphones on listening to this newest and best player that OPPO has produced. There, I've probably ruined the rest of the article for readers familiar with the units from this company. In the past, they've always shown up on lists for best "Product of the Year" especially for the price, and this one is no exception. I do have a gripe with OPPO over the naming of this unit which will become clearer as you read further; thus the parentheses in the title. Over the past several years, I've reviewed just about every one of their top- of- the- line players, and in each case have found them to be equal to or better than products two to three times their price.
---> OPPO BDP-105 3D Blu-ray "Disc Player" Review.

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Jupiter Copper Foil Paper & Wax Capacitor Review
Article By Jonathan Lo
The Jupiter HT line of capacitors utilizing aluminum foil in beeswax impregnated paper dielectric has been a favorite among audiophiles for quite some time. This unique dielectric and construction technique has resulted in an extremely unique capacitor that has emphasized an organic, natural presentation with the goal of minimizing synthetic, plasticky taste in many "modern" capacitors utilizing non-natural materials. The original Jupiter beeswax capacitor did have issues with the wax tending to melt at high temperatures, but the current "HT" version uses improved wax impregnation techniques and reinforced paper dielectric, resulting in temperature stability to 70 degree Celsius/158 Fahrenheit. It is proudly manufactured in U.S.A. with cryogenic treatment to top off with that proverbial cherry.
---> Jupiter Copper Foil Paper & Wax Capacitor Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

01 / 30 / 25

Spotify Gets Dismissal Of MCL Lawsuit Over Reduced Royalty Payments
In an unfortunate legal victory, Spotify has successfully won the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) over reduced royalty payments. MCL is a nonprofit organization designated by the USA Copyright Office to collect digital mechanical royalties in the United States pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The lawsuit, which began last May, alleged that Spotify's introduction of an audiobooks bundle to its premium subscription resulted in a substantial decrease in royalty payments to songwriters. The MLC claimed that Spotify had "unilaterally and unlawfully" reduced the royalty rate by as much as 50% without any warning.

However, USA District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Spotify's bundling strategy was supported by "unambiguous" regulations. She stated that audiobook streaming is a distinct product from music streaming and has more than token value, thus categorizing Spotify's premium service as a bundle was appropriate. Spotify's spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, emphasizing that the bundling rule was clear and that the premium service offers valuable content alongside music. The MLC, however, expressed disappointment and is considering an appeal. This ruling comes days after Spotify entered a new agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), which includes a different economic treatment for music and non-music content. The music industry continues to debate the impact of such bundling strategies on songwriters' earnings.

01 / 29 / 25

Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 Audio/Video/Immersivephile Event
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show, the UK's largest and longest-running hi-fi event, is set to return for its 36th edition from Friday, February 21st to Sunday, February 23rd, 2025. This year's show promises to be an audio lover's dream, featuring exclusive product launches, exciting demos, and special offers. A highlight of Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 is the unveiling of new products from various European manufacturers and distributors. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves within the lasted technology is electronics, loudspeakers, cables, accessories and more. This event will also feature exclusive deals and special offers, including half-price entry for students and emergency workers on Sunday after 2pm. Additionally, attendees can enter a competition to win £10,000 worth of hi-fi equipment.

The show will take place at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre, located at 2 Lower Castle Street, Bristol. Doors will be open from 10am to 5pm each day. With approximately 145 audio brands confirmed to be exhibiting there should be something for every music lover, modern immersivephile, and classic audiophile. Members of the hi-fi, home cinema, and custom installation industries can gain entry to the show subject to an administration fee of £5. Members of the hi-fi, home cinema, custom installation press can gain free entry to the event. Whether you're looking to experience the latest immersive audio technology, enjoy exclusive product launches, or take advantage of special discount offers, this show should please virtually all attendees. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the world of modern state-of-the-art high-fidelity sound.

01 / 28 / 25

Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Show Report & Information
Now in their second year, the Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) high-end audio show by the dynamic duo Gary Gill (Capital Audiofest) and Lou Hinkley (Pacific AudioFest / Daedalus Audio) brings magical music to Dallas. SWAF 2025 follows their sensational success with the popular Pacific Audio Fest event. Attendees may listen to many of the world's top manufacturers who create a wide variety of exciting home and portable audio products. Within this expansive Resort environment, bask in luxurious sounds that caress your ears and bring newfound meaning to many of the songs you've heard many times in the past. All this and more within a curated experience filled with fine art and acres of event space.

This just in from the show promoter: "Our listening rooms are filling quickly and will have tons of quality audiophile gear, vinyl vendors, seminars, live music, after hours parties and beverage sampling!" Remember to purchase your hotel Sleeping Rooms and SWAF Tickets early before they are sold out!

SWAF 2025 Includes:
• 20+ Large Listening Rooms booked with big name brands
• 60 Standard Listening Rooms booking now
• Vibrant Marketplace in the Atrium
• Thousands of records to dig through

---> To learn more, see Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Show Report.

01 / 27 / 25

Kraftwerk Autobahn 50th Anniversary Vinyl LP, Immersive Blue-ray, And Booklet
Kraftwerk, the legendary German electronic music group, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their album Autobahn in March 2025. The celebration will include new releases, a USA tour, and appearances at Coachella. Specially engineering new releases of Autobahn include a new immersive Dolby Atmos mix of the album on Blu-ray and digitally. Dolby Atmos, 5.1, and stereo mixes will be available digitally. Kraftwerk's 50th Anniversary Autobahn digital release will be available on major streaming platforms. The 12" vinyl LP picture disc of the album's 2009 remaster will also be offered and marks the band's first official picture disc. There a 7" vinyl edit includes "Autobahn," with "Kometenmelodie 2" on the B-side.

The region-free Blu-ray disc comes with a 12-page booklet in Amaray packaging, and ships with an SDE exclusive slipcase (a special 50th anniversary sticker will sit outside the shrink-wrap). Kraftwerk founder Ralf Hütter and engineer Fritz Hilpert revisited the original 16-track master tapes to produce their special 50th Anniversary set. The Dolby Atmos mix was created in 2024 at the band's Kling Klang studio. As for touring, Kraftwerk will also celebrate the band's 50th anniversary of Autobahn with a tour across North America and Europe, including performances during both weekends at Coachella. Kraftwerk's Autobahn 50th Anniversary release will be available March 7th (2025) via Parlophone.

01 / 24 / 25

NAMM 2025: A Symphony Of Immersive Music Innovation
The 2025 NAMM Show, held at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 21st through 25th, will make waves within the music industry. This year's event promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a lineup of star-studded performances and groundbreaking innovations. The show will be begin with a keynote address from NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak, who announced a series of new initiatives aimed at strengthening the global music community. Among the highlights was the launch of the NAMM Impact Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the organization's achievements in 2024 and its plans for the future. Attendees will be treated to a variety of educational sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities throughout the week. The event plans to feature a robust schedule of live performances by renowned artists such as Jon Batiste, Peter Frampton, Jack White, and CeCe Winans. One of the highlights this week will be the She Rock Awards, which celebrated the contributions of female musicians and included performances by Samantha Fish, Amanda Palmer, and Christina Perri.

The exhibition floor will be buzzing with excitement as attendees explore the latest in musical instruments, recording and playback equipment, and high-technology including immersive sound system and software. To add a bit of levity and humor, NAMM 2025 will also featured a variety of quirky and innovative products, including the Fart Pedal, which converts guitar notes into amusing sound effects. With its blend of education, entertainment, and innovation, the 2025 NAMM Show is set to be a memorable event for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. According to the show promoter, "The NAMM Show is the crown jewel event of the year for all things music and music products. This is where brands launch their most daring and awe-inspiring innovations and where retailers go to discover the next-generation tools of the trade. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business or legacy brand, The NAMM Show is your place to connect with thousands of industry leaders with purchasing power. This is where the game changes."

01 / 23 / 25

Why I Love Our Loyal Readership
First and foremost, this entire site is for you! Let's work together....
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
In a few months Enjoy the Music.com will officially be celebrating our 25th Anniversary (that's 25 consecutive years). For those who've read the About Us info, you'll notice below all the site facts n' stuff that not a single word has changed for decades. And so it began 25 years ago... and I quote, "Longtime classically-trained medal-earning musician and high fidelity audio enthusiast Steven R. Rochlin launched Enjoy the Music.com in 1995 as a way to easily answer the many questions he was receiving from others online. Since he grew tired of answering the same basic questions from various people during the very early days of the Internet, when at that time information was scarce, he felt having various common questions and answers on a website was the logical action."
---> Why I Love Our Loyal Readership.

Metronome Le Dac Digital-To-Analog Converter Review
And the Technicolor Dream.
Review By Paul Schumann
Those of you who have read some of my previous reviews know that I am in some ways a throwback, sticking with my compact discs while some audiophiles have moved to uncompressed digital files and others have embraced the vinyl side. I have a lot of CDs, and by God, I'm going to still listen to them. A few years ago I purchased the iFi Audio iDSD, and that opened up my world on how far digital has come in the last decade. At $599, it's one the great bargains in audio. But sometimes you start to wonder, are those fancy high-end DACs really that much better? A few months ago, I noticed an announcement for a new DAC by a company called Metronome. Appropriately it is called Le Dac.
---> Metronome Le Dac Digital-To-Analog Converter Review.

01 / 22 / 25

Montreal Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Report
The Salon Audio Montreal Audiofest 2025 takes place from March 28th through 30th with more than 5000 visitors expected who desired listening, seeing, and touching over 300 brands of high-end audiophile products all under one roof. As the largest show in Canada, attendees will experienced the very best high-end audio and video/videophile industry distributors, manufacturers, and retailers in Canada. Within each listening room, exhibitors are overjoyed to share their passion for music with you by demonstrating some of the world's best sound systems from $5000 to $500,000.

Montréal Audiofest is celebrating its 36th edition in 2025 and remains the must-attend event for audiophiles, high-end audio gear enthusiasts, and music lovers. This long-standing event has become a tradition in showcasing the very latest advances in high-technology, high-fidelity audio equipment in Canada. More than 300 brands will present their latest innovations from music streamers and high-quality headphones to cables, tweaks, loudspeakers, turntables, and much more! Immerse yourself in the exclusive "Prohibition Night" at the Montréal Audiofest. Montreal Audiofest invites you to experience the unique "Musical Wine Tour"! Embark on an exclusive private tour of six prestigious exhibitors, where each group of eight to ten participants will be guided by a sommelier.
---> Montreal Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Report.

01 / 21 / 25

Part 10: Best Of Capital Audiofest 2024 Blue Note Awards
Plus Honorable Mentions to great-sounding high-end audiophile gear.
Capital Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
After 452 photos and over 41k words of copy submitted for Parts 1 though 9, it's time to salute some of the Best Rooms and make some Honorable Mentions. This has been the hardest Part of my chronicles to write. Not only were there 125 rooms, 15 tables, and 17 booths listed (though a couple of rooms were no-shows and I missed one other room, and some of the booths in the Atrium were filed at the last minute while others remained empty), but good sound quality and musicality were easy to find. We all have our personal sense of what constitutes those values and I won't go down that rabbit hole. I encourage you to read the summaries of other journalists for comparison. We don't all think or listen alike, nor do the manufacturers.
---> Part 10: Best Of Capital Audiofest 2024 Blue Note Awards.

01 / 20 / 25

Florida International Audio Expo 2025 Show In Tampa
In about two months, the Florida International Audio Expo 2025 takes place from February 21st through 23rd at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon, the event's new, and larger, venue. The Florida International Audio Expo will showcase many floors filled with exhibit spaces featuring the latest in home and portable audio gear. You may enjoy an abundance of great sound from mono to stereo and immersive, plus various exhibit room will feature never before seen new products! Show attendees are the world's first to experience many of the best new high-performance, hi-resolution modern audio products. With many floors and large conference rooms of demonstrations to explore, attendees can experience luxurious immersive premium audio electronics, loudspeakers, turntables, and high-end audio headphones produced by manufacturers from all around the world.

The 2025 Florida International Audio Expo is within easy driving distance to local attractions including Disneyworld, Tampa Busch Gardens, and the Florida Aquarium. Don't forget about Universal Studios, and of course NASA to see a SpaceX rocket launch or two! Yes, you and your family may see a SpaceX rocket launch live and in person. Let's not forget that America's #1 beach is close by too, and February is excellent weather in Florida (we promise you no cold snow)! The Sheraton Tampa Brandon provides an elevated experience, plus you can use their complimentary shuttle to any destination within three miles of the hotel. This includes the popular Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Westfield Brandon, and the Florida State Fairgrounds. Learn more at our Florida International Audio Expo 2025 (FIAE 2025) show report page.

01 / 17 / 25

FireAid Benefit Concert On January 30th
The FireAid Benefit Concert is set to take place on January 30 (2025) at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. This star-studded event will feature performances by Lil Baby, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Gwen Stefani, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many others. The concert aims to raise funds for the communities affected by the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families, and advancing fire prevention technologies. No word about this benefiting those in North Carolina or Florida, who have also greatly suffered from recent devastation due to weather events. SoCal's FireAid Benefit Concert will be broadcast live on various platforms, including Apple Music, Apple TV, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix / Tudum, Paramount+, Prime Video, and YouTube beginning at 6pm PST. Tickets will go on sale on January 22, 2025, via Ticketmaster.

This event is to showcase an evening of music and solidarity. The FireAid Benefit Concert will be held at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum on January 30th dedicated to rebuilding communities that have been devastated by wildfires. Contributions made to FireAid in connection with the FireAid benefit concert and other direct donations will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation and will be distributed for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California. The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in our community, including rapid response, will help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact. Both concerts will operate at the same time at Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. Tickets are only valid for the single venue that you selected when you purchased your ticket(s).

01 / 16 / 25

How A Vinyl LP Record Is Made
We tour Quality Record Pressings / Acoustic Sounds vinyl LP pressing plant.
Video By Steven R. Rochlin
Enjoy the Music.com presents to you our tour of the Quality Record Pressings (Acoustic Sounds) vinyl LP pressing plant. We join plant manager Gary and owner Chad Kassem as they take us on a step-by-step journey through how a vinyl LP record is produced. Creative Director of Enjoy the Music.com Steven R. Rochlin guides you on his Quality Vinyl Pressings factory tour to learn how they produce a vinyl LP. There are many steps that go into making the perfect album, and it is fascinating how a puck of specialized material creates your favorite music on vinyl LP. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... Enjoy the music!
---> Learn How A Vinyl LP Record Is Produced.

Nagra Tube DAC And Classic PSU Power Supply Review
Sonic glory... worth it!
Review By Tom Lyle
Nagra is a Swiss audio equipment manufacturer that has been in business for over 65 years. Their professional portable tape records were an industry standard for many decades, even appearing as props in many films and television shows. Their reputation was rock-solid even before they started manufacturing high-end audio equipment in the 21st Century. Because of this, and because of the fine high-end audio components they've been designing and manufacturing since 2012, I suppose there are many audiophiles, and plenty of non-audiophile, who might add the Nagra Tube DAC and its matching Classic PSU power supply to their systems without an audition, or without reading reviews on the subject.
---> Nagra Tube DAC And Classic PSU Power Supply Review.

01 / 15 / 25

audioXpress' February 2025 Issue
Editorial: Love It Or Hate It, 2025 Is About AI
mh acoustics Eigenmike em64 Sixth-Order Ambisonics Microphone
Sony MDR-M1 Closed Monitor Professional Headphones
Getting Out Of The Ear
A New Op-Amp For Phono Preamps Part 1 — The Design
Modern Op-Amp Distortion Tests Part 2
MEMS Microphones In The Age Of AI
An In-Depth Look At WMAS
Sabine, Models, And Measurements
The Legendary Dynaco ST-70 And ST-70 II Tube Power Amps
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "There was so much we had planned to talk about in this issue of audioXpress... But as always, there's only a certain number of pages. We will definitely be coming back to the topic of microphones this year, given that a lot is happening in "conventional" and wireless microphones. And likewise, we will need to cover so much of what is happening in artificial intelligence (AI) and microphone integration for audio processing. Just as we are sending this issue to the printers, pre-CES news in this field continues to flow. In this issue's Market Update, we have discussed developments in the cutting-edge MEMS microphone space that represents a massive amount of business when it comes to capturing sound sources for recording or transmission. But that doesn't mean that the established non-MEMS microphone manufacturers have been sitting still. In 2024, we have seen important new designs and a lot of innovations that challenge established models in use."
---> audioXpress February 2025 Issue.

01 / 14 / 25

HDMI Version 2.2 For Hi-Res Immersive Audio And Video
The HDMI Forum, comprised of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers, mobile devices, cables, and components, has announced Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification. The new HDMI Specification delivers enhanced options for the vast HDMI ecosystem, with more advanced solutions to create, distribute, and experience the best end-user outcome. New technology enables higher quality options now and in the future for content producers while enabling multiple distribution platforms. Higher 96 Gbps bandwidth and next-generation HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology provide optimal lossless immersive Hi-Res Audio and modern video for a wide range of device applications.

Faster 96Gbps bandwidth improves demanding data-intensive, immersive audio and virtual applications such as AR / VR / MR, spatial reality and light field displays as well as various commercial applications such as large scale digital signage, medical imaging and machine vision. Also included is Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) for improving audio and video synchronization, especially for multiple-hop system configurations. The new specification will be available to all HDMI 2.x Adopters and they will be notified when it is released in H1 2025.

01 / 13 / 25

2025 Grammy Awards In Los Angeles
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, promises to be a night of celebration and resilience. While we all feel for the many who have been affected by the ongoing Southern California fires that have ravaged the city, the Recording Academy and CBS are still determined to proceed with the event, albeit with some adjustments. The wildfires, which have caused significant damage and forced thousands of residents to evacuate, have put a strain on the city's resources. However, the Grammy Awards are in discussions to potentially pivot the broadcast to a fundraiser, with proceeds going towards rebuilding efforts and supporting displaced families. In response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the Recording Academy and MusiCares pledged $1,000,000 to aid music professionals.

Among the night's highlights will be the much-anticipated performances and the announcement of winners across 94 categories. Notable nominees include vocal dynamo Shemekia Copeland, who is up for three awards, and established artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who continue to break records and set new standards in the industry. The event will also feature a special benefit concert hosted by MusiCares, the Grammys' foundation, aimed at aiding music professionals in need. This concert, along with other fundraising efforts, underscores the music community's commitment to supporting those affected by the wildfires. As the city of Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the fires, the Grammy Awards stand as a testament to the resilience and unity of the music industry. The night will not only celebrate artistic achievements but also honor the strength and solidarity of a community coming together in the face of adversity.

01 / 10 / 24

American Music Tourism Act Of 2024
The American Music Tourism Act of 2024 (S.4212) was introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) in April 2024. The bill aims to promote music tourism across the United States by amending the Visit America Act of 2022. It passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 31, 2024, and was unanimously approved by the Senate on December 5, 2024. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism is tasked with identifying and promoting key music tourism locations and events across the United States. This includes music museums, studios, festivals, and concert venues. The Act also aims to boost both domestic and international travel to music-related destinations. It emphasizes rural and culturally rich destinations as prime locations for hosting international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

Music tourism is a growing industry, valued at $5.5 billion in 2022 and projected to more than double by 2030. The Act seeks to rejuvenate the music industry and celebrate the rich musical heritage of various communities. The Assistant Secretary is required to periodically report to Congress on the activities and progress related to promoting music tourism. Senator Blackburn highlighted the significant impact of music tourism on the economy and culture of Tennessee, home to iconic musical landmarks such as Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry, and Dollywood. She emphasized the importance of promoting music tourism to ensure fans from around the world can celebrate the rich history of music. By promoting music tourism, the Act not only enhances economic growth but also preserves and celebrates the musical heritage that defines many communities across the United States. It addresses the declining percentage of international visitors to the United States while bolstering domestic travel. The American Music Tourism Act of 2024 represents supporting the music industry and promoting cultural tourism. By supporting and increasing music tourism, the Act aims to create a positive economic impact and celebrate the rich musical heritage of the United States.

01 / 09 / 24

Occasional Column: The Musical Point Of View
Audio systems are communicators - not just modes of communication.
Article By Jules Coleman
The audio community is a community – actually, many overlapping and intersecting ones. Like other communities, its members share norms, support and encourage excellence in one another, celebrate achievements, mourn losses, welcome new additions, and more. Communities communicate. This is an obvious truth; perhaps even a banal one. It's not always bad to be obvious or banal, however. After all, 'obvious truths' come in two varieties: those so obvious they require no defense or argument in their favor; and those that are obvious only after the argument for them has been made. And while many banalities are simply that, the history of ideas is basically a catalog of great works expanding on apparent banalities.
---> Occasional Column: The Musical Point Of View.

Chad Kassem Discusses Steely Dan's Aja UHQR Vinyl LP
An exciting recording and reissue discussion with Fagen, Grundman, Schnee, Kassem, and Kaplan.
Video By Acoustic Sounds
Thanks to Analogue Productions owner Chad Kassem, we're bringing you this curated video discussing the new UHQR 45 rpm vinyl LP release of Steely Dan's legendary Aja recording. We get a rare opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes info! We also enjoy learning more about the classic Steely Dan Aja on UHQR clarity vinyl. Within the video, none other than Donald Fagen reminisces with award-winning recording engineer Bill Schnee, mastering engineer Bernie Grundman, and the Tracking Angle's Fred Kaplan, plus Analogue Productions' own Chad Kassem. Steely Dan enthusiasts rejoice! Bonus video as Bernie Grundman revisits Aja. We're especially overjoyed to present the below video with legendary audio engineer Bernie Grundman.
---> Chad Kassem Discusses Steely Dan's Aja UHQR Vinyl LP.

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