Category: Speakers
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AXPONA 2022 Friday Recap: Highlights From The Big Rooms! Focal, ATC, Luxman
DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Shows, Speakers, StreamingOne of my favorite parts of going to an audio show are the big rooms or ballroom/meeting rooms. Big rooms usually mean large systems, with six-foot-tall speakers and mini fridge-sized power amps. Sometimes they don’t sound as good as the smaller rooms because it’s hard to dial in a system in the middle of a…
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AXPONA 2022: Coolest Stuff From Day One At The Biggest Hi-Fi Show!
DACs, First Impressions, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, News, Portable Audio, Power Amps, Preamps, Shows, Speakers, VideosOne of the best things about going to an audio show like AXPONA is coming across extraordinary or unconventional stuff. A big part of designing hi-fi is coming up with new ways of doing things, and as a result, you often see some cool stuff. Here’s a list of the coolest stuff I saw on…
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AXPONA 2022: The Biggest Audiophile Audio Show Is Back And Buzzing!
It’s been a long time, but the big one is back. AXPONA opened its doors to the public this morning, and I was so happy to be there! When I attended AXPONA back in April of 2019, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have to wait three years until the next…
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The Ultimate Guide To Affordable Home Stereo Systems
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, News, Reviews, Software, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessWhen you talk about Home Stereo or Hi-Fi systems, they can come in many different forms. It can range from a single powered speaker with a pair of drivers set in a stereo configuration (like the Andover Audio Spinbase), all the way to pre-power separates (like the PS Audio Stellar line) with a massive set…
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Get Groovin’ Right Away With This Budget Audiophile Vinyl Turntable Setup!
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, Headphone Amps, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessAfter years of decline, playing records has become a fun and interactive way to enjoy old musical favorites and discover new music. I especially love the new colored vinyl pressings, which add interest to your collection. You may think putting together a Budget Audiophile Turntable Setup is difficult. However, the wide variety of powered speaker…
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Meze Audio’s New $699 Dynamic Earphones Are A Sight To Behold!
Inspired by nature, the new $699 ADVAR IEM from Meze Audio is a beauty, boasting a curvy stainless steel housing meant to be regarded as artwork. Utilizing a 10.2 mm single dynamic driver, it’s also designed to be easy to drive and easy to listen to with a warm, laid-back sound. The name ADVAR comes…
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The Best (Our Favorite) Budget Audiophile Gear Right Now: Headphones, Speakers, Amps, DACs, Etc.
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Power Amps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessWe’re fortunate to have a lot of affordable high-end audio or budget audiophile gear pass through our doors regularly. Out of that group, there are some components that we fall in love with instantly. Usually, this is because they sound extraordinarily musical or they’re remarkably practical. Or both. We call these items our “Favorites.” Here’s…
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Polk Monitor XT20 Review: These Budget Audiophile Bookshelf Speakers Are Spellbinding!
TL;DR They may not be the prettiest speaker, but the Polk Monitor XT20 provides a solid build and engaging sound quality for a bargain price. Intro There’s no shortage of reviews and evaluations when a super-expensive flagship speaker comes out. But when a $299/pair speaker comes out, you always have to look hard for any…
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Stereo Integrated Amplifier Buyers Guide (2023)
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, News, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Power Amps, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessWhen building an affordable hi-fi system, we usually recommend putting a quality integrated stereo amp at its heart. They typically provide the best mix of power and fidelity for the money. The Integrated Amplifier, a combination of pre-amp and amplifier, will play traffic cop for your sources (Streamer, CD Player, Turntable, etc.), boost the signal…
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The Ultimate Home Speaker Buying Guide For Audiophiles (2023)
Helping You Choose The Best Audiophile Speakers For Your Home! When building a hi-fi system, speakers are very important. They make the biggest impact on your systems sound. They are like a window to the rest of the system, and the more “transparent” they the more you can “see” what is coming from the rest…
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Triangle Releases Updated Version Of Their Impressive AIO 3 Multiroom Speaker, New Finishes, Software Updates
Back in 2019, we reviewed Triangle Hi-Fi’s AIO 3 Multiroom Speaker, and we loved it. We found it a “beautiful piece of equipment” with “sound quality a cut above” mainstream speaker systems like SONOS. At the time, the only issue we had with it was a lack of support for Amazon Music in the companion…
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Play All The Best Music Streaming Services On This Stellar Budget Audiophile System!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, News, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessHere at HI-FI Trends, we believe that high-end audio doesn’t necessarily mean high-priced audio. We say high-end audio is a function of design not price. Today, you can find a lot of capable budget components that are designed to satisfy audiophile sensibilities. Also with the current global economies of scale you can get more for…
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Start Listening Right Away With This Super Affordable “Just-Add-Speakers” Hi-Fi System!
Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessSetup is quick and easy with this Best Streaming Amplifier/Best Bookshelf Speaker combo! Have you ever heard of the K.I.S.S. principle? K.I.S.S. started as a U.S. Navy acronym for “Keep It Simple Stupid,” meant to convey that most systems work best when you design them simply. When it comes to Hi-Fi, there are some advantages…
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Best Audiophile Speaker Deals: Save $500 On A Pair Of KEF LS50 Wireless II, $100 On New Polk Reserve R200
Looking for a discount on new audiophile-oriented speakers? Well, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to! This week there’s an excellent deal on the much-loved KEF LS50 Wireless Bookshelf Speakers, which Amazon has on sale for $2,299. That’s $500 off the regular price, and the cheapest price we’ve seen on them so far,…
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Q Acoustics’ M20 HD Wireless Music System Now Available In Two New Stylish Finishes!
Q Acoustics’ technologically advanced $599 M20 HD wireless music system is now available in two new sophisticated finishes. This powered speaker system arrives in a new matte white or vintage walnut veneer, joining the original matte black model. Matching optional speaker stands complete the set-up. The M20 system features aptX HD Bluetooth connectivity for wireless “high-resolution”…
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Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers Under $1000! (2022)
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Software, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessBuying a pair of Powered Bookshelf Speakers is a quick and easy way to start an affordable hi-fi system. With these speakers, a good portion of the work has been done for you, as the amplification is provided and matched to the speakers, plus in some cases, matched sources are provided as well. All you…
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Best Budget Hi-Fi Speakers (2022)
Best Buys, Budget, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, Power Amps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, VideosWhen you build a hi-fi system, the speakers are probably the most important and the most difficult component to select. At the end of the day, it’s the speakers that allow the rest of the system to shine, and they also have the biggest impact on the overall character of the system. If you’re working…
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How To Build A Brilliant Budget Audiophile System In 5 Steps!
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Software, Speakers, VideosYou CAN build a wonderful budget audiophile setup! If you’re reading this, then that means you most likely care about music. Not just music, but high-quality reproduction of music. That’s basically what Hi-fi (short for high fidelity) is all about. It’s about putting together a group of audio components to make a recorded piece of…
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Andover Audio SpinDeck MAX Review: This User-Friendly, Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable Delivers!
TL;DR If you’re planning to buy Andover’s excellent SpinBase turntable speaker system, and you’re looking for a capable, fun, user-friendly turntable to match, the SpinDeck MAX is precisely what you’re looking for. Intro If you’re a regular reader of Hifitrends, then you know we’re big fans of the gear coming out of Andover Audio. They…
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Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver/AXC35 CD Player Review: This Affordable Hifi System Is Sensational!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessWondering what a hi-fi system is? Here’s your answer! Cambridge Audio has been making affordable yet robust amps and receivers for a long time now. My first proper high-end component, a modestly priced Azur 540A V2 integrated, was from them, and it held a special place in my hi-fi rack for a long time. That’s…
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