The SoundStage! Network has completed its coverage of High End 2011 held May 19-22 in Munich, Germany. The coverage, which includes reports, photos, and high-definition videos, can be found on SoundStageGlobal.com, the SoundStage! Network's special show-reporting site. This event marks the first time that the SoundStage! Network shot and published videos at an event. The videos stream from YouTube in resolutions up to 1080p and can be found within the show coverage area of SoundStageGlobal.com or on the SoundStage! Network YouTube channel.
The SoundStage! Network’s coverage of High End 2011 in Munich has begun on SoundStageGlobal.com. High End is Europe’s largest annual specialty audio/video event that is open to industry personnel, press, and consumers. High End 2011 runs May 19-22 at the Munich Order Center. The SoundStage! Network team is in Munich right now at this exciting event, providing on-the-spot coverage that includes reports, photos, and streaming high-definition videos. Follow the action in Munich online with the SoundStage! Network, the worldwide leader in specialty audio/video show reporting.
The annual High End show, put on by Germany’s High End Society, runs this year from May 19 to 22 and is held in Munich, Germany. The event is held at the Munich Order Center (MOC) and showcases audio brands from around the world. High End is only open to the trade and press on May 19, but is open to the public on the remaining three days of the show.
The SoundStage! Network team will be on hand the entire time providing reports, photos, and videos every day. Look for coverage on SoundStageGlobal.com to begin on May 19. SoundStageGlobal.com is the SoundStage! Network’s special show-reporting site that also features archived coverage of CES 2011 and Salon Son & Image 2011, as well as factory tours of JL Audio, Coda Technologies, and Magico.
Magico showed the Q1 loudspeaker in prototype form at CES 2011, but the High End 2011 show held next week in Munich, Germany, will mark the loudspeaker’s official debut. The Q1 is the entry-level model in the company’s Q-series loudspeaker line and has been designed to improve upon the company’s popular Mini II loudspeaker.
The Q1 is a stand-mounted, two-way design featuring Magico’s proprietary 1” MBe-1 beryllium-dome tweeter and 7” Nano-Tec mid-woofer in an all-aluminum enclosure with extensive bracing inside. The Q1's frequency response is rated as 32Hz to 50kHz, and the sensitivity is said to be 86dB (1W/1m). According to Magico’s May 10 press release: “Tireless driver development has yielded two new drive units allowing for better power handling and an additional 7Hz of bass extension than the venerable Mini II. Continued research into the damping mechanism used in the Q platform has also resulted in addressing the common problem of resonance in the stand mount. Instead of attempting to add mass to the stand and decoupling the speaker, the Q1 is directly coupled and the stand itself is a damping mechanism.”
The Q1 will retail for $24,950 per pair when it’s available in the third quarter of this year.
Last week, the SoundStage! Network released the first of three videos from their JL Audio factory tour done in February, 2011. A photo-based tour can be found on SoundStageGlobal.com. The remaining two videos in the series were released this week.
JL Audio makes audio products for home, mobile, marine, and power-sports applications and is based in Miramar, FL, USA. The videos show inside the JL factory and give tremendous insight into how the company’s home subwoofer products are built and tested. All three videos can be accessed through the “Videos” tab on this site or by typing SoundStageV.com into your browser. All SoundStage! Network videos stream from YouTube and can be watched in resolutions up to high-definition 720p.
Daniel Weiss has introduced the Medea+ DAC, which is an upgrade from his previous flagship, the Medea. The Swiss-made Medea+ features eight operational amplifiers custom-designed by Weiss, along with a host of digital inputs and options. According to Weiss, there are "three AES/EBU inputs on XLR connectors, and one on TosLink (optical). In addition, each of the four inputs also has an S/PDIF (RCA) connector. Sampling frequencies can be 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz. Inputs 1 and 2 can be used for the dual-wire scheme of transferring 88.2kHz to 192kHz data. All inputs accept up to 24 bits of data word length." Optional inputs include FireWire and ST glass fiber. Analog outputs include XLR and RCA connectors with an output level switch. A photo of the Media+ DAC's main board is shown in the accompanying photo.
The physical construction of the Medea+ is also quite impressive. According to Weiss, "The Medea+ employs a twin metal frame. The inner chassis is made of steel for effective shielding against electrostatic and electromagnetic radiation. The outer frame is individually made to our exacting standards from massive anodized aluminum for additional shielding, heat convection, and of course stunning looks."
The Weiss Medea+ retails for $20,000.
Audio Research Corporation has released the new Reference 150 stereo power amplifier. According to Audio Research’s April 28 press release: “[The Reference 150] is powered by two matched quads of new Russian KT120 output tubes driven by 6H30 twin triodes. There is more than ample multistage solid-state regulation. Output stage coupling is a combination of ‘Ultralinear’ and Audio Researchʼs patented ‘partially cathode-coupled’ topology, which is superior to conventional pentode or triode operation. . . . The REF150 is a fully-balanced design, so its inputs are balanced XLR only. It has a 20-amp IEC power connector, 4- 8- and 16-ohm output taps and 12V triggers arrayed on the rear panel.” The Reference 150 is rated to deliver 150Wpc into 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm loads. Internally, there is a small LCD display that indicates tube hours.
The Reference 150 is available now and comes in black or silver finishes. It is priced at $12,995 USD.
The SoundStage! Network produces informative videos under the SoundStage! V brand name (SoundStageV.com). The latest SoundStage! V video is the first of two parts in this series featuring the JL Audio factory in Miramar, Florida, USA. It was shot on February 23, 2011.
JL Audio makes audio products for home, mobile, marine, and power-sports use. The first part gives an introduction to JL Audio and also shows the fiberglass-fabricating and woodworking areas where products such as the Gotham g213 and Fathom IWS subwoofers are made. The second part will be online next week and will show inside the home-audio assembly area.
All SoundStage! V videos stream from YouTube and are available in a variety of resolutions up to high-definition 720p.