For 15 years the SoundStage! Network has been the audio industry’s leader when it comes to providing on-the-spot coverage from hi-fi events around the world. The SoundStage! Network is currently covering High End 2013 in Munich, Germany, with photos and features being uploaded to SoundStage! Global as the event happens. SoundStage! Global is the SoundStage! Network’s purpose-built site for event reporting, company tours, and blogging.
The initial coverage of High End 2013 has begun and will continue daily throughout the show, which runs May 9-12. Be sure to check SoundStage! Global often to get the latest updates.
Nordost has introduced its Valhalla 2 reference cable range at High End 2013 in Munich, Germany. The latest range consists of analog, digital, and tonearm interconnects, as well as loudspeaker and power cables. The new Valhalla 2 range uses upgraded Dual Mono-Filament technology, along with an innovative proprietary connector called the HOLO:PLUGTM. The HOLO:PLUGTM is a patent-pending connector that, according to the company, was designed to be the best possible interface between the cable and the component.
The Valhalla 2 analog interconnects use Dual Mono-Filament technology with ten silver-plated, 24AWG, oxygen-free copper conductors. The cable is available in single-ended and balanced versions and is terminated with proprietary HOLO:PLUGTM RCA or XLR connectors. The retail price is $6499.99 for a .6m pair. Valhalla 2 loudspeaker cables use Dual Mono-Filament technology with 28 silver-plated, 22AWG, oxygen-free copper conductors. The cable is available to be terminated with new gold-plated HOLO:PLUGTM spade connectors or gold-plated Nordost Z Plug bananas. The retail price is $9599.99 for a 1.25m pair.
For turntable users, Nordost has introduced a dedicated tonearm cable priced at $4499.99 for a 1.25m length. For digital applications there are two solutions: a 75-ohm Valhalla 2 digital cable terminated with a BNC connector for best impedance matching (supplied with a gold-plated BNC/RCA adapter) and a 110-ohm dual conductor Valhalla 2 AES/EBU terminated with a balanced Neutrik XLR connector. Each retails for $3299.99 for a 1.25m length. The Valhalla 2 power cord uses Dual Mono-Filament technology with seven silver-plated, 16AWG, oxygen-free copper conductors. It is terminated with the new carbon fiber HOLO:PLUGTM IEC in 15A and 20A versions. It is $4999.99 for a 1m length.
According to Joe Reynolds, president of Nordost, “The new Valhalla 2 cable series concept has been in the planning stages for two years. Since its introduction 13 years ago, our original Valhalla cable has been extremely successful. It has become a benchmark for performance in our industry. However, time marches on and we have developed new production techniques that improve the quality and precision of our manufacturing process. The Valhalla 2 cables use our Dual Mono-Filament technology, as well as our new line of proprietary HOLO:PLUGTM connectors.” Mr. Reynolds went on to say, “The combination of our Dual Mono-Filament technology, coupled with the groundbreaking HOLO:PLUGTM connectors, makes this new cable series unbeatable in terms of musical performance. The qualities of the HOLO:PLUGTM connector perfectly match Nordost’s philosophy of low-mass design, optimal signal transfer, and perfect impedance matching. There’s always a solution.”
Germany’s annual High End event is Europe’s largest specialty-audio show for trade and consumers. This year’s event is held May 9-12 at the Munich Order Center (MOC). May 9 is only open to members of the trade, but May 10-12 is open to consumers.
The SoundStage! Network team is already in Munich preparing to cover this prestigious event for SoundStage! Global, our site specifically designed for event coverage, company tours, and blogging by selected authors. Updates will go on SoundStage! Global during each day of the event, and links to all the updates will be uploaded to Twitter and Facebook, so follow us on Twitter or Like our Facebook page to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Salon Son & Image (aka the Montreal Hi-Fi Show) is Canada’s longest-running and best-known specialty audio show. Salon Son & Image 2013 was held March 21-24 and the SoundStage! Network team was there reporting on it, with the coverage appearing on SoundStage! Global as the event happened.
This month, the Best of Salon Son & Image 2013 winners were announced and featured in SoundStage! Hi-Fi in an article written by Doug Schneider, the SoundStage! Network’s founder and publisher. The article features the best new products and the best systems. Visit now to find out who the winners are.
“The Best of Salon Son & Image 2013” on SoundStage! Hi-Fi
The SoundStage! Network is pleased to announce the introduction of the “Top Products” downloads -- high-resolution PDFs, usually one-page long, featuring the award-winning products (Reviewers’ Choice, Select Component, and Great Buy) that were reviewed on one of the sites of the SoundStage! Network that month. The high-resolution PDFs not only look great printed, they are also linked so that they can be clicked for direct access to the award-winning product's review. All downloads stream from the SoundStage! Network portal site located at soundstagenetwork.com and soundstage.com (see Top Products menu item).
Currently, “Top Products” downloads are available for January, February, and March of this year. New downloads will be put online at the end of each month.
Well-known UK-based loudspeaker manufacturer KEF has entered the headphone market by introducing two new models: the over-the-ear M500 and the in-ear M200. The M500 has a 40mm full-range driver with a neodymium magnet system and a CCAW (copper-clad aluminum wire) voice coil. The M500’s all-aluminum frame folds and the earpads are said to be sweat resistant and breathable. The M200 employs the company’s DDD (Dual Dynamic Driver) technology -- it use 10mm and 5.5mm drivers with a crossover. The driver housing is made from aluminum, which resists resonances, and the silicone-based ear tips are said to adapt to the ear canal for a comfortable fit. Both models come with protective cases and flight adapters for traveling, and are said to be compatible with Apple products.
The M500 and M200 retails for $299.99 and $199.99, respectively. Both models are available now.
Logitech has announced the expansion of its universal remote control lineup with the Logitech Harmony Ultimate and the Logitech Harmony Smart Control. Both products feature Logitech’s Harmony Hub and Harmony smartphone app to enable closed-cabinet control and one-touch entertainment access to game consoles from a universal remote or smartphone. The Harmony Hub takes personalizing activities a step farther into home control with an ability to program Philips Hue lights to the desired brightness and color with a tap on the Logitech Harmony Ultimate.
“We’ve elevated the universal remote to the next level, taking a personalized approach to home entertainment,” said Joerg Tewes, vice president of Logitech’s digital home business group at Logitech. “Furthermore, our Harmony product line is no longer just about entertainment access -- we’ve designed the Logitech Harmony Ultimate so you can also control your home’s lighting. Now you can tune the TV, start a movie and adjust your lights to set the mood, with the touch of your finger.”
Able to control up to 15 devices, the Logitech Harmony Ultimate is a fully featured remote with a 2.4" color touch-screen that enables no-look control over television programs, movies and music by using swipes and taps. The Logitech Harmony Smart Control and Harmony smartphone app turn an iOS or Android phone into a universal remote, giving one personalized control of up to eight devices from anywhere in the house using an already-owned smartphone, plus, it includes a simple remote control without a screen for times when a smart phone isn’t handy.
The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is expected to be available in the US and Europe in April 2013, for a suggested retail price of $349.99 USD. The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is expected to be available in the US and Europe in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $129.99. The Logitech Harmony smartphone app will be available at as the remotes debut, for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Legacy Audio has introduced the Goliath XD subwoofer, their "deepest-performing subwoofer yet," which features two 15” bass drivers, two 15” passive radiators, 1000W of internal amplification, and 24-bit digital signal processing.
The Goliath XD’s bass drivers utilize a Silver/Graphite/Rohacell composite diaphragm and a vented motor structure, while the two 15” custom-weighted passive radiators provide deep extension without port noise.
The Goliath XD also employs a Xilica XP-4080 digital processor. This four-input, eight-output, 32-bit DSP unit allows for low-pass crossover settings with slopes ranging from 6 to 48dB/octave. A pair of Goliath XDs can be used with one processor alongside the company's Aeris or Whisper XD loudspeakers. The provided algorithm is said to precisely mate the response of the long-excursion 15” drivers to the enclosure tuning frequency set by twin weighted 15” passive radiators. Eight parametric filters can be adapted to assure accurate room power response. The DSP adds a synchronization feature to align up to four subwoofers in time. Each of the woofers is powered by a 500W ICEpower module and utilizes a power-saver feature when not in use.
The Goliath XD's frequency Response is said to be 12-150Hz. The dimensions are 40.125”H x 18.125”W x 19.125”D and it is available in a variety of finishes. The retail price for the Goliath XD starts at $9950 USD.