Mark Henninger

Soundbar Reviews
KEF Launches XIO Soundbar with 5.1.2 Spatial Audio
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 06, 2025
KEF has unveiled the XIO Soundbar ($2500), a 5.1.2-channel all-in-one system designed to bring the company’s HiFi pedigree to a living room-friendly surround-sound system. With 12 Class D amps delivering a combined 820W of power and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and AirPlay Spatial Audio, the XIO is engineered to turn flat-panel TV sound into full-scale immersive playback.
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Headphone Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Headphones Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 04, 2025

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $449

AT A GLANCE
Comfortable fit
Excellent sound
Physical button controls
Travel case
3.5mm adapter cable included

THE VERDICT
The S3 delivers 30-hour battery life, cutting-edge Bluetooth technology, and useful personalization while maintaining B&W's signature refined sound and premium feel. The combination of comfort, build quality, and features make these some of the best wireless headphones you can buy.

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New Products
Nothing and KEF Launch Co‑Branded Headphone (1)
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 02, 2025
Nothing and KEF have announced the release of Headphone (1), an over‑ear wireless headphone made possible by their new partnership. It is Nothing's first full‑size headphone and the first product in the "Sound by KEF" line.
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New Products
Marantz Debuts AV 20 & AMP 20
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 23, 2025
Marantz has expanded its high‑end home‑theatre roster with the AV 20 AV preamplifier and AMP 20 12‑channel power amplifier, aimed at enthusiasts who want the flexibility of separates without stepping up to the company’s flagship AV 10/AMP 10 duo.
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Audio Video News
MBL Stays Open, Seeks Investors After Insolvency Filing
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 21, 2025
Founded in 1979 and based out of Berlin, MBL is best known for its unique Radialstrahler omnidirectional loudspeakers. The company has entered insolvency proceedings in Germany, but the doors are still open. MBL states that "Nothing will change for MBL‘s customers, sales partners and service providers: sales will continue without restriction, orders will be accepted and processed reliably."
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New Products
Pocket Change, Full Range: LP10 Packs AirPlay 2 and Cast for $99
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 19, 2025
Arylic has opened preorders for the LP10, a $99 network music streamer slated to ship June 20.

The pocket-sized unit supports both AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, allowing multiroom playback with compatible devices. Arylic states that Cast streaming reaches 24-bit/96kHz, while the optical output handles up to 24-bit/192kHz. Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth 5.0, and DLNA/UPnP are also on board.

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New Products
Screen Innovations Releases Black Diamond Fusion ALR Screen
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 17, 2025
Screen Innovations has launched its Black Diamond Fusion ALR (Ambient Light Rejection) projection screen. It's now available for both commercial and residential use. First shown at CEDIA 2024, this screen delivers high-contrast visuals even in uncontrolled lighting.
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New Products
Kaleidescape Introduces Strato E Entry-Level 4K Movie Player
Mark Henninger  |  May 20, 2025
Kaleidescape has launched the Strato E ($2995). This new entry-level movie player is made for home, marine, and commercial theaters. The Strato E provides reference-quality 4K video output, supporting SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision formats.
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Audio Video News
Harman’s $350 Million Play: The Sound United Deal
Mark Henninger  |  May 07, 2025
Harman International, the Samsung-owned powerhouse behind JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, and Arcam, has agreed to buy Masimo’s Sound United division for $350 million in cash. If regulators sign off, the sale should close by the end of 2025—just three years after Masimo stunned the market by paying roughly $1.0 billion for the very same collection of brands. For home-theater enthusiasts, the headline isn’t the price swing; it’s what happens when Denon and Marantz AV receivers, Polk Audio and Definitive Technology speakers, Bowers & Wilkins luxury models, Classé electronics, Boston Acoustics, and the HEOS multi-room platform all move under the same roof as Samsung TVs and Harman’s own audio lineup.
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Headphone Reviews
Focal Hadenys & Azurys Headphones Review: Two Paths, One Foundation
Mark Henninger  |  May 02, 2025

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $749 (Hadenys, open-back); $599 (Azurys, closed-back)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
• Shared aluminum/magnesium “M-shaped” driver keeps voicing consistent
• Comfortable, lightweight build with replaceable cables and pads
• Hadenys delivers a wide, open stage; Azurys isolates well without obvious colorations
• Both offer deeper-than-expected bass extension for single-ended dynamic designs
Minus
• Azurys’ cups can warm up during long sessions
• Asking price edges above most feature-rich wireless competition

THE VERDICT
Focal’s Hadenys (open-back) and Azurys (closed-back) are fraternal twins that make the case for sticking with a proven mechanical recipe and letting enclosure design dictate personality. By removing wireless frills and matching every other component—driver, yoke, pads, cabling—Focal spotlights the audible trade-offs between ventilation and isolation. If you own one, you will immediately “get” the other; if you own both, you’ll rarely worry about choosing the wrong headphone for the occasion.

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