Audio Video News

NAD Viso HP30 Headphone, $229

NAD has done it again. The Viso HP30’s plush midrange and punchy bass supply a visceral kick that’s beyond the reach of most on-ear headphones—especially ones this compact. As reviewer Steve Guttenberg put it: “The HP30…kicks harder than any audiophile-oriented on-ear I’ve heard to date.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
A crisply styled, downright elegant design
Sweet balance takes edge off harsh recordings
Hinged headband allows for compact storage
Minus
Highish ear pad pressure, comfort issues

Full Review Here

 

Wharfedale Diamond 220 Speaker System, $1,546

The Wharfedale legacy is alive and well in this gem of a speaker system. Bottom line: The Diamond 220 looks and sounds far better than its modest price tag would suggest. As reviewer Mark Fleischmann put it: “These are the best budget speakers I’ve heard in a long time. They are amazingly transparent for their price. With the right content, they are sweet and euphonic (though they don’t disguise substandard content).”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb sound for price
Bottom port cuts unwanted noise
Dressy cosmetics
Minus
Odd binding-post layout

Full Review Here

Sony PS-HX500 Hi-Res USB Turntable, $599

This is no ordinary USB turntable. With analog and digital outputs, and a built-in phono preamp, the Sony PS-HX500 has everything you need to bring your vinyl collection into the 21st century. Not only that but this manual belt-drive table is the only one we know of that spits out Hi-Res DSD and PCM files. How cool is that?

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Good-quality manual belt-drive turntable
Built-in hi-res analog-to-digital converter
Built-in phono preamp
Simple user setup
Minus
Additional software needed to play recorded files
Manual metadata collection for recorded files

Full Review Here