Industry news

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-15 Naim Mu-so Utopia combines Dolby Atmos playback, HDMI eARC and network music streaming in a single powered speaker. Announced on 15 October, it is priced at €5,000 in Europe, £4,499 in the UK and US$5,500, with distribution exclusive to Focal Powered by Naim stores; local stock needs checking. Naim specifies 15 drivers and 720W of combined amplification, including Focal W-cone midrange drivers and PRISM tweeters. AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect sit alongside optical input and HDMI eARC for TV audio. The ADAPT setup uses distances entered by the listener, so accurate room and seating measurements matter. Why it matters This puts music streaming and...

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-14 LG Sound Suite H7 is gaining DTS:X and Google Cast through software updates, while compatible Sound Suite configurations can now connect two W7 subwoofers. LG also announced support for 6 GHz Wi-Fi networks and expanded stereo configurations using 5 GHz DFS channels. Why it matters: For existing owners, this broadens the system's usefulness beyond its original Dolby Atmos FlexConnect proposition: more compatible soundtracks, another route for streaming music, and a second-subwoofer option. LG says the latter can improve bass consistency across seats; that is a manufacturer claim, not an AVforum measurement. There are important qualifications. Feature availability and rollout timing vary...

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-15 Sony has announced the NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 premium Walkman players for a November 2026 European launch. Suggested prices are €4,999 / £4,299 for the ZM3 and €2,499 / £2,099 for the AM3; this is planned availability, not confirmation of local stock. Both gain a larger 5.5-inch screen, revised power circuitry with two large capacitors, and updated S-Master HX processing with a look-ahead noise shaper. Sony also extends its DSD Remastering Engine to music streamed over Wi-Fi as well as downloaded tracks. The flagship uses a gold-plated copper chassis, while the AM3 combines an aluminium main chassis with a gold-plated copper rear section. Why it matters: These are dedicated-player updates...

Catch-up — original announcement: 15 October 2026. NAD has introduced the C 359S integrated amplifier and C 569 CD player. The amplifier combines Class AB output stages with built-in BluOS streaming and HDMI eARC for TV sound. NAD rates it at 70 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Connections include phono, analogue and optical inputs. A subwoofer output and optional high-pass filtering let a 2.1 system relieve the main speakers of deep-bass duties. The C 569 provides a separate CD source with an ESS SABRE DAC and analogue and digital outputs. NAD's announcement lists the amplifier as available in the US and Canada, with the CD player due in late November. Availability elsewhere needs local confirmation. Why it matters For a shared...

Perlisten published the following item: Experience PERLISTEN at Finest Audio Show Darmstadt 2026 Source link from Perlisten’s official news feed. Manufacturer statements and linked reviews have not been independently tested by AVforum.

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-07 MartinLogan’s USR51 is a slim 5.1-channel networked AV receiver designed to mount behind a television, fit inside an in-wall media box or occupy one rack unit with an optional kit. The company announced worldwide dealer availability starting in October, with a US price of $1,299.99; local stock and pricing should be checked separately. Developed with Anthem, it includes ARC Genesis room correction. MartinLogan rates its amplification at 50W per channel into 8 ohms or 92W into 4 ohms. Streaming support includes Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth, alongside IP and IR control for custom installations. Why it matters For rooms where receiver depth prevents a...

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-05 Samsung's SmartThings update adds a direct local connection between the phone app and compatible hubs, including hub-enabled Samsung televisions. Its U.S. announcement is dated 5 October; the global release followed on 6 October. When a phone and hub share the same Wi-Fi network, commands can travel directly instead of passing through the cloud. Samsung says this helps retain control of connected devices during internet interruptions. Supported equipment includes SmartThings Station, V2, V3 and V4 hubs, plus hub-enabled Samsung TVs and Family Hub appliances, using the Android or iOS app. Why it matters For an AV room using SmartThings-connected lighting or other compatible controls...

Original announcement: 2026-10-08 Sony's ECM-AX10 is a USB-C microphone designed to record Eclipsa spatial audio for YouTube using a compatible smartphone. Announced on 8 October, it combines four omnidirectional capsules with Sony's Spatial Audio Video Tool app for recording, basic editing and export. The 24g microphone offers Ambisonics, headphone-oriented binaural and conventional stereo modes. Sony lists compatibility requirements of iOS 18 or Android 14 and later, plus USB-C; buyers should also check its tested-phone list. European availability is planned from October at approximately €199. Why it matters A compact capture-and-export workflow could make it easier for enthusiasts to create their own spatial recordings, rather...

Perlisten published the following item: Experience PERLISTEN at EXPO Stockholm 2026 Source link from Perlisten’s official news feed. Manufacturer statements and linked reviews have not been independently tested by AVforum.

Source: Alcons Audio — manufacturer announcement AVforum editorial note Alcons reports on its immersive audio demonstration at CEDIA Expo 2026 and the awards received there. This is a manufacturer recap, not an independent AVforum review. Original source published: 10 September 2026. Added to AVforum: 24 September 2026. Read the original announcement at Alcons Audio This source link was collected by AVforum. The guest byline is supplied by the RSS feed; it does not mean the source author posted on AVforum. AVforum publisher Jon-Eivind Lygren is affiliated with DreamScreen, a participant in the demonstration. Manufacturer statements have not been independently tested by AVforum.

Original announcement: 2026-10-06 TDM has announced U.S. availability for its $249 Neo headphones, whose headband twists to turn them into a portable Bluetooth speaker. The new development is the U.S. sales rollout, following earlier pre-orders, rather than a first unveiling of the design. The manufacturer specifies four 40mm drivers: two facing inward for headphone use and two facing outward for speaker mode, with five watts per side. It claims over 200 hours of headphone playback or 16 hours as a speaker, and lists Bluetooth 6.0 plus separate headphone and speaker EQ controls in the companion app. Why it matters Combining personal and shared listening could reduce the number of devices carried on a trip. The trade-offs deserve...

Catch-up — Original announcement: 2026-10-06 SkyShowtime is launching on Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp televisions across 22 European markets, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Titan OS announced the integration on 6 October, bringing access to the subscription service directly from compatible TVs' home screens. For owners whose television previously lacked the app, this offers an alternative to switching to an external streaming device. The announcement covers Titan OS equipment specifically; it should not be read as a compatibility statement for every Philips or Sharp television. Why it matters App availability can determine whether a TV's built-in platform is useful for everyday viewing. This rollout expands that...