There’s a lot to be said for how many audio companies have struggled since 2020. And neither, because despite all sorts of challenges in terms of inflation, uncertain production, component shortages and poor logistics, there were bright spots too. There was, for example, the general public who invested in better sounds (and images). Some brands have also taken the time to reinvigorate themselves. It may just be an impression, but it makes recent products seem a little better refined and more stable.
Is active better?
“Active speakers are the future of hi-fi.” We have been hearing this statement for several years now and we partly share it. After all, there’s a lot to be said about it from a technical perspective. If an active loudspeaker has been designed correctly, the integrated amplifier and possible DSP are completely adapted to the housing and drivers used. This way you can theoretically get the most out of the components. With a separate amplifier and a passive speaker you always have two devices designed for universal use. Whether or not they will fit together? This must be clear. In short, two active speakers, again well designed, can sound better than many flagship sets. Something that, for example, the Focus line from Dynaudio or the LS60 Wireless from KEF really demonstrate. Not to mention the spectacular Kii systems.
Of course we don’t just write “two” speakers. When you consider hi-fi options are often more expensive than, for example, Sonos speakers, the big advantage is that they offer a true stereo experience as well as a different sound. Of course you have to connect two speakers together. The cheaper models therefore still have a cable between the two displays, the better products do it wirelessly. Technologies such as Kleernet or WiSA are used for this purpose.
The real reason why active speakers should appeal to music lovers is of course because it’s a complete system. Not many people want a large amount of equipment and cables, but they might be tempted by two speakers that only require a power cord. To make the recipe fully appealing to a large audience, active speakers should also have streaming on board. An increasing number of models also have a phono input.
But what exactly is the deal in terms of supply? First of all we must underline that some manufacturers have always offered active products. For example, the Focus line (of which the great Focus 50 received an EISA award) is the successor to the old Focus XD introduced by Dynaudio long ago. The new version is much more modern and includes the inclusion of room calibration and WiSA technology. You could even argue that KEF started this whole trend with the first LS50 Wireless. Or at least he did it in a way that caught the attention of a larger group of music lovers. Their true trendsetter is the LS60 Wireless. After all, this is not a passive speaker design into which an amplifier has simply been inserted. This is a revolutionary design that is only possible in active, DSP-controlled form.
Now we don’t expect a huge load of active products to suddenly arrive in 2024. But it can be expected that gradually all larger speaker manufacturers will also offer active alternatives in addition to the traditional models. Just look at how DALI is already addressing this problem. Even the fact that the very traditional Sonus faber presented the Duetto in 2023 (and it is certainly not the latest model) is a sign of the future. In the corridors we also hear that a very well-known loudspeaker brand will actively present something for the first time in Munich – and in a real flagship.
“For the moment we have mostly seen active loudspeakers, very similar to traditional loudspeakers,” thinks Cas Oostvogel from NAD. “Give it time and we will see completely new speaker designs that sound good and at the same time look completely different.”
Subwoofer in the elevator
“You can’t believe how many Perlisten subwoofers we’ve sold,” importer Viertron told us at the iEar’ Show. Really surprising, because Perlisten is a brand that builds really great subs. But once again, no. Because in more places we hear that more and more subscribers are arriving. Of being pushed along the counter; These are often quite heavy things to lift.
An interesting question is why so many subwoofers are suddenly being sold. One possible reason is that many amplifiers come with an HDMI-ARC port. These are hung on the television and often combined with the previous smaller speakers. When watching a movie, you may notice that bookshelf speakers aren’t as loud. Add a subwoofer and the experience becomes much more powerful. It’s at this point that they may also notice that most music sounds better with a good base of bass.
In any case there is more awareness of the advantages of a 2.1 system. More and more stereo amplifiers are equipped with a sub output, although they do not always have the necessary controls to integrate the subwoofer with the stereo speakers. This requires some knowledge and experience. Fortunately, there are more and more subwoofers that you can set up via an app. This is a great advantage because you can make corrections from where you are listening. Due to the interaction between the bass and the room, the perceived bass response differs from where you listen in the room.
When it comes to new products, there are notable developments that support the sub-hype. For example, Denon and Marantz have introduced AV receivers that can support up to four subwoofers. The NAD M66 is even a stereo product with four subwoofer outputs, perhaps the first in the world with so many sub outputs. Integrating four subwoofers is obviously even more challenging than one piece. That’s why these devices come with support for Dirac Live Bass Control, a separate software from the Swedish company Dirac that allows subwoofers to connect seamlessly to your speakers and room.
Is it any wonder that so many new subwoofers have appeared on the market? It’s not possible to list them all, but we would like to highlight two examples because they show that speaker manufacturers take subwoofers seriously. In both cases these are brands that have always released subs: ELAC and Monitor Adio. The German brand has launched a new Varro line in 2023 with no fewer than three sublines. Most can be fully fine-tuned via an app, there’s even a form of room calibration on board. With the Anthra line, Monitor Audio wants to take a step forward to establish itself as one of the leading subwoofer manufacturers. Because, rightly or not, speaker manufacturers that build subs don’t have the same image as specialized sub-brands, like REL or Sunfire. The big difference between ELAC and Monitor Audio is that their new subwoofers are not only smart, but they are also standalone products that you can combine with any speaker.
Dirac dominant
Both Onkyo and Denon/Marantz offer Dirac support on their latest AV receivers in addition to their own calibration function. It’s truly remarkable. These are brands that have long relied on software they selected themselves, in this case AccuEQ and Audyssey. But now they also offer Dirac, with or without a surcharge. This all has to do with the demand of the professional market and also with Dirac’s status as the ultimate solution to acoustic problems.
One naturally leads to the other. Thanks to the advertising hype, many installers discovered Dirac and took training courses to master the not-so-simple software. So it makes sense that that group would look for a receiver with Dirac on board for the next draft.
Dirac, for his part, also turns out to be very ambitious. In addition to Dirac Live Room Control (which the software usually refers to), there is also Live Bass Control. The company also recently introduced Dirac Live Active Room Treatment, a new software that, in addition to the speaker-level correction of the basic software, also intervenes acoustically allowing one speaker to compensate for a weakness in another. Just like the other two Dirac functions, it must be integrated into a processor or receiver, which is currently only the case with Storm Audio. But it will likely come to more brands in 2024.
Regardless of Dirac’s success, a more general trend is the recognition of the usefulness of room calibration. Such a feature for dealing with acoustic problems such as standing waves has long been unthinkable for hi-fi enthusiasts; in the world of home theater it was unthinkable not to use it. This recognition is also visible in mass-produced products. More and more soundbars are now equipped with a calibration function, at least in the higher segment.
Thanks, Swifties
These are truly exceptional numbers, but at the same time Swift is not the only artist who is causing vinyl sales to skyrocket. The biggest obstacle seems to be the scarcity of raw materials and the limited number of factories that can still produce vinyl, even if some are reopened here and there. Smaller, independent artists therefore have difficulty releasing their work on vinyl. Which is a shame, because a record like that can be beautifully packaged and thus earn the artist that little bit extra. For independents who don’t make a lot of money through streaming services, direct media sales are a real source of income.
In any case, what we see in the audio industry is a sharp increase in turntables and related equipment. It wasn’t that long ago that supply was relatively limited. Often it was a choice between very cheap or very expensive. A very wide assortment is available in stores today. It seems that new turntables costing around 1,000 euros have appeared more and more often. And also many other phono amplifiers, the devices you need if your amplifier does not have a phono input.
There is someone who must be happy that more and more young people are getting into vinyl: Heinz Lichtenegger, the head of Pro-Ject and perhaps the largest turntable manufacturer in the world. It’s crucial that they come into contact with a solid material that reproduces their vinyl well: “It’s really important to teach young consumers to appreciate a good analogue system. Otherwise they will buy junk on Amazon and be disappointed. Then we will lose them forever. We believe that the real sound and mechanical quality of turntables can fascinate people. Then they become vinyl ambassadors themselves.”
Software remains one thing
The audio and software industries have always proven to be a difficult combination. However, we’ve come a long way since the days of buggy apps that only worked with a specific model. On odd days and when the wind was coming from the right direction. Many hi-fi manufacturers now provide good apps or rely on the standard in that industry: Roon. Roon Ready, this must now be every hi-fi device aimed at serious music lovers. However, the requirements, including running a separate server and high licensing costs, mean that Roon remains a niche phenomenon. But influential in the hi-fi world. So it’s very good
How important is the app and associated software running on your audio device? One indication is how many people were counting down to the release of BluOS 4.0. It’s also telling that there were so many comments following the release of this major software update. It was really important for owners of devices with BluOS. And this is not surprising. Manufacturers have sometimes forgotten this in the past, but that interface and menus are (just like the remote control) how someone interacts with their audio device. If frustration arises at that point, even great sound quality won’t compensate for it in the long term.
Brands clearly believe this too. Bluesound released BluOS 4.0 later than expected because they really wanted to eliminate as many problems from the software as possible. The same goes for HEOS, which received a major update in late 2023. Masimo, the parent company of Denon and co., spent many months tinkering with the underlying code before offering a new interface with HEOS 3.0. You no longer need to target consumers with faulty software.
New names
In an industry steeped in tradition it is surprising that so many new names can emerge so quickly. This seems especially possible when it comes to DACs and streamers. This partly has to do with a sort of restlessness among some enthusiasts who seem to live mainly on the forums. A streamer of a new brand appears, competitively priced and with many functions. It quickly creates an advertising campaign and everyone has to have it. When something else comes up, the focus shifts completely to that. It’s surprising that brands that flood the market with cheaper products quickly switch to higher priced devices. There is something in return, such as better DAC implementations and larger housings. With speakers you mostly see the opposite: first the more expensive models, then perhaps the cheaper ones. This may be because in the speaker market it’s best to stand out with smart technology. And they are usually expensive. Consider, for example, the DRC triple tweeter setup from Perlisten, the big new name in loudspeakers.
There are a number of newcomers that have proven to offer added value. HiFi Rose from South Korea is one example. Initially, the brand seemed to want to distinguish itself primarily by placing large touchscreens on its streamers. Now it’s clear that their devices work well in other areas too. An interesting new entrant breaking into the streamer field is Eversolo, a division of China’s Zidoo, a larger company that has distinguished itself by building better media players. With its first DACs and streamers, Eversolo has quickly amassed a large fan base and we expect to hear more from them.
Is it time for artificial intelligence?
Another relatively new brand is Volumio. A name to keep an eye on, because this Italian company led by Michelangelo Guarise builds smart, affordable hardware that runs its own Volumio software. It all started with software, which you can still install for free on something like a Raspberry Pi. With devices like the Integro streaming amplifier and Rivo network transport, it has proven to have a lot to offer.
The interesting thing about Volumio is that it doesn’t offer just another streaming solution. A beautiful app, which you will find not only on Sonos or Roon. Guarise has started working on the hottest technology trend of the year and perhaps the century: artificial intelligence. “By incorporating technology from Open-AI, the makers of ChatGPT, into their software, Volumio can offer a smarter search function.” In our experience it’s not quite perfect yet, but you can actually search for music using a more loosely defined search query. “Music like Ella Fitzgerald,” for example. We’re curious to see what these AI algorithms will do for audio. What if AI was used for room correction or digital processing?
Immersive audio
Every year a series of beautiful hi-fi headphones are released. True works of art, often equipped with advanced driving technology. For example, look at what brands like Meze Audio or Dan Clark Audio are doing. However, the big numbers in terms of sales are recorded in true wireless earphones and wireless over-ear headphones. Apple, Bose, JBL and Sony are the big names there. Hi-Fi brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, DALI and KEF are already trying to capture a slice of this huge market. Why: A small portion of a large cookie can still fill your belly.
More expensive wireless headphones are increasingly equipped with a feature called immersive audio or spatial audio. This converts the stereo signal transmitted by Bluetooth into a surround experience played through the two speakers of the headphones. This can be done dynamically or with head tracking. Sensors in the headphones can then determine the position of the head to fix the sound on a point in space, such as the smartphone or TV screen. If you move your head to the left, the sound moves to your right ear. The effect is that the sound seems to come from a screen or from a certain point in space. With movies and games this provides a bit of extra immersion, with music this dynamic form of immersive audio is often disappointing.
Immersive audio as we describe it here is truly a thing for headphone users. This has simply become the dominant form of listening to music. But letting yourself be enveloped by music is much more than that. In addition to immersive audio features on headphones, new music is now often mastered in stereo and Dolby Atmos. Surround music is back after never completely disappearing.
2023-12-31 08:57:57
#Audio #trends