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Sennheiser Targets Portable Audio Enthusiasts With HDB 630 Wireless Headphones | Sound & Vision
Sennheiser has announced the HDB 630, closed-back wireless headphones designed to deliver what the company calls "audiophile sound wherever you are." Announced October 8, the HDB 630 shares its chassis with the MOMENTUM 4 but features a custom acoustic system built around a 42mm dynamic transducer manufactured at Sennheiser's Tullamore, Ireland facility.
PSB’s SubSeries BP7:Compact Cabinet, Controlled Bass | Sound & Vision
PSB Speakers has launched the SubSeries BP7 powered subwoofer, a compact sealed model with a bipolar driver array and a 350-watt universal class-D (UCD) amplifier. Pricing is $1,199 USD (tariff adjusted) and $1,399 CAD. For AV use, the BP7’s small footprint—10.6" × 11.4" × 10.6"—and sealed, portless enclosure are ideal for flexible placement and achieving consistent in-room behavior. Two opposing 6.5" woven carbon-fiber woofers work in alignment to minimize cabinet vibration and distortion.
Doug Rasheed & L.V. on the Legacy of Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise at 30, Now Livin’ in Large Variety on Vinyl & in Atmos | Sound & Vision
Hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Coolio’s instant classic “Gangsta’s Paradise” entered our aural lexicon in August 1995—but here we are in the here and now, where the eternally classic g-funk/rap song that has over (yes) 3 billion multi-platform streams (and counting) has recently been re-released anew as both a blue-vinyl 45 and in a heavenly immersive Dolby Atmos mix.
TEAC Adds PD‑507T CD Transport to Reference 500 Line | Sound & Vision
TEAC has announced the PD-507T, a CD transport for its Reference 500 Series, designed to feed external DACs via coaxial or optical output. U.S. MSRP is $1,699.99, with EU and UK pricing at €1,299 and £1,299. Availability is slated for Q4 2025 on TEACUSA.com and through select dealers.
UK Hi‑Fi Show Live Heads to Ascot This Weekend | Sound & Vision
The UK Hi‑Fi Show Live returns this weekend to England’s Ascot Racecourse, a high‑end‑focused event that trades the usual hotel hallways for a unique venue. Set inside the Grandstand, the show swaps crowded elevator banks for a spacious atrium with escalators, making it easy to move from demo room to demo room without the bottlenecks common at hotel shows.
Devialet Launches Phantom Ultimate Wireless Speakers | Sound & Vision
Devialet has introduced Phantom Ultimate, the latest generation of its compact, spherical wireless speakers. The line consists of the flagship Phantom Ultimate 108 dB ($3,800) and the smaller Phantom Ultimate 98 dB ($1,900). Both are offered in Light Pearl and Deep Forest finishes; an Opéra de Paris edition adds hand-applied 22-carat gold accents at $4,300 (108 dB) and $2,400 (98 dB). Devialet says the 98 dB model is available now, while the 108 dB is open for pre-orders via Devialet stores, premium dealers, and online.
Denon, Marantz, and Classé rebrand HEOS as “Powered by HEOS” | Sound & Vision
HEOS, the multiroom audio platform used by Denon, Marantz, and Classé, is being rebranded as “Powered by HEOS.” According to the companies, the new identity aligns with updates to the HEOS app and clarifies that HEOS is an embedded platform technology rather than a stand-alone product line.
Apple's New AirPods Pro 3: Quieter Sonic Canvas, Smarter Tricks | Sound & Vision
I was in Cupertino for Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 reveal, brought a pair home, and did some early listening away from campus. The pitch lines up with what I’m hearing so far: a quieter backdrop and firmer low end. Apple’s explanation is straightforward. The buds use a new multiport acoustic architecture that controls airflow into the ear canal, paired with foam‑infused ear tips (now five sizes, including XXS) to improve the passive seal.
Premium Subscribers Get Spotify's Long-Awaited Lossless Audio | Sound & Vision
Spotify Premium subscribers can now stream lossless audio, with the service beginning its rollout September 10 across multiple markets. The feature delivers up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality and works with smartphones, tablets, computers, and a range of connected audio devices. The streaming giant is taking a phased approach, starting with twelve countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. More than 50 markets will have access through October. Premium subscribers receive an in-app notification when lossless becomes available in their region.
XGIMI Launches HORIZON 20 Series; Previews Pro-Grade TITAN at IFA 2025 | Sound & Vision
At IFA 2025, XGIMI announced the HORIZON 20 home projector line and previewed TITAN, its first projector aimed at professional installs and enterprise use. The company will show both at ShowStoppers on September 4 and at booth H21-117, September 5–9. Preorders for HORIZON 20 start September 4 with retail availability slated for October 15.
Klipsch Courtyard Landscape Speaker System Debuts: 4.1 Outdoor Kit, Expandable to 8.2 | Sound & Vision
Klipsch has introduced the Courtyard Landscape Speaker system, a full‑range outdoor package built around four horn‑loaded satellite speakers and a low‑profile 10‑inch subwoofer. The single‑box 4.1 kit includes mounting stakes, hardware, and accessories; a two‑satellite expansion pack supports larger spaces, and two systems can be combined for an 8.2 layout.
Dolby Announces Dolby Vision 2; Hisense First TV Partner | Sound & Vision
Dolby Laboratories announced Dolby Vision 2, the next iteration of its HDR video platform for TVs. Dolby says the update centers on a redesigned image engine and new “Content Intelligence” features that adapt playback to the content and viewing environment. According to Dolby, Dolby Vision 2 will roll out in two tiers: Dolby Vision 2 Max for high‑end sets and a standard Dolby Vision 2 tier intended for mainstream models. Dolby also says it has introduced bi‑directional tone mapping to better leverage today’s brighter, wider‑gamut displays while preserving creative intent.
Norman Greenbaum: “Spirit in the Sky” and Jon Batiste: “Angels” in Dolby Atmos | Sound & Vision
Summer, it turns me upside down. Actually, I’m more of a fall person, truth be told, so I tend to look forward (and right-side up) to the change in the weather that often coincides with Labor Day Weekend more than others might. Since many of us seem to have a, well, divine connection with all the sun and fun that’s usually associated with these past three months, I figured I’d close out my special, end-of-summertime 360-degree listening sessions with a pair of “spiritual” Dolby Atmos tracks, if you will—one old, one new—to honor the passing of the season.
Dirac Live ART Comes to AudioControl’s New Hyperion Series | Sound & Vision
Dirac says its Live Active Room Treatment (ART) will be available on AudioControl’s new Hyperion line of home theater processors and receivers. The series targets professional calibrators and custom installers and begins rolling out in September 2025. Hyperion is AudioControl’s first series to include the full Dirac Live suite: Active Room Treatment, Room Correction, and Bass Control.
Samsung, HARMAN Luxury Audio Plan Joint Immersive AV Showcase for CEDIA Expo 2025 | Sound & Vision
Samsung Electronics America and HARMAN Luxury Audio Group will co‑exhibit at CEDIA Expo 2025, September 3–6 in Denver, Colorado, in what the companies describe as the largest booth on the show floor (#2512). The combined space is positioned as a single stop for integrators to see 2025 Samsung displays and soundbars alongside JBL Synthesis, JBL, and Arcam systems.
Hottest Discs of Summer 2025 | Sound & Vision
With apologies to Florence + the Machine, the dog days may be over but there's still plenty of time to explore the season's fantastic variety of films making their way to 4K disc. From undisputed classics getting the upgrade they've long deserved to beloved cult favorites making a surprise arrival and even some brand-new award-bait, our list has something for everyone. From thrillers to comedy, musicals to sci-fi to westerns, from family-friendly to downright bizarre, these discs are so hot, you'll think you left them sitting on your dashboard.
Theory Adds PLC Amplified Loudspeaker Controllers, Targets Large‑Scale Installs | Sound & Vision
Theory Audio Design is expanding beyond its residential-focused DLC controllers with a new PLC series designed for large and complex systems:residential, commercial, large‑venue, and live sound. The lineup consists of two 8‑channel and two 4‑channel models built on Powersoft class‑D amplification and DSP. Models and power ratings (per channel): • PLC‑4K8 — 8 × 500W • PLC‑8K8 — 8 × 1,000W • PLC‑9K4 — 4 × 2,250W • PLC‑16K4 — 4 × 4,000W
Leon Debuts Edge Atlas Video‑Wall Frame, Expands Design‑First Lineup for CEDIA 2025 | Sound & Vision
Leon’s CEDIA 2025 theme “Leave Nothing Unfinished” centers on design‑first integration. Headliners include the new Edge Atlas video‑wall frame system, refreshed TV frames and FrameBar soundbars, Terra outdoor audio, and new collaborations in acoustics and materials. Leon says it will use CEDIA Expo 2025 to push integrators toward a more deliberate aesthetic—treating AV as part of the room, not an add‑on. The company’s booth will anchor around a new product, Edge Atlas, with the rest of the lineup focused on frames, concealment, and custom audio that match interiors.
SKYWORTH Introduces Canvas Elite Art TV Line, Including a 100‑Inch “Art TV” | Sound & Vision
Skyworth has announced the Canvas Elite Art TV line, led by what the company calls the world’s largest Art TV at 100 inches, alongside an 86‑inch model. The series will debut at CEDIA Expo 2025 in Denver and targets custom‑integration use cases where large‑format display, low‑reflection viewing, and framed‑art presentation are priorities.
xMEMS to Demo AI‑Glasses Prototypes with MEMS Speaker and In‑Frame Cooling at xMEMS Live Asia | Sound & Vision
xMEMS Labswill show working AI‑glasses prototypes combining its Sycamore MEMS loudspeaker and μCooling “fan‑on‑a‑chip” at the company’s xMEMS Live Asia seminar series, September 16 (Taipei) and September 18 (Shenzhen), the company said. According to xMEMS, the glasses integrate Sycamore (described by the company as its thinnest, lightest high‑fidelity MEMS loudspeaker) with a 1.28 mm package that is up to 70% smaller and 90% lighter than conventional coil speakers. The near‑field, full‑bandwidth driver is intended for voice interfaces and media playback in all‑day wearables.
Why I’m Sitting Out CEDIA This Year | Sound & Vision
Short version: bandwidth, budget, and better coverage from home. For the last dozen years, CEDIA has been a fixed point on my calendar;a reset button for the custom‑install world and a reality check for what’s actually shipping versus what’s still a render. This year, I’m skipping it.
Gunna: “WGFT” and “Him All Along” in Dolby Atmos | Sound & Vision
Southern hip-hop superstar Gunna is on top. The proof can be found throughout the Atlanta rapper’s latest and sixth full-lengther, The Last Wun, which is chock full of the beats, traps, and themes that got him there. The Last Wun just dropped on all major streaming platforms via Young Stoner Life/300 Entertainment on August 8, 2025, and it follows the trajectory of Gunna’s masterful ATL-centric 2024 release One of Wun, in turn bringing the artist’s ever-evolving vibes up an extra notch (or five) in the process.