Audioholics

Marantz’s entry-level stereo components are always among the most recommendable options for audiophiles just getting started in the hobby, or anyone looking for high-value gear at accessible prices. The brand’s award-winning PM6007 integrated amplifier and CD6007 CD player have been best-sellers for six years now, but stiff competition from brands like Rotel and Cambridge Audio forces even a market-leader like Marantz to keep things fresh.

Our hands-on Hisense U7SG review evaluates whether this MiniLED Pro 4K TV delivers the premium picture quality, native 165Hz gaming, Dolby Vision IQ HDR, and immersive Dolby Atmos performance needed to compete with the best midrange televisions under $1,500.

Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 Product Name: 1610 Tower 8 Manufacturer: Arendal Sound Performance Rating: Value Rating: Review Date: July 22, 2026 11:45 MSRP: $ 7,600/pair Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 Speakers - First Listen Frequency Response: 28 Hz – 20 kHz (-6 dB) Cabinet Type: Rear-ported bass reflex (convertible to sealed via included port plugs) Drivers & Design: 1 × 28 mm Aluminum-Magnesium dome tweeter with neodymium motor, copper shorting ring, and Røst Essence waveguide 1 × 5"...

Loewe Technology, known for making high-end, style-driven TVs, has acquired the venerable French loudspeaker manufacturer Cabasse. Loewe says that this is a strategic move intended to help the German brand “become the go-to benchmark in luxury electronics.” Both companies are known for distinctive European style, and Cabasse brings cutting-edge audio engineering and acoustic performance to the table.

Cooks and gourmands often repeat the aphorism that “we eat first with our eyes,” an observation attributed to Marcus Gavius Apicius, the Roman equivalent of a “foodie,” who lived during the first century. For me, and perhaps for you, audio gear is no different. That was certainly my experience with the adorable DALI KUPID loudspeaker. Its tiny form and appealing design were what first sparked my interest in this little gem.

For the past few years, Dirac has steadily expanded the reach of its flagship Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) technology beyond high-end processors and into more mainstream home theater products. We first covered Dirac's new Active Room Treatment in 2023 where ART promised a fundamentally different approach to room correction by using every speaker in the system to actively reduce room resonances instead of simply equalizing frequency response.

In a shocking (and shockingly brief) statement dated July 7th, the respected Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio announced that it will “cease operations of its commercial activities in North America and permanently shut down its U.S. subsidiary in the fall of 2026.” The company said it has made the decision “to focus its future market development efforts on Europe and Asia as part of its long-term business strategy.” This is sad news for the American audiophile.

T.H.E. Show SoCal 2026 was significantly smaller than it has been in recent years, but there was still plenty to see and hear — more than I had the stamina to take in properly, if I’m being honest. The powers that be have asked for more condensed coverage this time around, so I will try not to wax poetic. With the usual apologies to any rooms I may have missed, the following were my favorite systems at the show.

Goldenear T44 Tower Speaker Product Name: T44 Floor Standing Speaker Manufacturer: Goldenear Performance Rating: Value Rating: Review Date: July 02, 2026 00:00 MSRP: $ 5,000/pair gloss black, $5,300/pair Santa Barbara GoldenEar T44 Speaker Listening Event Tweeter: One High-Gauss HVFR™ High-Velocity Reference Folded Ribbon Tweeter Midrange: One 4.5” High-Definition Cast-Basket MVPP™ Upper-Bass/Mid-Driver Bass Driver: One 5” x 9” Long-Throw Quadratic Bass Driver Passive Radiators: Two 6.8” x 8”...

Your local AMC movie theater might be your next live music destination. In a potentially significant shift toward the live events industry, AMC Theatres has teamed up with a new company called Arena One to create a real-time, interactive concert experience unlike anything available before. Concert films are nothing new, of course. At the time of writing in late May 2026, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour was screening in AMC theaters.