Wharfedale has introduced four active subwoofers in its Nova Series. The Wharfedale Nova Series Subwoofers range comprises the Nova 8, Nova 10, Nova 12 and Nova 15, with main drivers spanning 8 to 15 inches and availability scheduled for late September 2026.

Each model uses a newly developed long-throw driver with a coated paper cone, die-cast chassis and high-roll surround. The high-excursion motor systems incorporate large-diameter voice coils and aluminium shorting rings. A downward-firing, mass-loaded passive Auxiliary Bass Radiator accompanies the main driver in every model. These passive radiators use a dual-suspension design.

Class D amplification powers the range, with the Nova 8 rated at 200W nominal and 500W peak, and the Nova 10 at 230W nominal and 500W peak. The Nova 12 has a 280W nominal rating and 770W peak output, while the Nova 15 is rated at 360W nominal and 770W peak. The Nova 8 has a specified low-frequency extension of 33Hz at -6dB.

DSP-controlled dynamic EQ adjusts the response with listening level, while the processing also manages driver excursion at higher output levels. All models provide an adjustable crossover covering 40Hz to 160Hz. Phase alignment adjustment and level calibration are available across the range.

Connectivity includes stereo RCA line inputs, with LFE support on the right channel, alongside stereo RCA line outputs. Each subwoofer also accepts speaker-level inputs through four binding posts. A 12V trigger connection is included on all four models. Each also has a USB connection for firmware updates.

Clearaudio has launched the Compact Phono. The moving-magnet and moving-coil phono stage uses a front-panel pushbutton to select between the two cartridge types. It was available by 17 September 2026.

Gain is specified at 40dB for moving-magnet cartridges and 60dB for moving-coil cartridges, with MC headroom rated at 29dB. Input loading in MM mode is 47kΩ with 100pF capacitance. In MC mode, the input load is 100Ω with the same 100pF capacitance. The phono stage implements RIAA equalisation.

The circuit uses Active Feedback Topology built around low-noise, high-precision operational amplifiers. Amplification is divided between two stages, with the first providing most of the gain and the second incorporating filtering to control unwanted frequencies. A subsonic filter operates at 16Hz, while an ultrasonic filter operates at 70kHz. These provide filtering at both the low- and high-frequency ends of the spectrum.

A ±18V audio power supply feeds two linear voltage regulators within the Compact Phono. The circuit is laid out on a four-layer printed circuit board with separate ground and supply planes. Components include thin-film resistors and tightly toleranced capacitors. Rated operating power consumption is 0.7W.

The enclosure measures 26mm high, 115mm wide and 80mm deep. It is made from low-resonance metal and rests on isolating feet. Black and silver finishes are available.

Meze Audio has introduced Ultra as its flagship headphone cable. The Meze Audio Ultra Cable uses 7N silver conductors specified at 99.99999% purity. It is available to order, with each cable made after purchase and a quoted lead time of approximately three to four weeks.

Ultra connects to the headphones through dual 4-pin mini-XLR connectors and is compatible with Meze Audio's Arta, Elite, Empyrean II and original Empyrean. At the source end, buyers can choose between 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 6.3 mm and 4-pin XLR terminations. The standard cable length is 1.2 m, with custom lengths available up to 10 m.

The construction uses 40 conductors, each measuring 0.08 mm in diameter. A continuous braid transitions from sixteen wires in the main section to eight wires after the split, maintaining conductor continuity through the Y-splitter without an additional soldered junction. The cable uses a PVC dielectric. Where soldering is required, the assembly uses Jensen solder containing 5% silver.

The connector shells and Y-splitter are made from PVD-coated cast zinc alloy. These metal components have styling that draws on Streamline Moderne. Each cable is individually hand-braided and assembled in Baia Mare, Romania, with production capacity of one completed unit per day.

Ultra Cable comes with a hard presentation case. The supplied accessories also include an Alcantara cloth suitable for cleaning the cable's metal parts.

Sony has introduced two wireless gaming headsets in its PlayStation audio range. The PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset uses custom planar magnetic drivers and is scheduled to launch in select markets during the 2026 holiday season. The higher-tier Pulse Edge Wireless Headset is scheduled to begin launching in early 2027.

Both models have larger drivers than Pulse Elite. Pulse uses four magnets per planar driver, while Pulse Edge uses eight and has double the driver magnet volume. Pulse Edge also includes active noise cancellation.

Both headsets support lossless, ultra-low-latency audio over PlayStation Link, with compatibility spanning PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC and Mac. Each includes a PlayStation Link adapter with a USB Type-C connector. The headsets also support simultaneous PlayStation Link and Bluetooth connections.

Pulse has integrated microphones with AI-enhanced noise rejection, while Pulse Edge provides a detachable boom microphone with AI-enhanced noise rejection. A hidden microphone on Pulse Edge handles voice communication when the boom microphone is detached. Both models have built-in volume control, and Pulse Edge adds dedicated controls for balancing game audio and chat on PS5.

The two headsets have rotating earcups that allow them to lie flat, and both come in White and Midnight Black finishes. Pulse Edge also includes a protective carrying case. Elsewhere in Sony's PlayStation audio range, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds and Pulse Elevate wireless speakers sit alongside the headset products.

Cyrus Audio has added the 80 AMP to its amplifier range. The Cyrus Audio 80 AMP streaming integrated amplifier combines a Class A/B output stage rated at 150W per channel with built-in BluOS network streaming.

Digital conversion uses an ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M 32-bit DAC with HyperStream IV Dual DAC technology. The amplifier supports PCM playback at resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as DSD256, and includes MQA decoding. Cyrus uses a customised DAC implementation with an optimised board layout.

The 80 AMP is Roon Ready certified and supports Apple AirPlay 2, with network connections available over Ethernet or Wi-Fi through a built-in antenna. BluOS provides access to music services, internet radio stations and podcasts. The amplifier's control app is available for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac and PC.

Analogue connectivity includes four line inputs and a built-in phono input supporting both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. Balanced XLR inputs and outputs are provided, together with an analogue preamplifier output. The amplifier also incorporates a dedicated headphone amplifier.

For digital sources, the 80 AMP provides two optical inputs, two coaxial inputs and an asynchronous USB-B input. An HDMI eARC input is also fitted, alongside the connections for conventional digital audio sources. A five-inch full-colour TFT display forms part of the amplifier's interface. The 80 AMP carries a five-year warranty.

Nagra pairs vacuum-tube amplification with selectable gain in the PREAMP II-S. The stereo preamplifier uses two 12AX7/ECC83 tubes and one 12AT7 tube, with gain settings of 0 dB and +6 dB. It remains an active preamplifier when set to 0 dB.

The input connections comprise one balanced XLR input and four unbalanced RCA inputs. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs are also provided, with a front-panel switch selecting between the two output types. The front panel houses Nagra's Modulometer, which displays left- and right-channel audio levels. The preamplifier's styling evokes the company's classic reel-to-reel tape recorders.

Specified frequency response extends from 10 Hz to 50 kHz within +0/-0.5 dB, while dynamic range is specified at greater than 125 dB with gain set to +6 dB. Output impedance is specified as 18 ohms at +6 dB gain and 9 ohms at 0 dB gain. Total harmonic distortion is specified below 0.01% at 1 kHz with a 1 V RMS output into no load. The specified crosstalk figure is greater than 85 dB, also measured at 1 kHz with a 1 V RMS output into no load.

The chassis has a phenolic damping layer beneath its aluminum top plate, and the preamplifier has a specified weight of 10.6 pounds. An external power supply connects to the PREAMP II-S through a LEMO connector. The unit can operate with an existing Nagra MPS or Classic PSU. Nagra began designing high-end audio components in 1997.

RS Audio has launched a new range of audio cables handcrafted in Canada. The RS Audio Apparition Series uses the company’s proprietary Vortex Magnetic Waveguide Technology, with the range now available.

The Apparition Power Cable is offered in US, UK and EU versions. The Apparition Analog Interconnect comes with a choice of RCA or XLR connectors, while the Apparition Digital Interconnect is offered in RCA, BNC and XLR AES3 configurations. The Apparition Speaker Cable is offered with spade or banana terminations.

The waveguide is a passive device built around an array of magnets arranged in a specific configuration. An outer shell of filtering materials surrounds the magnet array. The waveguide enclosures used in the Apparition Series are made using additive manufacturing.

RS Audio founder and CEO Rick Schultz developed Vortex Magnetic Waveguide Technology over 14 years. The technology is used across all three of the company’s cable collections and also features in its Ethernet and power products.

YG Acoustics has introduced the Vesper 3 to its Reference range. The YG Acoustics Vesper 3 is a three-way passive floorstanding loudspeaker, scheduled for availability through authorised dealers from October 2026.

The driver configuration combines a 26 mm proprietary hybrid Lattice tweeter with an aluminium-cone midrange driver and a 22 cm aluminium-cone bass driver. The midrange unit uses neodymium motor magnets. Crossover frequencies are set at 92 Hz and 1.71 kHz.

The speaker uses YG's third-generation Ultracoherent crossover, whose development drew on the company's Titan research programme. The network incorporates custom components, including pure metal foil capacitors, bifilar-wound resistors and resonance-damped Litz inductors. Its circuit layout is computationally optimised to minimise interactions between components.

The Vesper 3 has a specified usable output range of 30 Hz to 40 kHz and a rated sensitivity of 88 dB. Average impedance is specified at 4 ohms, with a minimum of 2.8 ohms. Each speaker measures 107 cm high, 27 cm wide and 40 cm deep, and weighs 71 kg.

The enclosure is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminium. YG Acoustics machines the Vesper 3 in-house, and the speakers are hand-built across its manufacturing facilities in Denver, Colorado, and Cambridge, England. Silver and black are the standard finishes, with additional finish options available through YG dealers.

FiiO has introduced the FT15 planar over-ear headphones. The open-back model uses 101 mm drivers with an 800 nm diaphragm and was available by 17 September 2026.

The diaphragm has a proprietary diamond coating across its entire surface, while each driver has an effective radiating area of 6,443.5 mm². The driver assembly uses a patented uniform magnetic-field design. Its voice coil is electroplated using a 28 nm chip-manufacturing process, and the headphones have a sensitivity of 95 dB/mW and an impedance of 24 ohms.

The earcups are made from FAS-grade North American black walnut, paired with a carbon-fibre headband. The headphones weigh 425 g. Two sets of earpads are included, along with a storage carrier.

The supplied cable uses 6N single-crystal copper that has been cryogenically treated with liquid nitrogen. It terminates in a 4.4 mm plug, with 6.35 mm and four-pin XLR adapters also included in the package.

Estelon has introduced a second generation of its Forza loudspeaker. The Estelon Forza Ultra is a four-way passive design with a specified frequency response of 27 Hz to 60 kHz. Its international launch programme begins in October 2026, with demonstrations planned across Europe and the United States.

The sealed cabinet is made from Estelon's proprietary marble-based composite and incorporates curved internal surfaces. Two custom Accuton aluminium-dome woofers use neodymium motor systems and sit close to the floor. Their positioning is intended to couple the drivers acoustically with the floor, while Estelon's Symmetric Driver Loading arrangement gives both woofers equivalent acoustic loading. The curved front baffle places the three upper drivers approximately equidistant from the listening position.

An Accuton Crystalid-dome midwoofer operates in an isolated internal enclosure, with a separate Crystalid-dome driver handling the midrange. High frequencies are handled by an Accuton 25 mm chemical-vapour-deposited diamond tweeter with a multi-cavity rear chamber and an updated custom surround. The crossover frequencies are 90 Hz, 800 Hz and 2.5 kHz.

The redesigned crossover uses Estelon's Flat Foil Direct Coupling architecture, with components connected in a star configuration. The crossover assemblies occupy acoustically isolated chambers, and their components are hand-soldered onto purpose-designed mounting plates. Spring-loaded cable clamps accept banana plugs, spade connectors and bare wire, with copper foil ribbons carrying signals from the connectors towards the crossover. The loudspeaker supports bi-wiring and uses Kubala Sosna internal cabling.

Nominal impedance is specified at 3 ohms, falling to a minimum of 2.3 ohms at 51 Hz, while sensitivity is rated at 89 dB at 2.83 V. Each loudspeaker stands 1,675 mm high, measures 617 mm wide and 682 mm deep, and weighs 150 kg. The recommended room size is 40 to 125 square metres. The Forza Ultra is also scheduled for demonstration at China's Guangzhou High-End Show in November 2026.

Wharfedale has introduced a loudspeaker range for stereo and home-cinema systems. The six-model Wharfedale AURA series uses a 27 × 90 mm Air Motion Transformer tweeter in every speaker.

The AURA 1 is a two-way stand-mount model with a 130 mm mid/bass driver and a specified frequency response of 48 Hz to 22 kHz. The three-way AURA 2 stand-mount combines a 150 mm woofer with a dedicated 100 mm midrange driver, with specified bass extension to 33 Hz at −6 dB. The AURA 3 floorstander uses two 130 mm woofers and a 100 mm midrange driver, with specified bass extension to 28 Hz at −6 dB. The AURA 4 floorstander has two 150 mm bass drivers and specified bass extension to 26 Hz.

The AURA CS centre-channel speaker uses two 130 mm mid/bass drivers and is positioned as the matching centre for AURA 1 and AURA 3. The AURA C uses two 150 mm mid/bass drivers and serves as the matching centre speaker for AURA 2 and AURA 4.

The midrange and bass drivers use coated woven glass-fibre cones mounted in die-cast aluminium chassis. Each cone-driver chassis is secured to its cabinet by six high-tensile bolts, with rubber trim rings between the chassis and enclosure. In the three-way crossover designs, the bass, midrange and treble filter sections occupy separate circuit boards.

The cabinets have curved edges and use Wharfedale's multilayer Panel Resonance Optimisation System, which combines materials of different densities. Long-fibre acoustic damping material is fitted inside the enclosures. Slot Loaded Profiled Port bass-reflex loading directs the output of a downward-facing port through profiled slots between the cabinet and plinth.

Argon Audio has introduced its first direct-drive turntable. The Argon Audio AURORA uses a brushless motor with quartz-controlled speed regulation and is available to order for delivery within the EU at €1,299.

The motor has an eight-pole coil structure, while the bearing system is acoustically decoupled from it. The platter bearing uses a brass sleeve with a thrust pad. Playback speeds are 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm, with a suitable cartridge required for 78 rpm records. Specified rotation-speed variation is ±0.2%, with wow and flutter of no more than 0.10% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB.

An S-shaped, statically balanced aluminium tonearm uses a standard SME headshell mount and incorporates Argon Audio's patented Anisotropic Torsion Stabilizer (ATS) technology. Height adjustment allows the vertical tracking angle to be set, and the arm has an effective length of 9.17 inches and an effective mass of 20 g. The supplied pickup combines the cartridge and headshell in one assembly. It accepts all Ortofon Concorde Music-series replacement styluses.

The deck is built around a 55 mm-thick MDF plinth. Its 1.4 kg aluminium platter incorporates rubber damping, and the feet are individually height-adjustable and vibration-damping. A dust cover and rubber slip mat are supplied, along with RCA and power cables.

The turntable provides a wired RCA audio connection and has an internal power supply. Its platter stops automatically at the end of a record. A power-saving function activates after 20 minutes of inactivity.

iFi has launched an in-ear monitor cable with an integrated DAC and headphone amplifier. The iFi GO cable connects USB-C sources to earphones with 0.78mm two-pin sockets and is available to buy in the UK for £79.

An ESS Sabre DAC handles conversion, supporting PCM at up to 384kHz and DSD256, alongside bit-perfect DSD/DXD decoding. The design incorporates Dynamic Range Enhancement and THD compensation. The amplifier's specified RMS output ratings are at least 70mW into 32 ohms and at least 14mW into 300 ohms, while output impedance is below 1 ohm.

Compatible source devices include phones, tablets, computers and games consoles. Inline controls provide volume adjustment, play/pause and track selection, and the cable incorporates an echo-cancelling microphone. It also supports Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat.

The specified signal-to-noise ratio is at least 120dBA, and dynamic range is at least 125dBA. Specified THD+N is no more than 0.004% at 1.27V into 32 ohms, and frequency response is 10Hz to 80kHz at −0.5dB. Power consumption is approximately 0.3W with no signal and less than 1W at maximum signal.

The 1.37m cable weighs 16g, uses OFHC conductors with pure silver and has a water-resistant chassis. Included accessories are a USB-C-female-to-USB-A-male adapter, a quick-start guide and an instruction card. The manufacturer's warranty lasts one year in the UK and US, or two years in the EU.

IKEA has launched the BADKRUKA home Bluetooth speaker. The mains-powered model has a total output of 25 W and is listed for sale on IKEA's US website at $59.99.

Wired audio connections comprise an optical input and a 3.5 mm auxiliary input. The optical connection supports use with compatible TVs, monitors and other devices equipped with an optical audio output. An optical cable is included with the speaker. Bluetooth allows playback from a phone, computer or another compatible source device, with a specified source-to-speaker connection range of at least 10 m without interference.

Two BADKRUKA units can be paired for stereo playback. The speaker also supports synchronized mono audio with other IKEA Bluetooth speakers that have multi-speaker mode. For this mode, the specified range between the main speaker and an additional speaker is at least 10 m without interference.

A tweeter and a woofer make up the speaker's two-driver configuration. The specified frequency range is 50–20,000 Hz at -6 dB. The speaker offers three EQ settings and supports Spotify Tap.

The cuboid enclosure has top-mounted physical controls and measures 6¼ inches wide, 6¼ inches deep and 6⅞ inches high. Its top cover uses ABS plastic with at least 50% recycled content, while the bottom cover is made from polycarbonate plastic. The speaker has an IP20 rating.

Cayin has added the Jazz 70 to its integrated amplifier range. The Cayin Jazz 70 integrated valve amplifier is rated at 35 watts RMS per channel in Ultralinear mode and 17 watts in Triode mode. It is available through US retailer MusicTeck.

The amplifier uses four EL34 output valves in a Class AB1 push-pull circuit, with three 12AU7/ECC82 valves in the preamplifier stage. A top-panel switch selects between the two operating modes. Construction includes handmade point-to-point wiring, a handmade low-magnetic-leakage toroidal power transformer and EI output transformers.

For wired sources, the Jazz 70 provides three RCA line-level inputs. Wireless playback uses Bluetooth 5.1 with a Qualcomm QCC5125 receiver, while digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by an ESS ES9018K2M DAC. Supported Bluetooth formats include LDAC, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX, AAC, MP3 and SBC. The specified wireless range is up to 10 metres.

Separate speaker connections accommodate 4-ohm and 8-ohm loads, and the front headphone output is specified for headphones with impedances from 16 to 300 ohms. Two illuminated front meters display playback signal level and assist with output-valve bias adjustment. The analogue inputs have a specified sensitivity of 380mV and an impedance of 100kΩ.

The specified frequency response is 8Hz to 60kHz at -3dB, with an A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB. Total harmonic distortion is specified at 0.2% at 1W/1kHz and less than 5% at rated output. The chassis measures 300 × 338 × 190mm and weighs 15.6kg, with a choice of black or silver front panel. Maximum power consumption is specified at 240W.

Schiit Audio has introduced a new modular DAC for preorder on its website. The Schiit Audio Bifrost 3 uses the company's Mesh conversion system and costs $699 in black or $729 in silver. Shipping is expected around the end of October 2026.

A dedicated SHARC processor handles digital filtering, while the digital-to-analogue conversion stage uses an ESS ES9039 chip. The modular architecture allows both the input card and the conversion card to be replaced.

The Bifrost 3 can also function as a digital preamplifier, with volume adjustment available through the Forkbeard app. Forkbeard wireless control is included as standard. The app also provides balance adjustment, loudness control and a five-band parametric equaliser. Over-the-air firmware updates are supported through Forkbeard.

The USB-C input uses Schiit Audio's Unison 384 interface and supports PCM at up to 32-bit/384kHz. Coaxial and optical digital inputs each support PCM at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Analogue outputs are provided on RCA and balanced XLR connections. An infrared remote control is included for source selection, phase control and muting.

TIDAL has introduced a new reference power amplifier for its Royale collection. The TIDAL x BUGATTI MA1 is a monaural design rated for continuous output of 420 W into 8 ohms, 840 W into 4 ohms and 1,500 W into 2 ohms.

The amplifier combines a symmetrical circuit topology with an actively regulated power supply. The power supply contains three toroidal transformers, each rated at 1,000 VA. All three are magnetically shielded and mechanically decoupled. A linear voltage supply serves the amplifier's two modules, alongside 800,000 µF of stabilisation capacitance.

The multilayer printed circuit boards have a copper thickness of 105 µm per layer, and the transistors are matched to better than 1%. The input circuit is DC-coupled, while low-impedance capacitors sit directly at the transistors. Specified bandwidth extends from 1 Hz to above 250 kHz at −0.5 dB.

A proprietary Amplifier Protection Management system operates outside the signal path. It monitors output current relative to output voltage, short-circuit current, DC offset, undervoltage and overvoltage. The MA1 also incorporates a soft-start system and supports remote power control from TIDAL preamplifiers through an RJ45 Ethernet connection. Specified standby power consumption is less than 1 W.

The MA1 has an internally braced aluminium cabinet and measures 69 × 52 × 41 cm, with a weight of 110 kg. A floating BUGATTI logo sits on the top plate. Illustrated finish examples include high-gloss painted carbon fibre and high-gloss midnight blue.