ASCENDO Immersive Audio introduced a dedicated kick-bass module on 27 October 2026 in Heilsbronn, Germany. THE MULE 10 Kick Woofer uses a 10-inch driver and is designed for home cinema and stereo systems.

The module targets impact in the upper-bass region, complementing the deep-bass role of conventional and infrasonic subwoofers. It is intended to extend the bass output of speakers deliberately rolled off around 80Hz. ASCENDO names its THE5, THE6, THE10 and THE12 loudspeakers as suitable partners. Integration can use either active or passive crossover arrangements.

The driver combines a carbon-composite cone with a solid cast frame and a 4.5-inch (114mm) voice coil. Continuous power handling is rated at 2,500W, with peak power handling of 5,000W. The module is also intended to serve as an additional low-frequency source in systems using Dirac Live ART, where it supports the required frequency bands.

The enclosure uses solid aluminium front and rear plates, together with internal bracing. It measures under four inches (102mm) deep and is sized to fit between studs on standard 16-inch (406mm) centres. These dimensions form part of a design that accommodates architectural installation in walls and ceilings.

Rotatable mounting brackets attach at the top or sides of the enclosure for in-wall or in-ceiling installation. For on-wall mounting, the module includes keyhole hangers. A magnetic grille finished in black stretch fabric covers the front.

Spine Music launched its Spine album-library display on Kickstarter for UK customers on 27 October 2026. The 28-inch touchscreen presents streaming music collections as browsable virtual CD spines, with campaign pricing starting at £849.

The campaign runs until 24 November 2026, with an announced post-campaign price of £949. Kickstarter purchases can be split into three interest-free monthly payments. First deliveries are targeted for June 2027. Expansion to Europe and the United States is planned for 2027.

The display connects to Apple Music, Tidal and Spotify libraries. Selecting an album brings its artwork forward to fill the screen. Collections can be arranged by artist, decade or manually through the companion Spine Music app, which runs on iOS and Android.

Apple Music and Tidal libraries synchronise automatically through account login. Spotify collections require an import through TuneMyMusic, with that process repeated whenever new albums are added. Audio playback passes to the phone and its selected listening system, with a tap on an Apple Music album starting playback automatically. Albums selected from Tidal or Spotify require confirmation on the phone before playback starts.

The screen has a resolution of 1920 × 360 pixels and a matte etched glass front intended to reduce reflections. Spine's body is formed from a single sheet of dark-anodised aluminium, with the unit measuring approximately 76 × 19 × 8cm and weighing approximately 7kg. It can be wall-mounted using a hidden bracket or placed on a shelf or sideboard. Power is supplied through a single cable.

iFi has launched the UP Travel Max for wireless listening from wired audio sources. The portable Bluetooth transmitter and receiver is available now and supports aptX Lossless for CD-quality audio with compatible devices.

A physical switch selects transmit or receive mode. In transmit mode, the adaptor sends audio from a wired headphone output, such as an aircraft entertainment system or an older portable music player, to compatible Bluetooth headphones or speakers. In receive mode, it accepts audio from a phone for playback through a car stereo's auxiliary input. It can also pair with two sets of Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.

The UP Travel Max pairs a dedicated Qualcomm Bluetooth chip with a separate Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC for digital-to-analogue conversion. This separation follows an approach used in iFi's portable hi-fi products. Codec support also includes LDAC for high-resolution Bluetooth audio and aptX Adaptive with a low-latency mode intended to keep film soundtracks in sync.

Auracast support enables broadcasts to an unlimited number of compatible headphones or speakers through iFi's Nexis app. The app also manages codec settings and the adaptor's JVCKENWOOD K2 audio processing, alongside device customisation and battery optimisation. Over-the-air firmware updates are delivered through Nexis, which is available on the App Store and Google Play.

The adaptor has a flip-out 3.5mm connector that is released by pressing the power button. A front-panel button provides codec selection directly on the device. Holding that button identifies the active format.

Audio-Technica has expanded its StreamSet headset range with a wireless model. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS-WL uses 45 mm headphone drivers and became available on 28 October 2026.

The supplied USB transceiver provides a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection to PCs and compatible gaming consoles, with a rated operating range of up to 10 metres. The headset also supports wired audio over USB-C while charging. A 2 m USB cable and a USB-A-to-USB-C adapter are included.

Voice capture uses a large-diaphragm electret condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern, based on Audio-Technica's 20 Series technology. Its rated frequency response extends from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, and adaptive noise reduction offers two selectable levels to reduce background sounds such as PC fans and air conditioning. The flexible boom positions the microphone close to the mouth and mutes it when flipped upwards. Sidetone monitoring lets the wearer hear their own voice through the headset.

The closed-back headphones use drivers derived from the ATH-M50x monitoring headphones, with rare-earth magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils. The rated headphone frequency response is 20 Hz to 22 kHz. Controls mounted on the earcups provide access to volume and noise reduction.

Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours, with a full charge taking approximately 3.5 hours. The headset weighs approximately 365 g without its cable and folds flat for transport. Interchangeable mesh and leather earpad sets are supplied.

Philips has introduced a portable radio with four power options. The Philips TAR3500 emergency radio supports USB-C, solar, AAA-battery and hand-crank power and is now available.

The built-in battery has a claimed playback time of around 60 hours per charge. A 2600 mAh power bank provides charging for phones and other small devices through a USB-A output.

For radio listening, the TAR3500 receives AM and FM broadcasts and offers automatic digital tuning with 20 station presets. It has an LED display and an extendable 550 mm antenna. Audio comes from a 5.7 cm full-range driver powered by 3 watts, while a 3.5 mm headphone jack provides a connection for headphones.

The radio's emergency functions are activated through an orange SOS button, which triggers a siren, a flashing light and an ultrasonic dog whistle. It also includes a built-in torch and a reading light.

The TAR3500 has an IP55-rated housing for dust and water resistance. A 530 mm carrying strap is included for transporting the radio.

Bowers & Wilkins has added Presto Music to its streaming app. The Bowers & Wilkins Music App now provides access to the classical and jazz service, subject to regional availability and device compatibility.

The integration covers compatible Zeppelin and Formation wireless speakers, the Panorama 3 soundbar and compatible wireless headphones. Listeners can browse the Presto Music catalogue and play recordings within the app without switching applications. The app also provides equalisation and active noise cancellation controls for compatible headphones.

New Presto Music subscribers using compatible Bowers & Wilkins products are eligible for an exclusive three-month free trial. Existing subscribers can sign in through the latest version of the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

Presto Music's catalogue includes more than 300,000 albums, and the service provides specialist editorial recommendations. Its Fair Play initiative calculates royalty payments by listening duration rather than by the number of individual tracks played.

Other streaming services available through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App include TIDAL and Qobuz. Presto Music is also available through BluOS, WiiM, Eversolo and Audirvāna.

Samsung has launched Galaxy Buds On in South Korea, with a US release scheduled next. The Samsung Galaxy Buds On open-ear wireless earbuds feature a TwinBoost speaker system with 11.3mm dynamic drivers. US availability is scheduled for early November 2026, with an announced price of US$229.

The earbuds use Qualcomm's Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform and a high-efficiency Class-D amplifier. Audio Leakage Reduction technology uses opposing sound waves to reduce the amount of sound escaping into the surrounding environment. An automatic volume adjustment feature responds to changes in ambient noise.

Bluetooth 6.2 connectivity supports Samsung's SSC and SSC UHQ codecs, alongside AAC, SBC and LC3. For calls, the earbuds incorporate three microphones and a Voice Pickup Unit that detects speech-related vibrations. Intelligent Clear Call processing separates the user's voice from background noise.

With a compatible Samsung phone, Galaxy Buds On support hands-free Google Gemini Live interaction and Bixby voice-memo requests. Head gestures can control calls and notifications, while volume and EQ controls are accessible through the phone's Quick Panel. Some phone-integration features require newer versions of Samsung One UI.

Each earbud weighs 6.65 grams, and the earbuds have an IP54 dust- and splash-resistance rating. Music playback is rated at up to 9.5 hours from the earbuds and up to 38 hours including the charging case. Galaxy Buds On are available in Black. European availability is scheduled for early 2027.

Shanling has launched a network music player with a 2K display. The Shanling SM1.3R HD combines a streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier, with a 5.98-inch screen offering 2560 × 1440 resolution. It went on sale in China on 8 October 2026.

The player uses Shanling's in-house discrete R2R DAC architecture and supports native playback up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via USB. Its other digital connections support native PCM playback up to 24-bit/192kHz. The power supply design incorporates two 31W toroidal transformers, with separate supplies for the digital and analogue sections. Dual high-precision clocks are also part of the design.

The Android-based platform runs on an RK processor designed for digital music playback, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. An M.2 SSD expansion slot provides an additional storage option. Supported services include Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify, alongside Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. The player is Roon Ready and supports DLNA and AirPlay 2.

Network connections are available through dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and wired Ethernet. Bluetooth streaming supports LDAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs. Coaxial, optical and USB inputs provide connections for digital sources. The player also has digital outputs for connection to an external DAC.

RCA line-level and balanced XLR analogue outputs provide connections to an audio system. For headphone listening, the SM1.3R HD has a 6.3mm socket and an amplifier with selectable gain. Its aluminium casework comes in black and silver finishes, with on-unit buttons providing physical controls.

HARMAN Luxury Audio Group has introduced a new flagship for JBL's Classic Series. The JBL L150 Classic is a three-way floorstanding loudspeaker with a 15-inch Pure Pulp Differential Drive woofer. It is scheduled to go on sale in 2027 at an announced suggested retail price of US$9,999 per pair.

The woofer is paired with a 6.5-inch polymer-coated Pure Pulp midrange driver, with both units using cast frames. A titanium-dome tweeter incorporates a waveguide and acoustic lens. The crossover frequencies are 310Hz and 1.8kHz, and the loudspeaker supports both bi-wiring and bi-amplification.

The bass-reflex enclosure uses two front-facing ports and has a specified low-frequency extension of 33Hz. With the low-frequency control set to +2dB, the specified extension reaches 30.5Hz. Controls on the front panel provide high- and low-frequency level adjustment.

The cabinet has an angled profile and a sloped front baffle, with a natural walnut wood veneer finish. A black Quadrex foam grille attaches magnetically to the cabinet. The styling draws on JBL loudspeakers of the 1970s.

The L150 Classic made its public debut at Audio Video Show 2026 in Warsaw, Poland, held from 23 to 25 October 2026. That appearance preceded the announcement by HARMAN Luxury Audio Group in Northridge, California, on 27 October 2026.

Amazon has launched a sixth-generation Echo Dot alongside the Echo Studio with Home Camera. The Echo Dot smart speaker uses Amazon's custom-designed AZ3 processor and a 44mm full-range driver. Both models were available to buy by 29 October 2026.

The Echo Dot incorporates audio signal processing and Omnisense environmental sensing. The sensing technology supports adjustments to room conditions, such as temperature or lighting.

The Echo Studio with Home Camera has a high-excursion 9.5cm woofer and three 5.7cm full-range drivers, with support for Dolby Atmos. Its Advanced Room Adaptation system continuously adjusts the speaker's tuning to the listening space. The model comes in a Graphite finish.

A built-in camera provides visual inputs for Alexa Plus on the Echo Studio with Home Camera. Video calling through a compatible Fire TV device is scheduled to arrive in a future update. That planned feature will allow the camera-equipped smart speaker to support video calls through the compatible Fire TV hardware.

Onkyo has introduced a network integrated amplifier to mark its 80th anniversary. The Onkyo Muse Y-50G 80th Anniversary Edition uses Class-D amplification and is available through specialist dealers at an announced price of €1,699.

The amplifier is rated at 2 × 125 watts into 8 ohms across 20 Hz–20 kHz, with 0.08% total harmonic distortion and both channels driven. Its stated 4-ohm output is 250 watts, measured at 1 kHz and 0.7% total harmonic distortion with both channels driven. Onkyo Room EQ provides room correction.

Network connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Ethernet, with support for Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. AirPlay 2 and Google Cast are also supported. For vinyl playback, the phono input accommodates both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. A subwoofer output provides a connection for a subwoofer.

The HDMI connections comprise HDMI ARC and an additional HDMI input, with support for HDCP 2.3. Video support includes 4K at 120 frames per second and 8K at 60 frames per second, alongside Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The amplifier also supports variable refresh rate and auto low-latency mode.

The front panel and top have a Champagne finish, paired with removable Bordeaux Walnut side panels that attach magnetically. A San Kuzushi pattern forms part of the ventilated top. The 5.46-inch colour LCD can display track information, settings or simulated analogue VU meters. The wider Onkyo Muse network integrated amplifier lineup also includes the Muse Y-40 and Muse Y-50.

Harman Kardon has introduced the Fit and Flow aftermarket car-speaker ranges. Harman Kardon Fit comprises fourteen speaker designs, while Flow contains four models, with the compact Flow 80 and Feel 700 subwoofers accompanying the speaker families.

Fit includes coaxial speakers, component systems, separate midrange drivers and tweeters, plus shallow-mount designs for locations with restricted installation depth. Formats include 6.5-inch and 6 × 9-inch speakers. The range uses fiberglass diaphragms with Harman's Plus One cone geometry, which increases effective radiating area within a given speaker-basket diameter. Selected models feature edge-driven textile-dome tweeters with specified high-frequency extension to 40 kHz, while some provide Uni-Pivot tweeter aiming.

Flow speakers use ceramic-coated aluminum Deep Ceramic Composite diaphragms and Plus One cone geometry. The Flow 600CF is a 6.5-inch two-way component system with a 120 W RMS rating, specified high-frequency extension to 40 kHz and Hi-Res Audio certification. Adding the Flow 300S three-inch midrange driver converts a Flow 600CF or Flow 601CFS installation from two-way to three-way operation without replacing the existing speakers. The range also includes the Flow 75T standalone tweeter.

The Flow 80 is a slim eight-inch subwoofer driver designed as a direct-fit underseat upgrade for selected BMW models. It uses a neodymium magnet and an inverted motor arrangement. A dedicated mounting frame and factory-style plug-and-play connector are included.

The Feel 700 is a complete active subwoofer combining a seven-inch woofer, an integrated amplifier and an aluminum enclosure measuring 58 mm tall. Its Class D amplifier delivers 125 W RMS. Adjustable crossover frequency, output level and bass boost provide control over the subwoofer's operation. The Feel 700 also supports installations using two units.

Russ Andrews has launched the DeltaBlock to mark its 40th anniversary. The Russ Andrews DeltaBlock is an eight-way mains extension with integrated filtering and surge protection, available to buy for £949.

A new circuit board distributes power evenly to each side of the block and enables integration of the Silencer mains filter and SuperClamp surge protection. Buyers can specify an optional MegaClamp surge-protection upgrade for an additional £235. Internal wiring uses Kimber Kable TCX copper wire to feed the block's cryogenically treated UltraSockets. The sockets are mounted inverted to accommodate bulky plugs and stiff cables.

The DeltaBlock has a 10A IEC mains input and a separate 10A IEC output for connecting an additional block, component or mains filter. A grounding terminal provides compatibility with Russ Andrews RF Routers and SuperRouter grounding solutions. These connections sit alongside the mains sockets, providing connection points for power distribution and the company's grounding products.

Russ Andrews describes the DeltaBlock case as 50% smaller by volume than the PowerBlock design and shorter than a four-way X-Block. The enclosure is made from fire-resistant ABS. The DeltaBlock carries a 25-year warranty and includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.

ADAM Audio introduced the H715 Reference at Amsterdam Dance Event on 22 October 2026. The flagship open-back headphone uses 40 mm titanium-plated PEN drivers and has a nominal impedance of 150 ohms.

The drivers combine neodymium magnets with a tuned suspension system and sit within a woven steel mesh enclosure. The headphone also incorporates a patent-pending ventilation design. Its specified frequency response is 9 Hz to 40 kHz at -3 dB, with a maximum sound pressure level of 113 dB SPL. Specified total harmonic distortion is below 0.05% at 1 kHz and 100 dB SPL.

The H715 Reference provides dual-sided connectivity, with a Hi-Fi mode switch that separates the common ground connection for balanced operation. It also supports conventional single-ended connections. The supplied detachable cables comprise a 3-metre balanced Hi-Fi cable with a 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector and a 1.3-metre coiled studio cable.

The included Headphone Utility Plug-In provides model-specific calibration profiles and user-adjustable crossfeed. The software package also includes ListenHub for audio analysis, reference comparisons and virtual monitoring. On macOS, ListenHub can host Headphone Utility to provide system-wide calibration.

The headphone weighs approximately 300 g and uses a spring-steel headband with memory-foam cushioning and a central cutout in the headband padding. Its magnetically detachable earpads are supplied in soft-cloth and faux-leather finishes. The earcups rotate, and the headphone can lie flat for transport. A hardshell travel case is included.

Final has introduced a new flagship wired in-ear monitor. The Final A8000 DC uses a single dynamic driver with a proprietary magnesium-alloy diaphragm and is scheduled for release in Japan on 30 October 2026. Its expected Japanese retail price is ¥258,000 including tax.

The model follows the original A8000, launched in 2019 with a beryllium diaphragm and subsequently discontinued because difficulties sourcing that material made continued manufacture impractical. The redesign draws on research accumulated over the seven years since that launch, alongside knowledge gained during development of Final's diamond-diaphragm A10000. The DC suffix stands for Da Capo, the musical instruction to return to the beginning.

The new diaphragm uses revised dome geometry to increase bending rigidity, while the specialised polyurethane suspension draws on development work for the A10000. An adhesive-free pressure-forming and thermal-moulding process joins the diaphragm to the suspension. The driver also incorporates an in-house bobbin-equipped voice coil. Its lead wires use Final's aluminium alloy and are routed through the air rather than bonded to the suspension.

The machined stainless-steel housings have a navy ion-plated finish and are smaller than those of the original A8000. Screw fastening provides a serviceable assembly for both the housings and driver mounting. Rated sensitivity is 98dB/mW, with an impedance of 13 ohms.

Developed with Japanese materials specialist Junkosha, the supplied 1.2-metre cable uses silver-coated oxygen-free copper conductors and expanded PTFE insulation. Detachable MMCX connectors attach it to the earphones, and it terminates in a 4.4mm balanced plug. FUSION-G and TYPE P eartips are supplied in five sizes each, from SS to LL. The package also includes user-replaceable dust filters, a carrying case, an eartip case and maintenance accessories.

Qobuz has launched in Poland, extending its availability to 27 countries. The music streaming and download service became available on 23 October 2026, offering Polish listeners high-resolution audio and a catalogue of more than 100 million tracks.

The Polish launch includes a Polish-language interface and at least 70 translated articles, alongside 4,000 international playlists and 20 playlists made for local listeners. Qobuz uses human curation for its editorial music selections. Artists represented in the catalogue include Perfect, Myslovitz, Daria Zawiałow, EABS, Taco Hemingway, Jakub Józef Orliński, Krzysztof Penderecki and Vito Bambino.

Poland's recorded-music market was worth US$289.3 million in 2025, ranking it 16th globally. Paid subscriptions generated US$140 million, accounting for 48.4% of the country's recorded-music market and growing 20.5% year-on-year. The market recorded average annual growth of 17% from 2021 to 2025.

The expansion follows Qobuz's entry into 16 new markets, including Poland, since its United States launch in 2019. Markets outside France account for more than 80% of the company's revenue, with the United States its leading market. Qobuz has 1.2 million monthly active users.

Qobuz's revenue grew by 45.7% in 2025, and the company achieved EBITDA break-even that year. It expects to achieve positive net income in March 2027.

CH Precision has introduced two preamplifiers in its 1-Series. The CH Precision P1.5 phono preamplifier and L1.5 line preamplifier are available through authorised retailers. The P1.5 uses a three-stage amplification architecture with passive equalisation between the gain stages.

The P1.5 has two current-sensing inputs for low-impedance moving-coil cartridges and a third, voltage-sensing input that supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil designs. The voltage-sensing input provides more than 400 selectable resistance values, covering a range from 20 ohms to 70 kilohms. Cartridge setup is supported by a software-assisted Gain Wizard and a Loading Wizard, which can display measured frequency-response changes at different loading values.

Standard RIAA equalisation is included in the P1.5. An optional equalisation module adds historical playback curves for labels including Columbia, Decca, EMI, Philips and Capitol. The phono preamplifier also provides dedicated mono playback configurations.

The companion L1.5 uses discrete diamond input buffers, revised Class A amplification stages, revised DC compensation and a revised power-regulation system. Its analogue volume control employs a fully differential 20-bit R-2R resistor network, providing attenuation from -99.5 dB to 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments. The digitally controlled circuitry is galvanically isolated from the analogue signal path. Active gain can be set to 0 dB, +6 dB, +12 dB or +18 dB.

The L1.5 provides four balanced XLR inputs and two unbalanced RCA inputs per channel. It can be operated using its front-panel controls, the supplied remote or CH Precision's control applications. Both new preamplifiers support the optional CH Precision X1 external power supply.