ANALYSIS: AUDIO Home Entertainment
M&B’s new Symphony BAR400 Soundbar
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If buyers are looking for a more cost effective soundbar, then UK supplier Mitchell & Brown has just launched a budget stereo soundbar and wireless subwoofer. The £200 Symphony BAR400 is compact, yet punchy, with 400W of amplification plus HDMI ARC, digital optical audio, USB, AUX, and Bluetooth connectivity. Simplicity is a key selling point here. The Symphony BAR400 comes with a remote control covering main functionality, and can be wall mounted via simple keyhole mounts.
Becks backs B&W One way to drive mainstream interest in Hi-Fi is to employ a high profile brand ambassador. Enter David Beckham. He’s been signed by
Bowers & Wilkins. An unashamed Bowers fan, Beckham has lent his head to promote the brand’s Px8 noise-cancelling wireless headphones. Retailers can expect a lot more PoS featuring the football star with new B&W audio hardware in the near future. Denon has also gotten in on the celebrity act, signing Katy Perry to shill its PerL earbuds. With a unique circular shape, these wireless earbuds should stand out from the pack. Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT), developed by Denon owner Masimo, allows owners to create a custom hearing profile based on their own full hearing response. They’re ideal for those seeking a more bespoke in-ear audio solution.
David Beckham has lent his head to promote Bowers & Wilkins’ new Px8 headphones. And Katy Perry has teamed up with Denon to be the face of the PerL earbuds.
For those after more traditional wired Hi-Fi headphones, the award-winning Meze 99 Classics over ear wired headphones remain a perennial favourite, at £269. With a lightweight design, they feature striking wooden ear cups and ship with a choice of two detachable double-ended Kevlar cables, plus a 6.3mm adaptor to use with a headphone amp or Hi-Fi system. There’s no noise cancellation on offer, but the closed back design does afford a level of ambient noise isolation.
At the higher
end of the market, consider the Sendy Audio Peacock headphones. Retailing for £1,300, these gloriously over engineered open-backed over-ears feature an exotic Zebrawood chamber shell and 8mm Planar Magnetic drivers. Despite their 578g weight, the soft leather earpads are comfy over long periods of wear. They come with a braided two-metre 4.4mm balanced cable, 6.35mm single-ended adaptor, and a 4.4mm balanced to 4-Pin XLR cable.
The audio sector may be getting a welcome refresh, but hardcore Hi-Fi retains its allure.
July/August 2024
ertonline.co.uk
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