Adding this component to your home audio system can unveil new layers of realism to sounds and vastly improve your listening experience, even if you already own most expensive gear out there. How and why the DEQX HDP-Express ($1,950) works is a bit complicated, so we’ll spare you the lengthy audio lesson and stick with the basics.

Accurate sound playback involves properly reproducing the amplitude, time, and phase of audio material. Good speakers do a decent job of correctly reproducing the amplitude, but they all fail at preserving the time and phase to some degree. Timing issues are introduced by speakers because more than one driver is involved in reproducing the individual frequencies in a particular sound. Similarly, phase errors are introduced because all of a speaker’s drivers fail to move perfectly in and out in step with each other, and with the speaker’s input signal. Both of these error types are compounded when multiple speakers are involved. The DEQX HDP-Express corrects for both of these issues and adjusts for acoustic anomalies in the room, creating an immersive experience unobtainable by the system on its own.

Setup involves connecting the component either between an analog preamp and power amp, or directly to a digital source. Next, users must measure the room and speaker distances with a microphone, which DEQX’s software then uses to optimize the audio system. Subsequently, if you don’t have this equipment installed by the pros, you’ll have to purchase either a standard ($279) or reference ($935) calibration kit to make it all work.

Given its price tag, this obviously isn’t something you’d purchase for your generic home-theater-in-a-box, but for those who’ve spent anywhere from 10k and beyond on their system, the secret sauce that DEQX HDP-Express can bring to the table is worth considering.

Buy Now: $1,950

Headphones are the new status symbol in a world where everyone owns the exact same phone. So it’s not surprising that Parrot, maker of a wide range of random accessories for mobile devices including a remote controlled helicopter drone and the Asteroid car audio receiver, decided to enter the fray. Like the $1,500 Zikmu iPod speakers launched a few years back, their newly announced Zik headphones were designed by the guru of all things modern, Philippe Starck. While they aren’t the first set of cans to make use of Bluetooth connectivity to eliminate wires, a unique button-less design should help them stand out in the first class cabin, partially because of their sleek black exterior, but more likely because of the strange ear cup fondling their wearers will surely engage in.

Specifically, swiping up or down along the back of the right ear cup adjusts volume. Skipping tracks likewise works by swiping back and forth to the left or right. The audio will even auto pause each time it detects a user taking off the headset. Most phones will still have to “pair” with the headphones to work, but newer handsets equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) such as the Galaxy Nexus can automatically sync by just tapping one of the ear cups to the phone. Noise cancellation technology rounds it all out, muting consistent background distractions both inside and outside the headset, so you can listen to Toni Braxton or take calls from grandma in auditory peace. Of course, there’s an app as well, which provides a wide-array of soundstage controls for discriminating listeners who can’t help but tweak settings. Ready to spring? Pricing and release dates are still under lock and key, so you’ll have to monitor the link below for news.

Learn More: Here

Flash back to 1984. Prince still went by Prince and was ruling the music charts. Ralph put the macho in Macchio by laying the hurt on Cobra Kai. A former hollywood actor was just reaching the middle of his tenure in the oval office. And Koss introduced what would become one of the most iconic sets of headphones on the market — the Porta Pro.

Now, even after decades of technological advances, the $50 semi-open cans are still widely regarded as one of the best values in the audio world, thanks to their extraordinary sound quality, “Comfort Zone” earpad pressure adjustment, and portable folding design. While we’re all for the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, the newly announced Porta Pro KTC (or Koss Touch Control) updates the original with an iDevice-certified inline remote / mic combination, making them just as perfect for the iPhone as they were for the Walkman. It’s still unclear how much this Botox treatment will affect the price, but we really don’t expect their value proposition to change. Koss has shared that the set will go on sale sometime this spring, so you’ve still got a little time to get your genius playlist based on Jump in order (just in case you foolishly don’t have it teed up already).

Learn More: Here

Typically, buying a set of custom molded earbuds from brands like Ultimate Ears (now a subsidiary of Logitech) or Etymotic can take months. That’s because consumers must first visit the Audiologist to have inner-ear molds made, which are then shipped to the headphone company for production.

Sonomax’s Sculpture Eers Custom Molded Headphones ($199+) ship with a unique “SonoFit” system that allows buyers to mold the ear buds at home in under four minutes, for instant bespoke-audio gratification. We know — the thought of injecting medical grade silicone into your ears via a take home kit sounds almost as dubious as starting a land war in Asia, but Sonomax’s system is safe and proven to work, earning them the coveted 2012 CES innovation award for headphones.

Currently, the company offers two tiers of headphones featuring the SonoFit system, including the lower-level single driver PCS 100s ($199) and the dual driver with cross over PCS 200s ($299). At those prices, there are plenty of competing headphones that probably surpass the Sculpted Eers in terms of absolute fidelity. But to the average listener on a budget, the comfort and noise isolating benefits of a truly molded set could even things out. Knowing that your pair won’t fit in other ears that haven’t seen a q-tip in decades is a serious bonus.

Buy Now: PCS 100 $199 | PCS 200 $299

If there’s one thing that Bose does well, besides marketing, it’s noise cancelling headphones. They just work, even if they scream “I live for middle-management”. And despite efforts from some of our favorite brands, most of the offerings have been pretty lackluster. AKG aims to remedy that, including their former noise-cancelling headphones, with the all-new AKG K495NC Noise Cancelling Headphones ($349).

Using a closed-loop noise-cancelling design that measures ambient sound both inside and outside the headphone, the K495NC’s deliver shockingly good noise attenuation. We found ourselves somewhat taken aback at how well they suppressed the jarring ruckus of CES happening around us — letting us focus more on the headphone’s wide 20Hz-20kHz dynamic range — plenty enough to have our own Billy Chapel moment. And unlike other active headphones, the K495′s continue to operate as normal headphones even when you run out of juice, which is handled via USB charging instead of cumbersome batteries. Very handy. In the design department the K495′s speak for themselves. Leather ear cups, brushed metal and an ultra durable adjustable leather headband ensure they’ll keep up with your jet setting. Carrying case, in-line mic with remote, two audio cables, charger and flight adapter are included.

$350 out of your budget? Consider the AKG K490NC’s ($249). For a hundred bucks in savings they offer a bit less noise cancellation (single mic open-loop design), but still deliver convenient passive operation and stellar audio quality.

Buy Now: $349

Did you lust after Widealab’s Aurender S10 music server, only to have your heart crushed by its $6,800 price tag? Pioneer’s newly announced N-50 and N-30 streamers might be just the substitute for those with more humble budgets and who couldn’t care less about internal storage. The N-50 ($699) is the higher-end model and features an “armored chassis” that’s designed to minimize external interference and the pesky vibrations that degrade sound quality. A USB port for connecting iOS devices sits up front, while coaxial and optical ports round out the inputs on the back. Likewise, coax, optical, and gold-plated RCA jacks are the available outputs. Inside, the advanced model also features twin EL transformers that further reduce interference, as well as two proprietary techs dubbed Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever Air, which are designed to eek out better sound from compressed sources like MP3s. The lesser-priced N-30 simply ditches the rear digital inputs, specialized chassis, and compressed music boosters, shaving the price down to $499.

Both models are capable of 192kHz/24-bit WAV / FLAC lossless playback and feature a 2.5-inch LCD for viewing metadata, album art, and file information. AirPlay is onboard for streaming in the Apple ecosystem, while non Macheads can fall back on DLNA 1.5 integration or internet radio services. Android and iOS owners can also download free apps to control the component using their phones.

We’re more than a little disappointed that wireless or Bluetooth connectivity costs an extra $100 a pop for the adapter dongles, especially considering you can purchase a perfectly capable Apple TV as an AirPlay solution for less than the price of these add-ons, while gaining access to more content to boot. Then again, we learned a long time ago that price point logic is the last thing one should consider when wading into the audiophile world.

Buy Now: N-50 $699 | N-30 $499

It doesn’t take a sleuth to see that the analog stereo bandwagon is growing beyond its fringe enthusiast roots into a mainstream consumer request. But unlike their positively eyegasmic flat screens, we can’t recall a time we’ve ever clamored for a piece of Samsung audio gear, much less an iPod dock, but the Samsung DA-E750 has us taking a second glance.

The flagship in a line up of new iOS — and Samsung Galaxy, naturally — audio docks to be unveiled at CES (we’ll see you there, right?), the DA-E750 features a 2.1 speaker setup with built-in subwoofer powered by a proprietary hybrid vacuum tube amplifier good for 100-watts. The setup takes advantage of both the natural richness from tube-generated sound (the pre-amp) and the clarity delivered from solid-state components (amplifier) to deliver the best of both worlds, and who doesn’t love the warm glow of a vacuum tube? Beyond the docking ports, connectivity options also include an analog composite input and USB port for playback from a variety of devices including an external hard drive, and the entire setup is wrapped up into high-gloss finished wood case. Frankly, we can’t wait to drop in one of our iPhones chock full of high-resolution tunes to test its chops.

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Most people are perfectly content to store and experience their music collection on a computer (we do it everyday at the office). The convenience of accessing massive amounts of music and rich metadata on a whim with just a click or a search is simply unparalleled. For audiophiles, though, this ease of use comes at the expense of sonic fidelity.

The Aurender S10 digital music server from the Korean audio new-comer Widealab provides the best of both worlds to those who can afford it. Unlike typical computers, the S10′s compartmentalized design eliminates sound-destroying electrical distortion, by maintaining complete separation between the custom sound card, linear power supply and the motherboard/hard drives. Speaking of hard drives, a 2TB internal drive is included to house extensive music collections, but all cued music is instantaneously copied to a 65GB solid state drive before being played for improved performance.

While geeks may appreciate that the computer runs a customized version of Linux, the included iPad application is the only bit of software owners will ever interact with when browsing through their collection via album artwork, playlists, or any other metadata factor. More importantly, there’s no need to futz with sample rate support or configuring software for bit perfect output, regardless of whether a low-qulaity MP3 or high-resolution 24-bit/192 kHz file is selected. The S10 takes care of it all on the fly.

It’s not like the component is all brains and no beauty either. Instead, the substantial aluminum block should look right at home next to most hifi gear and features dual AMOLED displays that can rotate between three different display modes depending on user preference. Subsequently, the only point of concern qualified buyers should have is whether their digital music collection has the class to match their newly aquired digital music gear.

Buy Now: $6,800

The Arcam rCube is another high-end iPhone dock to hit the home audio market along the lines of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air. What sets Arcam’s offering apart from the rest is the Sonos-like ability to wirelessly network up to four rCubes throughout the house, using an included USB dongle, for a complete home audio solution. The same dongle enables the box to stream music from your iDevice or computer as well. Unlike its wired competition, the rCube is also portable, thanks to an integrated carrying handle and the ability to run off of batteries. The cube is available in white or black and measures just 7.9-inches while weighing under 11 pounds. Internal component specs are vague, but we do know that it boasts a total of 90 watts of power to two side-facing speakers. Given Arcam’s reputation in the audio world and the lavish praise the rCube has received from multiple hi-fi mags, the device should please most sound connoisseurs (as iPhone docks go), granted money isn’t an issue. Even after reducing the price from $800 to $450, the rCube ain’t cheap. Compared to outfitting your pied-à-terre with individual components that offered the same functionality and quality, though, it’s still a value.

Buy Now: $450

Services like Pandora and Apple’s Genius technology changed the way many of us consumed music, by intelligently mixing and matching songs to fit a particular theme or mood. These jukeboxes of the digital age, however, still fall well short of what professional DJs do best — the continuous mix. Pioneer’s newly launched Mixtrax music software is set to change the listening landscape in this direction, by using pro techniques to create DJ sets on the fly from your ever-growing music library.

The free desktop software works by analyzing your collection and assigning various key DJ metadata to it, including song tempo, beat position, and chorus position. Once that’s out of the way, a variety of playlists covering popular moods are automatically built from your collection. Users can also manually form track lists of their own if desired. The final step then involves picking between three mixing styles dubbed, standard, basic, and active, which dictate the speed and techniques used for blending the playlist together. After that, Mixtrax takes over to create one continuous mix, complete with beat-matching, effects, and varying transition styles. Mercifully, the Funk Master Flex air-horn sample was left out of the software’s bag o’ tricks.

As of now, Mixtrax works with select Pioneer in-dash car receivers and Steez audio products in addition to the computer, allowing users to enjoy the non-stop beats wherever they are. Something tells us this product lineup will probably expand once CES rolls around next month too.

Our initial trials with the software left us impressed, and we’ve personally spent plenty of time mixing by hand. Mixtrax had an intuitive feel to its beat matching and effects usage that worked pretty much flawlessly when we allowed the software to dictate the order and type of tracks it was mashing together. The results were less dazzling when we manually selected a few songs and demanded they play in that order. Truthfully, we’re not sure even Tiesto DJ could have made our mix sound better without some serious hacking though.

All in all, Pioneer’s expertise in the pro DJ world clearly shines through in this product. The software is as close as it gets to having a personal DJ at your command, and because of it, house parties, long drives and sessions at the gym may never be the same, particularly if you enjoy the type of music spinners mix on a regular basis. It won’t make miracles though out of your massive collection of grunge, gospel, or a cappella, and it’s not going to challenge Girl Talk’s reign as the king of mashups — yet, that is.

If you’ve got a PC, you can download the free software at the link below to start sample what Mixtrax can do. There’s also a free iOS app that’s scheduled to drop at any moment and Mac compatible desktop software is coming soon.

Editor’s Note: DJs out there might see Mixtrax as the beginning of the end in terms of automating their skill set. While this is a natural reaction — our own demo DJ even joked about it — we couldn’t help think that the tool could save some serious time when developing new sets, by eliminating much of the trial and error that’s required to determine what songs fundamentally work well together.

Download Now: Here

Yeah, we know. Another day, another iPod Dock. But unlike the one sitting in your bedroom, the 8-foot by 4-foot Behringer iNuke Boom ($30,000) probably won’t fit on your nightstand. Then again, it won’t win any awards for classy product names either. Inside the 700 pound stereo beast, the iNuke has been endowed with 10,000 watts — no, it’s not April 1st — of ear-dissolving power. Behringer, who you may know from their lineup of sturdy pro-audio gear, will have the iNuke Boom on display at CES 2012, just in case you didn’t think it was real. Here’s to hoping they kick it off with Regulate.

Buy Now: $30,000

As rabid movie, music fans and gamers, we’re always on the hunt for gear that can push our home entertainment experience to 11 (much to our better half’s chagrin). This roundup includes some of our favorite home theater products out today that we’d love to host in our living room.

Continues after the jump.

Verus Forte Tower HD System

In the world of home theater audio, Aperion’s bang for the buck value is second to none. Their latest flagship 5.1 home theater system is the winner of countless editor’s choice awards and packs enveloping big theater sound in a beautifully crafted set of speakers that will fit in nearly any living space. Free shipping, a risk free 30 day in home trial policy, and lifetime technical support just pile on to the value insanity.

$2,500 | aperionaudio.com

Elite Pro X5FD HDTV

When Pioneer announced it was exiting the TV biz back in February of 2009, a part of us died. After all, their Kuro line dominated the market in terms picture quality and even the majority of today’s high-end sets have to yet to best many of its benchmarks. A small part of that legacy lives on in Sharp’s newly branded Elite line of LED TVs — which licensed the Elite name from Pioneer. While plasmas from Samsung and Panasonic unquestionably present a better value in terms of cost to performance, the THX and ISF certified Elite 60 and 70-inch sets equipped with full-array local-dimming technology have been crowned by many videophiles as the new flat-panel champ.

$5,500+ | elitelcdtv.com

Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player

In a world where disc-based media is dying, it’s increasingly hard to justify paying for components like Blu-ray players. Oppo’s BDP-83, however, is an exception, since it offers comparable performance levels to home theater components costing up to four times as much, for both video and audio material. Thanks to an incredibly rich feature set that includes, Qdeo video processing by Marvell, dual HDMI 1.4 outputs, wireless N-networking, dual-USB ports, an eSATA port, and access to streaming services such as Netflix, Pandora, and VUDU — this may very well be the last Blu-ray player you’ll ever need to buy.

$500 | oppodigital.com

NAD T757 A/V Receiver

NAD has a cult following in the home theater community thanks to its Apple-like design approach of “less is more” and intense focus on quality. Subsequently, the T757 A/V receiver avoids the majority of the convoluted features touted by competing brands and instead simply produces stellar audio with minimal setup hassle. Thanks to so-called MDC design (Modular Design Construction), the T757 is also uniquely suited to battle obsolescence, since core components of the receiver such as the HDMI specification can be swapped out in the future without scrapping the entire receiver. That kind of long term thinking is unheard of in this space, which makes investing in a NAD an easier decision over the similarly priced competition.

$1,600 | nadelectronics.com

Stand Out Designs Haven TV Console

Stand Out Design’s new made in the USA 82-inch solid wood TV console is the perfect man cave companion for the true home theater geek. It’s got room for up to 6 beefy components plus a spacious 10-1/8 x 39-1/4 x 20-1/2 middle shelf for optimal center channel placement. Other well thought out details include ample wire chase holes for large plug heads, adjustable vented glass shelves, integrated temperature controlled quiet exhaust fans, media drawers, and remote-friendly glass.

$2,100 | standoutdesigns.com

Roku LT Media Streamer

Roku’s new LT Media Streamer provides access to up to 300 different content services to any TV with an HDMI input for an incredibly low price. While most of those offerings are admittedly not that exciting, the combination of Neflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, Pandora, Epix, Disney (for the kids), MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter and HBO Go makes this purple puck the ultimate gateway drug for your content addiction.

$50 | roku.com

Sewell InjectIR

As much as we love the look of home theater gear, it doesn’t always make the best impression when it comes to interior design. The Sewell InjectIR is an ingenious HDMI adapter that allows users to keep home theater components hidden in closets, without the pain of wiring separate IR extenders. It works by sending IR signals through the unused CEC channel (Consumer Electronics Control) of the HDMI cables already connecting your system. As a result, installation takes less than 60 seconds and cost a mere $45, which is an absolute steal compared to the time and money you’d wind up dropping on a custom installation.

$45 | seweeldirect.com

Optoma HD33 3D DLP Projector

Projectors are typically an intimidating product category that leaves many consumers scratching their heads. The Optoma H33 refreshingly bucks this trend, as the first front-facing full HD 3D projector available for less than $1,500 aimed squarely at the casual home market. For the price, it delivers outstanding 2D and 3D video performance that should leave both gamers and movie lovers pleased as punch.

$1,430 | optomausa.com

Sennheiser RS 220 Wireless Headphones

The days of sacrificing sound quality for the convienience of wireless connectivity are officially over. Sennheiser’s new top of the line circumaural RS220 headphones can provide rich, uncompressed audio from both digital and analog sources that even audiophiles should be impressed with. It’s sleek multi-purpose transmitter also functions as ‘easy-charge’ cradle and docking station for the headphones when not in use.

$600 | sennheiser.com

Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics

This is definitely the geekiest pick on the list, but for the true home theater fan, it may very well be the most rewarding. The classic calibration disc developed by industry legend Joe Kane can help amateur enthusiasts get the best possible picture quality from any HD display (short of a $300+ professional calibration), by walking them through a variety of menu-based tests. There’s also plenty of background information on the basics of HDTV and the factors that affect picture quality, which should be the biggest treat for those looking to gain expertise. If you’ve already blown your gifting budget on a new TV, you can always add this to your Netflix queue, instead of paying for it outright.

$19 | videoessentials.com

Ahh, that musty smell of dusty, disorganized vintage record shops. Or how about the high-pressure unapproachability of hi-fi audio retailers? Instant turn-off, right?

Not so fast. The crew at In Living Stereo prove that purveying fine audio gear and records can indeed live in harmony. With a recent move from deep in the East Village to their new digs in NoHo, we decided to make a short trip down to 2 Great Jones Street to check out ILS’s wares and chat with devoted proprietor, Steve Mishoe, about hi-fi audio, his new location, and of course sit in their massive new demo room for an extended listening session.

Our shop tour continues after the jump.

It’s immediately apparent that In Living Stereo aims to make vinyl approachable, quite the opposite of the beau monde effect that plagues so many hi-fi stores. A friendly and knowledgeable staff mans the record shop area where a counter full of vinyl accessories and headphones sits beneath a loft of vinyl. Unlike so many record stores, ILS keeps their new and used selection tightly curated. No digging through boxes and floor racks full of obscure plates. And, gasp (or sneeze), there’s hardly a bit of dust in sight. The staff, or Mishoe himself, are also happy to help you find some new gems for your collection. Offering more than a nice modicum of perusing privacy, the loft is enveloped with music from a pair of Dynaudio speakers. It’s all together an entirely refreshing experience.

Take a left past the record shop through the plate-glass wall and you’ll find a tight selection of audio gear that Mishoe describes as “the type of audio gear I love.” What that translates to is an inventory of gear the uninitiated might not recognize, but should: Shindo Laboratory, Music Hall, Dynaudio, Prima Luna, NAIM Audio, Brooklyn-based DeVore Fidelity, along with other more recognizable stalwarts like Grado, Rega and Creek. Two listening rooms (one that can really only be described as art deco meets audiophile heaven meets living room) and a mezzanine make up the vaulted hi-fi shop. With our penchant for desktop audio, we also found ourselves pleasantly surprised to learn of Mishoe’s wide breadth of knowledge, and applicable offerings, for digital/iTunes based hi-fi.

Details matter, and In Living Stereo’s passion for audio gear is evident — even the sound-dampening panels in the demo rooms are handmade by Mishoe himself. Whether you love hi-fi or vinyl or just have an appreciation for incredibly well-built gear, be sure to give ILS a visit. You might walk out with a few new vinyl gems, your first foray of hi-fi gear, or just a newfound love of hi-fi. Either way, In Living Stereo is perfectly happy helping you with all three.

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We credit the Rams’-like looks of the new hidden radio & Bluetooth Speaker on Kickstarter for catching our eye this morning — despite our luke warm feelings about most Bluetooth audio. The monolithic can avoids spoiling its clean lines with external buttons by incorporating a simple but effective twist top design. The first twist turns the speaker on, while raising the cap higher increases the internal volume to up to 80db. Bluetooth is obviously the preferred method for transmitting audio, but an AM/FM radio and 3.5mm audio input are also included for you old schoolers. Battery life is quoted at 30+ hours of streaming music, which means you’ll likely forget the thing ever needs to be recharged. Industrial Designers John Van Den Nieuwenhuizen and Vitor Santa Maria have already spent $50K on the project, but they’re still seeking another $125,000 in Kickstarter backing to get the Hidden Radio officially out on the market. Toss in a minimum donation of $99, and you’ll receive one of the first of off the assembly line for your contribution.

Buy Now: $99+

It’s hard to believe that only three years have passed since Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine launched a line of headphones designed to bring their studio sound to the masses. History now shows the move was a prescient business decision that spawned a title wave of copy-cat products endorsed by anyone with a hip-hop single. As hard as they scrambled to hop aboard the cash express though, none of the Dopplegangers have achieved anywhere near the same levels of success as the Beats brand, which quickly sprinted beyond headphones to become a full-fledged audio company.

To be quite honest, the classic Beats sound spectrum has never been to our preference — the artificial notches dialed in on the low-end are fatiguing. Like all great gear, though, Beats is evolving, and this time they’re skipping Economy Plus in favor of Business Class with Beats Executive Headphones ($400). As you’d imagine, things get a bit more refined along the jet-set way. On the outside, a new design eschews the recognizable red and white swagger for sleek black and brushed aluminum look. On the inside, better cultivated sound technology delivers honest mid-range, an elevated top end, and of course robust bass. Just in case that salvo towards camp Bose wasn’t obvious enough, Beats Executives will also pack noise-cancelling technology, making them perfect selection for your next Get Him to the Greek moment.

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More images after the jump.

Whether or not you’ve got ambitions to host the next All Things Considered or Howard Stern Show, quality sound (besides subject material) is essential. Poor quality audio causes listener fatigue — a troublesome notion when you’re waxing poetic about everything from Apple to Aaron Sorkin. The Yeti Pro ($249) combines a traditional analog XLR output and the convenience of USB for 24bit/192 kHz digital recording without any cumbersome mixing gear. Of course, you can also use the XLR-out to capture directly from its high quality condenser mic by Blue and monitor directly through a built-in zero-latency headphone output. It might be a touch overkill for Skype calls with your uncle, but for your bedroom musicians and aspiring podcasters, the Yeti Pro is the full monty.

Buy Now: $249

Knowing that nearly all of us are guilty of what co-founders Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat would consider an abomination is an interesting notion. The crime? Listening to the music coming through today’s primary audio consumption tool. Headphones. Luckily, the duo also have a hefty, if not vigorous, solution: Schitt Headphone Amps ($250+). Obvious moniker jokes aside (yes, it’s pronounced as you’d think) Schitt amplifiers are just that — the shit — infused with a refreshing notion in the world of cheaply foreign-manufactured gear: American-made electronics designed to pass down to your children. Currently three amps make up the Schitt range. The entry-level Asgard ($249), the tube-based Valhalla ($349) shown above, and the high-output hybrid Lyr ($449). The sound from all three are true magic, instantly transforming your music collection into one you’ve never heard before. You can thank overengineered componentry for that: true Class A components, highly simplified circuity for ultra-low feedback (think “farm to table” for your music) and high current design. And if you’re a skittish consumer, rest well knowing that every device comes with a 15-day satisfaction guarantee and 5-year warranty.

Side note: If your primary audio source comes from a USB-based device, we’d recommend picking up their bit-perfect digital-audio converter, the Bifrost ($449)

Buy Now: $250

One serious benefit of Apple’s decision to revamp only the guts of the new iPhone is that all of the iPhone 4 cases, accessories, and peripherals received an extended lease on life. West Elm’s new Parsons audio end table ($400) has an integrated dock for charging your precious iPhone or iPod and it’s apparently compatible with other mobile devices in case you aren’t guzzling the Cupertino Kool-Aid. The company also vaguely touts a “powered speaker system” for listening to tunes. We wouldn’t count on it winning awards for audio quality, but it should playback your Yanni Live at the Acropolis album just fine when it’s time for some shut eye.

Buy Now: $400

Full-sized, over-the-ear headphones (known as Circumaural cans to you purists) typically provide a level of audio fidelity that measly earbuds can’t match. The trouble is they don’t exactly store nicely when not in use on your desk. These Woo Audio Aluminum Headphone stands ($60-$75) can help remove clutter from your workspace or listening station by attractively displaying your gear on aluminum. Compared to the dowel stands on the market, the lightly curved base design of Woo’s offering won’t mar your fine leather head pads with imprints. Each stand can also be adjusted from 11″ to 14″ in height and options are available in both black and metallic finishes for single or dual sets — in case your better half is an audiophile too.

Editor’s Note: If you prefer the look of wood, check out these Sound Omega Stands by Sieveking.

Buy Now: $75

In-car telematics are a losing proposition. As many features as brands tout it seems like it’s hardly 6 months before your $3000 navigation and audio system are outdated. If you’re like most American’s and own your vehicle anywhere close to the average of a decade then forget about it — you’re lucky to even have Bluetooth. Not all hope is lost though. The Parrot Asteroid ($350), powered with mobile variation of Android, offers robust connectivity to your device(s) through hard-wired or wireless options, and features voice recognition (sorry, no Siri), GPS, built-in maps, phonebook sync, music-on-demand, and even an SD card slot. A jog-wheel and generous 3.2″ high-resolution LCD screen make switching between Gym Class Heroes and James Taylor a cinch. One other trick up its sleeve: the Parrot turns your car into an instant wi-fi hotspot using your smartphone’s data capabilities. And in case you still haven’t shed your car-break-in paranoia, circa 1990′s, you’ll be glad to know the faceplate does indeed detach.

Buy Now: $350

Shrouded in gleaming aluminium and molded rubber, the Revo K2 ($470) tower not only out-looks other, plebeian docks, but also offers access to virtually every radio signal under the sun including old-fashioned over-the-air and internet streaming stations including last.fm. Perfect for your morning dose of NPR. Besides a dearth of plastics, the K2 also features music streaming capabilities from your PC or Mac, and disperses 360 degree room-filling beats thanks to four neodymium balanced-mode radiator speaker drivers and dual Class-D amps. The visual icing: a monolithic OLED display for seeing whats on, a motorized Apple device dock, and plenty of connectivity options including RCA ports and optical-input and a full alarm clock functionality. Just don’t call it a Fawlty Tower.

Buy Now: $470

Buying a great pair of headphones is a big first step in upping your audiophile cred. Many of the models we’ve covered before can be an ear opening experience to what music is meant to sound like. That said, most of us listen to music in digital format these days, whether it be from out laptop, mp3 player, or even TV most of them were never intended to provide power to headphones. The result is headphones not performing to their true potential, and ears being robbed of the full musical experience. The solution, a headphone amp.

To be more precise: a headphone amp equipped with a DAC. A DAC converts digital signals (e.g. your massive iTunes library) into analog signals which have superior sound quality. The Icon HDP from NuForce is one of our favorite DAC enabled amps on the market. Inside the Icon HDP is actually and Amp, DAC, and a preamp allowing it clean up your mp3′s and pump them out sounding better than ever. It’s also blessed to look like an offspring of Apple’s design department, allowing it to meld perfectly with your aluminum and glass office motif. After testing one for a while, the big proof wasn’t in the HDP’s top tier stats, but in how it seemed to make us feel like we’d just stepped into the recording studio with our favorite artists. Everything sounded more organic and 3D, layers you hadn’t known were there became vibrant. Having our friends try it out was always a treat as their eyes went wide and an invariable “wow” was uttered.  We agree with their assessment.

Author’s Note: While we used the Icon HDP primarily for our headphones, it is possible to hook them up to your stereo as well, to improve the digital music signal being streamed to it.

Buy Now: $450

Most TV speakers have the acoustical chops of a cowbell orchestra. We put up with them simply because alternatives are pricey, bulky, and a pain in the ass to install in a clean and proper manner. The Yamaha YAS-101BL Front Surround System improves on these common drawbacks in several ways. It’s relatively easy on the wallet and designed to provide 120 watts of 7.1 audio from a single soundbar and built-on 60-watt subwoofer. Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 and DTS ES 6.1 surround-sound decoders are embedded, while a UniVolume feature maintains a constant volume, effectively muffling blaring slapchop salesman during commercial breaks. Integrated IR learning and a rear-facing IR blaster make the device remote-friendly too, since the YAS-101 can relay IR signals to the TV in the event it’s blocking the set’s main IR eye. Measuring 35 inches by 4.25 inches (or 4.75 inches on a stand), it’s perfect for smaller bedroom TVs. Inputs a are little slim with room for two optical and one coaxial — but for $300, it’s not too shabby.

Buy Now: $300

At the helm of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain was crowned by many as the voice of Generation X. The distinctive guitar he used in his final three years of his life just happened to be from another generation — 1965. In celebration of his talents and lasting influence, Fender has meticulously reincarnated his unique lefty axe in the form of the new Kurt Cobain Jaguar ($1,850). Who knows how Kurt would react to this news if he were alive today — after all, he did say “the worst crime is faking it” — but fans will surely love it. It sports a similar, 3-color sunburst alder body with a “road worn” finish, for a vintage look that belies its true age. The same DiMarzio humbucking DP103 PAF 36th Anniversary neck pickup and DP100 Super Distortion bridge pickup are also onboard, as are other distinctive electronics and controls like kurnled “chrome-dome” volume and tone knobs, a three-position toggle switch, and black chrome Adjusto-Matic bridge and Gotoh sealed tuners. Fender did deviate from the original slightly though, by making a version for righty grungers too. Thanks to the crew a High Snobiety for bringing this to our attention.

Buy Now: $1,850

Don’t feel like shelling out for a Pioneer DJM Nexus, but still want proper Pioneer DJ gear? Vault the Pioneer DDJ-T1 ($899) to the top of your list. A lower price doesn’t mean a half-baked controller though. Pioneer has infused the DDJ-T1 with pro performance jog wheels that are both ruggedized and responsive, touch search strips, a full line-up of inputs and outputs, and a customized version of Traktor DJ software that makes setup a breeze. The DDJ’s enclosure also allows you to tuck your MacBook right under the controller for a compact arrangement leaving you plenty of visual periphery in which to command your swelling assemblage.

Buy Now: $899

It may look like something snagged for three cents out of the bottom of a bargain bin, but bedroom style is a necessary bedside sacrifice for a particular type of sleeper. You know — the kind who could doze through a taser to the jugular. The Thunderclap Alarm’s 113-decibel ringer provides the same get-the-hell-up-and-go drive as a close call with lightning, minus the risk of electroshock therapy. Since not all people are auditory learners, the device also flashes three bright red LEDS and ships with a vibrating pad, powerful enough to send tremors down your mattress. Thinking a power outage could be your only savior? Think again, since an optional removable 9-volt battery pack accessory is available for dedicated users.

Buy Now: $35

Using planar magnetic technology, essentially a thin-film diaphragm housed between two magnetic structures, and an arsenal of knowledge pooled from a cache of industry sound engineers Audez’e (pronounced “odyssey”) has managed to create what might be the smoothest pair of headphones we’ve ever auditioned. Sure, the Audez’e LCD-2 Headphones ($945) may cost a pretty penny, but that’s what you get for a bewilderingly smooth response across the board, adding no distortion or interference with source material (ours: The Social Network soundtrack, uncompressed) make them the perfect litmus to re-hear your entire setup and music collection. Mighty bass, revealing mid-range and accurate sound make them immensely enjoyable to listen to, actively or passively, for multi-hour jam sessions. As for the looks? Well, we’ll let the Caribbean Rosewood, lambskin leather, and retro-can aesthetics do the talking.

Buy Now: $945+

The Elite SC-57 receiver’s ($2,100) biggest claim to fame is power. Its proprietary D3 digital amplifier assumes the throne as the most powerful amp of any multichannel A/V receiver in the industry and is the only one of its kind to receive THX Ultra 2 Plus certification. From a capabilities standpoint, this unique power plant can pump out a head-splitting 140-watts of virtually loss-free power to up to nine distinct channels. It also features fewer moving parts than its predecessors, minimizing distortions as well as providing faster response times via a more direct signal path. Otherwise, the receiver packs what you’d expect from a new, top of the line Pioneer Elite, including support for three zones of audio, iPod certification, AirPlay, Bluetooth, USB and DLNA connectivity, as well as Marvell Qdeo video processing for top notch 1080p/24fps scaling of virtually any video source. In short, if money is no object in your hunt for the best consumer-grade receiver, call off the search now, and kindly buy your neighbors some good earplugs.

Editor’s Note: If you like this model but can’t stomach the price tag, keep in mind that Pioneer’s new mid-range VSX 1021 ($550) provides a similarly advanced feature set for a quarter of the cost.

Buy Now: $2,100

Old school DJs were just as much showmen as they were beat droppers. Then computers made the whole craft much more nerdy. As it turns out, clicking on trackpads just isn’t as engaging as tearing up vinyl. Replace the laptops of today with an enormous, transparent touch panel display, and the pendulum could swing back to the roots of Herc, Bambaataa, and Knuckles. Smithson & Martin’s powerful emulator is the brains behind their multi-touch professional DJ system ($3,850+). Built off of the popular DJ software, Traktor Pro (Ableton & Serrato version are in development), it gives spinners complete control over customizing their MIDI touch interface for use on nearly any multi-touch device — at any resolution. The real jaw-unhinging starts, however, when the software runs on the set’s included 42″ transparent multi-touch screen, which works in conjunction with an Optoma Pro Short Throw rear projector. Together, they create a visual spectacle that echoes Minority Report in all of its futuretech glory. Watch the video that shows off the system in action after the break, and get a taste of what will likely be the standard gear for pro club DJ’s (and super rich wannabes) in the future. If an EpiPen existed for deterring gadget lust, we’d take four in the thigh right about now.

Buy Now: Software Only $300 | Software + 42″ Touch Screen $5,950

Dutch designer Michiel Cornelissen has devised a clever product to tame Apple’s ubiquitous ear buds. The CableGuy ($13) features four slots for holding the ear buds and 3.5mm plug in place, leaving room in the middle to wrap up the pesky cord in a nice ‘n tidy fashion. There’s also a built-in clip for attaching the CableGuy to shirts, bags, and pockets. Sold in black and red, as well as other limited edition color sets, it could be time to finally treat yourself to a break from cable mayhem. That, — or you could just buy a better set of headphones.

Buy Now: $13

AirPlay continues to invade the home and this time, packed into the Klipsch Gallery G-17 ($530) wi-fi portable speaker system. The G-17 touts four individually powered drivers: two 10-watt Tractrix-horned tweeters alongside dual 20-watt woofers alongside all the usual ports like USB and 3.5mm inputs. Charge up its batteries (or plug-in directly), and take it anywhere you need great portable sound. It’s even wall-mountable so there’s no excuse not to fill every nook and cranny with Klipsch horn-tweeter goodness. Our preference: speaker grill off.

Buy Now: $530 (Fall)

Long before AirPlay was on the scene, Sonos products made streaming music wirelessly throughout the home an easy affair. The company’s new Play 3 ($299) speaker is no exception. Designed to act on its own as a small but mighty audio solution for apartments, or as part of a larger Sonos system, its 5.2 x 10.6 x 6.3 inch frame contains three Class-D digital amplifiers, which individually power one tweeter, and two three inch mid-range drivers, while a passive, rear-firing radiator handles da bass. Thanks to Sonos’s included intuitive software, the speaker can access almost every digital music service in existence and can be controlled in a variety of ways including via an Android or iPhone app. For multi-speaker setups, there’s even the option to use two Play 3 units together for stereo audio. Eat your heart out Bose Sound Dock.

Buy Now: $299

The dictionary defines criterion as “a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing”, so it goes without saying that christening your flagship product with such a definitive term shouldn’t come casually. It’s a good thing then that “casually” describes anything but the Jeff Rowland Criterion Preamplifier ($18,000). Built to ultra-precise standards with groundbreaking features, the Criterion Preamplifier is designed for total musical transparency — a process that begins with power management and confinement from noise pollutants. This is accomplished primarily through a brilliant use of two industrial grade rechargeable batteries, which allow the unit to operate completely independent of power. Further, the unit switches off its control subsystems after each command execution to even further maximize sonic isolation. And that’s just the power unit (the bottom component pictured).

With sonics that read like rare vintage wine tasting notes, the preamp produces a 3 dimensional sound stage that delivers extraordinary detail and texture without a hint of grain. Complex and material trebles, staggering bass and authoritative mid tone structure come at any sound level, particularly evident in low levels, making the Criterion one of the most sensuous pieces of audio componentry we’ve ever auditioned (our playlist: Wynton Marsalis, Massive Attack and Dave Brubeck). It also happens to be one of the most becoming. A diamond milled, aircraft-grade aluminum ingot facade echoes the internal twin-chassis design and surrounds a massive vacuum fluorescent display. With a breathtaking pricetag (plus the cost of an amplifier), the Criterion Preamplifier isn’t a component to take lightly or a purchase you’ll make easily, but the last time we checked, neither is uncompromising engineering.

Buy Now: $18,000

We’d be hard pressed to find an answer if you asked us to identify two pieces of audio gear we love listening to more than our Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin or PS5 headphones. But, we doubt you’d ever see us using them. Neither are exactly portable. That may soon change though with the upcoming release of the Bowers & Wilkins C5 Headphones (est $240). The noise-isolating in-ear headphones finally bring B&W’s amazing acoustics to a set of portable headphone that, gasp, you might actually run with. Besides the amazing design you’ve come to expect from B&W, the headphones feature a Micro Porous Filter system to provide a spacious, lifelike soundstage and a Secure Loop design and Tungsten Balanced weighting that hold the headphones firmly in place using a curled inner ear rim wire and a biased weight balance towards the ear. The C5 headphones also boast a built-in remote and microphone for the requisite iPod or iPhone usage as well as a quilted carrying pouch.

~$240 (Available August)

Watch the product video after the jump.

The Wurlitzer Digital Lyra Jukebox ($4,700) is not your father’s jukebox. Controlled through a 15″ touchscreen this modern interpretation of the jukebox can consume music from nearly every medium. Whether its CD’s, cell phones, memory cards or USB, the Lyra stores your entire library and playlist to its 320GB of built-in memory and can even play live streaming channels via the internet. To do its predecessors proud, the jukebox churns out 200 watts of RMS power its two external studio quality speakers and integrated active 10 inch subwoofer. And in case you’re worried about two rabble rousers ruining your collection in a bar fight, fret not — this Wurlitzer backs up its entire stored collection via your wireless network.

Buy Now: $4,770

Famous amp maker Marshall shook up the audio world when they released the Marshal Major and Minor headphones. A little over a year later, they’ve now added some phone-friendly additions to their flagship Major ($120) cans in the form of an integrated mic and remote. Both features function as you’d expect, allowing users to answer calls and flip through playlists with compatible phones such as the iPhone. Otherwise, the set remains unchanged and still features a matching headband made form the same vinyl as the amplifier, excellent sound quality, and a 6.3mm headphone adapter for musicians and DJs. Best of all the price hasn’t budged and getting more for your money is never a bad thing.

Buy Now: $120

Jaybird’s new JF3 Freedom Bluetooth Headphones ($100) are built from the ground up to be the workout accessory you’ve always wanted. Their Bluetooth connectivity allows them to connect to your iPhone, or any stereo Bluetooth device wirelessly, which is a huge plus for anyone whose nearly been garotted by their current wired set mid-lift. They’re also a veritable Fort Knox against sweat thanks to a special over-molded rubber sealed front cover and a variety of internal claps to keep internal components nice and dry. The integrated button panel and microphone is additionally coated in rubberized paint and allows users to answer calls, switch tracks, and adjust volume without touching the phone. On a full charge, users are good for up to six hours of continuous playback. Each set ships with three ear cup sizes, and a premium magnet case for storage.

Buy Now: $100

Today marks Les Paul’s 96th birthday and even if the Google homepage has made it possible to pick away at your own rendition of Stairway to Heaven, we thought it worthwhile to divert your attention to a truly amazing instrument worthy of Les Paul, the Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess ($6,174). Prog rock legend Alex Lifeson (Rush) collaborated with Gibson Custom to redefine the Les Paul, taking its solid mahogany signature tonewoods and infusing it with unparalleled sonics and performance capabilities. How? By leaving the tones completely untouched but upgrading the pickups and controls in addition to implementing a Floyd Rose vibrato system and GraphTech Ghost piezo bridge saddles for a virtually unlimited range of tones and voices. You’ll also find two outputs: one standard or a dual cable mode, which allows you to output both regular and the Life-O-Sound output separately. As for the aesthetics department — well, there’s not much to say. It’s jaw-dropping. Whether you choose the Royal Crimson (pictured) or Viceroy Brown you’ll be in possession of an instant classic. And if you’re lucky enough to get one of the first 50 guitars, yours will be emblazoned with the signature of Lifeson himself. Rock n’ roll.

Buy Now: $6,115

When it comes to spinning vinyl, there are a lot of choices under $500, but not all of them are awesome, especially if you care about the way your turntable looks as much as the way it plays. Whether you’re a vinyl junkie or making a foray into the great you’d be hard-pressed to find a better setup than the Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 Turntable ($499). Including a table, tonearm and factory-installed cartridge you’re pretty much set up to go right out of the box, including fussy calibration and assembly.

RPM 1.3 isn’t just a looker either. Pro-Ject has infused it with first-rate technical features like a resonance-optimized platter, decoupled AC synchronous motor, tonearm milled from a single piece of aluminum, and most importantly, a high quality pre-installed Ortofon cartridge. Available in gloss white, red or black the RPM 1.3′s minimalist design looks as great as it sounds making it a killer centerpiece to your analog setup.

Buy Now: $499

About the only thing music production and portability share in common are the letter ‘p’. That is, unless you find yourself equipped with the new Zoom R8 ($299). The 8-track portable controller takes Zoom’s renown on-the-go audio capture capabilities and meshes it with an all-new controller capable of 2-track simultaneous recording via its built-in mics or external inputs to an included 2GB SD card (up to 32GB via a SDHC slot). But the controller’s capabilities don’t just end there. A built-in drum machine, over 150 guitar and studio quality master effects and compatibility with digital audio workstation software (Cubase LE is included) make it an ultra-versatile tool in an ultra-compact design — it can even run off 4 AA batteries, power adaptor or USB port and fits in a guitar case.

Buy Now: $299

Network-ready A/V components have been around for a few years now, but most fail to do much more than provide awkward interfaces for streaming video and music services – hardly a compelling ‘integrated’ experience. But Denon, long hailed in Japan and abroad for a history of audio innovation that stretches back over 100 years, is poised to release a line up of cutting-edge networked A/V Receivers that aim to tie together your entire media-universe within one convenient control-center (the AVR 3312CI, 2312CI, and 2112CI). Uninspiring names we admit, but touting some inspired performance specs.

For those of us with extensive iTunes libraries, iPads, or any of Apple’s other ubiquitous devices, the receiver’s built-in support for Airplay (Apple’s wireless streaming-interface) is likely reason enough to start saving up for one. Add to that full support for Windows’ own streaming interfaces as well, along with a myriad of other second-tier formats, and you have a device ready to handle absolutely anything you can throw at it. Then, wrap all of that ‘compatibility’ in some seriously muscular hardware (seven 125 Watt channels each powered by its own discrete circuit, 3D HDMI inputs, and Audyssey DSX support), and you end up with an A/V receiver that will not only centralize your diverse media-universe, but also deliver it to you with the utmost fidelity and clarity.

So, cheers to Denon, not only for giving us some spectacular new gear to look forward to, but for raising the bar on the competition and giving them some new targets to aim for, which ultimately works well for us all~

More Info: Denon.com

Your next tour with the Rolling Stones may be years and dreams away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the smash set with you. Korg’s all-new Wavedrum Mini offers up 100 samples, 10 audio effects and 100 rhythms which can then be recorded with an unlimited number of overdubs using the on-board looper. Battery or AC power, built-in speaker and headphone jack mean you can share your sweet new beats publically or keep them to yourself. However, none of that compares to what we think is the Wavedrum’s greatest feature: the sensor clip. If you’re bored with the built-in dynamic pad simply attach the included sensor clip to any object and instantly turn it into a second percussion instrument. Table, chair or neighboring cubicle wall, the choice is entirely yours.

Price: TBD (Q3 2011)

Take the following quiz: You’ve had your ultra-sharp flat-screen TV hanging on the wall like a piece of modern art for years now, but your speakers are still sitting on (choose one): a) the far end of the bookshelf, b) a mantle about 4 inches too shallow, c) mismatched speaker stands, d) the floor.

If you chose any of the answers above (or even two of them), don’t worry, there is no longer a “wrong answer,” thanks to tireless speaker innovators like KEF and in this case, their new uber-thin, wall-friendly T series Surround Sound Systems ($1,099-$1,999). The T series, intended to keep your flat-screen in good-looking and good sounding company, are all about depth.

To be fair, surround sound speakers only 1.4 inches deep that still deliver full-bodied sonics simply don’t sound possible, but when KEF starts a speaker design nearly from scratch, you know things are getting serious in their engineering labs. As with almost any speaker design, the bass drivers are often what determine the depth and size of the final unit, and here is where the magic starts with the T Series. Replacing the traditional cone with a flat, ribbed diaphragm and separating the driver’s suspension from the magnet system, KEF has produced a remarkably slim unit that manages to deliver with the power of a driver several times larger and deeper. Add to that a nicely sized 1-inch vented tweeter, engineered to excel at clarity and balance (see their ‘tangerine’ waveguide), and you have the makings of a speaker that will sound every bit as good as it looks.

So, flank your flat-screen with one of the three T Series 5 speakers, find a discreet home for the subwoofer and bring your friends over to marvel at your new wall of sound.

Buy Now: T105 ($1,310), T205 ($1,410), T305 ($1,999)

You have a personal music library that would take two months of straight listening to get through from beginning to end. You subscribe to a dozen online streaming services and can instantly satisfy even the slightest musical whim (like calling up that one song from A-Ha’s second album that you really like but are afraid to admit to your friends). You even have some good speakers and some understanding neighbors. So, what can a man so close to musical nirvana possibly need? The answer is simple, the Cambridge Audio’s DacMagic ($429). The one piece of gear that will undoubtedly push your digital music experience to dazzling new heights.

Continues after the jump.

How can one piece of Hi-Fi kit do so much for an already solid system? Without going into the deep, dark corners of the complex world of digital-audio, we can focus on the DacMagic’s sole purpose: to upsample any digital signal it receives to wondrous 24-bit/192kHz audio, and to send that pristine signal to the rest of your Hi-Fi setup. This is meaningful because the higher the rate of sampling for a digital music source, the closer to the real world analog signal (which is perfectly smooth) it becomes. So, for computer-based audio systems, which are constantly dealing with compressed, lower quality sources, this upsampling is indeed border-line magical. Sonically, the DacMagic makes you feel like you have had cotton taken out of your ears; dynamic-range is extended, realism is greatly enhanced, and the soundstage is opened up beautifully, even for the most low-resolution digital material like those leftover from your college Napster days. Within moments of getting the DacMagic setup (greatly aided by offering both USB and Digital Toslink connectivity), you will be introduced to a whole new world of sonic detail that it has “extracted” from the source signal, and in a somewhat Zen-like turn, turned on to the importance of space and openness between voices, which it exposes with real clarity.

At $430, the DacMagic more than justifies its cost with the detail and life it adds to all of your digital music sources, and in taking you one step closer to musical Nirvana, leaves you wondering how you ever went without it.

Buy Now: $429

Tired of that tiny, distorted and generally otherwise underwhelming sound emanating from your stock TV speakers, but hate the thought of wiring up surround sound? Go for a sound bar. The newly updated Boston Acoutics TVee Model 25 ($350) provides an enveloping audio experience without the fuss at an affordable price. Consisting of only a sound bar and wireless subwoofer, this 150-watt 2-piece ensemble uses Dolby Digital technology and Boston Acoustics Digitally Optimized Virtual Surround to deliver room-filling virtual surround sound far better than any stock flatscreen. Each component is individually powered by built-in amplifiers, meaning there’s no receiver to buy and more money to burn on Blu-rays.

Buy Now: $350

Bookshelf systems may not be at the top of your gear-acquisition list, but to us, nothing really beats the sexiness of a well-designed compact system. It seems Harman Kardon feels the same way because the new tuxedo-clad MAS 102 ($999) certainly looks the part. Designed to perform like a separate component setup, the system still provides simple operation of its FM radio, CD player, dual-alarm clock and USB connected devices or iPhone/iPod. In the sonics department, a 2×65 watt amplifier drives the speakers, which each boast a 5″ flat-panel mid-bass driver and MMD 1″ dome tweeters with integrated metal matrix waveguides for distortion free sound. And just in case you’re wondering, yes there is a phono input.

Buy Now: $999

Believe it or not, there is an entire generation of ‘audio-orphans’ who have never known that music isn’t meant to come out of undersized, mass-produced, plastic boxes. And standing right behind them is a slightly older generation who may know better the virtues of quality speakers, but have been caught in the spell of ‘digital convenience’ and all but forgotten what recorded music truly sounds like. Fortunately for both, Paradigm’s Studio 10 (v5) ($499 each) bookshelf speakers deliver breathtaking clarity and performance that will excite even the most jaded of ears.

Continues after the jump.

With almost 30 years of dedicated craftsmanship behind them, the wizards at Paradigm have produced a speaker that effortlessly fills a room with a breadth and depth of sound typically reserved for speakers double their size (and double the price). Boasting a 1″ tweeter, 5.5″ mid-woofer and oval bass port, the Studio 10s begin with clean, tight bass response, move into a strikingly precise mid-range, and top things off with flawless detail at the high end. Powered with an appropriate amp, the exceptional performance across the entire audio-band allows the Studio 10s to reproduce a soundstage and positioning with openness and authenticity — frankly, there’s nothing like listening to the Beatles performing I’ve Got a Feeling and “seeing” the acoustics of John just a bit off to Paul’s left, with George and his guitar still further off in the wings, and Ringo keeping time behind them all.

For less than a grand (and made in North America), you’d be hard pressed to find a better pair of speakers for breathing life and presence into your music collection. Spend a few minutes with them, and you’ll be talking about ‘tone,’ ‘resonance’ and all the other musical ideals you forgot you knew.

Buy Now: $499 each

Lead photo by Samuel Morris

The result of four years of R&D, the handmade all-wood Blumenstein Ultra Fi Orca Speakers ($550) are designed with a singular purpose: deliver bone-tingling sonics from a bookshelf speaker without a wallet annihilating price. Hi-Fi buffs (and common sense) will tell you that one of the best ways to make this happen is to reduce the number of components for maximum efficiency and utilizing top grade parts where you do need them. Here, the Orcas deliver. Built around a paper cone Fostex full range driver made from banana plant fibers and a speaker cabinet made from hand-finished 12mm Birch plywood, the amount of sound these speakers produce belie their size. Just don’t forget to use great source material and quality power. And as an added bonus Blumenstein Ultra Fi even offers free shipping, but if you’re a native to Seattle, WA, or in the area, they’ll be happy for you to come by their workshop and take advantage of the local discount: 15% off list. Sounds good to us.

Buy Now: $550

Etsy isn’t the first destination that comes to mind for audio gear, but stumbling across these jaw-dropping Mt. Man Speakers ($900) from Philadelphia-based maker Jesse Gerard, aka Carrot Grant, is a welcome surprise. Designed and made by hand from solid cherry, each speaker features twin copper-clad woofers, gold-plated binding posts for banana plugs or 12 gauge wire and can handle 50 watts each. Measuring 22″ x 7″ x 8″, together they’ll add punch to your tunes as well as your crib’s style. Plus, unlike the typical audio gear from the big boys, you can feel smug knowing your set is nearly one of a kind. Yodel le he hoo.

Buy Now: $900

Buy Now: $150