We love the annual Consumer Electronics Show that happens in Vegas each year, we just wish we could afford to attend every year! CES is a chance for manufacturers to show off their new products and here’s a round up of new products that we are looking forward to. However, sometimes new products can take a while to reach our shores or don’t make it at all. So don’t be expecting these to all be available in the next few months, but we’ll do our best.

Teac 501 Series

Teac has released a new range of high performance micro sized components that are styled on their TASCAM range of pro audio gear. There’s a dedicated Headphone amp, DAC and CD player as well as an Integrated Amp/DAC/Headphone amp that is all class with the analog VU meters. More Information

Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio has come out firing with 4 new Home Theatre products. Leading the charge is a new flagship Bluray player, the 752BD – More info here

Updating it’s line of AV Receivers Cambridge Audio has released a new flagship 200W per channel AVR, the 751R. There’s also an update to the successful 651R and a new entry level model the 351R (slotting below the current 551R) for those that only require 5.1 channels.

Onkyo

Onkyo is joining the crowded headphone market and has launched four new models. With an emphasis on street style, no doubt Onkyo will also back these up with great sound. More info here

Micromega

Hot on the heels the amazing Micromega MyDAC (read my review here) comes the matching MyZic Headphone amp. If it’s up to the standard of the MyDAC this will be one to watch. More info here

Audioengine

Audioengine has updated its popular A2 model to the A2+. The big upgrade here is that now the A2+ inlcudes an internal DAC, so you can connect your computer to your the A2+’s via USB and do the digital to analog conversion away from the noisy computer environment. More info here

Jeff Rowland

Jeff Rowland Design Group have announced the bridgeable 525 Mono block amplifiers. These are an update to the excellent 501 model and are a class D design capable of driving 250W into 8 ohms, and this can be taken to a whopping 1000W @ 8 ohms when bridged. Interestingly, unlike most class D design these aren’t based on the popular ICEpower modules and are a new design from this outstanding audio desisigner. More info here

VTL

The kings of Tube amplification have released a new dedicated phono stage for those looking to get the very best out of their vinyl collections. The VTL 2.5 Phono is already picking up positive feedback, read more here.

Wadia

The biggest surprise for us from the CES announcements was the 400w Intuition Amplifier from Wadia. I don’t think anyone saw this coming, a completely unique design that doesn’t look like anything we’ve seen from Wadia in the past. Check out the Computer Audiophile’s thoughts and pictures of the Intuition here.

Dual

German based company Dual have introduced a new model based on their 455M (High mass version) that we have been very impressed with. The new model is the CS-460 and features an all new platter and other refinements to the tone arm. More info here

No that isn’t a Rihanna reference, it’s just that we have been searching for a headphone brand for a little while now. While some brands offer great headphones in one price category, or great headphones in one particular design – open vs closed, earbuds vs over the head etc… What we really wanted was a well known brand with pedigree and a history that also manufactures their own models and not just a new brand that just slaps their badge on to someone else’s headphones (rumour has it that only about 10% of the world’s headphones brands manufactures their own headphones).  Audio-Technica are one of the originals, in-fact they were founded in 1962 when they first built phono cartridges. Then in 1974 along came their first headphones; the AT 700 series that still runs today but in many updated forms.  Tiens bought his first pair in 1976 the RE2, which has now been reintroduced as the RE70 and it looks identical.  Audio-Technica now covers probably the biggest range of models of all headphone brands so there will be a perfect set for each and everyone. No wonder they are the # 1 Headphone brand in Japan since 2009. We will have a full blog later on the different ranges and models in each range in the line up. So on paper Audio-Technica was looking great and then we came up trumps when we auditioned the Audio-Technica headphone range.

There were two models that ‘sold us’ so to speak. These were the M50 Studio Monitor and the AD500 Open Air headphones.

Firstly the M50′s… I have some experience in live sound and have tried many different headphones for this and studio purposes at many different price points. I had settled on the Sony MDR-7506 for general use as it wasn’t too bright, has pretty flat response and they are comfortable. The 7506 is somewhat of a standard in the world of studio headphones. I could almost gaurantee that every studio in the world has a pair of 7506′s hanging on a hook somewhere. These are my go to headphone for editing, amatuer editing maybe but its editing all the same! Now when I came to compare the M50 and the 7506, to be honest I was thinking for sound/comfort/price/build quality comparison the M50′s were going to have their work cut out for them, but boy was I wrong. Noise isolation and comfort is on a par, build quality I give a slight edge to the M50 as it just feels a more robust in the hand, but then I listened. Everything from the frequency extremes, to the cleanness in the bass, to the clarity of the midrange presentation bettered the 7506. The other thing I have always maintained is that the 7506′s aren’t bad for straight up listening either, some poo-poo studio monitors for playback but if you like a wide range of music i’ve found them to be a good balance. The M50′s really shine in this regard, I could see these used from orchestral music to rap to rock, and doing an excellent job of everything inbetween. I can highly recommend this headphone to those looking at Beats and wondering if they’re worth the money (they aren’t) or to someone wanting a monitor headphone for studio use, the M50′s ROCK!

Enter the AD500. Tiens and I were particular keen on the open air series given their reputation and the fact it’s a more natural listen, or maybe more “speaker like” is the way to describe it. The open series aren’t for bass freaks, lets get that out of the way, but what you lack in the bass is more than made up for in the mids and highs. Imaging, clarity, and general sense of ‘music’ is astonishing from these headphones. We also found them pleasant to listen too without the harsh highs of so many others trying to wow people on first listen. The AD500 stood out purely on price, for under $150 this is outstanding value in our opinion, sure the models up give you more of everything and are worth the price, but the AD500 just seems like such a bargain to us! The other thing we love about these bigger Audio-Technica’s is you barely know you are wearing them! The design is so refined that the weight is not on your ears, I could wear these for hours on end and the pads are made of soft velvet cloth so no sweaty leather pads here!

If you are interested in any of the Audio-Technica models we have listed please contact us for more information, demo’s or recomendations for headphone amps.

That’s all for now, and indeed we found headphone love with Audio-Technica.

To view the Audio-Technica headphone range we love visit their brand page. You’ll also see a very nice turntable, more on that later.

Brendan

This year there’s been some changes to our line up on Stereotype.co.nz we’ve said goodbye to some brands which has meant we could introduce some new brands. So with that, we are very pleased to be representing Onkyo home theatre products and QED Cables. I’m sure both these brands need no introduction as they are both well known for excellent value. Onkyo of course is well known for its incredible value and features when it comes to AV receivers, and QED is one of the most awarded cable brands in the world. To celebrate their arrival we’ve put together some fantastic package deals below, plus for the month of August, when you purchase a Jamo D500 5.1 system, you’ll receive a FREE ONKYO TX-NR616 valued at $999* - details below.

Onkyo Home Theatre

The latest range of Onkyo Networking AV Receivers are the most feature rich in each of their classes. The THX Select2 certified NR-616 takes off right where one of the biggest selling receivers, the famous NR-609 left off, but retails at $500 less! The updated NR-616 adds the latest streaming and digital processing functions. The NR-414 is outstanding value for money, a networking AVR at this price has been unheard of until now, and it’s no slouch when it comes to sound quality and amplifier power too. So if you’re in the market for an new AVR then find out more about the new Onkyo networking home theatre receivers or contact us for an audition.

Onkyo SR313 and Jamo A101 Package

If you are after a discreet Home theatre system that won’t break the bank yet delivers great sound and Danish design to match – then look no further than the awarded Jamo A101 Speakers, powered by the 5.1 channel Onkyo TX-SR313. Insane value for money, great buying here. ONLY $999 plus shipping, while stocks last. Find out more or contact us for an audition.

Onkyo NR414 and Paradigm Cinema 100 Package

Stepping up in performance and features is the Paradigm Cinema 100 speaker package powered by the networking Onkyo TX-NR414 5.1 Receiver. With crystal clear sound from the Paradigm’s backed with features like streaming from Spotify, this system is sure to please. Find out more or contact us for an audition.

Onkyo NR616 and Castle Compact Package

The Castle Compact System is one of our new favourites. This modest priced, stylish home theatre system delivers a natural presentation that is just so sweet to listen too! Never fatiguing and just the right amount of sparkle, if you are in the market for slim real wood (Yes real timber, no vinyl veneer here) speaker at a real world price, make sure you hear the Castle Compacts. Find out more or contact us for an audition.

FREE Onkyo TX-NR616 with any Jamo D500 5.1 THX system*

Thats right folks, FREE. For the month of August when you purchase a Jamo D500 5.1 THX home theatre speaker system you’ll receive a FREE Onkyo TX-NR616 receiver. The THX certified Jamo’s and the THX certified Onkyo are a THX certified match made in heaven at a down to earth price! Order Now – * Offer expires August 31st 2012, While Stocks Last.

Once you’ve picked a package, talk to us about the difference cables can make in a system, and we will recommend the right level of cable to match the system and your budget. Make sure you keep an eye on What’s New and our list of Specials on site, if there isn’t quite the right package there for you, just contact us and we’ll see what deal we can do for you, happy listening!

- Tiens & Brendan