After the launch of the W model series, the Swedish manufacturer is completing its portfolio with the Drumfire II W – a two-part speaker system consisting of the main speaker D2 W and the active subwoofer D-SUB II. The Drumfire II W combines multiroom functionality, streaming variety and powerful sound in a design that is based on classic electric guitar amplifiers.
The Drumfire II W is the further developed version of the well-known Drumfire series. The manufacturer promises clear, dynamic sound at all levels. The active subwoofer creates a powerful sound with substantial bass. AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and multiroom control via the Audio Pro app powered by Linkplay are available for connectivity and convenient use via WiFi and Bluetooth.
Thanks to its integration into the W network generation “powered by Linkplay”, the Drumfire II W can be seamlessly grouped with other W models and existing WiFi speakers from Audio-Pro or Linkplay (e.g. WiiM) and operated in a multiroom network. According to the provider’s description, the new devices are characterized not only by their sound qualities, but also by a unified design language and high-quality workmanship.
With the market launch of the Drumfire II W, the new Audio Pro W series is complete. Audio Pro offers a wide selection of multi-room solutions across all models – from compact bookshelf speakers to powerful stereo stations with subwoofers.
The Audio Pro products are available from authorized specialist retailers. The RRP for the Drumfire II W is 699 euros. The system is available in white, black and gray.
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EIZO PRICE REDUCTION FOR 27-INCH COLOREDGE MODELS CS2740 AND CS2731
In times of rising prices everywhere, the Japanese monitor specialist EIZO surprises with the announcement that it wants to reduce prices. Ok, a second look reveals that this is not a general price reduction, but only for two specific models. – But at least. With the price adjustment, EIZO wants to make it easier for creative people to access color-accurate screen technology, it confidently states in the press release.
The affected monitors of the ColorEdge CS series are 27-inch models with 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels in the CS2740) and WQHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels in the CS2731. Both the CS2740 and the CS2731 can be hardware calibrated without loss and cover relevant color spaces such as Adobe RGB or P3 almost completely off.
With the price reduction, EIZO says it is taking into account the growing demand for reliable color control and at the same time is responding to the economic pressure that many creative people and companies are currently exposed to.
ColorEdge CS2740
27 inches, 4K resolution, modern USB-C port and high pixel density: The CS2740 is aimed at creative people in photo, video and content creation who expect maximum sharpness and flexible connectivity, whether in the studio or in a hybrid work environment.
Age RRP: €1,583
New RRP: €1,454
ColorEdge CS2731
27 inches, with WQHD resolution, a variety of connections with USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort as well as proven ColorEdge precision. The CS2731 is particularly popular with design and image editing professionals who value ergonomics, homogeneity and a reliable workflow, but can do without 4K resolution.
Age RRP: €1,135
New RRP: €1,009
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CANTON VENTO SERIES INTRODUCED IN 2026
At Canton im Taunus, the Vento passive loudspeaker series is something like the Golf for VW or the three-series for BMW. So real bread-and-butter models. After the Refernce series, which was recently extensively revised and successfully launched on the market, the complete revision of the Vento series is now an extremely important step for the company. And the makers didn’t let their guard down, as a look at the new models and their technology shows.
Almost the entire German trade press was invited to get to know the new models directly in the factory and to have their creators around Frank Göbl explain them to them. As is usual with such a large product launch, hardly any stone was left unturned. This will ensure the success of the series for years to come. My colleagues from LowBeats were there for the product presentation.
For the TechTicker I’ll limit myself to the most important things: The new models – at least nine in number – are:
Vento 11 – wall loudspeaker (650 euros/piece)
Vento 21 – compact loudspeaker (800 euros/piece)
Vento 31 – compact loudspeaker (from 900 euros/piece)
Vento 51 – center speaker (1,500 euros/piece)
Vento 81 – floorstanding loudspeaker (from 2,000 euros/piece)
Vento 91 – floorstanding loudspeaker (from 2,400 euros/piece)
Vento 101 – floorstanding loudspeaker (from 3,000 euros/piece)
Vento Sub 1 – subwoofer (2,200 euros/piece)
Vento AR-1 – Dolby Atmos enabled speaker (600 euros/piece)
View of the Canton production facility. (Photos: H. Biermann)
The special features include, above all, a new housing architecture made of multi-layer MDF structures with curved sides and strong curves on the edges. These are not just pretty to look at, but also directly support the acoustics, especially the new tweeter with a ceramic-coated dome and a special sound guide. Göbl explains: In the lower transmission range, the dome gets more volume thanks to the sound guidance, and in the upper range the radiation is also deliberately wider. All midrange and woofers have also been redeveloped. The shape of the housing reduces edge reflections. They now have membranes made of “Aluminum Titanium Black” (ATB). New drivers always mean completely newly adapted crossovers. In Canton’s new Vento models, this waveguide is essentially the characteristic element of the entire line.
All models in the new Vento series are available now. More information on the respective product page.
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ONKYO INTRODUCES MUSE SERIES COMPACT STREAMING INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
With the new Muse series, Onkyo presents a compact generation of powerful 2-channel network (streaming) integrated amplifiers. The Muse Y-50 and Muse Y-40 models combine streaming and signal amplification for passive speakers in one housing.
The Muse Series is powered by a fully digital circuit with Axign Class D amplifier with MOSFET output stage. A 5.46-inch color LCD display shows album covers, virtual VU meters or system information and – according to the press release – ensures comfortable control together with the user interface. It is not clear from this whether this means touch control on the display.
The Muse series can be integrated into multiroom and streaming environments and supports numerous streaming platforms, including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Roon Ready. In addition, a variety of connection options are available, including HDMI ARC, optical and coaxial digital inputs, USB playback and phono inputs for turntables.
The Muse Y-50 offers an output power of 125 watts into 8 ohms or 250 watts into 4 ohms. It also has a room calibration function using Onkyo Room EQ. Other features include an MM/MC phono input, a subwoofer output, HDMI connection for TV integration and an illuminated volume control.
The Onkyo Muse Y-50 is available in black and silver at a recommended retail price of 1,499 euros from authorized dealers.
The Muse Y-40 offers many of the series’ features in a slimmer design. At 75 watts at 8 ohms or 150 watts at 4 ohms, the output power is significantly lower compared to the Y-50. The Y-40 also has integrated streaming services, the high-resolution color display and numerous digital and analog connection options including HDMI ARC and phono input. Room EQ is apparently not on board here.
The Onkyo Muse Y-40 is available in black and silver at a recommended retail price of 899 euros from authorized dealers.
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JL AUDIO PRIMACY – FULLY DIGITAL HIGH-END MULTIROOM SYSTEM INTRODUCED
Do you still know Garmin? If so, then you most likely associate the name with navigation systems that competed with brands like TomTom or Navigon in this country, especially in the 2000s. Small GPS navigation devices with screens for cars are hardly an issue today, as they have been almost completely replaced by internal car navigation systems or smartphones. But Garmin still builds navigation systems today. What many people don’t know: The company is now much more of an active tech company that is active in many areas such as marine solutions, outdoor, fitness, aviation, automotive OEM and wearables and employs around 22,000 people worldwide. The company also acts as an investor. For example, Garmin has acquired the hi-fi brand JL Audio, which is relatively unknown in this country. And it is now introducing a multi-room audio system in the upper segment that works purely digitally and promises maximum sound and comfort.
At the center of the new system with the rather pompous name Primacy is the JL Audio Primacy CS Center Piece, a digital hub and source collector. The CS has connections for digital components such as televisions (ARC), CD players, consoles, etc. But analog inputs are also available, including phono. However, these are basically digitized because the system sends the music data to the Primacy speakers via the Dante protocol via LAN cable. The CS system, which also has extensive DSP capabilities including room measurement, includes a desk-shaped remote control connected via WLAN.
As the main speaker for a stereo setup, Garmin/JL Audio has developed digitally active floorstanding speakers TL 6 of the high-end class, which, due to their digital connection, are somewhat reminiscent of Meridian speakers, which established the fully digital loudspeaker concept at the end of the 80s. The TL 6 have a complex aluminum housing with interchangeable side panels to adjust the optics. In addition, there are the smaller Primacy S3 two-way bookshelf speakers.
The manufacturer summarizes the core elements of the Primacy system as follows:
- Active speakers: Primacy speakers replace traditional passive components with fully active speakers with precise DSP-based audio filtering. Each speaker features multiple internal amplifiers – one for each speaker or frequency range – that use JL Audio’s most advanced switching technology. DSP filtering occurs at the input of each active amplifier channel for optimal control and attenuation of each driven speaker cone.
- Excellently manufactured aluminum housing: Each speaker features a single cast and precision-machined aluminum alloy enclosure with integrated internal bracing and bass ports, providing exceptional resonance control, structural integrity and acoustic performance.
- Primacy Automatic Room Optimization (PARO): Audio signals are automatically adjusted to deliver an optimized listening experience for specific areas of the room based on the listener’s preferences.
- High-performance triple-core DSP: A digital signal processor that operates at 32-bit/192 kHz audio resolution and provides precise control over crossover filter, equalizer, dynamics, delay and phase.
- Dante Digital Network: Built-in professional, studio-grade audio/video networking technology, Dante is integrated into every Primacy speaker, providing a routing, control and audio connection that streams pristine digital audio directly to the internal amplifiers of every Primacy speaker in a home’s system.
JL Audio Primacy is available now and only through specialist retailers. For more information, visit Garmin.com. Information about the dealer network can be found here. Prices have not yet been announced.