New MDR-Z7M2 Premium Headphones from Sony Arriving October 2018

When Sony introduced its new flagship Signature Series MDR-Z1R headphones, it received mixed reviews from precisely the user communities that it targeted, considering its hefty price tag that placed it in direct competition with Audeze, MRSpeakers, HiFiMan or Stax. Already announced in Asia and more recently at IFA in Europe, the new Sony MDR-Z7M2 premium headphones inherited core technology from the MDR-Z1R, uses new 70mm drivers, keeps the comfortable design, and retails at a much more affordable price.

In this edition of Test Bench I characterized a transducer from Tang Band (TB) Speaker, the 25-2234SD, a new 1” high-resolution dome tweeter with response to 40 kHz. The 25-2234SD is a compact tweeter that features a 1” aluminum/magnesium inverted dome, a neodymium motor structure, an injection-molded faceplate, a protective grill, and a rear cavity with magnetic fluid in the motor gap for cooling. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, June 2018.

For this month’s Test Bench article, I examined the 745NEOBe, a pro sound 1.4” beryllium compression driver from Radian Audio Engineering. Radian Audio was founded in 1988 by its president, Dr. Richard Kontrimas, however, Kontrimas has since retired and the company is under new ownership, based in Orange, CA. With more than two decades of success under its belt, Radian Audio is now entering its third decade as a pro sound manufacturer. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2017.

There are many subtle ways a speaker designer can use the collar to “tune” the speaker-design for optimum response, added strength, increased thermal tolerance, better assembly fit, and more. Many materials are available for use as a collar but a careful understanding of the physical properties of these materials is required for optimum selection. Originally published by Voice Coil, May 2012.

Speaker and headphone manufacturer Klipsch announced a global initiative that will align the majority of its consumer product offerings under the established Klipsch Reference series. The new approach unifies home theater speakers, soundbars and headphones making its sonic signature and design standards attainable to a wider audience at various price points.