Buying Guides
Powered vs Passive Speakers: Which System Should You Buy?
Powered and passive speaker systems compared by cost, upgrade path, cabling, TV integration and long-term flexibility.
SoundPath Lab
SoundPath Lab，独立声音研究与工具评测。
Comparisons
Arylic S10+ vs WiiM Mini: Which Budget Streamer Fits Your System?
Arylic S10+ and WiiM Mini compared by USB roles, network connection, inputs, outputs, streaming protocols and real system fit.
Product Issues
Beats Studio Buds Bluetooth Microphone Vulnerability: Firmware 1B211 Fix
Apple says Beats Studio Buds could allow a nearby attacker to listen through the microphone while the earbuds were unpaired and seeking pairing requests. Firmware 1B211 is the official fix, but independent post-update verification is still pending.
Truth & Risks
Amazon-Native Brands at a Crossroads: What Comes After Marketplace Growth?
Amazon-native brands were built through search, reviews, FBA and marketplace advertising. As fees rise and platform dependence deepens, which ones can become lasting brands—and how should buyers judge them?
Comparisons
Fosi S3 vs WiiM Pro Plus: Which $250 Streamer Should You Buy?
At $259.99 and $249, Fosi S3 and WiiM Pro Plus now compete directly. Compare XLR, HDMI eARC, Roon, apps, DSP, measurements and limitations.
Audio Explained
How to Position Stereo Speakers and the Listening Seat
Set up stereo speakers with a repeatable process for listening position, symmetry, distance, height, wall clearance and toe-in—before spending money on treatment or EQ.
Buying Guides
Network Streamers in 2026: What Is Worth Paying For—and Where the Audiophile Tax Begins
A $99 streamer and a five-figure transport can both be the right purchase—or the wrong one. The deciding factor is not price. It is the job your system actually needs done.
Buying Guides
Gaming Headsets in 2026: What Changes at $50, $150 and $350—and Who Should Pay More
Most players do not need a $350 headset. Some absolutely do. The difference is whether the premium solves a real problem: noise, routing, platform switching, battery downtime or music quality.
Product Issues
Naim New Classic Firmware 5.4: Display-Off Setting May Reset After Power Cycle
Status: Under investigation · Workaround available Evidence level: E1 — repeated reports in Naim’s official community, mixed counter-evidence, not independently reproduced Severity: Low operational impact; no safety hazard identified Last checked: September 4, 2026 Next review: October 2, 2026 18, 2026 Summary After installing firmware 5.4 on Naim New
News
Audio Industry Briefing: Sonos S52A, Goldmund Telos 9800, Presto and Spotify AI Labels — August 14, 2026
FCC documents point to new Sonos headphones, Goldmund unveils its Telos 9800 flagship platform, and Presto Music reaches Focal and Naim streamers.
Audio Explained
How to Match an Amplifier to Passive Speakers
Match an amplifier to passive speakers using impedance, sensitivity, listening distance, clean power and headroom—not a single wattage number.
How-To
How to Integrate a Subwoofer into a Two-Channel Stereo System
A practical, evidence-based guide to connecting and tuning a powered subwoofer in a stereo system—covering sub outs, line and speaker-level inputs, crossover, phase, delay, level, placement, room correction, and common faults.