Buying Guides
FiiO FT1 vs FT1 Pro: Which Headphone Should You Buy?
FiiO FT1 or FT1 Pro? Compare closed-back vs open-back design, sound, isolation, comfort, amplification and the best use cases for each.
SoundPath Lab articles
Latest
Troubleshooting
Matrix Audio TS-1 and NT-1 Problems: What Buyers Should Know
Matrix Audio’s TS-1 and NT-1 are ambitious new streamers, but owner reports highlight wake-up delays, missing track openings, NAS access failures and network playback instability.
Troubleshooting
WiiM Voice Remote 2 Only Works While Charging: Battery Fault?
Multiple WiiM Voice Remote 2 units have been reported to work only while connected to USB-C power. We examine the likely battery or charging fault and what owners should do.
Buyer Beware
Fosi Audio Is Charging More. Are the S3 and ZP3 Finished Enough?
Fosi Audio is moving beyond cheap mini amps. The hardware is more ambitious—and more expensive—but the S3 and ZP3 show why software maturity, noise control and daily usability now matter as much as specifications.
Buyer Beware
How We Score Bad Apps, Poor Support and Firmware Risk
The evidence rules behind SoundPath Lab's caution lists: app reliability, firmware history, support, compatibility and ownership risk.
Myth Bunking
Do Expensive Power Cables Improve Sound? A Calm Answer Before You Spend
When a power cable genuinely matters, what an expensive replacement still has to prove, and how to compare without fooling yourself.
System Setup & Bottlenecks
$300 Desktop Near-Field Audio System: A Practical Chain Before You Overspend
A realistic $300 desktop chain that spends money on speakers, placement and daily usability before adding extra boxes.
System Setup & Bottlenecks
$500 / $1,000 / $2,000 Audio Budget: Where Should the Money Go?
A practical way to split a $500, $1,000 or $2,000 audio budget without letting the most exciting box become the system's real bottleneck.
News
Audio Industry Briefing: Nuvoton KCS, Bose–Fulcrum and Technics SL-1200 — August 7, 2026
Nuvoton adds Klippel KCS to a stereo smart-amplifier IC, Bose Professional buys Fulcrum Acoustic, and Technics schedules an SL-1200 anniversary event.
System Setup & Bottlenecks
Four Tools for Smarter Audio Buying: Bottlenecks, Tested Chains, Myth Checks and Buyer Warnings
Four evidence-led tools to diagnose system bottlenecks, compare complete audio chains, challenge costly myths and identify products that deserve caution.
Product Issues
Report a Product Issue or Submit a Brand Correction
Report a recurring product problem, add evidence, or submit a manufacturer correction and supporting update.
News
Winamp and Deezer Plan a New Streaming Player: Why Local Libraries Matter Again
Winamp and Deezer are building a 2027 player that combines streaming, local files, radio, podcasts and cloud libraries. Here is why that matters.