Brent Butterworth

The new Denon Flagship, the AH-D7100

Denon: New Headphones, New Docks, New Look

A revived headphone line and hot new iPod docks for Denon (and D+M sibs Marantz and Boston Acoustics too)

By Brent Butterworth
Posted May 30, 2012

Denon’s been to headphones what the Rolling Stones have been to rock: Both enjoy an unassailable reputation even though they haven’t done anything significant for a long time. I’m betting the Stones stick to that plan, but as of yesterday, Denon’s back in play with a new line of 11 headphones — plus a couple of cool new AirPlay/DLNA speakers, too.

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NuForce Cubes, in colors

Review: NuForce Cube

A powered speaker, USB DAC, and headphone amp in a tennis-ball-sized chassis

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 1, 2012
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In the last year, we’ve seen lots of super-compact audio systems that sound surprisingly good: the Jawbone Jambox, the Q2 Internet Radio, and the Soundmatters FoxLv2 are three great examples. But the NuForce Cube comes in at just a fraction of their size: The enclosure measures less than 2.5 inches on all its sides. One look at the Cube and it’s hard to imagine you’d want to listen to it for long.

But behind the Cube’s grille hides what may be the most serious attempt at a 1-inch full-range driver I’ve ever seen.

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T.H.E. Show 2012, main image

Gallery: 2012 T.H.E. Show Newport Beach

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The best stuff from last weekend’s L.A. audio show

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T.H.E. Show 2012, main image

Report: T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

The best stuff from last weekend’s L.A. audio show

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 4, 2012

Brick-and-mortar audio retailing is in decline, but fortunately there’s another way to hear the best new sound gear: Attend one of the growing number of regional audio shows. Last year saw the first Los Angeles-area show in years, T.H.E. Show Newport, which took over much of the Hilton Hotel near the Orange County Airport.

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Rock-it R-30 Headphones

Review: Rock-It R-30 Headphones

An in-ear monitor that looks like a plucked chicken but fits like a glove

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 6, 2012

There must be hundreds of brands and thousands of models of in-ear monitors (IEMs) now, and probably 95 percent of them are as generic as 2x4s. But it’s obvious that a lot of thought went into the Rock-It R-30.

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Rock-it R-30 Headphones

Measured: Rock-It R30 Headphones

In the lab with the highly adjustable, highly affordable balanced-armature models

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Subwoofers: Separating the Best From the Rest

The easy way to tell who’s serious about building subs

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 8, 2012
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I was testing some subwoofers the other day when something wonderful dawned on me. I realized that at long last, we have an easy way to separate the serious subwoofer manufacturers from the not-so-serious.

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Dimension4 Melody system components

Review: MSR Acoustics Dimension4 Melody Room Treatment System

DIY acoustic treatment products that actually work the way they’re supposed to

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 11, 2012

I’ve been frustrated with acoustic treatment products since 1995, the year I first read F. Alton Everest’s Master Handbook of Acoustics.

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Dolby Theater Debuts With Dolby Atmos Demo

The company shows off the theater’s new system with its latest sound technology

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 13, 2012
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If what I heard today is any indication, Kodak’s decline may be Hollywood’s gain. When Kodak dropped the naming rights to the famous theater used to host the Academy Awards, Dolby picked them up — and gave the theater a first-class technical makeover.

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Altec Lansing Muzx Ultra

Review: Altec Lansing Muzx Ultra MZX606

Balanced-armature IEMs for under $100

By Brent Butterworth
Posted June 25, 2012

With so many companies slapping their brand on generic IEMS, what’s an easy way to tell who’s serious about sound? Look to the guys selling IEMs with balanced armatures. Most IEMs use dynamic drivers, tiny versions of the drivers in box speakers, but a balanced armature is more like a little motorized teeter-totter that drives a diaphragm.

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