News

Welcome to the January 2017 issue! It may seem a little early to be welcoming in the new year with the first Hi-Fi Choice issue of 2017, but we’re already bursting into next year with exclusive reviews and the hottest news. Speaking of which, breaking news as we go to press with this issue is that Samsung is to acquire Harman International for a cash sum of $18bn. As one of the biggest names in the business, the US firm has its fingers in almost every sector of the audio market through a roll call of big-name brands that includes Harman Kardon, AKG and JBL, along with specialist premium audio brands Infinity and Mark Levinson et al. There had already been rumors circulating that Samsung was looking to buy a specialist audio brand, but it’s understood that Harman’s automotive connections are what ultimately secured the landmark deal as the smart-tech giant looks to move into these sectors.

World's first dedicated jazz music audio and video service opens

New portable speakers from the US

What better way to celebrate 70 years of being in the business of sound than by introducing a new model that harks back to a legendary three-way speaker fromthe seventies? That’s precisely what JBL had in mindwhen it decided to rework its classic three-way compact studio monitor, and the result is the £2,500 4312SE. Reprisingthe driver configuration and aesthetics of the renowned 4310/4311 studio and L100 ‘Century’ hi-fi monitors, the new speaker includes JBL’s latest transducers in the shape of the 300mm Aqua-Plas-coated pure pulp cone bass driver, 125mmm polymer-coated pure pulp cone midrange and a 25mm aluminium/magnesium alloy tweeter with waveguide and configured in mirror-image pairs. Additional features include a bass reflex enclosure with front-firing port, front panel mid and high-frequency controls and a removable black cloth grille. Each speaker has a special 70th anniversary badge and certificate with signatures of the engineer and assembly technician.

JBL launches new wireless earbuds, mobile speaker systems and portable speakers

Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to deliver a new album which will be the first new ELO music in 15 years. Alone In The Universe, the album is set for global release 12 November on RCA Records in the UK. The first single When I Was a Boy was released in late September and anyone that preorders the album will get it as an instant download. As with ELO’s previous releases, Lynne continuesto serve as producer, songwriter, arranger, lead singer and guitarist.