It wasn’t a slew of new product releases that hit the mailbox this week, but rather a cornucopia of more random attachments that are making their way to market for 4th quarter. There were indeed some new Shure AONIC headphones announced at a virtual Pepcom last month, but this week’s update includes some new hardware from Chord, 8 gigs of solid state drive for Innous and new product options from Grado’s recently revamped 4OurEars website.
A few new additions to the Shure AONIC line of wireless-friendly earphones was recently announced at Pepcon’s Holiday Spectacular virtual event last month. The IRL event usually takes place before CES in Las Vegas every year, but with current COVID conditions around the world another online format took place this year instead. As for AONIC, the IEM spread now includes 3, 4 and 5 models, priced at $199, $299 and $499 respectively. Each wired edition offers the capability to become BT wireless with the addition of Shure’s True Wireless Secure Fit Adapter for $150 more.
The Bluetooth device attached via a MMCX connection, which replaces the universal remote mic cable that ships with each of the earphones. In terms of driver configurations, the Shure AONIC 3 is a single vented balanced armature, the Shure AONIC 4 is a dynamic/BA hybrid and the 5 is a three BA design (two low and one high). Also part of the release is pair of True Wireless options called the Shure AONIC 215 ($229) that boast and 8 hour battery life plus 3x charges from the case. For those with commutes (either by air or train) you might want to check out the AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones ($499) with a more over-the-ear design. In addition to ANC, they also allow for sound passthrough with thier included “Environmental Mode”.
Innous, One of our favorite high end music servers is now offering their ZENith Mk3 and Statement servers fully loaded with a 8TB SSD. From the press release:
Portugal – Innuos is excited to announce the release of the enhanced 8TB SSD version for the ZENith Mk3 and flagship STATEMENT music servers and streamers. With this new release Innuos now offers an increased storage capacity on their ZENith and STATEMENT servers providing an additional opportunity for those audiophiles with particularly large music libraries and who still demand access to higher performance.
The new drivers in the ZENith Mk3 and STATEMENT Music Server and Streamers will now deliver twice the storage capacity of Innuos’ earlier Mk3 and STATEMENT versions and they will continue to offer Innuos’ commitment to exceptional audiophile performance and effortless usability, providing a high-quality digital source for one’s digital collection and streaming services.
The new 8TB SSD versions are available now! To continue supporting their existing owners needing to increase their storage capacity to the new 8TB version of these models, customers can contact their local Innuos dealer to schedule the upgrade.
The ZENith is a premium server and streamer, top of the ZEN Mk3 family of products while the flagship STATEMENT represents a state-of-the-art digital source. One can enjoy their own library of CDs and high resolutions files, and access all the content in the world through streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz and internet radio – all at one’s fingertips through an exceedingly simple user interface on their mobile device.
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING
ZENith Mk3 – € 5 999 Eur; £ 5 399 GBP; $ 7 499 USD; $ 9 799 CAD STATEMENT – € 13 600 Eur; £ 12 200 GBP; $ 17 000 USD; $ 22 100 CAD
For those of you that own Chord‘s Qutest line of digital products, the UK-based company announced a stand for the system quoting the “Qutest DAC, Huei MM/MC phono stage, plus exciting forthcoming products“. The modular system can be stacked or used as a stand-alone…. stand. The Chord company only ever releases their costs in British pounds, so you will have to do your own conversion from £245 (per tier).
The Qutest System Stand has been cleverly engineered using thermal coupling: the stand’s clever design helps to dissipate any heat originating from the electronics being housed. The structure also perfectly cradles the units which are lowered into the Qutest System Stand and securely held at each end. The stand’s design gives unrestricted access to both the front and rear panels of the housed devices, aiding connectivity and operation, while maintaining visibility of the polychromatic control spheres.
Chord PR Release
Grado Labs recently updated their direct-to-consumer website 4OurEars.com. Exclusive to the store is a new custom shop which allows consumers (or companies) to buy handmade personalized versions of the Brooklyn-based brand’s headphones. The site also now sells Technics Turntables to compliment their extensive and long-running line of Grado cartridges. You can also find the new True Wireless option from Grado on revised interface, which we also reviewed here.
4OurEars.com launches a new look online store following a surge in demand for key Grado headphones and turntable cartridges in 2020. Following the October launch of the landmark true wireless headphone GT220 and The Hemp Headphone, Grado goes from strength to strength as music matters more to everyone in the challenging times of 2020. Grado Labs was founded by Joseph Grado in 1953. The former watch maker began hand-making phono cartridges on his kitchen table, above the family’s Brooklyn fruit store. The inventor of the moving-coil phono cartridge, Joseph Grado has been inducted into the Audio Hall Of Fame. Over the years Grado Labs has become famous for their remarkable headphone and phono cartridge designs. The company is still family-owned and operates out of the same Brooklyn building where they started.
Grado Labs PR Release
More info: 4OurEars.com