This week, Sony unleashed a battery of expensive audio gear that claims to support "high-resolution audio" which, like "ultra high-definition" in the video world, sounds pretty snazzy. But what does high-resolution audio mean? And will HRA really make the music sound better?
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Panasonic is releasing a new CD stereo system – SC-PMX9 – that is able to play high resolution audio – higher than the CD audio source – such as 192khz 24bit FLAC, and play music saved in a PC or smartphone wirelessly.
You are able to play high-resolution music downloaded online or saved in USB memory from a PC in the same quality.
It’s compatible with AirPlay and Bluetooth. There is a doc for iPhone/iPod with a Lightning connector and a USB terminal.
Regarding the speakers, with a 1.9cm Dome Tweeter, 1.2cm Super Tweeter and 14cm Bamboo Charcoal PP Woofer, they enable “SC-PMX9″ to play rich, natural low bass sounds.
Price: Open price
Body
Size: 210 x 120 x 266 mm
Weight: 3.1kg
Speaker
Size: 161 x 238 x 264 mm
Weight: 3.0kg
Neil Young isn’t shy when it comes to embracing new technology, something he put beyond question with his latest appearance on The Late show with David Letterman. The artist took the opportunity to reveal plans for his high-fidelity Pono music service. The aim is to tackle the poor quality in which he believes most people receive their music these days — the humble MP3. Young’s offering would comprise a three-pronged approach, including a music store with high-resolution recordings, a digital-to-analog style conversion technology, and portable hardware to listen to it all with. The simple intention is to offer music as it was originally intended to be heard, but at this time there’s no detail as to what this actually entails (sorry specification fans).
According to Rolling Stone, the big three labels are interested, and the goal is to unify, rather than diversify, the quality of recorded content. The Pono players (that yellow wedge you see above) will serve up your existing catalog, but you’ll likely need to re-buy some of your collection if you want the holistic experience. With no cards fully on the table, we’re at the ransom of Young’s celebrity endorsements, which all claim that the benefits are tangible. Young, of course, says “You can’t get better than this, this is what they do in the studio,” but until we get some details, or ears on, everybody knows this is nowhere.
[Image credit:CBS]
Continue reading Neil Young’s Pono music service wants to democratize high-quality audio (video)
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video
Neil Young’s Pono music service wants to democratize high-quality audio (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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