This week in the high-end audio industry, there was interesting news on both the product release and corporate fronts. Crystal Cable introduced its new flagship cable series, ‘Infinite Dream,’ and PSB Speakers announced a new compact subwoofer. Additionally, there were important developments that could shape the future of the industry, such as the news that Scott McGowan, a long-time veteran of PS Audio, has left to start his own company, ‘Sprout HiFi,’ the acquisition of the prestigious German brand MBL, and a change in TAD’s North American distribution.
1. New Product Releases (Official Announcements)
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Infinite Dream Cable Series — Crystal Cable (Cables)
- Key Specifications: A new flagship series from the Dutch cable brand Crystal Cable. The series consists of three models: power, interconnect, and speaker cables. It is the top-of-the-line series, following the limited-edition ‘Infinity’ power cable, which sold out.
- Availability: Announced
- Highlights: Claimed to achieve extremely low distortion and a vast soundstage through its proprietary high-purity materials and construction. The debut of a new reference cable that embodies the best of the company’s technology.
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SubSeries BP7 — PSB Speakers (Powered Subwoofer)
- Key Specifications: A powered subwoofer with a bipolar driver array in a compact, sealed enclosure. It features a built-in 350W Class-D amplifier.
- Price: $1199 USD / $1399 CAD
- Availability: Announced
- Highlights: A model that aims to deliver powerful, room-filling bass that is evenly distributed, despite its space-saving design, thanks to its unique bipolar configuration. It delivers high performance for both music and movies.
2. Company & Distribution News
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Scott McGowan Leaves PS Audio to Launch ‘Sprout HiFi’
- Scott McGowan, who has been with PS Audio for 17 years, has left the company to form his own, Sprout HiFi. The new company will be built around a next-generation ‘Sprout’ amplifier. The first product, a revamped version of the Sprout100, is projected for 2026.
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MBL Announces New Owner
- German speaker and electronics manufacturer MBL Akustikgeräte has announced that it has been acquired by MBL International GmbH, a new subsidiary of China’s Chow Tai Seng. The deal secures the company’s long-term future and is a step toward resolving ongoing insolvency proceedings.
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Rutherford Audio Named TADL’s North American Consumer Distributor
- Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TADL) has announced the appointment of Rutherford Audio Inc. as its distributor for hi-fi consumer products in Canada and the US.
4. Sources
- Stereophile: https://www.stereophile.com/category/news