New Gear Alert: Kali Audio Upgrades the IN-8, Prestige Series Headphones by Grado, Devious Machines Boost Rev B & More

Kali Audio announces the upgraded “2nd Wave” IN-8.

Retaining its original attractive price point, Kali Audio injects crucial improvements to their IN-8 monitor.

This new version of the IN-8 replaces the original version, and utilizes Kali’s 2nd Wave technology platform to realize substantial performance improvements. These include 12dB lower self-noise, more robust DSP for a smoother tuning, lighter transducers, and improved construction processes for better cosmetic longevity. Like the IN-5, the IN-8 uses a coaxial mid-range and tweeter, complemented by a spatially separated woofer.

In both systems, the crossover point between the woofer and the concentric midrange/tweeter drivers makes the monitors acoustic point sources. This configuration eliminates spatial separation of the high frequency and low frequency elements, giving the monitors a highly detailed soundstage. The midrange driver also unburdens the woofer and tweeter, allowing for substantial system-wide improvements in total harmonic distortion.

The IN-8 is powered by a 140W Class D amp with 60W going to the woofer, and 40W each going to the midrange and tweeter. Boundary EQ settings, like those found on Kali’s Lone Pine monitors, are accessible on the back of the speaker, along with a quick reference guide printed directly onto the speaker itself. New for the 2nd Wave version is a boundary EQ for using the speaker horizontally on console bridges to improve sightlines.

Despite the improvements, the IN-8 retains its original $399 price tag and is available now.

Grado Labs introduces the Prestige Series headphones, featuring the new X Drivers.

Grado Labs’ new Prestige Series marks the debut of their new X Drivers.

These newly built speakers are the fourth generation of drivers the Brooklyn company has designed since the introduction of the first Grado headphone in 1991. Along with the superior sound these new drivers produce, the five headphones in the Prestige Series (SR60x, SR80x, SR125x, SR225x, SR325x) are now built with a new durable cable and new headbands.

The 8-conductor (SR125x, SR225x, SR325x) and 4-conductor (SR60x, SR80x) cables are now housed in a more durable, flexible exterior. These cables feature a super annealed copper wire that deliver an improved purity of the audio signal.

Pricing for the X Driver Prestige Series headphones ranges from $99 – $295. Click here for more info.

Devious Machines announces the improved Boost Revision B.

Devious Machines adds key upgrades to this second iteration of their popular Boost plugin.

Boost is an upward limiter that creates no clipping and makes no compromises. Revision B, the second version of the plugin, adds mid/side mode, parallel compression, stereo linking, true peak detection and oversampling.

Most plugin compressors emulate an analog detection path used 60 years ago. Boost’s Trajectory Technology takes full advantage of modern DSP to leave the highest transients undistorted—no matter how far you push the plugin. With its unique Focus control, Boost brings the quieter parts of an audio signal up, never overshooting the peaks and remaining transparent. To introduce character, use the Drive and Emphasis controls, and set the Release timing to your taste.

Devious Machines’ Boost Revision B is available now, priced at $112.39.

Ampeg launches the SVT Suite plugin.

Ampeg marks their debut into the world of plugin design with the SVT Suite.

Ampeg has introduced the SVT Suite bass amplifier plugin, which features three of the most highly coveted SVT amplifier heads: The HeritageTM 50th Anniversary SVT, the Heritage SVT-CL, and the SVT-4PRO.

This powerful plugin suite represents the first foray into amplifier modeling by Ampeg, the company that defined electric bass tone with the iconic “flip-top” B-15 Portaflex combo amp in 1963 (the most recorded bass amplifier in the world), and then again in 1969 with the mighty 300-watt SVT amplifier. Intended for home and professional recordists alike, the SVT Suite plugin brings that same legendary Ampeg tone to any studio environment.

Check out an introductory video to the SVT Suite here.

For pricing and further information, along with a free demo of the SVT Suite, click here.

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