Drop, Corsair's community-driven e-commerce brand, today announced its latest Grell headphone collaboration, with the latest edition of the Drop + Grell OAE1. Building on the momentum of the signature headphones that launched earlier this year, selling all 1,000 units in a short period of time, this new edition offers the same world-class engineering and immersive sound profile at a more accessible price.

Based on community feedback, Drop made key adjustments to the new OAE1 headphones to improve the listening and user experience. The OAE1s feature a lighter clamping force and single-sided 6.3 mm cable with an insert indicator for added ease of use, as well as a new all-black colorway with dark gray accents. The headphones, rooted in Axel Grell's three decades of audio engineering and audio product development, feature a driver-forward, open-around-ear structure to map to the human ear and achieve a more natural and realistic sound field.

With the Leica Cine Play 1, Leica Smart Projection GmbH has now expanded its portfolio of premium home cinema projectors with a versatile mini-projector in a compact, timeless design. The Leica Cine Play 1 combines state-of-the-art laser technology with outstanding Leica premium imaging quality in 4K resolution at up to 300-inch screen sizes. Its smart functions, innovative solutions and user-friendly handling guarantee a premium home cinema experience that is always ready to delight viewers at any time, while bringing maximum flexibility to home and outdoor entertainment.

The Leica Cine Play 1 features innovative triple RGB laser technology with a service life of over 25,000 hours that enables the projection of a particularly bright image with breathtaking color rendition, with full support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ & HLG. With a brightness of up to 3000 ANSI lumens, it also enables clear and high contrast movie projection in brightly lit environments. Its high-performance Leica Summicron zoom lens is manufactured in compliance with high Leica quality standards and guarantees consistently high imaging performance in 4K resolution throughout its zoom range with screen sizes of 65 to 300 inches. The premium image quality is supported by Leica's own image processing technology (Leica Image Optimization - LIO), which employs special image optimization algorithms to ensure particularly natural color rendition, finely nuanced color gradation and an outstanding contrast ratio. The powerful, 2 x 10 Watt speakers enhance the visual experience with rich bass tones and crystal-clear sound. Its integrated DTS Virtual:X audio-signal processing technology is the ideal basis for the configuration of a true 3D surround- sound system.

MONTECH a leading PC components and peripherals brand is excited to announce the launch of the KING 65 PRO, the newest addition to the premium lineup of PC cases. This latest model epitomizes the commitment to quality, innovation, and user-friendly design, making it an ideal choice for both novice builders and experienced enthusiasts.

Build with Ease: Quick Release Mechanism for Hassle-Free Setup
The KING 65 PRO features a revolutionary tool-less quick-release mechanism for all outer panels, ensuring seamless access to your components. Whether you're adding new hardware, performing routine cleaning, or making adjustments, this innovative design allows you to do so quickly and effortlessly, eliminating the need for additional tools.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of the MONTECH KING 65 PRO is now live]

Today, Bose welcomes a new addition to its iconic SoundLink Bluetooth speaker family: the SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker. Compact yet powerful, the SoundLink Home Speaker delivers premium sound in a sleek design capable of blending seamlessly into any room. Wireless and versatile, it offers great acoustics and aesthetics — capable of tuning any space to your musical mood.

Premium, proven audio with no fuss, just music
Hear every note as a full-range transducer and dual passive radiators turn vibrations into deep bass that fills any room, producing a sensorial experience defying its size. The SoundLink Home Speaker has been optimized for flexibility with a USB-C audio input to plug and play from a laptop or any other music source. Turn up the volume by linking two SoundLink Home speakers together to create a unique stereo experience using the speakers as left and right channels.

SteelSeries, the original esports brand that fuses gaming and culture, today unveiled its latest innovation, the Apex Pro Gen 3 Series keyboards.

Originally launched in 2019, the Apex Pro revolutionized the gaming world by introducing fully adjustable actuation, marking the most significant advancement in gaming keyboard technology since the advent of mechanical switches. This groundbreaking innovation quickly became a fan-favorite and an essential piece of equipment for countless professional gamers. The first generation of Apex Pro TKL garnered widespread acclaim and achieved numerous victories on the global stage, solidifying its reputation among competitive gamers and performance enthusiasts alike. In fact, Pros have won more prize money with SteelSeries than with any other brand.

Renowned Hi-Fi brand Technics debuts the SC-CX700 Wireless Speaker System at IFA 2024. Combining Technics' legendary audio expertise with elegance and style, the SC-CX700 redefines the concept of a modern entertainment system — letting users experience music like never before.

Available in three colors (Charcoal Black, Silky Gray and Terracotta Brown), the wireless speaker system is crafted from a stylish suede material that's easy to integrate into any home aesthetic. This not only looks good, but it also serves to dampen any unwanted sound reflections for the ultimate acoustic performance.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the groundbreaking ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP, the ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG and the ROG Swift 360 Hz PG27AQNR gaming monitors at Gamescom 2024.

The Swift OLED PG27AQDP is the world's first 1440p 480 Hz monitor, and it features an anti-glare WOLED panel. Meanwhile, the 26.5-inch Strix OLED XG27ACDNG boasts an impressive 360 Hz refresh rate and a QHD QD-OLED panel with an anti-reflection. Both monitors feature ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) and OLED Anti-Flicker technologies. ROG is the only gaming monitor brand to offer QD-OLED and WOLED offerings to cater to different needs. Each display offers unparalleled visuals and unprecedented refresh rates to redefine gaming performance for gamers worldwide. Also launched was the 360 Hz ROG Swift 360 Hz PG27AQNR, with a QHD Ultrafast IPS display and G-SYNC Pulsar that make it a superior choice for esports and competitive gaming.

In a recent report by Mercury Research, AMD has shown significant progress in the CPU market during Q2 2024, particularly in the data center and laptop segments. AMD's most notable achievement comes in the server CPU space, where it now holds 24.1% of the market, a 5.6% increase year-over-year, and a 0.5% increase from the previous quarter. This growth is particularly impressive in terms of revenue, with AMD capturing 33.7% of server CPU revenue despite its lower unit share. This suggests that AMD's high-end EPYC processors carry premium prices in the data center market and are most of the unit volume. AMD has also made advancements in the laptop CPU segment, reaching a 20.3% market share. This represents a 1% increase from the previous quarter and a 3.8% rise year-over-year. The company's success in laptops can be attributed to solid demand for its existing products, propelled by Intel's reported supply issues with Meteor Lake processors.

However, AMD experienced a slight setback in the desktop CPU market, losing a 1% share to Intel quarter-over-quarter. AMD now controls 23% of this segment, compared to Intel's 77%. This dip may be due to AMD's preparation for the launch of its new Zen 5-based CPUs in August. Despite AMD's gains, Intel maintains its overall dominance in the CPU market. In the total client PC space, Intel holds a 78.9% market share, with AMD at 21.1%. Intel still holds the majority of revenue and market share on all fronts. However, AMD is executing well, and Intel's financial troubles could be a setback for team blue. More competition at every front is great to see, and we are curious to look at the data from upcoming quarters and analyze how well both of companies perform.

Apple has reportedly halted the development of its future Vision Pro 2 headset, opting instead to focus on a more affordable variant. The decision comes as the company grapples with the high production costs associated with the Vision Pro, which was released on February 2 in the US for $3,499 and will be released on July 12 in other countries. According to insiders familiar with the matter, Apple is not expected to manufacture more than 500,000 Vision Pro units this year, casting doubt on the device's ability to gain widespread adoption at such a premium price point. The tech giant's suppliers have already begun scaling back production, with one supplier reducing output by 50% in May due to forecasts of weaker-than-expected demand.

While the Vision Pro promised to deliver a groundbreaking mixed-reality experience, its excessive cost effectively priced it out of reach for the mass market. Recognizing this barrier, Apple has reportedly decided to abandon the development of the costlier "Pro 2" model and instead channel its efforts into creating a more budget-friendly "Vision" variant. The new device is expected to feature fewer cameras, simpler speaker systems, and a streamlined headband design, all aimed at reducing production costs. However, sources indicate that Apple is struggling to significantly lower the costs of key components, such as the display, which could further delay the launch of the successor model. Nevertheless, the company's goal is to create a mixed-reality headset priced around the level of a high-end iPhone, approximately $1,600, and launch the cheaper headset in late 2025.

As a part of its Q1 earnings call discussion, one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers, TSMC, has unveiled a strategic move to charge a premium for chips manufactured at its newly established overseas fabrication plants. During an earnings call, TSMC's CEO, C.C. Wei, announced that the company will impose higher pricing for chips produced outside Taiwan to offset the higher operational costs associated with these international locations. This move aims to maintain TSMC's target gross margin of 53% amidst rising expenses such as inflation and elevated electricity costs. This decision comes as TSMC expands its global footprint with new facilities in the United States, Germany, and Japan (JAMS) to meet the increasing demand for semiconductor chips worldwide. The company's new US-based Arizona facility, known as Fab 21, has faced delays due to equipment installation issues and labor negotiations.

Chips produced at this site, utilizing TSMC's advanced N5 and N4 nodes, could cost between 20% to 30% more than those manufactured in Taiwan. TSMC's strategy to manage the cost disparities across different geographic locations involves strategic pricing, securing government support, and leveraging its manufacturing technology leadership. This approach reflects the company's commitment to maintaining its competitive edge while navigating the complexities of global semiconductor manufacturing in today's fragmented market. Introducing a location premium is expected to impact American semiconductor designers, who may need to pass these costs on to specific market segments, particularly those with lower price sensitivity, such as government-related projects. Despite these challenges, TSMC's overseas expansion underscores its adaptive strategies in the face of global economic pressures and industry demands, ensuring its continued position as a leading player in the semiconductor industry.

EK, the renowned premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to unveil its latest accessory that promises to streamline the assembly process for enthusiasts and professionals alike: the EK-Loop Stainless Steel Gauge Card. Crafted from durable stainless steel and designed for simplicity, this handy tool is an essential accessory for anyone involved in water cooling. Its primary function serves to drastically simplify the search for the correct assembly parts, ensuring that users can effortlessly find compatible components. Multifunctional by design yet primarily aimed at enhancing the water cooling experience, the EK-Loop Gauge Card is the accessory you didn't know you needed—until now.

Preventing Assembly Errors Before They Happen
With the Gauge Card, measuring and matching bolt and nut sizes becomes effortless. It accurately determines the bolt size and length for any component, including nut size measurements for M2.5, M3, and M4 nuts. This guarantees compatibility and ease of assembly across a wide range of components. The card also allows for the identification of different screw diameters (M4, M3.5, M3, M2.5, M2) and screw dimensions effortlessly, making it more straightforward to select the right parts for your build. Screw length identification up to 30 mm further ensures precise fitting and optimal security of components, while the tool aids in avoiding the insertion of the wrong bolts in the wrong places - thus preventing potential damage to sensitive PCBs. Moreover, the EK-Loop Gauge Card aids in the determination of Allen key sizes (2, 2.5, 6, 8, 9), simplifying the search for the right tool for the job.

CORSAIR today launched a white color variant of the revolutionary RMx SHIFT Series of ATX 3.0 power supplies. RMx SHIFT, the world's first PSU with the DC connector panel on the side of the unit, quickly became a sensation among DIY PC enthusiasts after its launch last year thanks to cleaner and easier cabling than traditional power supplies. Available in 750, 850, 1000, and 1200 wattages, the RMx SHIFT Series exemplifies CORSAIR's commitment to addressing the evolving needs of its customers. With its repositioned side panel, builders have unobstructed access to all of its Type 5 Gen 1 micro-fit connections, making installation and maintenance painless. It also means less bending and twisting of the cables, removing unnecessary strain on the cables and connectors.

White models of RMx SHIFT address the overwhelming demand from the PC building community for more customization options to match a wider range of builds. The new white units retain all the features that have made the RMx SHIFT a market standout, including fully modular cabling, 80 Plus Gold-rated efficiency, premium 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors, and a 140 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan, while matching the clean aesthetic of white system builds.

ZOTAC debuted a massive flagship GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB custom design graphics card last summer—the Prime Gamer Force (PGF) OC edition model was released as a China exclusive product. ZOTAC's PGF shroud design remains the largest on the market—381 mm (L) x 154 mm (W) x 74 mm (D)—even with downgraded silicon beneath the surface. NVIDIA's China-specific GeForce RTX 4090D GPU was introduced last December, as a sanction conformant substitute for the full-fat version—naturally, ZOTAC has prepared a revised PGF model. This week, Expreview has published an in-depth review of the GeForce RTX 4090 D PGF OC edition graphics card. They found that ZOTAC's cooling system—three 11 cm fans and a vapor chamber—offered: "high-frequency stability...comparable to that of water-cooled (solutions)."

The Chinese publication reviewed the GALAX RTX 4090 D Metal Master model in January—at the time, software restrictions prevented the implementation of significant overclocks. It was theorized that future updates or community workarounds could bypass limitations, but the latest review—of ZOTAC's "super luxurious" PGF edition—indicates that this GeForce RTX 4090 D GPU's OC potential is still constricted. VideoCardz has pulled out essential details from the Expreview article: "(The PGF) has high maximum TGP (530 W) and a powerful 28-phase power PCB design. Despite the technological headroom, the card struggles to offer much of the overclocking potential. The team from Expreview only managed to squeeze 3.7% more performance from this card. That's despite 24.7% more power theoretically available." An underwhelming overclocking aspect is counterbalanced by the premium-tier card's impressive performance stability—the review also praised ZOTAC's quiet cooling solution and usage of high-end "heat dissipation materials."

Introducing the DataTraveler SE9 Gen 3 USB drive. Featuring a premium metal casing for durability and style paired with large capacity options, you can have form AND function. 🥇Experience the combination of elegance and functionality with the DataTraveler SE9 G3 USB 3.2 Gen 3 flash drive, ideal for storing and sharing your data. Rediscover its timeless, award-winning design, now enhanced with high-performance speeds of up to 220 MB/s read and 100 MB/s write, ensuring swift and seamless data transfers on Type-A host devices.

Explore the expanded storage options with robust capacities now reaching up to 512 GB, providing ample space for your movies, music and diverse file storage needs. Premium metal casing for durability and style—an all-metal gold casing that's portable enough to fit in your pocket, backpack or on your keyring loop.

EK, the global leader in premium PC water cooling, is proud to introduce extraordinary EK-Quantum Velocity² Edge Special Edition CPU water blocks for the AM5 socket. After the successful launch of their LGA 1700-based counterpart earlier this year, these Special Edition Edge water blocks confirm EK's commitment to aesthetic excellence. The top cover is at the forefront of this design revolution, featuring a striking assembly of irregular tetrahedrons that transform each water block into a modern artwork. These tetrahedrons create a captivating interplay of light and shadow, adding a dynamic and sophisticated visual appeal to the water block.

Explicitly designed for platforms based on the AMD Socket AM5, they fit Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. The cold plate, precisely machined of the highest-grade 99.99% pure electrolytic copper, ensures unparalleled heat transfer. The top cover of the EK-Quantum Velocity² Edge D-RGB - AM5 Special Edition is available in Black and Silver. These color options allow enthusiasts to choose a style that best complements their PC build, transforming these water blocks from mere components for efficient cooling into central elements of a PC's aesthetic identity. The top cover is CNC-milled out of a 30 mm thick aluminium sheet, separated from the coolant with a layer of acrylic to ensure no mixing of metals.

ASUS has quietly updated its product web presences with another Noctua collaboration OC Edition graphics card—the heavily customized GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16 GB GDDR6X model looks very familiar (in shades of brown); we suspect that the existing cooling solution, shroud and backplate designs have been transplanted from the existing RTX 4080 (non-SUPER) Noctua OC model. W1zzard was impressed by the 2022 version's affixing of twin Noctua NF-A12x25 fans, although a number of factors caused the ultra premium air-cooled ASUS card to miss out on an Editor's Choice award—mainly the $1650 launch price—perhaps deserving of an updated/retrospective "But Expensive" badge of honor.

VideoCardz believes that the SUPER iteration could launch with $200 subtracted (at a minimum) from the non-SUPER's original MSRP—the ASUS listing, naturally, does not provide any details regarding recommended retail pricing or a release date. It seems that reviewers have not received SUPER 16 GB Noctua OC Edition samples this month, so we suspect that the chunky brown Ada Lovelace monster will reach retail at some point later on in the first quarter of 2024.

Celebrating its centennial, beyerdynamic—the preferred audio brand for musicians and studio professionals around the world—is embarking on a new chapter with the announcement of a limited-edition version of the classic DT 770 PRO. Handmade in Germany, the all-new DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition blends the reference-setting features of the DT 770 PRO with the dynamic STELLAR.45 driver system's flexibility and a detachable cable. Redefining studio gear for a new era, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition is now available for pre-order at Guitar Center and Sweetwater for $199, with wider availability to come later in the year.

FLEX MARKS THE SPOT.
In today's fluid landscape of music creation, having the flexibility to work with a variety of applications is paramount. The DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition features the convenience of a detachable Mini-XLR cable so you can move freely while you create. A recess in the headband padding also protects against the pressure-sensitive fontanelle, allowing you to wear the headphones for hours on end. With premium sound quality, replaceable parts, low impedance and high-wearing comfort, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition is tailor-made for studio professionals, artists, filmmakers, producers and more.

Today, alongside the Early Access launch of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Ubisoft+, Ubisoft is renaming its subscription plans. Ubisoft+ Multi-Access and PC Access will now become Ubisoft+ Premium, offering day-one new releases and early access where applicable, alongside premium editions, monthly rewards, and more. Ubisoft is also introducing a new offer: Ubisoft+ Classics on PC, a curated selection of popular back-catalog and live games. We sat down with Director of Subscription, Philippe Tremblay, to discuss the changes and reflect on the past four years of of Ubisoft+.

What are the core differences between Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics?
Philippe Tremblay: Premium means day one access to new releases and in some cases, like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, early access to upcoming new releases. This is on top of our extensive back catalog, where you'll have access to premium editions, DLC, and monthly rewards. All of this is offered on Xbox, PC, and Amazon Luna, and you'll only need to subscribe once to have access to these games across all these platforms. Players can subscribe to Ubisoft+ Premium for a monthly fee of $17.99.

EK, the leading provider of premium liquid cooling solutions, is excited to announce the expanded compatibility of its esteemed EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 water blocks. These flagship cooling solutions, known for their high performance and quality, are now fully compatible with the latest AMD sTR5 and AMD SP6 CPU sockets. This advancement ensures that users of the new sTR5 and SP6 platforms can experience the same superior cooling and craftsmanship that EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 users have long come to trust.

The EK-Quantum Magnitude sTRX4 series, including the Full Nickel, Nickel Acetal, and Nickel Plexi models, maintains its renowned design and efficiency while embracing the evolving landscape of CPU technology. Customers can continue to rely on these solutions for their cooling needs without any changes in product naming or design. Refer to the EK Compatibility Configurator and EK Custom Loop Configurator database for a detailed compatibility list.

We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of the BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro, the upgraded version of its predecessor and one of the newest ePaper Tablet PCs in 2023. In this article, we will explore the powerful features that make the Tab Ultra C Pro a versatile workstation, delivering ultra-smooth performance and unmatched productivity.

Sleeker Design, Enhanced Portability
The Tab Ultra C Pro features a sleek and sophisticated uni-body design, crafted from premium aluminium alloy. Its polished finish adds a contemporary charm, making it a true statement piece. We've made it even more portable with a thinner design of just 6.6 mm and a lighter body weighing only 450 g. To make sound adjustments easier, we've added two volume keys on the side. Plus, the 16MP camera with LED flash provides extra convenience for precise capture. The camera's metal finish perfectly complements the aluminium gloss of the back casing, creating a cohesive design. With its chic color, the Tab Ultra C Pro effortlessly blends into your personal and professional life, making a stylish statement wherever you go.

Included in the Forza Motorsport Premium Edition and Premium Add-Ons Bundle, you can play the full game and begin your racing career up to 5 days early on Xbox Series X|S, Windows and Steam. On Xbox and Windows, Forza Motorsport Early Access rollout is region dependent. At 12:01am local time in your country, the game will be available to play. On Steam, this unlock happens globally at 12:01am EDT on October 5.

Upgrade to the Premium Add-Ons Bundle with Xbox Game Pass and enjoy a 10% discount with up to 5 days early access to Forza Motorsport and all the additional content included with the Premium Edition. Forza Motorsport Early Access has started to unlock around the world! Here is the time you can play the game in your country:

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is delighted to launch the Ceres 300 TG ARGB Matcha Green Mid Tower Chassis and the ARGENT E700 Real Leather Gaming Chair Matcha Green. After first releasing The Tower 200 Matcha Green Mini Chassis and gaining positive reviews, Thermaltake plans to announce more products in Matcha Green, allowing users to immerse this vital and elegant color with a complete lineup. Now including the worldwide availability of the Ceres 300 Matcha Green and the ARGENT E700 Matcha Green. More good news, the TH280 V2 ARGB Sync All-In-One Liquid Cooler - Matcha Green Edition is coming soon. Let's light up entertainment and work spaces with these stylish Matcha Green collections!

Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the WF-1000XM5 earbuds - the latest truly wireless model of the award-winning 1000X series. This new model offers the Best Noise Canceling by reducing external noise over a wide bandwidth, from low to high frequencies so you can focus on your music. Following its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, the WF-1000XM5 raises industry standards with astonishing sound and Sony's best ever call quality, despite a smaller and lighter design.

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver cutting-edge technology and premium sound quality with the best noise-canceling performance. Real-time audio processors and high-performance mics power the specially designed driver unit, Dynamic Driver X, for wide frequency reproduction, deep bass, and more detailed vocals.

EK, the renowned manufacturer of premium liquid cooling solutions, is introducing a new version of the EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB fan, now available in a stylish white color. The latest EK-Quantum Impulse 120 D-RGB - White fan boasts a sleek white design, radiating clean and sophisticated aesthetics. It complements the existing Black version and offers new possibilities to liquid cooling enthusiasts, expanding their choices for visually pleasing PC setups.

The Quantum Impulse fans are a premium product equipped with EK's most extensive RGB implementation to date. The frame of the fan has two zones illuminated by LEDs, with each zone containing 12 LEDs. Additionally, 6 LEDs in the motor hub illuminate the rotor. These fans deliver a well-balanced and optimized performance-to-noise ratio with an operating range of 400-1800 RPM.

EK, the renowned premium liquid cooling solutions manufacturer, introduces a brand-new high-performance CPU water block explicitly made for Intel LGA 1700 socket-based CPUs. This CPU block features a high-flow cooling engine and a dense microfin design that allows ample cooling even for the overclocked Intel Core i9-13900K processor.

EK-Pro CPU WB 1700 - Nickel + Inox
This is a dedicated enterprise-grade water block developed for Intel Core consumer processors based on the LGA 1700 socket. It features two standard G1/4" threaded ports on the top and is built with performance, reliability, serviceability, and no compromises in mind. This liquid cooling solution is intended for desktop PCs, workstations, and taller server racks. The water block's top is CNC-machined from durable black POM Acetal, while the hold-down bracket is made of laser-cut stainless steel.