Roon Labs - Blog

The Listener’s Compass: A Reference Track Series

Every listener’s journey begins with a question: “How do I know what I’m really hearing?” Today, we’re launching a new series that explores the critical tools of audio evaluation – reference tracks. These aren’t just songs we love; they’re precision instruments for understanding and assessing audio equipment.

Our inaugural piece comes from Konstantin Davy, an acoustic engineer whose unique perspective bridges multiple worlds of audio. With experience as a touring musician, recording engineer, and transducer designer, Konstantin brings a rare combination of practical and technical expertise to the discussion. His career spans from the stage to the laboratory, giving him an intimate understanding of how music should sound – both in theory and in practice.

How to Roon: Optimizing Headphone Audio with OPRA

Have you ever wished there was something you could do to make your favorite music sound a bit better — something that didn’t require purchasing new gear? Or maybe you’ve read that advanced EQ tuning could transform your headphones but felt out of your depth and overwhelmed by the technical complexity? If so, we’re got just what you need! In this installment of How to Roon, we’re exploring OPRA (Open Profiles for Revealing Audio) — a feature that makes professional-grade headphone optimization accessible to everyone.

Roon Partner Update: February 2025

February brings an exciting array of new Roon Ready devices from some of the most innovative names in high-end audio. From McIntosh’s sophisticated DS200 Streaming DAC to HiFi Rose’s feature-rich RS151 network streamer, this month’s additions showcase the diverse ways our partners are pushing the boundaries of digital audio excellence. We’re particularly excited to welcome Axxess to the Roon family with their complete Forté series, while HiBy’s flagship RS8 player and Nagra’s precision-engineered Streamer round out a month of exceptional new offerings. Each of these devices represents a unique approach to delivering the superior listening experience that Roon users have come to expect.

Roon Partner Update: January 2025

We’re kicking off 2025 with an exceptional lineup of new Roon Ready devices! This month, we’re proud to welcome prestigious manufacturers Cabasse, FiiO, Marantz, McIntosh, Primare, Roksan, Vitus Audio, and Volumio to our growing ecosystem. From McIntosh’s powerful MSA5500 streaming integrated amplifier to Roksan’s innovative Caspian with its advanced Euphoria architecture, these new additions represent the cutting edge of audio technology and demonstrate our commitment to providing audiophiles with the finest listening experiences possible.

Listen Later, your travel itinerary for exploring exotic sounds

Being a music sponge is immense fun, but it also comes with challenges. Everywhere we read, look, listen, or talk music becomes a source of new sounds. And there’s only so much we can soak up before we’re saturated and some spills back out.

How to Roon: Metadata Magic

Some of you may have encountered the word metadata and thought, ‘I see this term every time Roon is mentioned… but, what exactly is metadata’? Chances are you’ve enjoyed its benefits and know what it is, even if you haven’t bothered with an etymological investigation. In this installment of How to Roon we’ll explore the metadata matrix, because this is where things get exciting.

How to Roon: Understanding a Roon Setup

Have you ever wondered what makes a Roon system tick?

Understanding the basic components of a Roon setup will help you unlock its full potential and create your ideal listening experience — whether you’re just getting started, still contemplating your first step, or looking to optimize your existing setup. Roon’s multiroom Hi-Res audio ecosystem is more straightforward than you may expect.

The Next Evolution in Roon Technology: Roon Ready Relay Expands Your Audio Possibilities

How we experience music in our homes continues to evolve, and today, we’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking addition to the Roon ecosystem: Roon Ready Relay. This innovation represents a significant leap forward in whole-home audio integration, breaking down the barriers between traditional audio equipment and modern streaming capabilities. By creating a new connection between network devices and Roon’s sophisticated multiroom audio platform, Roon Ready Relay opens up exciting new possibilities for anyone using Roon.

How to Roon: Getting Started

Welcome to How to Roon — a new series designed to guide first-time users and the Roon-curious through the startup journey. If you’ve heard about Roon through gear reviews, social media, YouTube, audio forums, or a trial card with your latest gear purchase and questions are swirling in your mind, you’re in the right place!

Roon Partner Update: December 2024

As we close out the year, we’re thrilled to share an exceptional collection of new Roon certifications that significantly expands our ecosystem of premium audio devices. This month’s update represents one of our most substantial partner announcements, featuring multiple product lines from renowned manufacturers.