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Marco Sebastiano Alessi

Marco Sebastiano Alessi, author and contributor at Higher Hz

Marco is a seasoned audiophile, producer, audio engineer, and senior writer at Higher Hz, where he covers hi-fi, home theater, and live sound.

Born into a creative family, Marco was immersed in music since he was born, but his desire to play an instrument didn't arise until he was 14, when he started playing the drums.

In his late teenage years, Marco discovered the world of DAWs, recording his first ambient/electronic tracks and publishing albums under various monikers and netlabels.

His studies and music career led him to London, where he graduated in Music Business at the London School of Sound and continued recording music and touring with several bands.

After graduating, Marco started his label Naviar Records, which he uses to release music from like-minded artists and friends.

Naviar hosts regular events in Europe, the UK and Australia, has a weekly radio show on Resonance Extra and has been praised by iconic music magazines such as Electronic Sound, Sound of Life, Cyclic Defrost, and more.

Currently, Marco plays the drums in the psychedelic rock band Aktopasa and continues to broaden the scope of his label.

His passion for music led him to acquire a taste for high-quality audio, so he spends a lot of time writing about and reviewing audio gear he believes people should know about.

Active vs passive speakers: Which is better for your use case?

While the distinction in itself is rather obvious, choosing between active and passive speakers can easily become an insurmountable task, especially if this is your first pair of speakers or you don’t know exactly which option will work best for you. In this article, I won’t just highlight the differences between active and passive speakers, but also clarify which option I think is the right one for every situation, giving you a few examples of scenarios when one works better than...

The 5 best bookshelf speakers in 2024: Passive and powered

The journey of an audiophile is defined by relentless evolution. As your taste for high-fidelity audio evolves, you might find yourself craving richer sonic palettes, more immersive soundscapes, or simply a more powerful sound to galvanize your listening sessions.

If that sounds familiar, here are the best bookshelf speakers you can buy this year across all price tags.

The 4 best in-ear monitors for stage and studio in 2024

Personal story here. Last night I was jamming with a few friends, and I played the drums in a song that revolved around a long guitar loop. The loop acted as the song’s foundation and rhythm, which “forced” me to follow the tempo provided by the loop for the jam’s duration (around 12 minutes). It was a new thing for me, and as I was playing I often had to turn to listen to the stage monitor to make sure I was following the loop. That’s when I thought: if I ever...

The 5 best portable digital audio players in 2024: MP3 to hi-res DAPs

Today, we’re overwhelmed by the number of portable devices available to music enthusiasts willing to invest in a dedicated music player.

In this article, we’ll look at the best portable audio players on today’s market, ranging from simple and affordable MP3 players to high-end, hi-res DAPs to experience the music in the highest possible fidelity.

KEF KC62 review: Compact, powerful, immersive

Long gone are the days when subwoofers had to be big, bulky and heavy to provide a deep sound. Yet even nowadays, manufacturers look for a balance between aesthetics and performance, and when it comes to subs, results are uncertain at best. Introducing the KEF KC62. Released in 2021, the tiny 10-inch cube took the audiophile community by storm, delivering a sound no one thought possible with such a small sub: a combination of power, depth, and versatility you’ll hardly find in any other...

The 6 best budget bookshelf speakers for $100, $200, and $300

Today, you can find a pair of bookshelf speakers without blowing your budget easier than ever before. There are plenty of options provided by both established brands and newcomers, each offering a great formula of quality and affordability.

While it’s great to have so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To make things a bit easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of what I believe are the best budget bookshelf speakers to buy in 2024.