New Products

Pandemic and all that ails 2020 be damned. The cool, crisp air of autumn has arrived and A/V makers are upping the frequency of new product releases in anticipation of what we all hope will be a joyous (and financially rewarding) holiday season. Here's a look at some of the new tech goodies headed your way.

Welcome to the age of virtual trade exhibitions. CEDIA Expo 2020 officially got underway on Tuesday as it has every year since for the past 30 years but unlike past events the only thing you needed to attend was an internet connection and your device of choice. More than 100 “exhibitors” introduced new products, including a healthy selection of audio/video and home entertainment products. Here’s a sampling.

It’s been four years since Elac introduced the Uni-Fi Series, a budget speaker lineup that earned an enthusiastic Top Pick when it was reviewed in Sound & Vision. Not one to rest on his laurels, designer Andrew Jones is back with a next-generation Uni-Fi Series, one that incorporates a number of improvements with only a modest price increase over the original speakers.

Denon has announced four new Special Edition products developed to honor the 110-year anniversary of the brand. The quartet consists of the AVR-A110 8K AV receiver, PMA-A110 integrated amplifier, DCD-A110 SACD player, and DL-A110 phono cartridge, with each unit featuring a distinctive silver-graphite color scheme and 110 Anniversary front panel logo. Furthermore, the new Special Edition products, which are manufactured at the company’s factory in Shirakawa, Japan, have been “meticulously tuned by Denon Sound Masters to set them apart from their standard counterparts” and come with a five-year warranty.

Marantz today announced the Model 30 Integrated Amplifier ($2,500) and SACD 30n Network Audio Streamer & SACD Player ($2,500). The offerings are the first to launch with the brand’s striking new industrial design, one that celebrates and updates the signature elements of Marantz products from hi-fi’s golden age.

Rotel has announced the addition of a pair of integrated amplifiers to its flagship Michi line of audio components. Boasting “exquisite industrial design” and “best-in-class audio engineering,” the Michi X3 and Michi X5 support an array of analog and digital connection options, including wired network (LAN) and Bluetooth apt-X wireless. They also feature a large, high-resolution front-panel display that, on the X5, can be configured to show operating status, a 12-band graphic EQ, or a peak power meter.

The summer of 2020 has seen a sizable flow of new gear as A/V makers look to regain their footing after months of pandemic lockdown. Here we highlight a handful of recent introductions with an emphasis on those designed to make outdoor life a little more enjoyable.