CES Day 2: Krell, Klipsch, and Wilson

We haven't looked at any speakers from Klipsch in some time. They announced a fourth generation of their Reference Series, including five floorstanders, three bookshelf models, three center channel designs, three surrounds, and six powered subwoofers. Someone has been busy. Prices range from $199 each to $2498/pair.

Wilson Audio demonstrated its new Duette bookshelf speaker, first shown in static display at CEDIA Expo 2005. At $10,950 per pair, they aren't for the faint-hearted, but came off surprisingly well in an ABC comparison with a pair of Krell standmounters and B&Ws flagship 800D. The small Duette (which is actually slightly larger and more substantial-looking than it appears on the shelf in the photograph) should be shipping early this year.

Speaking of Krell, that company showed several new models in its very high end EVO line, including the EVO-707 pre-pro ($18,500). It includes 8.4 (!) channels of amplification, HDMI switching, 12 channels of digital room equalization, and is software upgradeable. —TJN

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