LATEST ADDITIONS

As with all things, Paradigm's Signature Series of flagship home-theater speakers have evolved. At CEDIA, we'll see the third generation of this impressive series, which boasts a 50-percent increase in output and extensive modifications to the bass/midrange drivers, including low-density NLC (Non-Limiting Corrugated) TPE surrounds, which are said to far more effective than standard thermoplastic elastomers at damping vibrations and resonances. Pricing ranges from $600 each for the S1 G-PAL bookshelf to $3500 each for the S8 floorstander and C5 center pictured above.

The Procella loudspeaker brand will make its U.S. debut at CEDIA. Products will include three L/C/R/surround models, the P6, a two-way, 6.5-inch model ($1499/each); the P8, a two-way, eight-inch model ($2499/each); and P815, which mates a 15-inch woofer to a P8 secured by a mounting bracket ($8999/each). Also shown will be two subs, the 10-inch P10 ($3999) and the 15-inch P15, both with 2 x 350 watt amplification. Oh, and there's a third sub, the P18, with (you guessed) an 18-inch driver powered by 2 x 700 watts ($8999). Procella was launched in the U.K. in 2006 by ex-employees of DTS and its U.S. operations are run by a veteran of M&K.

A couple of blogs down I talked about loudspeakers, and alluded to the small but enthusiastic click of hobbyists who choose to make their own, rather than rely on far more expensive commercial designs.

Price: $4,500 At A Glance: Full interactivity and advanced audio • Reference-level picture and sound • HQV video processing • Slow disc access and load times

The Chosen One?

This isn’t the first player we’ve reviewed in the high-end price category. In some respects, we’ve walked away impressed by the high-end players we’ve reviewed, but none of the high-end designs we’ve looked at has earned their pay grade by making our Top Picks list. It’s possible that this tells us more about the less expensive players on the market than the more expensive ones. Blu-ray’s inherent quality, advances in video processing, and the proliferation of HDMI have resulted in sub-$500 players that will satisfy even the most finicky videophile with a front-projection system. In short, midrange and even entry-level players have gotten so good that, although we’ve been waiting to be floored by a high-end player, so far it hasn’t happened. Whether it’s lack of speed, audio or interactivity features, or performance, we’ve been waiting for a player that makes us stand up and shout, “Noooo!” when the UPS man comes to take the player back to the manufacturer. With regards to both its price and its performance aspirations, the $4,500 Denon DVD-A1UDCI is the most ambitious Blu-ray player we’ve yet reviewed. Is it the chosen one?