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CES 2010
Atlantic H-PAS Gets Real
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
One of the highlights of CEDIA 2009 was Atlantic Technology's announcement of H-PAS technology, which gets subwoofer-worthy bass out of a tower speaker. The prototypes shown then have developed into production models that are about to ship. First to ship will be the 5.25-inch tower; the 4.5-inch version may follow later in the year. With the inevitable pipe organ source material, the demo proved the ability of H-PAS to produce deep true bass sans sub. Phil Clements of Solus/Clements, father of H-PAS technology, weathers the media spotlight with good grace.
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CES 2010
Onkyo Unveils Pre-Pro and Multi-Ch Amp
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
Onkyo's first foray into separates includes the PR-SC5503 surround preamp-processor ($2699), with the up-to-date feature set you'd expect in an Onkyo receiver, and the PA-MC5500 multi-channel power amp. The amp's got nine channels of 150-watt AB amplification, enough to accommodate both height and width channels, and can connect to the pre-pro via XLR. Both about to ship; pre-pro price may be around $2699. Onkyo also showed the BD-SP807 Blu-ray player which boasts Anchor Bay video processing. (And the company plans to introduce its first -- perhaps anyone's first -- HDMI 1.4 receivers this spring, reports TWICE.)
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Audio Video News
CES 2010: BA's new TVee 20 soundbar
SV Staff  |  Jan 08, 2010
Boston Acoustics has announced a new soundbar at CES 2010, a follow-up to last year's TVee Model 2. The TVee Model 20 features new drivers, a wireless subwoofer, a "learning" IR receiver, and, most importantly, a lower price tag. The Model 20 will...
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CES 2010
Onkyo Shows Some Guts
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
Here's a breakout of the PA-MC5500 amp. Some great parts and build quality here.
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CES 2010
Thiel Legacy Enhanced by Olive Server
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
This marriage of high-end speaker company and high-end media server is one of the most exciting things at the show. The speaker is thiel's SCS4D stand-mount, an IP-based speaker with 32-bit DSP, 200 watts of internal Class D power, and 6.5-inch coaxial driver array. Its tightly focused and well-balanced sound is a stunning example of the Jim Thiel legacy. The Olive media server can rip or burn via slot-load CD drive, has 2TB of storage, and in the back are both analog and USB inputs, so you can add more source components to this self-contained system. Server's wi-fi but speakers need an ethernet connection. Starter system with one zone is $7900, additional zones (basically more speakers) $5250 per zone.
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CES 2010
Epsilon Can Be Active or Passive
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
Epsilon is a French company founded in 1938. While these globular objects can serve as passive speakers, the active version is more interesting. It's got 100 watts of ICEpower amplification and connects wirelessly. Look for it in the third quarter for whatever the U.S. equivalent of 1200 euros will be then (currently a bit north of $1700).
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CES 2010
CDT Imaginatively Configures Sat Systems
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
CDT's great-sounding mini-sats can be configured in many ways. Our favorite is the 5.1-channel set featuring six sats (two for the center channel) and sub. Unfortunately there isn't an official price attached to it. Want height effects without height processing? CDT suggests you put two sats above the screen and link them to your system with an outboard crossover and attenuator. Yeah, the idea seems weird, but we heard it and it sounded great. Price $350. Two sats and sub go for $500. The new So-Na-Wall flat speakers cost $800/pair.
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CES 2010
Listener Listens
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2010
Job one at the CES Venetian audio exhibits is listening. This listener was doing his job in the NVS Sound room.
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CES 2011
DEG Awards
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2010

One of the highlights of CES for me is the DEG (Digital Entertainment Group) awards event, at which content providers, hardware manufacturers, and retailers are recognized for their excellence and innovation. There are three awards for hardware—Sight (video displays), Source (Blu-ray players and the like), and Sound (electronics and speakers). As a side note, I've suggested more than once to the DEG that the Sound category should be split into two—Sound (electronics) and Speakers. Otherwise, one or the other type of product goes unrecognized each year, yet both are essential for a complete home-entertainment experience.

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CES 2010
iR for iPod
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2010
NewKinetix Re (the e is supposed to have a line over it, but I don't know how to generate that character - basically because I'm alphabetically challenged) is a plug-in accessory for an iPhone or iPod touch that turns either device into an IR remote control. Other such IR-enabling products already exist, but as far as I can tell the NewKintetix unit is the first one that does not require a separate box to generate the IR signal. One can be yours soon for $49.95.
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