The most recent projector I reviewed here at UAV was a real standout, Epson's <A HREF="http://ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/607epsonprocin/">Powerlite Pro Cinema 1080p</A>. This projector is among the more marvelous packages of peformance and price I've seen. Especially susprising was that the color fidelity was so pristine and on this LCD projector, along with a relaxed and naturally detailed image with real depth. The only thing that held this proejctor back was slightly dim light output and softer image. The Pro Cinema 1080p UB is here to settle both scores.
I could tell you that this is a better picture of the Samsung SP-A800 we reported on earlier in the show. But it isn't. It's the Samsung SP-A400, and apart from its smaller size, it's a dead ringer in appearance for the SP-A800. It's a 1280x768 design. Didn't catch the price yet, but it's sure to be lots cheaper than the circa $10,000 price of its big brother.
NHT has come a long way, or a different way, or, whatever. Their A/V pre/pro, bundled with five speakers, two self-powered subs, five 4-channel amps (one for each speak), plus, uh, wires I think, goes for $40,000! Each of the amp's channels is responsible for one of the four drivers in each speaker, so there is no crossover in the speakers themselves. Of course, in the middle of the convention hall you couldn't get much of a feel for the systems sound. I would have liked to have heard an isolated room demo.
This is a pretty good shot of the JVC RS1 projector with an anamorphic lens by Panamorph giving it a 2.35:1 image. Video processing was done in the Anthem D2 processor and sequence from Phantom on Blu-ray looked really good.
The Velodyne SPL-800R isn't the smallest or newest Velodyne subwoofer, but it caught my eye since I'm in a hunt for small, manageable, high quality subs-as you might gather from a few of my entries hereabouts. It uses a 10" driver, is a bit over a foot all around, and will run you $$1249. The larger SPL-1000R to its left can be yours for for $$1649.
I got a chance to see the Statement D2 pre/pro from Anthem up close. I like the 4 HDMI inputs but I'm already starting to think 5 or even 6 would be appropriate for the next gen. Marketing manager Mark Aling told me their new room equalization software is now available and will be integrated into the D2. It adds a couple of hundred to the price, bringing it up to just under $7K. Unusual is Anthems recognition that every EQ mic shipped with a pre/pro or receiver is inherently different from each other mic, so they actually cut a CD for each microphone / serial# combination and their software recognizes where compensation is needed to overcome the sample to sample variation between microphones. I doubt you'll ever see that level of detail from a mass-market receiver manufacturer, but in a "statement" product like the D2, it really sets Anthem apart from the pack. If you already own a D1 or D2, you can get the upgrade by contacting your dealer.
Sitting next to an assembled version of the JL Fathom f113 is the new JL Fathom f110 subwoofer ($2100). It definitely fits in the smaller than thou category,though at somewhat over a cubic foot externally it is a bit larger than the Velodyne shown a couple of screens back. It sports a 10" driver, weighs in at 67 lbs, and is said to respond down to 25Hz (-3dB).
Nuvo's new Essentia NV-E6G system is a six-zone, six-source system that's packaged with six Control Pads (each with a 1" OLED display). It's expandable up to 12 zones, and is plug-and-play compatible with Nuvo's M3 Music Server, T2 Dual Tuners, and NuVoDocks for iPod. At $2,299 - less than $400 per room - that's a pretty smokin' deal for six rooms of music.