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CES 2009: Digital Entertainment Group Celebrates
SV Staff  |  Jan 08, 2009
DEG, the Digital Entertainment Group hosted their annual awards show tonight at CES. With good growth in Blu-ray and DVD, the group had reason to celebrate.As far as retailers, it wasn't hard to guess who they would honor. Software retailer...
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CES 2009
Thiel Juices the CS2.4
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
The Thiel CS2.4 has been updated with a "radically redesigned" crossover, shown. It also comes in a new "vermilion maple" finish -- bird's eye maple with a deep red stain. Price: $8000/pair.
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CES 2009
Focal Ennobles the Multimedia Speaker
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
The Focal XS is one cool-looking 2.1-channel iThing-docking multimedia system. It has a 24-bit USB DAC, 30 watts times two, and 70-watt sub for $599. The price includes a card remote.
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CES 2009
Totem Feels the Wind in its Hair
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
Totem Acoustic has updated the 10-year-old Wind, which continues in the line in its original form, with a new variation called the Wind Design Series. It includes a improved crossover plus a high-end automotive-grade polyurethane lacquer finish in four shades: blue, red, white, and black. Pricing ranges from $11,000-12,500 for the new version ("we're still reeling from the cost of the paint") or $9000 for the conventionally veneered old version.
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CES 2009
Totem Brings the Wind Down to Earth
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
This is the system that decouples the Totem Wind from the floor. It consists of a back piece plus a front "claw" filled with different sizes of ball bearings. That enables a form of tuning that helps the speaker mate with the room and the amp, we were told. The claw somehow escaped our camera -- see full-size photo in the first item above. Still, two pretty blue pictures in a row. That's class.
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CES 2009
CDT Finally Delivers Mini-Sat
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
We thought the tiny sat CDT showed at last year's CES sounded great, and after a year of further tweaking, it's shipping as the Sonapod. In a 5.1 set with any of various subwoofers, it might sell for anywhere from $900-2000. CDT also showed a small triangular sat that was like nothing else we've ever seen. Possible review material.
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CES 2009
Kanto Syd Not Named for Barrett
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
Naming a series of iThing docking systems for the sainted songwriter of early Pink Floyd may seem an excellent idea but the Kanto people insisted this was the furthest thing from their minds. The Syd 5 ($349) is nice and chunky with an AC jack that would make it convenient to connect a wireless bridge. The smaller Syd 4 ($159) has dual slot ports in front to increase bass response from the sub driver deep in the back of the enclosure. See Syd Play. Astronomy Kantonome. Gigolo Kanto. You can never have too many Syd Barrett references.
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CES 2009
Mordaunt-Short Updates Mezzo, Alumni
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
The Mordaunt-Short Mezzo line already included a tower, and the Mezzo 6 continues in the line, but now it has a big brother in the form of the Mezzo 8 ($2495/pair). The latter's a three-way with two 6.25-inch woofers, 5.25-inch mid, and one-inch aluminum tweeter mounted at the top of the enclosure. The excellent Alumni sat/sub line has another upsized model, shown -- the Alumni 8 ($1095/pair), a tall, slender speaker with four passive woofers, two active ones, and a tweeter. It complements the similar though not identical Alumni 3 center. Stand or wall mount, high gloss black or white with black grilles.
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CES 2009
Cambridge Audio Does Blu and Receiver in Style
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 08, 2009
Cambridge Audio makes good stuff. Though it has lagged behind in certain areas in the past, at CES it showed a strong will to catch up, unveiling the azur 640BD Blu-ray player, shipping in February for $999, and yes, befitting an expensive player it is Profile 2.0. The company also caught up with the HDMI revolution with the azur 640R receiver, shipping in March for $1695, and yes, it has HDMI 1.3 and all the goodies that go with it. All over the world the children sing for joy.
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CES 2009
A/V Receivers In Every Flavor
Debbie Stampfli  |  Jan 08, 2009
For the indecisive consumer, Pioneer just made your life a whole lot harder. The company unveiled a new lineup of A/V receivers at CES for every budget, need, and desire. As one of the first companies to deliver iPhone and iPod certification in its AVRs, Pioneer focused on the growing populace of iPhone and iPod users in its new group. The top new models (including the VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH) employ this certification, and each one includes features that bring out the best in your iPhone or iPod. One of these new features includes a full color graphic user interface with album art and information. This way you’ll be able to see exactly what you are listening to.
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