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CEDIA 2009: Big bass from very, very tiny drivers
SV Staff  |  Sep 09, 2009
A new acoustical design technology that promises to get deep, powerful bass from tiny drivers got its first public audition this morning in a suite at Atlanta’s Ellis Hotel, just before the start of the 2009 CEDIA Expo.  The new technology...
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Audio Video News
Congratulations! You're richer than you thought!
SV Staff  |  Sep 09, 2009
 After attending two press conferences so far at the CEDIA Expo 2009, I have discovered that either, A: America is a lot richer than I thought, or B: I'm just, sadly, much poorer. During SpeakerCraft's launch of their new A/V distribution...
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CEDIA 2009
HK Continues to Embrace Dolby Volume
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
Harman Kardon, the first receiver maker to feature Dolby Volume, has added it to three models. That's good news because Dolby Volume will even out level differences among source inputs and make dynamically extreme movie soundtracks less excruciating. The new models start at $600 and 50 watts times seven for the AVR 1600. Step up to the AVR 2600 for $800 and you'll get 65 wpc, Faroudja Torino video processing, and compatibility with the Bridge III (optional) which brings iPod docking and charging. Step further up to the AVR 3600 for $1200 and get 80 wpc with the Bridge III supplied. We hope to get the latter (pictured) for review.
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Audio Video News
Apple unleashes new iPod Touch, Nano, Classic and Shuffle
SV Staff  |  Sep 09, 2009
In case you haven't been dilligently refreshing one of the live blogs about Apple's press event today, there are some new iPods to be had. We'll start with the Nano, which got the most notable upgrade in the form of a video camera...
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Audio Video News
Harman Kardon updates its midpriced A/V receivers
SV Staff  |  Sep 09, 2009
Building A/V receivers might be the toughest job in the audio industry. The technology seems to change on a monthly basis—and if you don’t have the latest features you're in big trouble. Harman Kardon hasn’t exactly been on the cutting edge of...
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CEDIA 2009
Speakercraft Makes Us Nirvous
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
A company best known for architectural speakers moves into multizone technology with a vengeance. Nirv is the name the tattooed folks at Speakercraft have given to a system that operates with the 10-button remote pictured here. The remote's got a mic built into it, for home intercom use, and that barely scratches the surface. The concept is to use a single Cat5 cable to send HD video, HD audio, control, data, paging, and voice anywhere in the home. Any zone can be turned into a home theater and grab content from any source in any other zone. The system learns how you use it. Settings follow users from room to room, including parental controls, indicating unseen depths of moral fiber in people with multiple pieces of body art, or maybe it's just Metamucil. An installer can walk the user through setup, and when that's done, an easy repeatable interface takes over. Dealer cost 10 grand. In addition to the Ruckus speakers already reported on, Speakercraft also announced several new in-wall and in-ceiling models, including the AIM 10, a three-way, 10-inch pivoting unit selling for $8250-1125. Oh, and a debut surround receiver was also announced -- the Vital 910 ($1125). This company was always interesting. Now it's fascinating.
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CEDIA 2009
Peter Tribeman of Atlantic Explains H-PAS
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
As we previously reported, the H-PAS speaker technology making its debut at Atlantic Technology's off-site exhibit has been one of the most eagerly awaited events of the show. Simply put, this bass-building speaker technology works -- with tympani, bass clarinet, and of course pipe organ. While the midrange was not perfectly balanced, and we were informed that voicing will be tweaked, it was clear that Atlantic is correct in claiming that deep bass episodes don't starve the mids and highs or collapse the soundstage. What makes it work is what Tribeman calls a cascading of well-known speaker design elements such as bass reflex, inverted horn, acoustic suspension, and transmission line. In other words, "it's all in the plumbing" -- the drivers and crossover are nothing special. Credit is due to the inventor, Phil Clements of Solus/Clements. The prototype shown uses a pair of 4.5-inch woofers and is said to be flat down to 30Hz.
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CEDIA 2009
And Here's the Atlantic H-PAS Cosmetic Mockup
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
This mockup gives an indication of what the production model may look like. However, Atlantic is studying the use of 5.25-inch woofers in lieu of the 4.5-inchers shown here. It may ship in December give or take a month. Atlantic also plans to license the technology to a half-dozen other manufacturers including at least one "super high end" player and various "upper mid-fi" brands, according to Tribeman.
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CEDIA 2009
Phil Clements of Solus/Clements Brings H-PAS to the Bar
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
Phil Clements, father of H-PAS technology, explains its use in a bar speaker. While Atlantic is studying this prospect, the product shown is pre-H-PAS. It is a seven-channel configuration with three tweeters and two 4x6-inch woofers in the front and two on the sides for surrounds. Channels are shared among the drivers with a triple voice coil structure. A "180-degree feel" is promised.The bar is the FS-7.0. With eight-inch sub, it is the SB-8800 system. Shipping in September for $800 (for the bar) and $300 (for the sub).
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CEDIA 2009
Welcome to the Georgia World Congress Center
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 09, 2009
It is large, as many of us discovered when we walked through it to get to the Omni for preshow events. Atlanta itself is large, spread out, surprisingly hilly, and not walkable. However, I am grateful to finally attend a CEDIA Expo on the east coast. Perhaps Atlanta will grow on me during the next two CEDIAs, which will return here.
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