LATEST ADDITIONS

uavKim Wilson  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  First Published: Jan 10, 2008  |  0 comments

NAD has created a very bold new look with the Viso Five (pictured) and Viso Two integrated DVD/Surround Receivers. The Viso Five is a five-channel surround AVR with a built-in DVD player and AM/FM tuner, while the Viso Two is a 2-channel system. The Viso Two also contains a DVD player, though there is no onboard surround processing other than Dolby Virtual Speaker, which provides a simulated surround effect with only two speakers. Both are XM ready and can accommodate NAD's new IPD-1 iPod dock. Available in early '08 the Viso Five is $1799 and the Viso Two is $1299.

Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  2 comments
I've already described a Totem product as best sound of the show, and I haven't changed my mind, but the Induction Dynamics room was just as good. So it's a tie. Big, smooth, transparent, addicting. The big fella is the ID1.18 and the center is the C1.8. Other models, including in- and on-walls, complement the ones we heard. There's no digital room correction built in--the sound is just plain old great engineering with patented crossover, timbre-matched drivers, external sub amp, etc. You get the best qualities of a big speaker (massive soundstage, top-to-bottom accuracy, meaty bass) with the best qualities of a small speaker (timbral fidelity, phase coherence, subtlety, comfort)--in a, well, pretty huge package. But it sounded stupendous. A 5.1-channel system would be roughly 20 grand and the ID folks will match your existing speaker finish or create whatever you desire on a custom basis. Wow, wow, and wow. Also, wow.
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  2 comments
We're longtime fans of Al Langella, the guy who puts the Design into Audio Design Associates. If the Cinema Renaissance Mach III seems a little on the flashy side (don't worry, the front-panel showmanship can be subdued with a command), be advised that if it follows in the ADA tradition, it'll sound as good as or better than anything else in its category. Seriously. It's got a tube output stage. HDMI 1.3 won't be handled until the next generation, which will come along, well, eventually. Price quite reasonable at under $100,000. If Britney buys this thing, people will think she's gone sane again.
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
The LVCC brain trust offers a new innovation in pedestrian traffic management--the double yellow line. Presumably that means stay to the right (though that didn't stop some of these guys) and don't try passing anyone (though that didn't stop me).
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
Spruce up your desktop with the energy-efficient Icon-1 chip amp and S-1 speaker with full-range driver. The prototype system we heard was pleasingly though insistently warm--it's still being voiced. But it's already got a feel-good quality and you need that when you're at your desk. The package will ship at the end of March for $399.
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
And it's "crank me up, baby." Yup, these radios operate with cranks, old-fashioned wrist power, as opposed to batteries.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
What could be better than an automated donut machine that you can put on the table next to your couch that just keeps pumping out fresh, hot, delicious donut after donut after donut…
Shane Buettner  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
I spent a good part of my day Tuesday at the Venetian which is home to the high-end audio portion of CES, and often has home theater products from cutting edge crossover companies. Companies like Canada's Simaudio. I've experienced Simaudio's home theater components in the past, and they've been superlative. So, it's with high hope that I anticipate the release of the top of the line Evolution series CP-8 surround pre/pro, to be introduced later this year (the front panel says Moon, but I've been assured it will be an Evolution series component on release).
Adrienne Maxwell  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  2 comments
Boston Acoustics' new slogan is "Play Smart." The smart part means choosing good-sounding speakers. The play part means having a little fun while you do it. That's where the Horizon Series speakers come in. First introduced at CEDIA and available now, the series consists of a number of bookshelf and floorstanding models to accommodate many budgets and room types. Midnight (black) and Mist (white) are the two basic color options; however, for an additional cost, the Boston P.O.P (Personal Option Plan) lets you tailor the speaker grilles in a variety of colors to match your dcor. The cabinets’ rounded edges and soft-touch finish add to the fun. Also shipping this month is the matching $400 HPS 8Wi, a wireless subwoofer with an 8-inch woofer and 150-watt amplifier that operates over the 2.4 GHz band.
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 09, 2008  |  0 comments
Boston Acoustics is back in the computer speaker business again with two tabletop systems. The $99.99 version includes a pair of slender speakers with a ” tweeter and two 2” mid-bass drivers. The $179.99 package adds a subwoofer. The sub/sat system kicked some serious butt, and it was sitting out in the open on a little round table in a large demo room. And just like many of the new Boston speakers, these are part of the POP program which allows you to buy different colored grilles.

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