Roger Kanno models Audio-Technica`s new high-end
headphones, the ATH-ESW9A ($549), which come finished in exotic African paddock wood.
These compact headphones fold up for portability and feature high-quality 42mm drivers
with neodymium magnets.
The B&W Panorama speaker system uses the walls of your
room to reflect sound and create an immersive surround-sound experience. The cabinet
houses seven drivers, with center-channel information being sent to a 1"
aluminum-dome tweeter and two 3.5" Kevlar midranges driven by a 25W class-D
amplifier. Two 4" subwoofers are driven by a 50W class-D amplifier, and two 3.5"
full-range Kevlar drivers reproduce sound from the left and right main and left and right
surround channels, which are all powered by another 25W class-D amplifier. Settings are
provided for soft, medium, and hard walls. There are three digital inputs -- two TosLink
and one coaxial -- along with two analog audio inputs. Although it is claimed that the
Panorama will produce enough bass for most environments, a subwoofer output is also
included. The Panorama is expected to sell for $2200.
Epson was showing its flagship PowerLite Pro Cinema 7500 UB
front projector. It utilizes 12-bit, three-LCD-chip technology that is said to provide a
dramatically increased color gamut versus 10-bit drivers. It also features Silicon Optix's
HQV Reon-VX scaling and deinterlacing and comes with a replacement lamp -- all for $4199.
Cambridge Audio debuted the 640BD Blu-ray player (on top,
$999), which is Profile 2.0 compliant. A full suite of outputs is provided: HDMI 1.3,
Ethernet, S/PDIF and TosLink digital, and 7.1-channel analog audio. A front-mounted USB
socket allows the player to access digital content from USB-equipped drives. The 640BD is
designed to be used with the new 640R V2 receiver (underneath, $1799), which utilizes HDMI
1.3 inputs and the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. As with all
Cambridge Audio products, the 640BD and 640R V2 are designed to provide excellent
two-channel musical performance. Both are expected to begin shipping in March or April.
Tivoli Audio Networks Global Music System allows users to
access Internet radio broadcasts on the now-familiar retro-looking Tivoli radio. The
Networks system accesses the Internet through either an Ethernet connection or a Wi-Fi
network. Networks automatically updates its software, and an online community is
accessible through the website networks.tivoliaudio.com.
An FM tuner is included as well as a USB input to access digital audio files from USB
drives. The stereo Networks system is available now for $749, or just the mono base unit
can be purchased for $599.
The incredibly shiny KEF XQ60b subwoofer ($1299) features a
12" downward-firing driver driven by a 200W amplifier. The speaker-level inputs
utilize a single connector for ease and can accommodate wire up to 12 gauge. The
"Smart Connect" feature senses whether one or two of the RCA line-level inputs
are being used. If only one input is being used, 6dB of gain is added to the signal to
compensate for the lower level when compared to two inputs. These features are all
accessible on the back panel.
