CEDIA 2005
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association

 Part 1

  Meridian now offers their new DSP3100 DSP loudspeaker ($4,795 per pair, stands cost $595 per pair) said to be a new benchmark in their development of compact, high-performance digital loudspeakers. This 2-way rear ported enclosure houses a long-throw 6-inch midrange/woofer and 1-inch fabric dome tweeter. The DSP power in the DSP3100 is provided by a Motorola 56367 running at 150MHz and digital-to-analog duties are handled by dual 24-bit multi-bit Delta Sigma converters. The DSP3100 may be controlled via RS232, and operated by an infrared remote control unit (not supplied). Cosmetic finishes available are black or silver, matching Meridian’s G Series components (bead-blasted, chemically brightened and anodized). Exterior wooden surfaces are piano-lacquered.

 

Polk Audio was showing the world's first IP addressable amplified loudspeakers! The line will initially consist of two models, the rectangular LC265i-IP and the round LC80i-IP that are both flush-mount for in-wall or ceiling. Digital amplifiers, electronic crossovers, DSP circuitry and provision for TCP/IP control circuit boards are built into the loudspeakers to offer ease of installation and control, yet can be installed as simple passive units if need be. Polk's IP loudspeakers have been developed with NetStreams to make use of NetStreams' StreamNet audio over IP open platform distribution technology. The speakers' integrated digital amplifiers, crossovers and built-in Room/Performance optimization DSP provide ease of system/room matching for best results. The built-in digital amplifiers and crossovers bi-amplify (or tri-amplify in the case of the three-way LC265i-IP) the loudspeakers for more accurate, lower distortion audio performance while integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) electronics provide sound tailoring to optimize the performance of the speaker for the room and speaker locations. The three-way LC265i-IP has an MSRP of $1500 each and the LC80i-IP carries an MSRP of $1200 each. The required SPS-1 Power Supply has an MSRP of $800 each. A single SPS-1 can power up to one pair of LC265i-IP or two pair of LC80i-IP loudspeakers.

 

Pioneer Electronics' new Elite DVD player is specifically aimed at audiophiles with both high-end sound and video performance. The DV-79AVi ($1,000) has a triple layer chassis to insure EMI/RFI rejection, separate audio transformer with dedicated power supply, the drive transport is mounted to the bottom of the rigid chassis, various circuitry is isolated, and a low center of gravity is said to "significantly reducing vibrations." The DV-79AVi has six-channel analog audio output, bass management, Dolby Digital, DTS and SRS TruSurround. The true universal player also handled DVD-Audio and SACD disc formats plus the usual DVD-Video discs. As a result of its i.LINK technology the player can be connected to any of Pioneer's receivers with i.LINK connections including the VSX-59TXi and VSX-74TXVi. Videophiles will nejoy the an Advanced Digital Direct Pixel Drive supporting full time 10-bit digital video processing circuitry. This allows the player to output the highest quality digital signal from HDMI while also improving the analog signal output which utilizes a 108MHz/14-bit video DAC. Users can directly connect the Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi to a television via an HDMI (1.1) connection.

 

KEF's new KHT 6000 ACE loudspeaker system is said to benefit surround sound and audiophile desires plus complement the look of contemporary flat-screen televisions. The KHT 6000 ACE System features the company's Uni-Q driver array and flexible Selecta-mount mounting system, which automatically optimizes sound whether loudspeakers are mounted on the wall or on floor stands. Uni-Q places its aluminum dome tweeter in the acoustic center of a mid-bass cone, resulting in a near-perfect, single-point-source driver. This configuration ensures both drivers' frequency ranges are delivered in-phase and time aligned. KEF's PSW 3500 300-watt subwoofer compliment's this system and features a 12-inch high-excursion driver. The KHT 6000 ACE System for $500 each loudspeaker while the optional PSW 3500 subwoofer is $1,200.

 

At CEDIA Linn is showcasing a vast array of product as they are one of the few companies that offer everything from vinyl and digital disc playback to amplification and loudspeakers plus cables. Linn featured their multi-channel and multi-room entertainment solutions including their Komponent multi-channel loudspeaker system. The system includes Komponent 110 floorstanding loudspeaker, Komponent 104 compact loudspeaker, Komponent 106 LCR (left/center/right) loudspeaker, and the Komponent 120 self-powered subwoofer ($1150, $500, $1000, and $1500 respectively). All full range models feature Linn's highly praised 2K Driver Array as found in the company's flagship Komri, Artikulat and Akurate. All Komponent loudspeakers are built using a unique aluminum extrusion and advanced damping materials. This construction also allows for relatively shallow dimensions that aid in wall-mounted using the supplied brackets. System performance can be upgraded by using these speakers in a multi-amplifier configuration or in AKTIV configuration where a single amplifier channel is dedicated to each drive-unit through an active crossover. The Komponent 120 powered subwoofer is a mere 20cm tall, therefore it can be discretely positioned under furniture, or be wall or ceiling mounted using a supplied bracket. The Komponent loudspeaker system is available in a choice of Silver or Graphite finish. Also at CEDIA is their Chakra power amplifiers and Exotic+DA digital multi-channel preamplifier.

 

Click Here For Part 2