CEDIA 2013

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CEDIA 2013
NAD Receiver Changes Name
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
While NAD's usual practice is to add features to existing surround receiver models, the T 758 ($1199) is the successor to the T 757. It boasts 120 watts of continuous power per channel, we assume into two channels. Modular construction, a neat feature of NAD receivers, allows for future upgrades, whatever technology comes our way. One thing this receiver does not have is an ethernet jack or any network audio features. For those step up to the even brawnier T 777 ($2999) and T 787 ($3999). Note that these list prices are lower than historical ones because NAD is aggressively courting a smaller but more committed dealer base. As a result, receiver sales have doubled, and just may triple. Clearly a lot of home theater buffs are willing to pay for great surround sound even at the expense of frilly features.
CEDIA 2013
OSD Audio Bows Bluetooth Rock Speaker
Bob Ankosko  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
Bluetooth is fast becoming a fixture inside the house and now OSD Audio is taking the convenience of wireless streaming outside with two Bluetooth-enabled outdoor speakers: the BTR-800 rock speaker ($350/pr) and BTP-650 patio speaker ($290/pr). Both models are weather-resistant two-way designs with a reception range of 150 feet (unobstructed) and 75 feet (obstructed), according to the company.

The BTR-800 combines an 8-inch woofer and 1-inch soft-dome tweeter in a faux rock enclosure offered in three landscape-friendly colors: canyon brown, granite grey, and slate grey (shown). Available in white or black, the BTP-650 has a 6.5-inch woofer and includes speaker cable, a power cord, and mounting hardware.

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CEDIA 2013
Canton Has a Cool Pad
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
The Canton DM 50 sound pad (yes, we love the name too) is just about wide enough for the pedestal of a large flat panel TV. While the driver complement remained something of a mystery due to the nondetachable grille, it does have two 3.5-inch woofers firing out of the bottom. Dolby Digital and DTS decoding are present. Total power is 200 watts, Class D. Like any respectable bar nowadays, it also has Bluetooth. Price $599.
CEDIA 2013
Bose Hits the Bars
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
We hit the soundbar beat pretty hard at this show and our coverage wouldn't be complete without mention of two Bose products. The CineMate 1 SR ($1350) is said to be the bestselling bar in North America over the past nine months. It uses seven of the same tiny drivers that make the famous Bose "jewel cubes" sound pretty good (we know this, having reviewed them in another form). There are also two radiators providing side effects. And the bar's pretty control savvy, with multi-room control and Control 4, Crestron, RTI, and Savant compatibility. The same bar features in the Lifestyle 135 system ($2100) which adds a console with iOS dock and room correction.
CEDIA 2013
Status Monitor Has Heart of Stone
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
Its 0.75-inch-thick granite enclosure makes the Status Element monitor unique. The enclosure of the 53-pound speaker has four additional layers: elastomer, aluminum, silicon, and foam. Under the hood are a one-inch fabric tweeter and 6.5-inch beryllium alloy woofer. Your $15,000/pair can buy any of several colors of granite of which our favorite (though not pictured) is cactus green. It looked great on the spokesperson's iPhone. This product was born in the U.S.A.
CEDIA 2013
Def Tech Has It All Wrapped Up
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
With three sides wrapped in fabric, the SoloCinema Studio bears the unmistakable DNA of Definitive Technology, and comes out of the company's new design center. This 5.1-channel soundbar has HDMI connectivity (three in, one out) along with non-lossless Dolby Digital and DTS surround and Bluetooth wireless connectivity (including both aptX and AAC for higher transmission quality). SRS TruSurround HD4 mingles with proprietary processing for zippier surround. Driver complement includes a trio of one-inch aluminum dome tweeters, six polymer-composite woofers, and an eight-inch driver in the external sub. With 200 watts behind it, that sub is no slouch, and the bar gets another 120 watts total. The system ships in October for $1199, eight hundred bucks less than the existing SoloCinema XTR soundbar.
CEDIA 2013
Bass Egg Verb Gets Great Sound From Cardboard
Brent Butterworth  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 

The sound that most amazed me during Day 1 of the CEDIA Expo came not from a $50,000 speaker, but from a cardboard box. A cardboard box supporting the Bass Egg Verb, that is. We've seen devices like this before, that turn any box or table or whatever into a speaker. The difference between those and the Bass Egg Verb is that it doesn't suck and it plays loud as hell.

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CEDIA 2013
Westone Intros W-Series In-Ear Headphones
Brent Butterworth  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 

Westone, best-known for custom-molded in-ear monitors worn by touring musicians, is revamping its consumer products line -- starting with the new W-Series in-ear headphones announced today at the CEDIA Expo. All of the designs feature balanced armature drivers, and will list for prices ranging from $199 to $499.

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CEDIA 2013
Stewart Filmscreen Transformed
Al Griffin  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
Stewart Filmscreen is a company whose name is strongly linked with the dedicated home theater concept, but even they acknowledge that the concept is in decline. People are starting to gravitate toward viewing movies and TV in open, multiple-use living spaces, not dark, isolated viewing vaults.
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CEDIA 2013
Sonos Adds Surround
Al Griffin  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
Sonos’ Playbar soundbar uses proprietary tech to beam surround sound from its 9-driver array. To judge from the demo I caught at CEDIA — my first-ever experience with the Playbar — the effect is impressive. But some people may prefer real surround speakers located in the rear of the room. The company offers up its Play:3 wireless speakers for that very purpose, but custom installers have been bugging them to provide a solution that expands surround speaker options for the Playbar.
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CEDIA 2013
Wireless HD and HDMI 2.0 Switching From DVDO
Al Griffin  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
DVDO showed off its new Air3 WirelessHD adapter ($199), a wireless HDMI solution that sends uncompressed HD video (up to 1080p/60-rez) and 7.1 channel audio over the 60 GHz band. DVDO says that the new unit has a more robust radio its previous version of the Air, which means less possibility for interference. The Air3 also has a much smaller footprint, along with flexible mounting options that let you squeeze the receiver component behind a flat-panel TV mount. The receiver draws power via USB, so you can simply plug it into your TV’s USB port, while the transmitter features an MHL2-capable HDMI input that accepts up to 1080p/60-rez signals from a compatible smartphone or tablet.
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CEDIA 2013
Make Room for Roomie Remote on Your iPhone
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
How would you like to have an instant home theater/home automation system just by downloading an app? That’s essentially the situation with Roomie Remote, an iOS app (with an iOS7 update coming in the next couple of days) that, according to the company is “the last remote you’ll ever need.”

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CEDIA 2013
RBH Shows Some Cruise Control
Kris Deering  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
RBH was quick to get your pant legs shaking with their reference SX-1212P/R subwoofer. With up to 3,200 watts of power driving two 12” drivers, their demo of Oblivion had the seats moving more than Tom Cruise jumping on them. At $5,000 each they aren’t the cheapest subs out there, but that one sub was delivering the goods with tons of ouput in RBH’s modest sized demo room.
CEDIA 2013
Focal Debuts Easya High-End Wireless Speaker
Brent Butterworth  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 

Maybe this wireless speaker thing is finally going to take off. Today at the CEDIA Expo, Focal demoed the $2,799/pair Easya tower speaker, which has amps and a wireless receiver built in. The system comes with a transmitter and a remote control, so all you need to do is connect your sources and you've got a whole system.

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CEDIA 2013
Prima Cinema - Current Movies for the Home Theaters of the Rich and Famous
Barb Gonzalez  |  Sep 26, 2013  | 
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