CEDIA 2009

We'll start with the new Signature Series, v3, because that's what's in the picture. But that's not the only news from Paradigm. Potentially even more earth-shaking is the all-new Special Edition Series. Not sure where it fits in, but the fact that the enclosures will be wood veneer is suggestive. Also forthcoming are a variety of new subs: Signature SUB 1, Signature SUB 2, DSP, and UltraCube. A 7.4-channel in-wall system will be demoed. Pricing? You want pricing? What is it with you people?

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.

Remember the Phase Technology PC3.0 Soundbar we reviewed earlier this year? It's a finalist for the CEDIA Best Awards. Just thought we'd mention that.

Pioneer's Project ETAP is intended to lead to a product that will provide a wide range of home management and media storage and access. In addition to downloading, streaming, and storage of all variety of program material (the 1TB of on-board storage can be supplemented by external hard drives), it will likely offer additional core features, including those listed in the following blog entry.

Atlantic Technology isn't the only company with a concept product at CEDIA. Pioneer is showing its Project ET (Entertainment Tap), a networking paradigm that could be incorporated into a real product by next year. The Linux-based box being demonstrated at the show holds a 1TB (terabyte) hard disk, optical drive that can read Blu-ray, DVD, and CD as well as burn DVD and CD, HDMI I/O, and USB and RS-232 ports; in fact, up to 128 USB devices can be connected, including more hard disks.

Pioneer has no new A/V receivers at the show, but it did announce that several Elite AVRs are now THX-certified. What's the big deal about that, you ask? These are the first products with Class D digital amplifiers to receive such certification. Also newly THX-certified is the BDP-09 Blu-ray player.

You've never heard of Procella speakers? Neither had I until I got a press release about their US debut at CEDIA. This truly global company started in England, moved to Australia, and is now based in Sweden. The lineup includes three L/C/R/S speakers and three dual-driver, dual-amp, sealed-box subwoofers ranging in price from $1500 to $9000 each. The flagship P815 pictured here combines the P8, which features an 8-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver at the apex of a custom elliptical waveguide, with the P15 sub, which sports twin 15-inch drivers and 350W amps.