CEDIA Expo : Fueling the Hot Audio Market

Soundbars and Bluetooth catch fire

October 16, 2012 By Nancy Klosek

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CEDIA Expo provided audio suppliers with a stage to showcase highly featured components that mesh easily within home control ecosystems. Loudspeaker introductions were attuned to making TVs sound better, as was the case last year. Many of those speakers now included Bluetooth and AirPlay to give consumers easier access to audio stored on their mobile devices. Here are highlights:

• D&M brands: Denon unveiled the Piccolo two-channel tabletop network streaming system ($499). It’s available in high-gloss white or black, and matches up with two optional speakers ($149/pair). The AVR-4520CI flagship A/V receiver ($2,499) and the DBT-3313UDCI universal disc player ($999.99) rounded out the offerings; also shown was the Music Maniac Artisan on-ear headphones ($1,999.99). Boston Acoustics presented the MC200 Air speaker system, which will be AirPlay-capable pending Apple certification ($399.99; October). The company’s first soundbar sans sub, TVee 10 ($199.99), also debuted. And from Marantz comes the AV7701 7.2-channel A/V preamp processor ($1,699.99) with AirPlay and 4K video support.
• Sony highlighted its partnership with Control4 with the introduction of its first consumer A/V receivers fully integrated with home automation technology. The STR-DA5800ES and STR-DA2800ES receivers integrate automation, and support and streamline custom installation projects.
• Leon Speakers featured the Boundary Series outdoor speakers. The Model 404 features two four-inch outdoor aluminum cone woofers for durability and one-inch aluminum/magnesium dome tweeters. Also spotlighted were the new Timbre Series bookshelf speakers.
• Sunfire focused on the Atmos subwoofer ($2,000). It uses dual 6.5-inch woofers capable of excursions of  up to 1.8 inches.
• Proficient Audio took the wraps off its new MaxTV Bluetooth speaker system ($599). Dealers who buy three systems will receive support materials, including a “red button” demo device for A-B comparison of TV sound with and without the MaxTV.
• SpeakerCraft highlighted its SYNERGi wireless audio system, which includes a transmitter that can handle four sources and send audio to up to eight receivers. The basic system is priced at $680.
• Definitive Technology sported a redesigned sans serif logo. The first product to carry the new design is the SoloCinema XTR, the brand’s first active soundbar ($1,999).
• Pioneer added Pandora to its SC A/V receiver series. Also, the SC-67 and SC-68 boast 4K pass-through capability.
• GoldenEar Technology, celebrating its two-year anniversary, demonstrated its new $999.99 SuperCinema 3D Array soundbar. The company also displayed the Invisa architectural loudspeaker line, featuring a flangeless design for stealthy installations.