Krell S-1200 Surround Sound Processor

Filed under: Home Audio > Preamplifiers



Krell has released their latest surround sound processor, called the S-1200. Replacing the previous S-1000, the 1200's most significant addition is a new video processing engine which now fully supports HDMI 1.3, including Deep Color, 48-bit maximum color depth, 340MHz video bandwidth, and conversion of analog video signals to HDMI. An extra cost S-1200"U" version adds 1080p upconversion.

Read more of "Krell S-1200 Surround Sound Processor"...

Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus

Filed under: Home Audio > Complete Audio Systems > Stereo



Altec Lansing has released the follow up to their rather odd Expressionist Bass desktop speaker system, which is called the Expressionist Plus. The Expressionist Plus system is a more conventional 2.1 sat/sub system with a more conventional design, though it retains the elegant looking gloss black finish with gold detailing, and industrial cues. The system is comprised of a pair of 2" satellite speakers, and a 5.25" subwoofer designed to be placed either on the desk or on the floor.

Read more of "Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus"...

Three New Denon Headphones

Filed under: Headphones > In-Ear Headphones



While Denon is still mostly known for their A/V receivers, they are steadily expanding their presence in the headphones. Denon's newest headphones are three models targeting the mid to upper end of the earbud market. The AH-NC600 ($200) is Denon's first noise-cancelling earbud. The AH-NC600 features an inline amplifier, and is claimed to reduce ambient noise by 99%.

Read more of "Three New Denon Headphones"...

Trends Audio Pocket Power Amp

Filed under: Home Audio > Amplifiers



Hong Kong's Trends Audio has released a new ultra tiny power amp, called the TA-10.2P. The pocket sized amp measures just 3" W x 1.8" H x 5.9" D, and yet is able to deliver 10 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 15 watts per channel into 4 Ohms, thanks to a Tripath TA-2024 chip (only ultra efficient speakers need apply).

Read more of "Trends Audio Pocket Power Amp"...

Salk Sound HT4 Speakers

Filed under: Home Audio > Speakers > Floorstanding Speakers



Factory direct speaker builder Salk Sound has thrown their hat into the high-end audio ring, with a new state of the art speaker currently known as the HT4. Salk's new flagship slots into their line above the current Veracity HT3, and will take the fight to some of the biggest names in audio.

Read more of "Salk Sound HT4 Speakers"...

Aragon and Acurus Return From the Dead

Filed under: Home Audio > Amplifiers



Klipsch has a bit of a history of buying up companies and killing them off. Klipsch acquired Mondial Designs, owners of the Aragon and Acurus brands in 2001, and within a few years, both brands were dead. Palladium and 8008 fans can now rejoice though, as two former Klipsch engineers have started a new company that will bring new Aragon and Acurus models to market.

Read more of "Aragon and Acurus Return From the Dead"...

KEF Concept Blade is Sexier than Muon

Filed under: Home Audio > Speakers > Floorstanding Speakers



KEF has released a new concept speaker design that is (in my opinion at least) even better looking than their Muon flagship. The scimitar shaped Concept Blade is not meant to be a production model, but rather like a concept car, more of a showcase of design and technological concepts that will appear in future KEF models.

Read more of "KEF Concept Blade is Sexier than Muon"...

Super Mini Cube Speaker is World’s Smallest

Filed under: Portable Audio > Accessories



If you have a device with a headphone jack that you would like to produce sound, and don't mind parting with $10, the Super Mini Cube speaker may be for you. Claimed to be the world's smallest speaker, the Super Mini Cube measures about 1" on all sides.

Read more of "Super Mini Cube Speaker is World’s Smallest"...

How It’s Made – Speakers

I stumbled across this very interesting video on Youtube; it's a clip from the Discovery Channel's "How It's Made" show. It's a very detailed demonstration of how a dynamic bass driver is made from scratch.

Read more of "How It’s Made – Speakers"...

HDMI Group Releases HDMI 1.4 Spec

Until now, the various HDMI specification changes have built on the original design, using basically the same cables and just adding features. With the new HDMI 1.4, that's about to change. Yes, all of your HDMI devices, ports, and cables are now officially obsolete. Isn't technology fun?

Read more of "HDMI Group Releases HDMI 1.4 Spec"...

Farm Fresh Speakers

Filed under: Home Audio > Speakers > Bookshelf Speakers



A new trend for speaker design seems to be using the most unusual cabinet material possible. Glass speakers are now quite common, and there have also been bamboo speakers, concrete speakers, marble speakers, etc. One material I haven't seen used before is eggshells, which is what Flickr user "Gomhi" has used in his little DIY desktop pods.

Read more of "Farm Fresh Speakers"...

Adcom GFA-555SE Amplifier

Filed under: Home Audio > Amplifiers



Adcom has recently completed a restructuring, and they plan to reassert themselves as a force in affordable audio/video electronics under new owners Quality Technology Electronics. Adcom has several new products that will roll-out in 2009 - one of the first being the new GFA-555SE amplifier. The Special Edition GFA-555 retains the classic looks of the original, while featuring lower distortion, better dynamic range, improved damping factor, and greater stability.

Read more of "Adcom GFA-555SE Amplifier"...

Musical Fidelity AMS35i Integrated Amplifier

Filed under: Home Audio > Amplifiers



Musical Fidelity has released a new integrated amp, called the AMS35i. The AMS35i is a pure Class A design, producing 35 watts per channel. Features include low overall feedback, separate, fully balanced choke-regulated power supplies for each channel, and ultra low distortion.

Read more of "Musical Fidelity AMS35i Integrated Amplifier"...

iHome Studio Series iP1 iPod/iPhone Speaker System

Filed under: Portable Audio > Portable Audio Players



Glass speakers certainly look neat, but they all have an unfortunate downside of being very expensive. If you like the glass speaker look but are on a budget, iHome's new Studio Series iP1 dock may be for you. The iP1 features two 4" woofers and two 1" dome tweeters with individual enclosures, mounted to an acrylic front baffle. The drivers are powered by a built in 100 watt Class D amplifier. The dock supports the iPhone and iPod, with video out capability.

Read more of "iHome Studio Series iP1 iPod/iPhone Speaker System"...

Tannoy Definition Speakers

Filed under: Home Audio > Speakers > Floorstanding Speakers



Tannoy has released a new line of speakers called Definition, which focuses on high-end two channel audio. The Definition range consists of the DC8 monitor and the DC8T and DC10T floorstanders. All models feature braced birch plywood curved rear-ported cabinets, and Tannoy's signature Dual Concentric drivers (8" in the DC8 and DC8T, 10" in the DC10T) with "WideBand" tweeter technology.

Read more of "Tannoy Definition Speakers"...