September 17 - MartinLogan has made hybrid electrostatic technology more affordable through release of two new Design-series floorstanders: the Source (above, left), priced at $1995/pair, and the self-powered (or “active”) Purity, (above, center) priced at $2995/pair. Though similar in external appearance, the Source and Purity are quite different on the inside.

The Source, which stands 51.2-inches tall, features an 8-inch piston-type woofer paired with a tall, slim and gently curved electrostatic panel that handles all frequencies from 470Hz on up. The Source is designed to be driven by amplifiers that put out up to 200 watts of power.

The Purity, which stands about an inch taller than the Source, features two 6.5-inch piston type woofers matched with an electrostatic panel that reaches a tad lower than the panel used in the Source—in this case, down to 450Hz. But the biggest differentiator is the Purity’s built-in 200-watt, class D amplifier, which enables the speaker to be driven directly from preamps, PCs, or even from disc players that have built-in volume controls. The Purity provides three-position bass tuning controls with settings for flat bass output (neutral response), or ± 3dB.

Both the Source and Purity are available now.

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September 17 - It’s been more than 10 years since Denon has offered high-end A/V separates, but it’s now back in that market with a vengeance.

At CEDIA 2007, Denon rolled out two new statement-class components: the AVP-A1HDCI A/V controller ($7000) and the matching POA-A1HDCI 10-channel amplifier ($7000) (both pictured above).

Denon’s AVP-A1HDCI (above) is a multi-source, four-zone A/V controller that offers more high-tech features and functions than most enthusiasts have even heard of.  For starters, the controller features upconversion and scaling to 1080p for all analog and digital video sources, and it provides Silicon Optix’s Realta Noise Reduction circuitry for 1080p sources.

Next, the big Denon is ready to attach to networks via built-in Ethernet and WiFi 802.11 b/g connectivity. It can support a plethora of HDMI 1.3a devices via six inputs and two outputs. To support its likely role as the system’s main command and control center, the AVP-A1HDCI carries SimplayHD, DLNA and Windows Vista certifications.

The controller also features a built-in Audyssey MultEQ XT Pro automated room and speaker equalization system. Audyssey-trained specialists can take measurements from up to 32 locations in the listening room, and then plot ultra-precise correction curves for each speaker in the system. The big Denon loads these curves into its onboard Audyssey DSP processor, and the end result is exceptionally smooth and neutral sound across multiple listening locations with the room.

What is more, Denon’s AVP-A1HDCI is presently the world’s only A/V controller certified for use with Audyssey’s spectacular new Dynamic EQ system. Dynamic EQ applies volume level-adaptive corrections that ensure that dynamics and overall tonal balance continue to sound rich and full—even when volumes are turned down.

Denon’s companion POA-A1HDCI 10-channel amp is a 150Wpc, THX Ultra2-certified bruiser that’s built like a bank vault (don’t even think of trying to lift this baby without the help of a burly buddy or two). The amp can handle 4 ohms load without complaint, and provides both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs for all channels. Via a series of five rear panel-mounted switches, owners can even “bridge” pairs of channels to create super-powerful channels that put out a whopping 500 watts into four ohms!

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September 17 - I reviewed Soundmatters’ FULLstage HD compact, two-box surround sound system in the January issue of The Perfect Vision and can vouch for the fact that this firm has a wealth of experience when it comes time to pack big sound in small boxes.

But this time, the “mad scientists” at Soundmatters have outdone themselves; enter the Soundmatters “Pocket Monitor”—a high-end, battery-powered iPod/PC speaker that’s about the size of a small flashlight. In truth, Soundmatters isn’t 100 percent sure what they’ll call this product, so “Pocket Monitor” is just a working title for now, though an apt one.

The tiny stereo speaker features front-firing drive units with a clever, rear-firing passive radiator that hides a vented grille plate that doubles as a swing-out desktop stand. To make the best possible use of every cubic inch of this speaker’s interior, Soundmatters engineers actually use the Pocket Monitor’s battery module as the nicely weighted passive radiator—a very cool design touch.

You can gauge the diminutive size of the Pocket Monitor from the photo on the next page, but what the picture can’t tell you is how insanely great this little gadget actually sounds.

More … Photo and more about Pocket Monitor next page

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September 17 - Wisdom Audio has extensive experience with hybrid planar magnetic speakers, but broke new ground with the Sage-series speakers it demonstrated at CEDIA 2007.  There will be five Sage models ranging from 15- to 95-inches tall, each featuring a combination of piston- and planar magnetic-type drivers, and each offered in three formats: in-wall, on-wall, or freestanding. And everywhere you look in the Sage models, you find evidence of fresh thinking and advanced—even exotic—technologies.

For starters, the Sage models feature what Wisdom terms “next generation planar magnetic thin-film drivers.” The drivers are powered by rare earth (neodymium) magnets that activate thin-film diaphragms that have been pleated using a “proprietary, high pressure process.” The result, says company EVP David Graebener, is a drive unit that provides “superior detail, outstanding dynamic range, and controlled directivity.”

Even the Sage’s piston drivers are different, featuring long, slim, constrained layer fiber composite “racetrack-shaped” diaphragms, each powered by four separate motor assemblies. At first glance, the pistons don’t seem to have enough surface area to produce adequate bass, yet they can and do thanks to long-throw motors and Wisdom’s purpose-built model SA-1 1000-watt bass amplifier, which really make those slim little woofers jump.

Going even further, Wisdom has designed the Sage models for use its SC-1 speaker controller (above) which provides electronic woofer-to-planar-magnetic-driver crossover functions and embeds—get this—a custom version of Audyssey’s, MultEQ XT room/speaker EQ system! A Wisdom spokesman told Playback and The Perfect Vision that the Sage woofers are best driven the Wisdom’s own SA-1 amp, but that planar magnetic drivers can be driven well by any number of high-quality amplifiers.

Wisdom played the in-wall version of the second largest Sage speaker for me, using both high quality music and film material, and the speaker demonstrated tremendous performance potential—this despite the fact that its custom Audyssey EQ system was not dialed-in at the time. Transient and textural details were finely resolved at all frequencies, while soundstages were deep and wide with performers appearing at precise locations onstage. Even without its EQ system in action, the Sage system was easily one the three best that I heard at CEDIA 2007.

Final pricing and availability were not specified, but company president Mark Glazier said the speaker system I heard, including the SC-1 controller and SA-1 bass amp, would sell in the low-to-mid $20k range.  

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