(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)
The Audiophiliac has been prowling the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo in Denver over the past several days, looking for the latest and greatest audio products.
The new McIntosh turntable
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)McIntosh's MT-10 turntable ($8,000) caused a stir. The turntable's bearing uses opposing magnets to "float" the platter and keep noise low.
Def Tech's ST speaker looks prettier with its grille on.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)I was blown away by Definitive Technology's new Mythos ST speakers ($3,600/pair). The skinny speakers somehow deliver truly deep bass, and the midrange and treble ranges were also exceptional.
Krell's iPod dock on steroids, the KID (Krell Interface Dock, $1,500) can be used with the stereo 150 watt Papa Dock, price TBA). This ultimate audio dock boasts Krell's over-the-top build quality.
Krell's ultimate iPod dock and 150 watt stereo amp
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)Soundmatters gave me a sneak preview of its yet-unnamed micro iPod speaker. The little thing is only about six inches long and two inches high, but delivers shockingly powerful bass. Holding the little thing in my hand I thought it could double as a massager. Should be out early next year for around $200.
Soundmatters micro speaker pumps out bass.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)I checked out the new Snell Acoustics' Reference Tower A7 speaker and didn't find it the least bit boring. It doesn't photograph well, but trust me, the A7's luscious curves and exquisite finish more than justify its price tag of $35,000 for the pair. Oh, and it sounds amazing too.
The Audiophiliac takes in the new mega Snell.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)Thiel Audio's new CS 3.7 ($9,900/pair) features remarkable drivers, created by chief designer, Jim Thiel. The speaker's resolution of fine detail ensures its future as an audiophile classic.
Dig those crazy drivers.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)
(Credit:
Electronic House)
Considering all the interesting forms that loudspeakers can and do take, the latest pair from Snell is almost inexcusably boring. Then again, this is the same company that has deliberately tried to conceal other products, so maybe it's just not interested in appearances.
Electronic House gushes over the Reference Tower A7 Loudspeaker's "dual 5.25-inch magnesium midranges mounted over and under a silk dome tweeter, combined with twin 10-inch long-throw woofers for exceptional smoothness and dynamic range." Still, at a price of $35,000, one might expect a little more effort applied to the aesthetic factor. Instead, the speakers--the first in a new line amusingly dubbed the "Illusion Series"--reminds us of A/V equipment from our high school auditorium. But we really shouldn't complain; at least Snell didn't produce more floating eyeballs to keep us awake at nights.
Hiding consumer electronics behind the facade of home furnishings can often be an exercise in excess or silliness (or or both). So we're not sure that it's a good or bad thing that people are starting to create their own camouflage designs for their entertainment technologies. Just as SoundArt does custom art to hide speakers, Snell is apparently doing something similar with its products.
(Credit:
Luxurylaunches)
But the company isn't limiting its facades to paintings and photographs, as it's proven with a its "ICS 1030 Bookshelf Speaker." Luxurylaunches says the speaker has been disguised to look like some leather-bound classics to blend unobtrusively into your library collection. It seems like an awfully lot of trouble to us, especially for $2,000. That kind of money might be better invested on some real first editions.
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