CEDIA 2008
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CEDIA 2008
Scott Wilkinson Sep 04, 2008 2 comments

The new XBR7 line is all over the map feature-wise from one model to the next. Of most interest to me was the KDL-52XBR7, the world's first LCD TV with 240Hz operation and frame interpolation. Is it twice as good as 120Hz? We'll see when I get one for review.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

Standing next to the Devin Zell is the CLX. Introduced just a few months ago to great fanfare (and apparently a great meal atLe Bernardin where chef Eric Ripert is also a Martin Logan fan), the CLX features a "triple stator, double diaphragm, low frequency panel" that means the descent-I subwoofer to the right will only be needed for movies. Yeah, that's right, this baby is definitely reviewable! $20,000 to $30,000 a pair, depending on finish. They're showing it at a nearby hotel, so I'll try to check it out on Saturday.

CEDIA 2008
Scott Wilkinson Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

Among the many new Sony LCD flat panels at the show is the XBR8 with triluminous LED backlighting and local dimming. Instead of white LEDs, this set uses clusters of red, green, and blue LEDs.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 2 comments

The new Feature center channel features 150 watts of power for its midrange stator, dual 5-1/4" woofers and single center tweeter. Price will be about $1,500, but nothing firm yet. Also self powered, are the two Clarity speakers flanking the Feature. These include dual 6-1/2" woofers to supplement the electrostatic panel (about a year old, the Purity go for the very reasonable sum of $2,000 / pr.).

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

Feeding the self-powered ML trio above, an Oppo 983 DVD player ($400 at Amazon) with multi-channel analog outputs. The SACD and DVD-Audio playing, DVD-Video upconverting (to 1080p) Oppo offers discrete level control, so you won't need a pre/pro if movies and music is all you do.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

The six speakers in the new C series from KEF combine nice style and very reasonable prices. Even the top of the line C7 floor standing speaker tops out at $400/ea. The 200 watt amplifier in the C4 subwoofer should provide plenty of energy goes down to the subs 29 Hz rated limit. My only complaint? A two way center or LCR, instead of a true 3-way which would be easy enough to do in the current style of the C6 LCR, if only it they had used a (admittedly more expensive) uni-Q driver.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

Behind every good speaker, is a little amp, hiding, in fear for its life. In this case the $5,000 Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger driving the bass of the Muon, which, in this case, didn't seem scared in the slightest.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

Powering the KEF Muon, electronics from Musical Fidelity. These, incidentally, are quite reasonably priced, especially compared to the KEF Muon.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

I've seen installers take weeks to put in systems and fine tune them. Sony offers a turn-key, yet still flexible system that, not counting wiring, could take as little as a day to install. With the capability for a 7.1 home theater and six other rooms featuring everything from 2-channel audio all the way up to high def audio and video (via cat5e), the Sony WHS is very advanced. The system also lets you insert up to three components of your choice, such as a Pioneer BD player, your favorite Theta Digital CD player / DAC and even your crappy VCR. Sony and Control4 touchpads also give you access to your comfort systems (heating/cooling), security systems and lighting. Typical dealer installs start at $35,000 and go up from there.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 3 comments

A two-channel / multi-channel preference switch, DSD-output via HDMI, or decoded and sent out over HDMI, and room for 5 discs(CD or SACD) which should be all the Wagner anyone in their right mind can stand.

CEDIA 2008
Fred Manteghian Sep 04, 2008 0 comments

I can’t tell you much more than the placard says, other than the price, $1,500, and availability, “the fall.” Balanced outputs will thrill the 2-channel crowd. The rest of us will use HDMI.

CEDIA 2008
Kris Deering Sep 04, 2008 0 comments
Pioneer’s booth has a great demonstration room showing off their latest and greatest gear. This includes their new signature series plasmas that boast the sensational Kuro black levels but are only about 2” deep. Everyone was blown away by the high contrast display. Now if I could only get one in 120” to replace my front projection setup.
CEDIA 2008
Kris Deering Sep 04, 2008 3 comments
Pioneer debuted their new flagship Blu-ray player, the BDP-09FD. This new from the ground up design is built like a tank and features an impressive analog audio section featuring the latest Wolfenson DACs. Pioneer Elite is looking at this as a best in class solution that allows customers to toss out those standalone CD and DVD players sitting on their racks.
CEDIA 2008
Kris Deering Sep 04, 2008 0 comments
JL Audio showcased their impressive line up of subwoofers including the awe-inspiring Gotham. This beast features a pair of 13” drivers and a build quality that would make the Batmobile envious.
CEDIA 2008
Kris Deering Sep 04, 2008 0 comments
Toshiba is still giving the Blu-ray camp the proverbial finger and instead has focused their efforts on making your existing DVDs everything they thought they could never be. Their new XED DVD players squeeze every ounce of picture data from your DVD library and apparently increase the fine detail and colors to HD quality.
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