Series 1

OM Design is a new line of ultra-performance speakers from Mirage. The OMD-28 floorstander (left, $3750 each), OMD-R surround speaker ($1000 each)...

...and OMD-CC center-channel speaker all use carbon-fiber midrange drivers and woofers, which have a greater stiffness-to-weight ratio than cones of other materials Mirage tested. The OMD-28 and OMD-CC use Mirage's Omniguide technology to produce 360-degree dispersion.

A close-up of the OMD-28's Omniguide module, which consists of a carbon-fiber midrange, Pure Titanium Deposit Hybrid tweeter and "dispersion saucer." The OMD-28 is the most expensive speaker Mirage has sold. [www.miragepseakers.com]

Paradigm's first non-speaker product is the Diva mini-system ($399), which is positively packed with features, including CD and DVD playback (along with audio and video output), a built-in subwoofer, and an optional iPod docking station. [www.paradigm.com]

Conrad-Johnson's upcoming AVP1 is a stereo/multichannel universal A/V player ($8500)...

...that uses vacuum tubes, of course.

Vincent's diminutive new SP-997 seems too good to be true: a traditional 150Wpc class-A mono amp that costs a mere $695 each.