...and the new Monitor v.5 series, which
features the well-known budget-priced Atom ($249/pair). All
Monitor v.5 speakers are reportedly 3-5dB more sensitive than previous models. [www.paradigm.com]
Each CEDIA we wonder if this will be the year
that Revel introduces new Ultima speakers, and here they are in 2006. On the left is the
Ultima2 Studio ($16,000/pair) and on the right is the larger Ultima2 Salon ($22,000/pair).
Both boast of a beryllium-dome tweeter, a front baffle made of nine layers of laminated
MDF, and 6dB greater sensitivity. There are also Ultima2 center-channel and Gem
speakers, the latter of which has been changed significantly to allow for on-wall mounting.
Sony introduced its first production Blu-ray
Disc player, the BDP-S1, which upscales to 1080p. It will begin shipping in October and
will cost $999. Sony began shipping Blu-ray-equipped laptops
earlier this year.
Also from Sony is the TAX-L1/R integrated
home-theater system ($3999) with DVD/CD/SACD playback and one-speaker surround sound. With
the push of a button, the speaker rises
to cover the screen.
Jim Thiel coherently explains time coherence
as he introduces the new Thiel SCS4, which will cost under $1000 each when it begins
shipping later this year. More details here. [www.thielaudio.com]
