September 9-12, 2009 was the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) expo in Atlanta. Mike Abt and Jim Kozicki checked out all the new electronics that we can expecting to see at the Abt store in upcoming months. They saw some really cool new technology.
Pioneer and Yamaha both brought new iPod speaker systems and sound bars. Pioneer’s a new 2.1 speaker system and a new 2.1 soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer. E-Tap is their new web-based media storage system. With E-Tap storage of photos, music, and streaming video will be available on the internet.
Yamaha’s new iPod speaker dock, the PDX60, comes with a wireless dongle which transmits music to the main station from a remote location. PDX60 is iPhone compatible and because the wireless dock overrides the main dock operation it is possible to charge two iPhones at once. Yamaha’s soundbar has a slim speaker bar with a subwoofer and controller unit that runs the whole system. There was also a cool network receiver, new from Yamaha, the RXV2065. It has an App which works on the iPhone and iTouch that controls the receiver.
Quite a few new speakers made an appearance at CEDIA this year. Definitive technology, Klipsch, Kef, and Polk Audio had a great showing. Definitive showed their new MYTHOS speaker. Meant to be wall mounted, at a svelte 1.5” deep, it’s thinner than some LED TVs on the market. This MYTHOS speaker is a multi-woofer, single-tweeter LCR speaker. In keeping with the tradition of the MYTHOS line, this speaker too, is made out of the extruded aluminum.
Klipsch’s offering at this years expo, is their new down-firing, lower-priced subwoofer. The 8” SW350 will retail at $349 and the 10” SW45 will be $449.
Kef displayed a wireless subwoofer and a new wireless soundbar product.
Polk Audio also brought an ultra-thin 50” soundbar. New additions to their IHT line were new at the expo. They showed a larger speaker for use with a 50” TV, and a shallower version for a smaller TV. There were also inwall/inceiling speakers that had a unique bezel that almost vanishes when painted.
Denon brought a Blu-ray-receiver unit that combines a high-quality Blu-ray player and amplifier in a one-piece solution for just $1799.
Panamax came up with something really unique for the show and consumers this year. They have come out with a surge protector/line conditioner, the M4315, which can be programmed with an IP address for remote monitoring of a system—from a power angle. The unit will store data about spikes, surges, and dropouts for the life of the system. An additional battery will be available for the unit too, model MB1500.
Sonos was excited to let everyone know that when using their new CR200—you can Tweet about what you are listening to—or anything else.
The XBR10 was the TV, from the Sony camp, that got a lot of notice. It’s a side-lit, ultra-thin, LED TV with a wireless media box that keeps the TV free from wires, giving it a super-clean look. Also, from Sony this year, a new network Blu-ray player that streams music and video from the web. The Blu-ray, BDPN460, will sell for $249. Finally, from Sony this year, is a receiver that can be programmed with an IP address for remote troubleshooting. This receiver is compatible with Crestron and Control4 products right out of the box, equaling no complicated programming.
For more information on the products at CEDIA, contact an Abt Sales Specialist.
-Kelly B.
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