AUDIO * VIDEO * NEWS * BUYER GUIDES * REVIEWS http://www.canadhifi.com/ canadahifi.com The Sage Series L150i Reference Line incorporates two 76" all-aluminum cabinets and full back box enclosures for each channel. The line source driver allows for high resolution, low distortion, excellent dynamic range and intense sound pressure levels (a claimed 115 decibels in a two-channel system). The L150i consists of a two separate enclosures. The woofer cabinet crosses over to the mid/high frequency planar magnetic line source cabinet at 275 hertz. The mid/high frequency cabinet builds upon the planar magnetic line source array of the Sage Series’ L75i model http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=582 Krell Industries is offering consumers an all-in-one component that is stylish and affordable with its new S-300i Integrated Amplifier. The S-300i combines a fully balanced, Class-A preamplifier circuit with a stereo amplifier rated at 150W per channel into 8 ohms and 300W per channel into 4 ohms. Its circuit design is modeled after the company's Current Mode technology used in Krell’s Evolution amps and preamps. The S-300i amplification section employs a massive 750 VA toroidal transformer and 38,000 microfarads of storage capacitance to help it handle any load a loudspeaker may present http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=581 Epson is expanding its line of 3LCD projectors with the PowerLite Home Cinema 700. The Home Cinema 700 delivers 720p resolution, up to 2,000 lumens of brightness and seven pre-set color modes. It also features 1.2x optical zoom and "Instant On, Instant Off" technology http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=580 The URC Digital R50 is the new flagship universal remote control for the consumer retail channel. It can be programed right on its brightly backlit, customizable color screen. It is a stylish, sophisticated device with excellent ergonomics and a beautiful, colorful interface at an affordable price. Even better, it doesn’t require a PC or an internet connection for set-up. The URC Digital R50 greatly simplifies home theater enjoyment for its owner http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=579 Revel has expanded its range of Concerta Series Loudspeakers with the addition of the new B120 Powered Subwoofer. The B120 Powered Subwoofer was designed to complement the entire line of Revel Concerta Series Loudspeakers including the new M8, M10, C10 and LCR8 Concerta On-wall speakers. Additionally, the B120 Powered Subwoofer can be used with other loudspeaker systems, adding essential bass response to any music or home theater system. Adjustable controls, parametric room equalization and multiple connection options provide unequaled placement flexibility, and allow the user to optimize low-frequency performance for any listening environment http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=578 MartinLogan has unveiled its new "Feature" loudspeaker, an electrostatic loudspeaker that offers a 150-Watt amplifier. The "Feature" loudspeaker is designed for either on- or off-wall in center, front or surround channel applications. It has a standard RCA line-level input to connect directly to a wall-mounted TV or other components without an external amp http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=577 The Sound Pillows are "softly sculpted" surface mount speakers that can be mounted on any solid surface with only a small cutout for wire terminations. Sound Pillows feature a 5.25" Kevlar driver with a 1" coaxially mounted, silk dome tweeter that pivots http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=576 Britain's Meridian Audio Ltd., creator of uniquely sophisticated, functionally elegant digital audio and video components and systems, has far more in common with Alfred Dunhill Ltd. than quintessential Britishness-though this is not to be discounted. The two firms also share an uncompromising devotion to inherent quality and intelligent simplicity, and both qualities are much in evidence in their new, stunning, collaborative one-piece music system http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=575 The TGR-401 features 200W x 7-channels of amplification, Sunfire's Tracking Downconverter technology and support for Sirius Satellite Radio. It also features dual Olé touchpad ports and a VIA!migo port for iPod support. Features: 3 HDMI v1 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=574 Monster, along with artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, have teamed up to develop a brand new level of headphone, "Beats by Dr. Dre", with the capability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. These noise-cancelling headphones are engineered to optimize the audio performance that had been lacking in conventional headphones, Beats by Dr. Dre are designed to allow users to hear all of the details and nuances in the music the way artists and producers would hear it in the studio http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=573 After introducing the world’s first THX-Certified packaged home theatre system a couple of years ago, Onkyo now introduces the HT-S9100THX, which combines a 7.1-channel AVR designed to conform to THX’s demanding Integrated System Plus certification protocols; and includes the new THX Loudness Plus technology, which compensates for the tonal and spatial shifts that occur when the volume level is reduced below the reference levels. It also features four HDMI v. 1.3a inputs, and is fully compatible with 1080p video and Deep Color http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=572 Gefen introduces its 3x1 HDMI v1.3 Switcher, a rack-mountable solution with three HDMI v1.3 inputs and one HDMI output. The solution delivers resolutions up to 1080p (2k for projectors) and enables switching between three sources. The switching can be performed either with the solution's IR remote control or front-panel button. The 3x1 HDMI v1.3 Switcher, which is fully HDCP-Compliant, comes with three six-foot HDMI cables and a 5VDC power supply. Gefen's 3x1 HDMI v1.3 Switcher supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master audio with lip sync. MSRP is set at $299 USD. For more information, please visit http://www.gefen http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=571 Netflix and Samsung have reached an agreement to stream movies and TV episodes to Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray players. The companies also said that additional Samsung AV products will receive upgrades to allow Netflix streaming. Music from Pandora is also now compatible with the BD-P2550. A firmware upgrade for DTS-HD audio will be available for both the BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 on October 30, 2008. Current owners of these two Samsung Blu-ray players and who also have a Netflix subscription can get the upgrade for free, enabling streaming of more than 12,000 Netflix movies and TV episodes http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=570 Vizio has introduced two 1080p LCDs to its Java line of LCDs, which come with colored bezels. The VOJ370F (37-inch, MSRP $849.99 USD) and VOJ320F (32-inch, MSRP $649.99) are the first two models in the Java line. Vizio also added the VO32LF (32-inch, MSRP $649.99) and VO37LF (37-inch, MSRP $849.99 USD) LCDs to its VO line of flat panels. All four LCDs offer a 1,920x1,080 native resolution, a 6,500:1 contrast ratio, 6.5ms refresh rates and 500 nits of brightness. They also have picture-in-picture viewing and a 178-degree viewing angle http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=569 Thanks to some email exchanges last week with Alan Lofft of Axiom Audio, I learned about a few exciting products that the company is working on and will be introducing this Fall/Winter http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=568 Panasonic Canada has just announced two new Blu-ray players – the DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55.  Both models feature cutting edge technologies focused on producing the ultimate movie-viewing experience http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=567 First announced back in January and arriving 6 months late, Sharp Electronics of Canada has finally releaseed two new Blu-ray Disc players, both with support for Bonus View, a new Blu-ray feature that allows extra content to be viewed in a picture-in-picture window, while the main content is displayed full-screen. The hardware enabling that feature is mandated in Profile 1.1 spec which the two new players support. Profile 1.1 players allow users access to additional content from Blu-ray titles including special subtitles and audio tracks, extended bonus features and games without suspending playback. The BD-HP21U ($349.99 CAD) and BD-HP50U have HDMI 1.3 output jacks, with support for x.v http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=566 Sherwood will introduce its first Blu-ray DVD player this November, aimed at consumers that have been waiting for affordability and optimum performance.  Doesn’t this player look a lot like Panasonic’s Blu-ray player?  Anyway…   Sherwood’s BDP-5003 offers function and features at an irresistible $299.95 US price http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=565 The Icon V Series consists of the VF-36 and VF-35 floorstanders, the VB-15 bookshelf, the VC-25 center channel and the VS-14 surround. Each of the models includes the company's patent-pending Tractrix Horn-loaded tweeter with XT technology. They also have internally-braced black cabinets that reduce vibrations for tighter bass. All the speakers will be available at Best Buy, which just announced its new in-store line called the Blue Label Series. The Blue Label Series consists of products developed directly from customer feedback. Klipsch also plans to introduce two subwoofers to the Icon V Series in January http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=564 Velodyne Acoustics introduces the "Impact" Series subwoofers in three sizes. The Impact-Mini, Impact-10 and Impact-12. All are available immediately. The Impact-Mini (MSRP: $549 USD) uses a 6.5” forward firing driver and 8” down-firing passive radiator and features a 300W dynamic power, 180W RMS power amplifier.  The dish-shaped aluminum cones limit standing waves, minimize distortion and maximize bass output. With 10” x 10” x 12’ dimensions, this tiny cabinet is designed to be concealed in any room http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=563 How would you like to travel through the radio station of the world?  The Tivoli Audio NetWorks Internet Radio allows you to access thousands of crystal clear radio stations without the need for a powerful roof-top antenna or a technical back ground shortwave. The NetWorks radio brings the entire world to your ears via wireless Internet or Ethernet connection.  It allows you to choose stations by location, genre or station identity.  It can also play music stored on your PC using Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=562 The new NEAT 3 speaker almost disappears into the ceiling with its small footprint and no exterior bezel. It features a 3" full-range driver and a 1" silk dome pivoting tweeter http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=561 The Integra DBS-6.9 delivers full 1080p video at 24 frames per second, the native frame rate for most original motion pictures and HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to Blu-ray with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible. It features an HDMI v. 1.3a output, and is fully compatible with the Deep Color standard for over 1 billion possible colors. The HDMI connection also delivers bitstream output of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs for decoding in compatible processor or receiver, such as Integra's DTR- series of AV receivers, or the recently introduced DHC-9.9 preamplifier/processor.  The DBS-6 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=560 One of the more eagerly awaited BD releases of the last few months finally hit stores last week. The Godfather and The Godfather part 2 were painstakingly restored, frame by frame, taking a team of experts over a year to complete. The result is nothing less than stellar and is a massive improvement over the extremely sub-par DVD release from 2001. The dark, moody colour palette is finally able to be reproduced properly in one's home theatre. Also present is a lossless Dolby True HD sound mix.   Available everywhere. $128 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=559 Panasonic Canada has just announced the latest additions to the company’s acclaimed internet enabled Plasma line –  the PZ850 series.  Joining the TH-50PZ850 and the TH-46PZ850, the industry’s first internet enabled TVs, are the 58-inch class (58-inches measured diagonally) and the TH-65PZ850 class (64.7-inches measured diagonally).  This expanded line up gives Panasonic a wide breadth of screen sizes in its flagship series of high performance Plasma TVs http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=558 The EX70, EX50 and EX30 projectors all feature Epson's USB Plug n' Play connectivity. They also have a 3-Chip optical engine and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. Each model supports 720p and 1080i and has E-TORL Technology that increases efficiency, enabling lamp life of up to 4,000 hours. EX70 EX70 is the biggest model, featuring a widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution and 2,000 ANSI lumens http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=557 Paradigm has just added new reverberant surround/rear speakers to its Signature (SIG) and Studio (SA) Custom Series of in-wall speakers. Paradigm’s exclusive Adapted DiPole (ADP) design, combined with new midrange driver technology and industry-leading construction materials, enable the SIG and SA series ADP speakers to set the industry standard for custom-installed, in-wall surrounds. With 15 years dedicated to manufacturing the best value in loudspeakers, Paradigm understands the different role each speaker plays in sound reproduction http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=556 The single-stereo SM55 SST combines a dual-voice coil 5.25" carbon fiber cone woofer with two flanking, 1" silk dome tweeters. Sonance says the SM55 SST is designed for "small rooms, alcoves, and hallways" where in-ceiling or in-wall speakers are not possible. It has a frequency response of 65Hz – 20kHz (+- 3dB) and a sensitivity rating of 88dB. The SM55 SST protrudes 2.5" from the ceiling and can be rotated 90 degrees to align to the room surfaces http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=555 JL Audio has introduced its Fathom f212 Subwoofer that utilizes a pair of 12W7 subwoofer drivers. The f212 subwoofer is rated at 3,000 watts and offers reduced distortion and more transient accuracy than any of the company's single-woofer Fathoms. Features: Automatic Room Optimization (A.R.O http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=554 Revel has expanded its Concerta Series with four on-wall loudspeakers — the M8 2-Way Loudspeaker System, the M10 2.5-Way Loudspeaker System, the C10 2.5-Way Center Channel System and the LCR8 3-Channel Loudspeaker System. Each speaker employs Revel's waveguide technology and a high-order crossover network for a wider dynamic range and lower distortion. The speakers are also magnetically shielded for use near a CRT video display. Revel did not announce pricing or availability on any of the four speakers http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=553