2006 Home Entertainment Show Wrap-up
By
June 8th, 2006
Back before home theater, before multimedia, before convergence, and yes, before the iPod, there was the specialty audio market. In fact, when it came to consumer electronics, specialty audio was the consumer electronics market. But with competition from video games, computers, the internet, and compressed audio, the specialty market has taken a hit over the years. These days the audio market is being kept afloat by the likes of ITunes and Windows Media, which to audiophiles--who cut their golden ears on the sound of LPs and later, high-resolution CDs--is a little like graduating from a Mercedes CL-Class to a VW Beetle. The latter fits into a lot more spaces but it's not the most satisfying ride.
Still, times change, and what once was known as the Stereophile Show for audiophiles has morphed into the Home Entertainment Show (HES) for techies featuring products, seminars and exhibits related to Stereophile's sister publications and their industries: home theater, custom electronics, multimedia and this year, even digital photography. This year's four-day event returned to Los Angeles for the first time in 8 years, taking over a gaggle of floors in the Sheraton Gateway after stints in New York and San Francisco in recent years. Rumors that next year's show will land in Chicago, the home of the former Summer Consumer Electronics Show, could not be substantiated at press time.
Sony used the HES press-only day to launch a supporting cast of audio/video products for its impending Blu-ray Disc players (VAIO PCs, PlayStation 3 and home deck) which will output 1080p, the highest resolution video signal available yet to consumers. Using the label "Full HD" to promote TVs with 1080p inputs, the company unveiled five new models in its line of LCoS TVs which it markets under the SXRD trademark. Available in 50, 55- and 60-inch screen sizes, the line divides into the standard A2000 line and the step-up XBR series. All models pack dual HDMI inputs. In the basic line, the KDS-60A2000, KDS-55A2000, and KDS-50A2000 models ship this summer at $4,500, $4,000, and $3,500, respectively.
Sony KDS-60A2000
The XBR series adds CableCard and TV Guide on Screen, side-mounted rather than bottom-loaded speakers and higher end video processing. The 70-inch KDS-R70XBR2 and 60-inch KDS-R60XBR2 TVs will be in stores in early fall at suggested retail prices of roughly $7,800 and $5,300.
Sony KDS-R70XBR2
On the LCD side, Sony showed six new LCD TVs in the Bravia line, including 40- and 46-inch models boasting three HDMI jacks, two HD component inputs, a PC input and 1920 x 1080p resolution. This year's Bravia line shows off what Sony calls a floating glass design using glass around the bezel to minimize the look of the frame. Piano black models in 46- and 40-inch screen sizes will retail for $5,300 and $4,300, respectively. Two sister products ($5,000 and $4,000) in the same screen sizes feature a silver bezel that can be swapped out for colored ones in red, white, blue, black and brown. A 32-inch LCD TV with 1366 x 768 resolution ($2,500) rounds out the LCD line, and is due in stores in September.
Sony Bravia 46-Inch LCD
Having announced August 15th availability of its BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player at its line show in March, Sony was more reserved about nationwide shipping dates at HES. Citing problems associated with the launch of the competing HD-DVD format, Sony execs would only say the player would be available in summer. Price is still expected to be $1,000, with the PlayStation 3 following in November at $599. The BDP-S1 is currently shipping for demo, but not resale, at the largest Sony Style stores. More than 105 Blu-ray titles are expected by the end of the year. Sony will also support the launch with an $800 7.1-channel audio/video receiver that offers HDMI switching and 1080p pass-through. The STR-DG1000 is slated for fall availability.
Sony STR-DG1000 Receiver
HP was on hand offering digital imaging seminars and showing its latest series of multimedia TVs. The 37-inch MediaSmart LCD TV, with a built-in digital media receiver, is at the heart of a new generation of networked but PC-free TVs that connect to a home network (wired or wireless) enabling viewers to access music, videos and digital pictures stored elsewhere in the home. The set will also connect to a dedicated HP portal for access to media from Snapfish, live365.com and movie download sites. MediaSmart TV is due in stores next month at $2,999 and will be Intel Viiv-compatible as that technology rolls out.
HP MediaSmart TV
Despite the smattering of TV and multimedia exhibits, most attendees were loyalists faithful to audio grazing. It seems even audiophiles have caught iPod fever. Bozeman, MT-based HeadRoom demoed a room full of headphone preamps designed to beef up the sound from iPods and other portable players. Calling it "components on the hip" a company spokesperson showed a comprehensive lineup of headphone amplifiers ranging from under $100 to four figures. The company touts resolution over imaging and soundstaging that are typically associated with loudspeaker reproduction.
Headphone maker Shure hopes to ride the coattails of the ubiquitous iPod with a new headphone model that's double the price of the iPod Nano. The E500 ($499) phones, due in stores in July, are in-ear noise-isolation models with a switch that enables users to go between conversation and noise-free modes without having to take the phones out of the ears.
The highlight of the show was the unveiling of Wilson Audio's generation 8 WATT Puppy loudspeakers. Not for the feint of budget, the $27,900-a-pair speakers continue lead designer David Wilson's goal of the ultimate musical experience. Along with vacuum tube-based amplifiers and a CD player from Audio Research, and garden hose-size cables from Transparent Audio, the $80,000 demo ensemble delivered breathtaking reproductions of tracks from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and bassist Brian Bromberg (for those prices, it better). Listening to the depth, realism and presence of a system like this one makes one understand and appreciate the audiophile passion for music. High-end audio isn't dead. It's just very, very expensive.
Wilson Audio WATT Puppy
Elsewhere, McIntosh took the wraps off its new C220 vacuum tube preamplifier, which has eight source inputs and a mute function for headphone mode. The latter enables listeners to adjust headphone volume and switch between sources during private listening. Suggested list price is $3,300.
McIntosh C220
At a time when most mainstream audio suppliers are fleeing the stereo world, Onkyo celebrated its 60th anniversary with nods to the future and to the past as it launched the A-9555 integrated amplifier—a digital 100-watt-per-side two-channel amp. Sales director Keith Haas told journalists that the VL Digital power amplifier technology inside marks the company's planned steady transition to digital amplifier products both for two-channel and multi-channel products. The company says VL Digital delivers efficiency without the jitter and resulting distortion heard in other pulse-width modulation-based amplifiers. Hass said "two-channel remains a significant part of our business," noting the company sold 62,000 two-channel amps in 2005. The A-9555 will be available in August at a suggested retail price of $699.
Onkyo A-9555
It wasn't all high-end jinks at the eclectic show. ZVOX introduced a new one-piece surround-sound system for rooms where multiple speakers won't do. The ZVOX 325, engineered by EPI founder Winslow Burhoe, fits a dedicated amplifier, 4 x 6-inch powered sub, three full-range speaker drivers and virtual surround-sound circuitry in a box that's the standard 17 inches wide. A single rear-channel input is complemented by a front-panel input which accepts the output from an iPod or another portable audio product. Used as a base, the heavy fiberboard cabinet can support a TV weighing more than 200 pounds. A credit card remote is included along with a single connecting wire. Price: $349.