Big Picture Big Sound

Braving the Mobs for Big Pictures and Big Sounds

At CES, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of exhibitors. On my first trip to the show in 2003, I tried to see, or at least walk by, every booth. Bad idea.

As abstract as it sounds, 2500 different displays are really a great deal to try to absorb. It also entails a whole lot of walking, even if you're "gelling like a felon" with the latest Dr. Scholl's in-soles. But anyone interested in home theater simply must brave the crowds of the South Hall.

The South Hall is where you'll find the greatest concentration of mid to high-end audio and home theater companies - those who provide many of the products so dear to the heart of Big Picture Big Sound readers.


Consistently placed in a prominent position near the entry of the South Hall is higher end home theater vendor Denon, whose D&M Holdings parent company also owns Marantz, McIntosh and Boston Acoustics. This year Denon was showing off several new products including their latest flagship DVD player, the DVD-5910CI (MSRP: $3700), which features high quality up-conversion of standard DVDs to 1080p resolution.


The 5910CI is the first DVD player to combine the Realta/HQV video processing chip from Silicon Optix (which we liked so much at the Home Entertainment Show in May, 2005) with the latest video scaling technology from DVDO. This combination of technology brings standard DVDs up to a level that approaches High Definition quality. Current owners of the earlier model 5910 will be offered an upgrade for $300 to bring them up to date.


Also highlighted at the show were the slightly more affordable DVD-3910 (MSRP: $1,499) universal DVD player and the AVR-4306 home theater receiver (MSRP $1999). The AVR-4306 features integrated iPod controls and HDMI audio/video switching. The DVD-3910 plays back DVDs, CDs, HDCD-encoded CDs, SACDs and DVD-Audio discs and, like its big brother, features DVI-D, component video, HDMI, composite and S-Video outputs.


Sister company Marantz had a few interesting high-end audio components on display, including their new AM/FM/XM tuner, the ST7001 ($449.99, available now), and their first new analog LP turntable in over 20 years, the Model TT-15S1 ($1699.99, available now), a cool looking vinyl-spinner with an acrylic chassis.



On the video side of the house, Marantz demonstrated the latest upgrade to its VP-12S4 single chip DLP projector ($14,499, available now), which includes a firmware upgrade to its on-board Visual Excellence Processing™ (VSP) engine from Gennum Corp. The upgrade, which is also available to current generation VP12S4 owners is said to significantly improve performance of both SD and HD sources.


Marantz also showed off its three-chip VP-10S1 High-Definition DLP Projector ($37,999, available now) as well as a prototype of their upcoming VP-11S1 (price and availability TBD), which will also include the Gennum VSP processor, and will be the first in their line to support 1080p native resolution. The new "entry-level" DLP projector in the Marantz line is now the VP8600 ($5999, available now), a single-chip model with 720p resolution and a rated 2500:1 contrast ratio.


Next door to Marantz was a company called Induction Dynamics who showed off what may be the ultimate stealth speaker, called Solid|Drive™. SolidDrive uses a tiny radiating driver at the bottom of a wall to turn the entire wall (or any flat surface that can vibrate for that matter), into a loudspeaker. They demonstrated the technology on a clear Plexiglas panel that also served as a screen for a front projector, creating a unique transparent audio/video system.


The Solid|Drive technology is actually based on declassified naval sonar research. Well, it's good to see our tax dollars are put to good use... eventually. They also included a demo of the Solid|Drive drivers on a standard sheetrock wall so you could get a sense of what it would sound like in a more traditional setting. Of course, in the loud wide-open trade show floor, it was hard to gauge the sound quality, but they're definitely worthy of consideration if visible speakers are not in the cards for your home theater or media room.

And speaking of sheetrock, I've heard of THX-certified loudspeakers, THX-certified theaters, THX-certified receivers, but THX-certified sheetrock? Yes indeedy! Quiet Solutions' QR545 "Quiet Rock" is just that - THX-certified wallboard material that can be used to soundproof your home theater. It ain't cheap ($4 to $5 per square foot, as opposed to 30 cents per foot for standard sheetrock), but its sound absorptive properties are pretty much the best you can get in a pre-fabricated surface. Its STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating goes up as high as 72 or even higher (depending on installation techniques), compared to standard sheetrock, with an STC score of up to 25.


And now that your crib is all nice and soundproofed, how about some speakers to kick out the jams? This lofty task can be accomplished by any of Canadian Loudspeaker manufacturer API's three speaker brands, Athena Technologies, Energy, or Mirage. Athena and Energy have been an entry-level home theater favorite here at Big Picture Big Sound for some time. Energy's original Take 5 system is currently serving in resident film maven Joe Lozito's own home theater and Athena's Micra 6 ($550 with subwoofer) and Point 5 ($499 w/o subwoofer) systems were two of our most often recommended entry-level surround packages.

Alas, our old favorite the Energy Take 5.2 package has been discontinued, though the "Take" line is still available ala carte, but the lowest price package you can build in the Take system will now set you back around $1350. But the Athena brand manager assured me that the Micra 6 ($550 with subwoofer) entry-level 5.1-channel system will live on, as will its Energy twin the actCinema ($600 with subwoofer). At CES, Energy announced that the actCinema would be available in black (pictured below in silver with black grilles).


CES did not see too many new product introductions in the Athena line, but the Energy line features a new two-way mini-monitor in their Reference Connoisseur series the RC-Mini ($200 each, available this winter) and matching RC-mini Center ($250 each, available this winter). The Reference Connoisseur series features high-quality real wood veneers in Cherry, Rosenut or piano black lacquer. Designed by Energy's chief engineer John Tchilinguirian, the RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center feature much of the same technology as the larger more expensive Reference Connoisseur Series, in compact enclosures. A 5.1-channel RC-mini system combined with one of Energy's 8" or 10" subwoofers comes in right around $1500.


Sister company Mirage is making a definitive move in the omnipolar direction (if that is not an oxymoron) phasing out their direct-radiating and bi-polar speakers in favor of deploying the latest version of their patented Omnisat omnipolar designs across their entire line.

Traditional direct-radiating loudspeakers radiate sound in just one direction - forwards. Bipolar and dipolar designs radiate sound from the front and back to create a more diffuse soundfield. Omnipolar designs take this one step further by radiating sound in all directions - 360 degrees - to create a seamless blend of sound across all speaker channels, and a really huge soundstage to boot.


Mirage's Omnisat technology uses their proprietary Omniguide, a saucer-shaped deflector, suspended over the midrange and tweeter drivers to radiate sound outwards equally in all directions. Mirage was showing off high-end stereo pairs of audiophile-grade speakers, packaged sub-satellite systems for home theater, wall/ceiling mount speakers and even relatively inexpensive outdoor speakers that incorporate their omnipolar technology.



That's all for this segment, but join us for the remainder of our South Hall coverage and more in our next segment which features DVDO's new video processor, Vidikron's latest Cinewide projector, Monster's new universal remotes and home networking system, Sanyo's latest HD projector and HD cam, and new speakers and components from NHT.

Just joining us? Why not tune in from the beginning of our CES 2006 show report.