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AudioEnz news

December 2004

Monitor Audio strikes silver

Following the Silver I and Silver S series, the Silver SR promises a major leap forward for the Monitor Audio Silver Series. The range promises better bass performance, with a new bass chassis design and new C-CAM cone profile. The Silver RS Series features real wood veneers (Rosenut, Walnut, Black and Cherry). The range consists of one bookshelf speaker, two floorstanders, a centre channel and subwoofer. The Silver RS Series starts at $1000 for the RS1 bookshelf speaker. Denco Audio.

Image upgrades best selling 414 and 412 models

The most popular Image loudspeaker models - the 412 and 414 (pictured) - have been upgraded, based on the work undertaken for Image's Supreme range. The changes are fundamentally in crossover design and in the quality of capacitors used; specifically those in series with high frequency drivers where the improvements are most noticeable. Lower DC resistance inductors are also being employed in bass circuits to improve or maintain system efficiency and power handling.

Comparing the older models with the new 2005 versions, Image say you should hear better (overall) bass definition with a more accurate mid-bass; improved balance between bass and upper midrange; better upper midrange, with more coherency and greater music detail; vocals noticeably more 'articulate' with more 'air' around vocals and instruments; less lower treble emphasis; more midrange dynamics and depth and improved instrument separation. The prices are unchanged at $1500 for the 412 and $2200 for the 414.

Image will make crossover changes available to customers owning pre 2005 Image 414 and 412 models. This is an involved process that requires the removal of every component from the cabinet apart from the reflex port. It can only be performed at Image in Auckland. For those owners in Auckland, the speakers can be brought to the factory. For those owners out of Auckland, the speakers must be packed correctly using the original cartons. Failure to do so will probably result in cabinet damage by the couriers for which Image will not accept liability.

Costs for upgrades depend on freight:
Image 412 incl. gst delivered/collected is $120.
Image 412 incl. gst/return freight North Island is $166.
Image 412 incl. gst/return freight South Island is $196.
Image 414 incl. gst delivered/collected is $150.
Image 414 incl. gst/return freight North Island is $200.
Image 414 incl. gst/return freight South Island is $240.

Image Loudspeakers can be contacted on 09-570 8090.

For your nearest Image dealer

InFocus release high-def projector

The new InFocus ScreenPlay 7210 promises high definition, with native 720p video performance.The core of the projector is the new DarkChip DLP technology from Texas Instruments   and Faroudja DCDi 2310 deinterlacer, promising 2800:1 contrast. For deep, saturated colours and rich blacks, the InFocus ScreenPlay 7210 comes with an all-glass, Carl Zeiss 1.3x zoom lens with a 35mm filter thread to customise the light output without sacrificing colour richness or sharp contrast. For even more flexibility, a 72mm filter thread and optional neutral density filter ensure a perfect image with smaller screen sizes and maintain black levels optimised in any room lighting.  The ScreenPlay 7210 sells for $11,999. International Dynamics

Home Entertainment Expo set for October

"The Home Entertainment Expo will showcase entire home entertainment environments, bringing together the largest, brightest flat-plasma screens, linked to a single computing environment, merging broadband information from TV, movies and the internet. There will be digital photography integrated as part of the home system; entire catalogues of music instantly available, and the latest immersive sound systems," says organiser Wayne Patterson. Run by IDG in conjunction with FFWD magazine, the expo runs from Friday, October 7 to Sunday, October 9 at the Auckland Show Grounds.

Avalon-Pacific moves

Hi-Fi distributor Avalon-Pacific Marketing, New Zealand agents for brands such as Denon, Kef, Polk Audio, Music Fidelity and Arcam, have moved. Their new address is 15a Vestey Drive, Mt Wellington.

Award presented to Sound Group Holdings

Sound Group Holdings has been presented with the "International Dealer of the Year" award by Niles Audio Corporation, a leading company in the area of Custom Installation products. The award reflects the enormous growth in the custom install industry in New Zealand and SGH's part in it. The wide range of Niles custom installation products include the award winning ZR-4630 MultiZone receiver with keypad controls, IntelliControl home theater automation system, ceiling mount loudspeakers, in-wall loudspeakers, indoor/outdoor loudspeakers, Systems Integration Amplifiers, automated switching systems, infrared extender systems, speaker selectors, volume controls, and convenience outlet connectors.

For your nearest Niles dealer

Klipsch buys Jamo

Klipsch Audio, Inc., parent company of Klipsch Audio Technologies, is launching a global expansion strategy and has acquired the brand name and key assets of Danish audio company Jamo. Klipsch is already the number one selling speaker brand in the USA, while Jamo is one of the top audio brands in Europe with strong distribution in Asia. The two brands will be run separately and no changes in New Zealand distribution are planned.

Perreaux release two new Silhouette models

The Perreaux "SX25i" (Silhouette eXternal 25W integrated) is a compact and stylish 25 Watt per channel, high quality, integrated stereo hi-fi amplifier module. The SX25i is aimed at high quality audio reproduction for a small room or office environment. As with all Perreaux products, the design is completely solid state, featuring the finest audiophile grade componentry throughout. The SX25i is a mere 216mm wide and includes one pair of RCA inputs, one pair of RCA outputs and two pairs of speaker binding posts.

The SXD2 USB DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) with Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectivity. Offering upsampling to 192kHz with 24-bit resolution, the SXD2 is an effective way to improve CD player performance. Computer based audio can be played-back using the SXD2 via the USB connection. Essentially, the SXD2 USB DAC is a high end external sound card, offering hi-fi performance not only for music, but also gaming and production. The SXD2 comprises of a high-resolution 24-bit Burr Brown (Texas Instruments) DAC and offers automatic upsampling to a maximum of 192kHz/24-bit. As an external sound card via the USB port, the SXD2 provides a convenient method of accessing computer stored music files. Being an external sound card, with its own linear power supply, the SXD2 is isolated from the computers power supply noise - which is detrimental to the performance of traditional PCI sound cards and port-powered external sound cards.

For your nearest Perreaux dealer

PSB releases new "i" series

Canadian speaker manufacturer PSB's new "i" series consists of two bookshelf speakers ($599 and $799 per pair), three floorstanding towers ($1299, $1699 and $1999 per pair), two centre channels ($599 and $799 each) and a bipole surround speaker ($1399 per pair). As with the previous range, the speakers are constructed from multiples of 130mm or 165mm woofers; this time the woofers are metalised injection molded polypropylene cones.

For your nearest PSB dealer