AUDIO * VIDEO * NEWS * BUYER GUIDES * REVIEWS http://www.canadhifi.com/ canadahifi.com Canton has updates its high-end Karat family of music and home theater loudspeakers with six new speakers to replace discontinued models. The new models incorporate upgraded drivers and crossovers, subtly refined cabinet aesthetics, and new high-gloss finish options. The narrow front baffle and deep side panels allow for the use of a large woofer for deep bass performance while maintaining precise imaging in the upper registers to minimize diffraction effects http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=456 Pioneer is expanding its KURO strategy across new display technologies to meet the needs of the most discerning entertainment connoisseurs. Just as KURO high definition televisions have set the standard in the home theater, Pioneer will enter the home cinema market with the introduction of its new Elite KURO projector, delivering the same industry-leading black levels and 1080p picture performance that have become synonymous with the brand http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=455 NuVo’s new Essentia “G” whole-home distributed audio system offers six-zones of audio with two-way metadata communication from select NuVo products. The system is also environmentally-friendly, meeting Energy Star requirements by drawing less than one-watt of power when it’s in standby mode, and employing a Generation D digital amp that supplies cooler operation. The E6G system can be connected with any six sources, including the NuVo M3, T2, or NuVoDock wireless iPod interface; as well as non-NuVo products. All NuvoNet sources can display artist and title info on the 1” OLED displays on the Decora-style keypads http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=454 Originally released in June, 2006, vinyl guru and analog expert Michael Fremer ‘s DVD entitled “21st Century vinyl: Michael Fremer’s Practical Guide to Turntable Set-up” has sold more than 7000 copies and continues to sell as it reaches a younger demographic now getting into vinyl for the first time.  The disc has been translated into German and Italian with Japanese and Mandarin Chinese Language editions currently in production http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=453   First shown at CES in January, the displays come in 32-inch, 37-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch sizes. They lack ASTC/NTSC tuners but feature one HDMI v1.3 port as well as a VGA input for PC use. An optional external Audio Video Center can be added (pricing to be determined) that adds three HDMI v1.3 ports, two component video inputs, as well as an ATSC/NTSC tuner. The S Series models include the Audio Video Center http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=452   The new iTube 452 with Valve Dock is the latest addition to Fatman's comprehensive line of tube amplifiers. It boasts increased power output and, for the first time, includes a sub pre-out. The unit also employs a sleek, new design, with clean, rounded edges, and black finish. The iTube 452 with Valve Dock is a 45-watt-per-channel, push-pull tube amplifier. With the addition of the sub pre-out, customers can add their own powered sub to the unit to further enhance the listening experience http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=451   JBL’s new ES series speakers feature ultra-high frequency titanium laminate tweeters that can reach up to 40 kHz. The speakers also include cellulose-based PolyPlas woofers for greater bass extension, and EOS wide dispersion acoustic tweeter waveguides. Each also employs a new cosmetic design, featuring slim, rearward tapered cabinets with rounded tops. The series is made up of eight models. The 4-way, dual 8” ES90 and 4-way, dual 6” ES80 floor-standing towers are available for $999/pr. and $799/pr., respectively.  The 3-way ES30 ($399/pr.) and ES20 ($299/pr http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=450 Our first encounter with Canadian-based Sinclair Audio was more than two years ago when the company asked us to review their very first product offering, the Brighton Series speakers.  We enjoyed the speakers enough that we used them in one of our reference systems when evaluating other similar speakers for the next little while.   Click here to continue reading this article http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=449 Empire Theatres Limited, a Canadian film and entertainment provider with venues across Canada, announces its latest entertainment initiative as it unveils www.SONGO.ca today! SONGO offers a catalogue of almost 2.5 million music downloads through an agreement with Puretracks. With the purchase of a concession combo at Empire Theatres' 50 locations nationwide, guests will receive a SONGO game card containing 3 FREE music downloads. Guests simply log onto www http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=448 The KP-900 boasts a bright, easy to read, backlit LCD screen and injection-molded backlit buttons with laser-etched labeling. Six buttons to the right of the screen can be associated with a selected activity such as “Watch TV.” Four MB of configurable flash memory allow the KP-900 to support up to 400 full pages of commands that can be distributed into as many as 255 devices. Additional features include a 255-color backlighting palette for the LCD display, one-touch blue backlighting for all hard buttons, the ability to learn new IR commands, a small integrated speaker for audible feedback, a built-in sleep timer and a USB cable http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=447 Everyone needs an area in their home to escape. For women, it may be the bed/bathroom area. For men...the garage? Axiom Audio is developing a cross hatch on-wall version of their popular M3 speaker, perfect for those with TVs, gaming stations, music, etc. in their very own man sanctuary...the garage. Est. price: $375. www.axiomaudio.com http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=446 Onkyo has upgraded the feature set of its most popular HDMI-1.3a-capable home theater receiver by adding 1080i video upscaling, two additional HDMI inputs to handle a total of four HDMI sources, Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology, and Onkyo's new Music Optimizer circuit. The new Onkyo TX-SR606 replaces the company's best selling TX-SR605. The Onkyo TX-SR606 provides HDMI 1.3a inputs for up to four high-definition 1080p video sources, plus high definition surround sound processing all over a single HDMI connection. This version of HDMI has greater bandwidth for higher resolution, higher frame rates, and 36-Bit Deep Color http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=445   Onkyo’s newest HTIB systems come in 7.1- and 5.1-channel configurations and include HDTV-capable A/V receivers, to be used with home theatre components like a Blu-ray player. Two of the three new models also include an iPod docking station for easy music playback. The 7.1 channel HT-S5100 system includes the HT-R560 receiver that has three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs and one output, Audyssey 2EQ room correction technology that can adjust the time delay of each speaker based on its position, and Audyssey's Dynamic EQ that adjusts sound based on volume http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=444   Sharp is now shipping its Aquos Special Edition series of LCD flat panel televisions. The AQUOS SE94 series, available in 46", 52" and 65" sizes, combine a new cornerstone design and internet connectivity with remote diagnostic support. The SE94 series feature full-HD 1920 x 1080p resolution, a new 10-bit ASV panel with a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, 4ms response time, 120Hz frame rate conversion and a new power save feature which means the sets consume less energy than previous generations of Aquos televisions http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=443   NuVo Technologies’ newest music server more than triples the capacity of its predecessor, providing the ample disk space necessary to comfortably store digital music at larger bitrates. The new NV-M3-500 Music Server, announced today, offers 500 GB of storage. Using Windows® Media Player and the uncompressed WAV file format provides a bitstream identical to every bit of what one would get from a CD. NuVo engineers estimate that roughly 830 CDs can be stored in uncompressed WAV http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=442 As a music producer, DJ and audiophile, not to mention audio reviewer, I use my Shure E5c ear-phones in a large variety of applications.  But the most common use for earphones or headphones today is with an iPod, an MP3 player or a laptop computer.  Much like with a pair of speakers, if you want to take full advantage of your earphones, you'll need a good power amplifier to drive them http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=441 Projectors used to be found exclusively in movie theatres and film producer homes.  But those days are long gone!  Today, improvements in projector technology and lower prices are allowing movie buffs to create the movie theatre experience right at home.  Thanks to a number of competing technologies, the prices of projectors have come down to a point that makes them affordable with even the most modest budget http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=440 MartinLogan's new Spire™ powered hybrid electrostatic loudspeaker features a 10-inch aluminum cone woofer and 200-watt high-resolution amplifier, resulting in bass down to 29Hz which results in immense bass dynamics and precision beyond the reach of traditional passive box systems. Additionally, the simple turn of a 35Hz equalization knob allows precision low-end calibration to optimize speaker/room integration http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=439 SpeakerCraft has just started shipping its first in-wall Cinema Subwoofers http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=438 Projectors used to be found exclusively in movie theatres and film producer homes. But those days are long gone! Today, improvements in projector technology and lower prices are allowing movie buffs to create the movie theatre experience right at home. Thanks to a number of competing technologies, the prices of projectors have come down to a point that makes them affordable with even the most modest budget http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=437 New 2008 product highlights include thinner frame and brighter DLP models and Ultra Thin Frame LCD HDTVs with improved sound capabilities. The new 2008 product line will include three new 73" 1080p DLP HDTV models along with 60" and 65" sizes -- all featuring thinner frames, increased brightness and 3D-ready capability http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=436 Two weatherproof models have been introduced: a 32" and a 42". They feature a proprietary dual-flow ventilation system that’s meant to keep the TVs cool when it’s hot, and its “state-of-the-art heating system creates heat to keep Pantel TVs working in colder climates. The TVs also come with an anti-reflective glass screen that’s designed to project the sun’s glare out of the viewing angle so users can watch in any weather setting. They can operate at a range of -40 C to 60 C, and they are rain/snow and wind/dust shielded http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=435   The Cinema 11 is a fully optioned-out pre/pro amplifier. The Cinema 11 offers seven pairs of RCA analog inputs, a set of XLR inputs, seven coax digital, seven digital Toslink inputs and a single digital XLR input. For outputs, the Cinema 11 features a main front pair, a center, a surround back pair or center surround and a subwoofer in the form of XLR and RCA. It also features a second zone output, a digital output and one pair of analog RCA outputs. The pre/pro incorporates Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS NEO 96/24 and Matrix Surround for up to 7.1 http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=434 Planar Systems is expanding its arsenal of high-performance video display solutions as the PD8130 and PD8150 1080p single-chip projectors bring a new level of performance and design elements yet available at its price point.   Designed exclusively for the specialty home theater market, Planar’s newest projectors set new precedent for the top-quality and versatility that custom integrators and their customers can now demand of HD video displays http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=433 Dolby Laboratories and SIM2 Multimedia showcased yesterday a new prototype high-dynamic-range (HDR)–enabled LCD flat-screen display using Dolby’s new light emitting diodes (LED) local dimming technology http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=432 Canton, has just introduced a high-performance desktop audio system designed specifically for the iPod. The Canton DSS 303 Digital Sound Station brings the company's renowned loudspeaker driver technology and industrial design to a compact and stylish audio system that includes an integrated iPod dock and charger, FM/AM radio, clock, and auxiliary input for a complete desktop audio solution for the bedroom, dorm room, or office. The DSS 303's high quality loudspeakers are designed and manufactured by Canton with the goal of achieving full dynamic range and extremely linear frequency response from 38 Hz to 25 kHz http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=431     To celebrate 25 years of Danish speaker design, DALI introduces the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition of HELICON 400 MK2. Finished in a stunning high gloss real piano black, the cabinets are lacquered 7 times and polished after each coat for enhanced depth and sheen to rival the world’s finest pianos http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=430 Toshiba of Canada has just launched its premium line of REGZA XF550U LCD HD TVs, featuring Toshiba’s nearly all-screen Super Narrow Bezel frame, 1080p full high definition resolution and ClearFrame 120Hz frame conversion technology. If ever an LCD TV defined desirability it would be Toshiba's new REGZA XF Series http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=429 Onkyo has introduced two affordably-priced A/V receivers that deliver a remarkable array of high end features for home theater and multichannel music reproduction. The 80 watt-per-channel TX-SR576 and 75 watt-per-channel TX-SR506 are the lowest priced receivers ever to include the company's Powered Zone 2 capability and front channel bi-amplification features, and are among the first receivers available anywhere to include Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness correction technology http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=428 The DV-983H features Anchor Bay's latest VRS (Video Reference Series) technologies, 7.1-channel audio, RS-232 and IR IN/OUT control ports, and of course, 1080p HDMI up-conversion. Other features include aspect ratio conversion and multi-level zooming that enables users to take full control of the viewing experience -- maintain the original aspect ratio, stretch to full screen, or crop black borders. Special stretch modes also make it possible to utilize the full resolution of ultra high-end projectors with anamorphic lenses http://canadahifi.com/comments.php?id_entry=427