Audio News for January 20, 2009

by | Jan 20, 2009 | Audio News | 0 comments

Circuit City Stores Fold – The second-biggest U.S. consumer electronics retailer is the latest casualty of an unprecedented fall in consumer spending which has driven other brands such as Mervyns and Linens n’ Things into bankruptcy. Circuit City will pull the plug on 567 U.S. stores and 34,000 employees will lose their jobs. The store said that their gift cards will be honored during liquidation sales, as well as extended warranties.  Interesting that while this occurs, the sales of $60,000 audio cables in the super-high-end audiophile market seem to be unaffected.

New Zoom Handheld Solid-state Recorder – The next generation of portable handheld surround sound recorders is here.  DAT is now obsolete and solid-state is the state of recording equipment, aside from the hard-drives used by commercial classical and jazz record labels. Zoom’s new H4n offers built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics that allow variable recording patterns as well as provision for two additional mics to be plugged in, using the internal and external mics simultaneously for four-channel recording. A large LCD screen, intuitive interface and onboard reference speaker take the user’s recording experience to the next level. The H4n records hi-res audio at 96K/24-bit on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB and compatible with USB 2.0. A new stamina mode enables the H4n to operate for up to ten hours continuously on a single set of AA batteries. The H4n has instrument inputs, speed variability, built-in effects and amp modeling settings for guitarists. The new unit, from Samson Technologies Corporation, represents the next level of handheld recording ability. MSRP is $400 and MAP is $349.

Sanyo Introduces Industry’s Smallest LCD Projector – Sanyo has announced their PLC-XW60 XGA LCD video projector, which weights only 3.6 lbs and can be carried in one hand to offer simple setup, including such features as automatic keystone correction. The unit was designed for widespread use by traveling business people, as well as in corporate offices and classrooms. The lamp size was reduced by 39% by using an optimized reflector and the weight of the lens was reduced by 44% using a new aspherical plastic lens. A 100-inch image is possible from only nine feet away, allowing the projector’s use in a very limited space. Sanyo’s Color of BlackBoard Mode enables clear images against almost any solid color surface, including blackboards. The power cord can be detached without waiting for the projector to cool down. MSRP of the projector is $899.

Yamaha “Stringless” Grand Piano
– Yamaha’s new AvantGrand piano is described as the first stringless digital instrument to truly capture the sound, touch, action and physical resonance of a concert-quality grand piano, at a fraction of the size and cost of a comparable acoustic instrument.  The AvantGrand employs a new approach to sound sampling, including the replication of actual vibrations from within the sound board of the instrument, and sound from four locations in the left, right, center and rear of a full-size Yamaha concert grand piano. The Tactile Response System transmits stringless vibrations thru the keys and foot pedals to the player’s hands and feet. The finesse, spring, friction and inertia of traditional acoustic pedals is reproduced. The AvantGrand, to be available for purchase by July, comes in a compact four-foot cabinet and retails for about $20,000.

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