Audio News for January 27, 2012

CE Devices Tops During Holiday Shopping – In a survey of 4200 shoppers conducted by Market Force Information, it was found that 100% of consumers surveyed had purchased some sort of consumer electronic device last season. Video game titles and hardware led the list of popular electronics, followed by TVs, DVD players and other video components. 35% said they purchased a CE product online, while 100% said they bought at least one device from a brick-and-mortar store. Best Buy was the most popular storefront retailer, followed by Walmart and Target. Mobile phone stores, Apple Stores, Staples and GameStop were also cited by respondents. In the stores, 44% received a specific product recommendation, and of chose, 85% bought the recommended product. Only 21% and 20% respectively purchased tablets and e-readers. The results seem to contradict retailers’ reports about dramatic sales gains for handheld mobile devices.
LG Wins International 3D Award – The International 3D Society honored LG Electronics with a 3D Technology Award for their approach to 3DTV called Cinema 3D. At the awards gala in Hollywood, the Society stated that the technology delivers a bright picture, wide viewing angles, is powered by FPR technology and uses lightweight 3D eyewear. They said it is a fast-growing player in the dynamic 3D business.  LG’s 3DTVs are similar to the technology used in movie theaters; the inexpensive glasses making it the ideal choice for families and friends who want to watch 3D together. New 2012 features such as 3D Depth Control and 3D Sound Zooming further enhance the 3D experience, and the 3D Zone enhances the conversion of 2D material to 3D.
Dynaudio Wireless Speakers – The new Xeo speakers come in two models, the compact Xeo 3 bookshelf speaker ($2300 a pair) and the slim Xeo 5 tower speaker ($4500 a pair). Both are remote-controlled wireless active speakers offering the convenience of wireless with the sound quality of a fully active loudspeaker. They both utilitze high performance Dynaudio drive units powered by integrated digital amplifiers featuring digital sound processing. The tweeters are 27mm soft dome designs, while the long-throw mid/woofers are 14.5cm drivers with Dynaudio’s proprietary Magnesium Silicate Polymer cones. The speakers receive the music signal digitally from the Xeo wireless transmitter and process it digitally until amplification. The speakers need only to be connected to the mains power and the transmitter connected to the sound source. The wireless digital signal to the speakers is 48K/16-bit and can be sent up to 50 meters. The remote control allows selection between three available inputs as well as powering the speakers on or off, setting volume level and choosing an audio source.
Onkyo and TEAC in Cross-Ownership – Onkyo and TEAC will acquire about 10% shares of each other’s stock and explore ways to share manufacturing facilities, logistic centers and research and development efforts. Gibson Guitar has already purchased a 51% stake in Onkyo USA. Onkyo’s high-end line is Integra, and TEAC also markets the TASCAM and Esoteric brands.