PIONEER LAUNCHES AV CLASS D IN-CAR POWER AMPLIFIERS

Is in-car  audio part of home entertainment ?  Strictly speaking no, but who's to say that home entertainment can't be taken on the road.  We would prefer to see it as a extension of home entertainment.  I listen to music and watch movies at home.  My AV system in my car can do the same - see what I mean ?

For those who agree, Pioneer recently launched a series of sophisticated Class D amplifiers that it says is designed  to  provide a more efficient and higher level of  high performance power output.

The new Class D power amp series consists  of three models, the four  channel  GM-D8604. and the D9601 and the GM - D8601 mono designs.

According to Raymond Lee, General Manager of Pioneer Technology (M) Sdn Bhd. the GM-D power amplifiers reflect the state-of-the art amplification technology that allows highly refined amplification performance to be built into compact enclosures.

"The compactness of the GM-D power amplifiers allows them to be installed in tight spaces where previously, due to the size of high performance power amplifiers, it was not possible " says Lee, who adds that Pioneer's extensive R & D  into high performance digital amplification technology has allowed it to produce truly compact amplifiers that can produce the same, if not improved output as more conventional amplifiers that are often easily twice the size of the Pioneer GM-D amplifiers.

For audiophiles who are interested,  the GM-D power amplifiers are capable of producing up to 150 watts x 4,  1,200 watts mono and 800 watts mono respectively and they are able to produce all those power even at a 1 ohm impedance level.

According to Pioneer the GM-D amplifiers are fitted with its proprietary Protection Control Systems which it says is designed to sense the internal temperatures of the amplifiers and automatically adjust the input level to avoid potentially damaging overloads.

Although designed to optimally drive any high performance full range speakers the GM-D power amplifiers because of their efficient high power delivery capability are particularly ideal power house for driving subwoofers.

Retail price is RM1,399, RM1,399 and RM1,299 respectively.

KL INTERNATIONAL AV SHOW 2013

Show Information

Dates : 5, 6 & 7 July 2013

Time : Fri - 10.00am to 7.30pm,
           Sat & Sun - 10.00am to 7.30pm

Venue : JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

We will be posting more information about the show soon.

SAMSUNG UE75ES9000 LD/LED TV

The march towards mega big digital flatscreen TVs appear to remain unabated with Samsung joining the fray with its recently introduced 75" wide UE75ES9000 LCD backlit LED TV.

Regarded as one of the most automated TV to hit the market the UE75ES9000 is said to be able to response to voice and motion commands to access functions  such as turning on/off, channel change, accessing  of apps and web navigation.

Needless to say,  a  TV  of this calibre provides extensive on-line entertainment and programme access.

For the videophile who regards the  UE75ES9000 as a extra large digital HD screen this top of the range Samsung  LCD/LED TV feature a full 1920 x 1080p native resolution with 3D capability.

For a digital flatscreen  of this size and ultra slim dimensions the bezel, at 0.31 inch is almost non-existent  if not for its rose gold finish that serves to remind that,  inspite of its  seamless borders there is bezel after all to hold the large screen in.  To be sure, if you intend to wall mount this  screen take into serious consideration its 44kg weight !

In addition to its size Samsung claims that the UE75ES9000 is engineered for extreme visual performance to produce the deepest black levels possible.  A true black, not some dark shade of grey, holds the key to true videophile performance.

To help achieved its deep black level goal, the UE75ES9000 features  its proprietary  form of direct LED backlights that uses what Samsung terms as Micro Dimming Ultimate and Precision Black technology.  As a result the company says the UE75ES9000 has one of the darkest blacks and contrast ratio in an LCD/LED TV.

HD connection possibilities include 3 HDMI 1.4 sockets and 3 USB.  The three HDMI  inputs does not seem nearly quite enough  going   by the HD programme sources available today  but it is quite probable  that Samsung  has taken into consideration that  owners of such a large high performance digital flatscreen would  most likely be used in a home entertainment system that would  include a modern AV receiver where at least 6 uptodate HDMI input switches would  be available.

The cost for this slice of big screen heaven?    RM39,999

BOSTON ACOUSTICS A SERIES SPEAKER SYSTEM

After what appear to be a hiatus of sort Boston Acoustics is finally back and up in the forefront of what Boston Acoustics is capable of delivering  is their A Series Speaker System.

Comprising at least six models -  one floorstander, one centre channel, three compact standmounts and one subwoofer, the A Series, says Boston Acoustics, is designed to match a certain affordable price point yet deliver  the best performance possible.  That is very much a familiar marketing pitch that most of us have heard before but having  used Boston Acoustics speaker in the past I would say give them a serious try out.

Price wise the speaker appear to be more than reasonably placed.  The flagship A360 appears  to offer better than  average  value at a listed price of RM3,300 per pair.

For your money you get a fairly large speaker measuring almost 42" high, 14" wide ad 11" deep.

The  enclosure appears to be solidly constructed featuring extensive vertical and horizontal internal bracing, calculated through sophisticated proprietary computer technology to reduce cabinet vibrations to the minimum.

Another indicator of its quality, though not as technologically sophisticated,  is its weight which tops almost  44lbs

Drive units include two 6 ½ " woofers, a  3½ " midrange and a 1" Kortec  dome tweeter.  The bass units are loaded via a reflex port located at the rear.  This serves to imply that the A360 requires careful placement for optimum bass performance.  Boston Acoustics claim a low frequency response of down to 38 hertz.   Other bass enhancing techniques used in the A360 and all Boston Acoustics full range speaker systems include proprietary features such as Deep Channel Design (DCD) and BassTrac.   The former allows the bass cone to travel further and more linearly for  improved bass performance and the latter monitors and correct the amount of electrical signal to the woofers to prevent  overload.

For those where the A360 is simply too large or perhaps beyond their financial means,  the A Series also include the A26, A25 and A23 standmount speakers with enclosure height ranging from 13" to 8" Drive units used are  6½", 5¼ ,  3½  respectively with prices ranging from RM1,650, RM1,350 and RM1,150 per pair.

According to Boston Acoustics all its main speakers are designed first and foremost to operate optimally with music sources but to enable them to perform equally well in a multi-channel  mode a centre  channel , the A225c and a 10" ASW650 active subwoofer is included.  Retail price are RM1,080 and RM2,250 respectively.

Of particular interest is the ASW650 which features a direct firing bass drive unit driven by a respectively powerful 300 watts RMS integral power amplifier.  At peak level the amplifier is able to deliver up to 650 watts.  Boston Acoustics claims a low frequency extension of down to 28 hertz which is very commendable performance for a 10" active sub.

Although what is described is not the complete Boston  Acoustic A Series range the local distributor, Woo Kee  Hong has,  for logistic reasons decided to trim two other models off the list.  They include a more compact floorstander,  the A250 and a downward firing active subwoofer, the ASW250.