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.

JVC  INTRODUCES  NEW HOME THEATRE PROJECTOR LINE-UP

The recently introduced range of JVC D-ILA (Digital Image Light Amplifier ) projectors consists of four 3D projectors and with the exception of the entry level model all are equipped with the latest edition of JVC's proprietary e-Shift technology that upscales 2D High Definition video content to display at a 3840 x 2160 4K resolution.

The JVC projector ensemble now include the flagship RS-66 at RM39,999 the RS-56 at RM29,999 the RS-48 at RM21,999 and the entry level model the RS-46 at RM15,999.

According to JVC the top three models capable of e-Shift upscaling now includes an upgraded upscaling algorithm that offers improved native contrast performance.  JVC says that this is made possible through the use of a new polarizing wire grid engine that now offers an eight band filter compared to the two band filter design used in the previous generation e-Shift models.  The RS-46 is the only  non e-Shift model with a native 1920 x 1080p native resolution.

JVC claims that the contrast ratio performances of the RS-66 is 130,000.1, the  RS-56 is 90,000.1 and the RS-48 and RS-46 both measure out at 50,000.1

JVC however states that this contrast ratio performances are native and not, like many other competing projectors , achieved via the use of dynamic IRIS systems which JVC says can and often introduce some other form of undesirable video artifacts.

Features common to all four models are an extensive lens memory settings that allow preset storage of aspect ratio settings for use with constant height 2.35.1 cinemascope screens.  These memory settings that can store custom settings on zoom, focus, vertical and horizontal lens position allows the JVC, projectors to be used without the aid  of complicated external anamorphic lenses.

Other important video enhancing features include a color accurate ISF certification, an improved optical engine, smartphone apps that allows smartphones to be used as remote controls and a new 3D active shutter glass that utilizes a more stable RF instead of infrared red remote for a more reliable 3D operation.

Light outputs varies from 1,200 - 1,300 Lumens and claimed lamp life is 3,000 hours.

 

 

PANASONIC  PT-AE8000 3D LCD PROJECTOR

Latest in a long running series of Panasonic LCD home theatre projectors the PT-AE8000 looks quite identical to the PT-AE7000 it replaces.  Purring 'under the hood' however is a revised optical and video engine that are said to enable the PT-AE8000 some pretty significant improvements over its  well received predecessor.

For starters the PT-AE8000 is said to be at least20% brighter with up to 2400 Lumens of light output compared to 2000 Lumens of the PT-AE7000.  A new 220 watts Red Rich lamp replaces the 200 watts UHP unit used in the older model.

The PT-AE8000 also claims a higher contrast ratio of 500,000.1 (compared to 300,000.1 of the PT-AE7000). Upfront, this  means that videophiles can expect a picture that is perceivably punchier  with improved detail and a richer, more saturated colour palette.

This visual improvements is a boon to 2D as well as 3D viewing, especially in the latter using an active 3D format whereby every lumen of brightness is crucial in reproducing a convincingly impressive 3D performance.

Other less obvious but equally critical improvements include a re-worked Detail Clarity  Processor that when used judiciously offers perceivable increase in visual details, such as facial hair detail or the intricate weaves of an actor's costume.  A more tightly designed LCD  panel featuring Panasonic's proprietary Pure Contrast Plates accounts for a sharper image with improved black levels. In addition, a 3D Motion Remaster, which while not completely eliminating 3D crosstalk, have at least kept this annoying 3D artefacts in the PT-AE8000 to the minimum.

Other interesting  videophile features of the PT-AE8000 includes Lens Memory with up to six settings, used primarily for selecting the different aspects ratios on a constant height 2.35.1 Cinemascope style screen, a dynamic Iris for optimum black/contrast ratio performance, 3 HDMI 1.4 inputs, mechanical horizontal and vertical lens shift for optimum projector to screen set-up.

Additionally the PT-AE8000 also offers electronic zoom and focus allowing a more precise screen close up focus adjustment, 7 pre-set picture modes and a 5,000 hour lamp life on the economical mode.

The great news is that the PT-AE8000 has managed to achieve all that while sustaining the same RM14,999 price that the older model went for.

In use, the PT-AE8000, firing into a 100's Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk screen threw a palpably brighter picture with excellent, fine visual detail that tended to be 'smoothed' ever in the older      PT-AE7000.  Although the PT-AE7007 was by no means a slouch in brightness department the extra  lumen of the PT-AE8000 made critical 3D enjoyment that much more enjoyable.

In practice the PT-AE8000 should be able to project a larger picture without loosing resolution and brightness.  It should also be able to retain its contrast ratio  performance even when used in a room with a higher ambient light although we recommend that room ambient lights be critically controlled for optimum performance.

 

DENON AVR-2113 AV RECEIVERS

Slotted in the mid level of Denon's current range of AV receivers the AVR-2113 is everything one would expect of an uptodate AVR.  Rated to deliver in excess of 125 watts per channel  x7 into a nominal 6 ohms impedance the AVR-2113 is more than amply endowed to drive all except the most inefficient of loudspeaker to earsplitting levels well before the advent of any distortion.

Its 6 HDMI inputs are also 4K compatible in that they will upscale any HD video signal such as that from your BluRay to full 4K (3,840 x 2160p) resolution for display in a compatible display system.

Retailing at RM3,499 the AVR-2113 also offers the much touted Audyssey Multi EQ XT automatic audio setting for optimally matching the output of the speakers  to the room's acoustical characteristics. 

In addition to being compatible to lossless Dolby TruHD and DTS HD Master Audio high resolution soundtracks the AVR-2113 also supports extensive  network programmes and is AirPlay compliant.

Other  important features  include the use of  a  32 bit processing  digital  sound  processor,           192 khz/24 bit DAC, shortest audio signal path from point to point and Direct Mechanical Ground construction where the transformer and other crucial components are directly secured  onto the solid bottom plate of the chasis to minimise possible sound degrading mechanical vibrations.

As is now what appears to be a trend among a number of AVR designs the AVR-2113 for all the performance features that it offers is surprisingly compactly built measuring only 434 x 167 x 329mm and weighing only 9.5kg.