The swanky Venetian Hotel towers were once again home to the high-end audio and home theater demonstrations for CES. This is a great chance to view our favorite drivers implemented in systems, and listen to them in action.
It was nice to see the new Morel Carbon Fiber Cone in use in several systems on display. The most prominent showing of these drivers was in Morels commercial line "Fat Lady", which garnered the 2009 CEA Design and Engineering Innovation Award. The 6" models of these drivers were also spotted in the Eggleston Works "Andra III" and Audio Machina "Maestro". Both systems were top notch offerings, and thoroughly enjoyable auditions. It is rare to see a new driver line find such immediate homes in high end speaker offerings. I was informed that the midrange performance was exactly what both designers were looking for and found in these new Morel drivers.
Joseph Audio blew everyone away with their debut of the "Pulsar". This compact all Seas 2-way utilizes the tried and true Millennium matched with the rising star 6" Magnesium Cone W16NX-001. I can't count the number smiles and jaws dropping open (including mine of course) on multiple visits to this room.
Alex of RAAL had on display his monster omni-directional speaker the "Eternity". This had to be the most intriguing speaker at the show. The output level was simply astounding while maintaining impeccable sound quality. It makes me wonder how these would shine in a larger room. The RAAL ribbon high frequency reproduction really stood out from the pack of other ribbons at the show.
Bobby from Merlin had his 14 years in the making/perfecting VSM-MX 2-way playing in fine form. He uses a Dynaudio Esotar Tweeters and classic Scan-Speak 18W in what I considered one of the most engaging speakers at the show. A special external network includes a high-pass circuit at the mid/bass drivers resonant frequency. I can only conclude that this is an integral part of the recipe to these wonderful speakers.
For total home theater domination, Induction Dynamics had a monster setup shaking the room and its lucky occupants to the core. PBN also brought their entire lineup to T.H.E. Show right down the street from CES. Their speakers ranged from bookshelf size to 7 feet tall!
We had a top of the line version of our Bifrost kit speakers on live display with the guys at Abletec. They were showcasing their power supply/amp offerings and sure sounded great through this high-end Seas kit.
When not on foot enjoying all the speakers on display, we split our time between the Seas and SB Acoustics rooms.
In a short time, the 4" and 8" drivers will be added to the SB lineup here at Madisound. SB Acoustics also had some exciting new Tweeters on display. Look for a 1" aluminum dome ferrite magnet Tweeters along with a neodymium soft dome Tweeters. Also, both neo and ferrite magnet versions of an all new ring dome Tweeters will be released. Expect to see a "dimple" as opposed to the "nipple" we have come to know on the Vifa and Scan-Speak ring radiator Tweeters. We will update our website when any and all of these drivers become available in the coming months.
SB Acoustics also had a simple yet effective bass reflex 2-way using the SB25STC Tweeters and SB17NRX woofer on live display. The performance of these SB drivers continue to impress us, and with some extended listening over the show that sentiment continues to grow.
Seas had on display a few new drivers coming out this year. The Exotic line is adding a high efficiency woofer and large dome Tweeters, both with Alnico magnet systems. The Prestige lines new "Curv-cone" woven polypropylene driver built onto the advanced 16 series frame looks very promising. They also introduced their new 10" Aluminum Cone Subwoofers, dubbed the L26ROY. The sample at CES was a more production ready version of what they brought to RMAF back in October, and it looked very impressive! It is always a treat to visit with our friends from Norway, and this year was no exception with both Grethe Aarum and Håvard Sollien making the long trip to Las Vegas.
We got a preview from Tymphany of their new line of Vifa and Peerless drivers. I can't say much now, but the new Vifa drivers certainly have my interest peaked. Of course as soon as we have information, we will let you know.
So in addition to all the new drivers discussed above, some standards are certainly continued. Seas Prestige and Excel, Scan-Speak and Accuton drivers can be found in countless ultra hi-end speakers around CES. Multiple variations of the Vifa XT Ring Radiator were also well represented. Makes sense to us.
We are back to work now in the frigid Wisconsin winter, longing for just a little more of that warm desert sun!
