2007 Consumer Excellence Award Winners

The consumer electronics industry is awash with an influx of new products. Each year it seems that every manufacturer is on a quest to outdo all others in a race to integrate more features and advanced technologies into their products. The prestigious Consumer Excellence (CE) Awards program recognizes the most advanced and forward-thinking products in crucial CE categories. Awards are given to products which serve consumers directly and also those products which serve to improve the business and success of the custom installer. The CE Awards is a clear benchmark award for the products which will make an impact in the coming year.

Category: Accessories

Accessories > Remote Controls

Company: Niles Audio Corporation
Product: iRemote TS Control Remote
MSRP: $1,299.95
www.nilesaudio.com

Niles’ iRemote TS is an easy to use system control remote with color touch screen. The iRemote TS is an elegant user interface which will operate the award-winning IntelliControl® ICS whole house distributed audio/video system and automate sophisticated home theater systems. It employs ultra-reliable ZigBee® 2-way wireless technology to provide users with all the necessary metadata to scan, select and play program material from menu-based digital sources, like the iPods®, music servers, HD Radio™, XM® and Sirius® satellite radio, from their whole house audio/video system.

Accessories > Power Conditioners w/UPS

Company: American Power Conversion (APC)
Product: S20 Power Conditioner / UPS
MSRP: $1,999
www.apcc.com

The APC AV S20 Power Conditioner with Battery Backup (S20BLK) is the world’s first high performance audio-video power conditioner with battery backup that can be monitored and managed via a web browser or serial port. Designed for the custom design and installation market, this 1250 watt unit provides surge protection, isolated noise filtering, voltage regulation and pure sine wave battery backup for high performance audio-video systems. The S20’s built-in web server and RS-232 serial port provide installers multiple ways to control and monitor the unit and the components plugged into it.

Accessories > Power Conditioners

Company: Tripp Lite
Product: HT7300PC Isobar
MSRP: $499.95
www.tripplite.com

The HT7300PC Isobar Audio/Video Power Conditioning Center protects audio/video systems and enhances home theater equipment performance and lifespan. With a 5700-joule surge protection rating, the HT7300PC safeguards connected A/V components from damage due to power surges and spikes on the AC, phone/modem, Ethernet and coaxial lines. It filters disruptive EMI/RFI line noise for crisper video and fuller audio. Four sequenced, IR-controllable AC outlets allow sensitive equipment to power up and down in an orderly way, assuring safe ‘soft starts’ and shutdowns. Tripp Lite also provides $150,000 lifetime insurance for all connected components.

Category: AV Distribution

AV Distribution > Signal Distribution Products

Company: AudioControl
Product: BVD-30/BVR-30 Active Balun
MSRP: $750
www.audiocontrol.com

The BVD-30 and BVR-30 use AudioControl’s Active Balanced Technology to send HD video (1080 capable), 3 channels of audio, and control signals over 1000 feet of Cat-5 without signal loss, degradation, or interference. This allows you to separate your components from your display device. You can even hide the cable box for the bedroom TV in the basement!

AV Distribution > Splitters & Switches

Company: OPPO Digital, Inc.
Product: HM-31 HDMI Switcher
MSRP: $99
www.oppodigital.com

The three input ports of HM-31 are prioritized. The OPPO HM-31 automatically selects a high priority port when the device connected to that port is turned on. The OPPO HM-31 is also designed with custom installation in mind. It features a RS-232C remote control port and an external IR input port. Custom installers can easily integrate the HM-31 into their integrated home theater control systems. In addition to table-top positioning, the HM-31 can be wall-mounted or hidden behind other equipments.

Finalist: MonoPrice HDX-402 4x2 Matrix HDMI Switcher

AV Distribution > Audio Systems/Distribution

Company: Xantech Corp
Product: MRAUDIO8X8CTL 8-Source/Zone DA
MSRP: $3200
www.xantech.com

The MRAUDIO8X8CTL is an eight-source, eight-zone audio distribution amplifier that allows the control and distribution of eight separate source components to eight different zones (six with built-in amplification of 35W/channel), with the capacity to expand to up to sixteen zones of control and distribution. It allows control of source components through both bidirectional RS-232 and IR.

AV Distribution > Video Systems/Distribution

Company: Impact Acoustics
Product: 6x2 Component Video Matrix Switch
MSRP: $179.99
www.impactacoustics.com

This HDTV selector allows simultaneous routing of any of six source devices to two separate TV/monitors or one source to two TV/monitors. With this device a user can connect all of their HDTV products at once. This switch offers six component video, stereo audio and optical digital audio TOSlink inputs. It switches all of these inputs to either of two outputs, with audio following video. An included remote or front panel buttons can be used to select the picture displayed on either of two plasma, CRT, LCD or projection televisions with complete independence.

AV Distribution > Wireless AV Systems/Distribution

Company: AudioEngine Corp
Product: W1/AW1 Wireless System
MSRP: $149
www.audioengineusa.com

The Audioengine W1 (AW1) provides premium wireless transmission for all your music. Transfer music wirelessly from any audio device or computer to your Audioengine powered speakers or stereo receiver. The AW1 system consists of 2 parts, the "sender" (transmitter) which plugs into the headphone/line-out jack on your laptop or digital audio player and the "receiver" which plugs into the input on your powered speakers or stereo receiver. Full 48KHz PCM digital stereo support is provided and this is a USB bus-powered and USB audio device.

AV Distribution > Home Control Remote Systems

Company: Control4
Product: C4-HC300-E-B Home Controller
MSRP: $699
www.control4.com

The Control4® Home Controller HC-300 is the central building block for a smart home, making it easy for anyone to add intelligent control to a home at a truly affordable price. An HC-300 replaces on average more than four traditional remotes and delivers easy navigation and operation through a single universal Control4 system remote control. It offers multiple infrared and serial connections and video sensing for easy home theater integration. Supporting Ethernet, WiFi, and ZigBee mesh networking and expansion through two standard USB 2.0 ports, the Home Controller HC-300 is capable of controlling multi-room music, smart lighting, advanced temperature control, security, and many other home automation sub-systems, all with the same remote.

AV Distribution > Whole House AV Systems

Company: Netstreams LLC
Product: DigiLinX
MSRP: $8500
www.netstreams.com

DigiLinX IP-Based Multi-Room Audio/Video Solution is the first and only system in the world that can distribute multiple streams of uncompressed high definition video and/or audio over CAT5e, while providing synchronized delivery of multiple streams to all points on the network. DigiLinX can also convert audio or video from analog or digital sources (tuner, CD player, etc.) into “packeted” network streams in real-time. To distribute uncompressed video in real time over a gigabit TCP/IP network, NetStreams incorporates PerfectPixel technology, which provides 100% accurate picture replication; while its patent-pending StreamNet technology ensures the reliable transmission of synchronized audio, video and control packets across the network.

Category: Cables, Displays and Televisions, Furniture, HTiB

Cables > Interconnects (non-HDMI)

Company: MonoPrice, Inc.
Product: TT-80C-06 6-foot TOSlink Cable
MSRP: $6.49
www.monoprice.com

These attractive cables feature satin finished metal toslink connector housings with gold ferrule tips. They have 8.0mm O.D. cable jackets with silver, nylon mesh net jackets creating a stunning metallic looking finish. Holding the cables in your hands, you would assume that they are high priced interconnects produced by some esoteric boutique cable manufacturer. However, Monoprice brings these cables in at prices retailers generally charge for generic cables. Lifetime warranty and available in lengths up to 100ft.

Cables > HDMI / DVI Interconnects

Company: VizionWare
Product: Hi-Wirez 3400 Series
MSRP: $1,299
www.vizionware.com

VizionWare’s Hi-Wirez 3.4Gb technology allows for the transmission of such formats as Deep Color™; wider, x.v.Color™ color space; and the new lossless audio formats Dolby TrueHD™ and DTS-HD Master Audio™ - all unsupportable under current passive interconnect technology at longer lengths. Hi-Wirez 3400 Series are Active HDMI Interconnects and provide for transmission speeds of up to 3.4Gbps per TMDS channel. The 3400 Series interconnects come in the longest lengths on the market capable of these speeds; lengths of 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 meters. Hi-Wirez 3400 Series interconnects are “future ready”, ensuring that future generations of increasingly advanced AV products can be added to a current installation.

Finalist: MonoPrice HH-24CAT2-06 Category 2 HDMI Cable

Category: Displays and Televisions

Displays and Televisions > LCD Flat Panel

Company: Samsung
Product: LN-T5781F LED
MSRP: $7999
www.samsung.com

Samsung's 81 Series LED LCD HDTV with SmartLighting delivers a host of picture-enhancing features. The 81 Series LCD HDTV, the first on the market of its kind, employs a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight technology that turns off the LED backlight in darker areas, delivering an unprecedented dynamic contrast ratio of 500,000:1. The 81 series LCD TV displays faithful color reproduction from any viewing position, boasting 178 degree viewing angles from horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axes. The LED backlight unit allows the LCD TV to display a wide range of the NTSC color spectrum. A broad range of connectivity options, such as 3 HDMI version 1.3 and a USB 2.0 input add to the versatility of this TV.

Finalist: LG Electronics Opus Series LCD Televisions

Displays and Televisions > RPTVs

Company: Samsung
Product: HL-T7288W 3-D Ready
MSRP: $4499
www.samsung.com

Aimed at future applications, Samsung’s 2007 DLP TVs are transformed into interactive entertainment portals when used with the “3-D DLP® Starter Pack” that includes 2 pairs of LCD shutter glasses, a transmitter and TriDef® 3-D Experience software from DDD (all sold separately for $199 online), bringing realistic gaming and movie-viewing into the home. Additionally, with its LED DLP HDTV line, Samsung removes the traditional rear projection lamp and color wheel and replaces them with powerful LED technology. This technology allows red, green and blue LEDs to sequentially pulse to produce smoother, more stable color.

Displays and Televisions > Front Projectors

Company: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Product: VPL-VW200
MSRP: $15,000
www.sonystyle.com

Sony's flagship VPL-VW200 1080p SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) front projector is a full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive front home theater projector featuring 24p True Cinema technology. It features newly designed SXRD panels with wire grid polarizers and high contrast plates that more than double the previous native contrast ratio. When combined with Sony’s Advanced Iris technology, the panels help to deliver a 35,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The projector also features Sony's new 120Hz high frame rate technology offering three motion compensation modes.

Finalist: SIM2 Grand Cinema C3X 1080 Projector

Displays and Televisions > Projector Screens

Company: Carada, Inc.
Product: Masquerade Masking System
MSRP: $2,500
www.carada.com

The Masquerade is a motorized two-way horizontal masking system for use with 16:9 screens. It fits Carada’s Precision and Criterion Series frames as well as most other brands of fixed frame screens on the market. The Masquerade features ease of installation, ease of use, aesthetic appeal, high quality craftsmanship, and of course its groundbreaking pricing when compared to competitive masking systems. The system is available in a wide variety of standard sizes and can be built to customer’s exact custom sizing (within upper and lower limits). And the Masquerade uses Somfy’s new Sonesse motor technology for quiet, trouble-free operation and long life.

Category: Furniture

Furniture > Seating

Company: Elite Screens
Product: Elysium Home Theater Seating
MSRP: $4,199
www.solarahome.com

The new Elysium media room comfort sofa has a curved forum configuration which provides a superior viewing angle over traditional in-line seating and the entire set is upholstered in 100% leather with your choice of black or dark brown. Fold down armrests provide additional space for refreshments and transform the Elysium into a central loveseat with flanking power recliners and a matching ottoman that has internal storage space for additional media. A hidden floor-level sliding compartment preserves the orderly appearance of your media room by providing an easy-access sliding storage solution for additional media players, game systems and software right below the loveseat.

Furniture > Flat Panel Display Mounts

Company: OmniMount
Product: Motion52
MSRP: $799.95
www.omnimount.com

The Motion52, developed in partnership with Samsung, is a state-of-the-art motorized wall mount that allows the user to tilt, pan and swivel a flat panel display with the touch of a button. The Motion52 is remote controllable via IR and RS-232 with two programmable memory positions, and features universal rails for compatibility with all flat panel brands. Accommodates all screen sizes from 37” to 52”, and up to 95 lbs of weight.

Finalist: Chief Manufacturing PIWRFU In-Wall Swing-Arm Mount

Furniture > AV Racks

Company: OmniMount
Product: MODA Wall Furniture System
MSRP: $299.95
www.omnimount.com

The Moda Wall Furniture System, MWFS, is a modular wall furniture system specifically designed for custom applications. It can be used with or without a flat panel display. It sports wenge wood wall panels, two cascading tempered glass shelves and an integrated cable management system. With 40 lbs of shelf capacity and an extendable feature with optional shelves, consumers can customize the MWFS to fit their entertainments needs without sacrificing space.

Category: Home Theater Systems

Home Theater Systems > 5.1 / 6.1 / 7.1 Systems Plus Electronics

Company: Samsung
Product: HT-BD2
MSRP: $1,499
www.samsung.com

The HT-BD2 Blu-ray Home Theater System is the world’s first home theater solution engineered with integrated Blu-ray Disc playback. Combining the full HD 1080p cinematic video quality of a Blu-ray disc player and a 1,100 watt, extended 7.1 channel surround sound system, the HT-BD2 also fully supports Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and TrueHD. Setting the player’s Movie Frame (24Fs) feature to on, allows the consumer to adjust the HDMI 1.3 output to 24 frames per second for a crisp, theater-like experience. The rear speakers are also wireless-ready, which can be easily upgraded with an optional wireless kit.

Category: MP3, Receivers, Separates, Transports

Portables & Storage > MP3 / Portable Players

Company: Toshiba America, Inc.
Product: gigabeat T400
MSRP: $119.99
www.toshibadirect.com

The gigabeat T400 Portable Media Player is outfitted with 4GB of NAND flash memory and a 2.4-inch color LCD screen, which is one of the largest in its class. The gigabeat T400 holds up to 1,000 songs, 4,000 photos and up to six hours of video and supports today’s most popular audio and video files for greater support and compatibility with a user’s growing media collection. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides consumers with up to 16 hours of audio and five hours for video playback. A thin, sleek and solid design anchors the intuitive user interface of the T400, that’s built for easy navigation via its PlusPad controls.

Category: Receivers

Receivers > Multi-channel

Company: Yamaha Electronics Corporation
Product: RX-Z11
MSRP: $5,499.99
www.yamaha.com/yec

Yamaha’s flagship 11.2 channel digital AV receiver (140W x 7 + 50W x 4) features network compatibility for listening to Internet radio and audio files stored on a hard drive, a USB interface for easy connectivity to external HDD drives and USB audio players, as well as compatibility with HD Radio, iPods, and XM Satellite Radio/XM HD Surround. The RX-Z11’s advanced audio and video features include Cinema DSP HD3, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The RX-Z11 also features 5 HDMI inputs and analog to HDMI 1080p video upscaling and HDMI Audio upconversion. The assignable amplifiers of the RX-Z11 offer many configurations, including the delivery of 11.2-channel audio to a single room, or surround sound to one room, and 2-channel stereo in up to three additional rooms.

Category: Separates

Separates > Multi-channel Amps

Company: Axiom Audio
Product: A1400-8 8-channel Amplifier
MSRP: $3850 | Review

The A1400-8 brings to home theaters the power to reproduce real-life loudness levels with no-compromise spectacular dynamics, even at 4 ohms or lower impedances and into as many as 8 channels - with no overheating, shutting down, clipping or running out of dynamic headroom. The new technology in the A1400-8 lets consumers fully appreciate the dynamics in today’s current DVD reproduction as well as the demanding new high-fidelity Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD soundtracks. Its massive output power capabilities, up to 1,400 watts into as many as 8 channels, and its circuitry that prevents clipping, mean consumers can play dynamics to real-life levels without risking damage to their speakers’ midranges or tweeters.

Finalist: Emotiva XPA-5 5-channel Amplifier

Separates > Preamps / Processors

Company: Marantz America
Product: SC-11S1
MSRP: $3,199
us.marantz.com

Marantz’ no-compromise SC-11S1 Reference Preamplifier echoes the distinctive voice of the company’s original and legendary Model 7 preamplifier. Based on the pre amp section of the award winning PM-11S1 amplifier and the SC-7S2, the SC-11S1 features a new phono pre amp section, a new linear volume control and a new headphone amp. The SC-11S1 has fully balanced topology, a precision multi-gang volume control, brand new ultra high speed HDAM-SA3 buffer modules, and a choke input power supply.

Separates > Video Processors

Company: Anchor Bay / DVDO
Product: DVDO iScan VP50PRO
MSRP: $3,499

Average consumers have high expectations of the video quality from today’s displays in their home theater. Unfortunately, they are often disappointed in the viewing experience once they view standard definition content on a high definition display. The DVDO iScan VP50PRO offers the full suite of Anchor Bay’s VRS technologies, which insures that consumers get the best-possible image from all of their home theater sources. The VP50PRO sports Anchor Bay’s Mosquito Noise Reduction and Picture Enhancements that greatly improve the quality of compressed content coming from STBs, DVRs, DVD, IPTV, and other digital media devices. The exclusive PReP (Progressive ReProcessing) and Progressive Cadence Detection can remove deinterlacing artifacts and judder inherent in many sources and even broadcasts for stunning picture quality allowing the consumer to have the picture quality intended for larger displays.

Category: Transports & Media Systems

Transports & Media Systems > Media Players / Streaming

Company: Sling Media
Product: Slingbox SOLO
MSRP: $179.99
www.slingmedia.com

The Slingbox SOLO seamlessly hooks up to one high definition HD device or one standard definition SD device such as a DVR, cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player. The latest iteration of the SlingPlayer software includes a great video-optimization wizard, which automatically calibrates the software settings to the PC's CPU and graphics card. Once the software is up and running, users will see a video window not unlike that of QuickTime or Windows Media Player, with channel-changing controls. If the Slingbox is connected to a TiVo, a cable or satellite box with a built-in DVR, or even a DVD recorder, users will also get video-transport controls: pause, rewind, fast-forward, and so on. Also, Sling Media customer care is available for live chat and can also take over the customer’s computer remotely to help with installation.

Finalist: Logitech Transporter Network Music System

Transports & Media Systems > Media Servers

Company: SE2 Labs
Product: ITC One
MSRP: $24,995
www.se2labs.com

The ITC One is the world’s first personalized, fully-integrated, one-box home entertainment solution. With the ITC One, components that would normally take up rooms are reduced to one small, easy-to-use box. Custom installers or end users design a personalized system from the SE2 Labs website. The unit is then built and shipped within days. The following components can be included: Microsoft X-Box 360, X-Box 360 HD-DVD Player, Nintendo Wii, DirecTV, High-Def TiVo, Dish Network DVR, national cable providers DVR (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Cable and more), AMX Netlinx Control System, High-End Digital Surround Processor, Bryston Pre-Amp Processor, IcePower High-End D-Class Amplifiers, High-End Video Processor, Front Touchpanel Screen, Apple Video iPod with Dock, proprietary Remote Control, Power Conditioning, Transparent Cabling and Cable Harness and an Anti-Noise and Vibration System.

Finalist: CodexNovus HDcodex DML-1600 Digital Media Player

Transports & Media Systems > HD-DVD Players

Company: Samsung Electronics
Product: BD-UP5000Duo
MSRP: $999
www.se2labs.com

The Samsung BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player combines specifications for a comprehensive Blu-ray, HD DVD, standard DVD and CD player. It offers full compatibility with both Blu-ray BD-Java and HD DVD's HDi interactive feature sets and features Silicon Optix HQV processing, an HDMI 1.3 connection and support for 10-bit 'deep color'. The Duo HD also supports an array of next-generation Full HD audio formats, including Dolby Digital+ and Dolby TrueHD. Additionally, the BD-UP5000's HDMI 1.3 connection is CEC-compliant (Consumer Electronics Control), also known as Samsung's Anynet+, for the added convenience and versatility of controlling all Samsung AV devices with Anynet+ from a single remote.

Finalist: LG Electronics SuperBlu Player (BH200)

Transports & Media Systems > DVD & Universal Disc Players

Company: OPPO Digital, Inc.
Product: DV-980H Universal DVD Player
MSRP: $169
www.oppodigital.com

The OPPO DV-980H is a universal up-converting DVD player that offers 7.1-channel audio output and 1080p video up-conversion. OPPO refined the audio portion of the DV-980H for precision rendering from Super Audio CD, DVD-Audio, HDCD and regular CDs. The DV-980H offers multiple high definition output formats, including 1080p/1080i/720p/480p/480i. As an ideal source component for the latest audio/video receivers with HDMI, the DV-980H stands out from competing products by featuring PCM and DSD multi-channel high resolution audio through its HDMI 1.2a output for DVD-Audio and SACD. Its convenient USB 2.0 port, high resolution photo slide show capability and DivX playback function opens the home theater to digital cameras, portable audio players, computers, and contents downloaded from the Internet.

Finalist: Meridian G92 DVD Player/5.1 Ch Receiver

 

 

Category: Speakers

Speakers > Satellite Systems (no electronics)

Company: JBL
Product: CS6100
MSRP: $1199
www.jbl.com

The JBL Cinema Sound CS6100 compact 5.1-channel home theater loudspeaker package includes four wall-mountable satellite speakers (3/4-inch tweeter, dual 3-1/2-inch woofers), a wall-mountable center channel speaker and a 10-inch, 150-watt powered subwoofer. The system is supplied with wall-mount brackets for the satellites and center channel, in addition to cables. The system is ideal for use in any home entertainment system, especially those based around ultrathin rear-projection TVs and flat-panel displays. The satellites and center channel are supplied with both omnidirectional and fixed wall-mount brackets, and the satellites can be wall-, shelf- or stand-mounted for optimum positioning. The CS6100 utilizes high-quality drivers and components, such as titanium-laminate tweeters that operate in conjunction with JBL’s exclusive Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal™ (EOS) waveguide, and PolyPlas™ woofers.

Speakers > PC / Desktop

Company: Razer USA, Ltd.
Product: Mako THX Certified Multimedia System
MSRP: $399
www.razerzone.com

For those who don’t have room for a full 5.1 surround sound system, the Razer Mako 2.1 THX Certified Multimedia System is the next best thing with two 50W bi-amplified satellite speakers and one subwoofer. The system marks the first product to come out of THX’s Technology and Design program and Razer’s first foray into audio. The proprietary THX Ground Plane and Slot Speaker technologies allow for an unconventional, upside-down mushroom top design that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is advanced in technology and powerful in performance. The system features true, bi-amplified satellites with two channels of 50W with full digital DSP control. Overall system frequency range is 30-20,000 Hz with Axial Response Limits of +/- 2dB at 40-18,000 Hz (-6dB at 30 and 20,000Hz).

Finalist: AudioEngine 2 (A2) Desktop Speakers

Speakers > Bookshelves

Company: Emotiva
Product: ERM-1 Bookshelf Speakers
MSRP: $399
www.emotiva.com

The ERM-1 is a 2-way home theater speaker consisting of two 5.25" woofers and one 1" silk dome tweeter. Designed by the legendary Vance Dickerson, these LCR speakers are described as "articulate without the slightest hint of harshness". Having a matched polar response means these speakers can be used as either a Left or Right main speaker mounted vertically or as a Center channel mounted horizontally. Each speaker features a Boundary Effects control, Tweeter Level control and comes in a non-reflective black satin lacquer finish.

Finalist: RBH Sound TK-5C Speakers

Speakers > Floorstanders

Company: Snell Acoustics
Product: A7
MSRP: $35,000
www.snellacoustics.com

The Reference Tower A7 is the latest expression of Snell’s legacy, combining singular Snell build quality with the most sophisticated current-day technologies, expertise, and finite-systems analysis. The creation of the A7 was directed by legendary designer Joe D’Appolito and exploits the world’s finest transducers, and Snell’s matchless expertise in crossover design, in combination with an altogether new concept in enclosure design. Its subtle shape and imposing size conceal refinements that yield unprecedented freedom from resonance and spurious vibration. This in turn empowers the A7’s quite literally full-range and entirely uncolored reproduction to be heard with unimpeded clarity and unrestricted detail.

Finalist: Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Signature Diamond Speakers

Speakers > Subwoofers

Company: Emotiva
Product: DRS-1 Dual 12" Subwoofers and Amp
MSRP: $999
www.emotiva.com

The DRS-1 is a high performance subwoofer system that consist of two 12" woofers each in sealed cabinets and one DSA-1 800 watt high-efficiency Class-D sub amplifier (completely DSP-controlled) with dual modes of operation and EMO-Q auto-room correction. This system offers a great deal of flexibility as well as enough displacement to fill any room with bass.

Finalist: Velodyne Acoustics MicroVee Subwoofer

Speakers > Wireless Subwoofer

Company: MTX Audio
Product: CT12SW
MSRP: $499.95
www.mtxhome.com

The MTX CT12SW is a 12” powered subwoofer front ported with stitched high density paper cones and rubber surrounds. It is internally amplified up to 100 Watts RMS and features 18dB/octave lowpass variable crossovers from 80-160Hz, enabling quality frequency response needed while maintaining tonal accuracy even at high volumes. The CT12SW connects to any source through either RCA or high level inputs. The optional external wireless feature allows the CT12SW to outperform subwoofers with built-in wireless receivers by maintaining the incredibly affordable price for a wired subwoofer with optional wireless capabilities. The wireless option for the CT12SW utilizes technologies from Soundolier®, one of the leading wireless audio brands and enables connectivity to AV source equipment from up to 300’ away.

Finalist: Infinity Systems PSW310 Wireless Subwoofer

Speakers > Lifestyle Systems

Company: Boston Acoustics
Product: TVee Model Two
MSRP: $399
www.bostonacoustics.com

The Boston Acoustics TVee (Television Entertainment Enhancement System) Model Two, is a simple TV accessory designed to enhance the enjoyment of TV watching. TVee Model Two gives the customer significantly enhanced sound with multiple drivers and a bass speaker to fill in the low end. The innovative system consists of a slim single “soundbar” that can be either placed or wall-mounted above or below a television, along with a matching wireless woofer that can be placed anywhere in the room to deliver added dynamic bass response. TVee’s soundbar features four 2.5-inch Mid Bass drivers and two 1/2-inch Dome Tweeters to deliver powerful room-filling audio, and the wireless woofer features a 6-inch Down Firing Bass Driver, and delivers a total system output of over 100 Watts RMS.

Finalist: Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector
Finalist: Meridian F80 Sound System

Speakers > Headphones / Earphones

Company: v-moda
Product: VIBE Duo
MSRP: $99.99
www.v-moda.com

V-MODA’s VIBE Duo is a noise-isolating dual-use headphone/headset designed to accessorize the Apple iPhone. It features control-playback functionality thanks to a discreet microphone with a call button, which allows the user to take calls and control the music functions of the iPhone with hands-free convenience. Hi-definition sound and superior comfort rounds out the mix of premium features. Perhaps most importantly, the microphone’s convenient call/music control button can easily switch between chatting on the phone and listening to your music library. Its ergonomic design is complemented by the comfortable and stable fit of three sizes of soft silicone fittings, making the earphone well-suited for any active lifestyle. It’s suitable for intense activity or calm relaxation.

Speakers > Headphones (wireless)

Company: ANYCOM
Product: BluNa: Bluetooth iPod Adapter
MSRP: $119.99
www.anycom.com

While not a wireless headphone in and of itself, the BluNa is a Bluetooth device that makes the iPod Nano wireless and ready for Stereo Bluetooth headphone use. This device fits on the end of your iPod and streams tunes straight from your iPod to Bluetooth-enabled headphones… wirelessly. BluNa can also allow you to stream music directly from your iPod to Bluetooth-capable speakers to allow you to play your iPod out loud. BluNa has no batteries and is powered by the iPod. The mechanical dimensions of the adapters fit to the iPod Nano dimensions (remove the slider and it can be used with almost any flavor iPod). The wireless range is 10 meters (~30 feet).

Speakers > In-wall Speakers

Company: RBH Sound
Product: SI-6100/R
MSRP: $3,150
www.rbhsound.com

The SI-6100/R is RBH Sound’s flagship Signature Reference In-wall home theater speaker. Featuring four proprietary 6.5-inch reference-grade aluminum cone woofers and three reference-grade 1-inch silk dome tweeters, the SI-6100/R delivers the sonic performance of RBH Sound’s award-winning T-1 modular freestanding speaker from an in-wall setting. The SI-6100/R’s enclosure is fundamental to its outstanding performance; it provides a perfectly-tuned environment for the multiple-driver complement and is hidden inside the wall for a trim and clean appearance. The unique aluminum cone woofer and silk dome tweeter array of the SI-6100/R provides excellent resolution, detail, pinpoint imaging and power handling for both multi-level and single-level seating arrangements.

Speakers > In-ceiling Speakers

Company: Sonance
Product: VP67R
MSRP: $900
www.sonance.com

Sonance Visual Performance Series speakers combine elegant, modern style with outstanding audio performance. New micro-flange grilles with only 0.20” of trim give Visual Performance speakers a clean, sleek appearance that seamlessly integrates into any designed space. The grilles attach via powerful magnets, for simple, quick installation. One step paint process saves time compared to traditional flanged speakers. On the technical side, the VP67R features a 6.5" coated carbon fiber woofer with an aluminum dome tweeter for outstanding audio performance. The VP67R can be retrofitted into any round Sonance Symphony cutouts without any modification, and the grill is designed to cover any paint edge from removing the older model. The new grill can be painted in one step, instead of having to separately paint the flange on a traditional in-ceiling speaker. It is also available in 4" and 8" models and in three different performance levels.

Finalist: Snell AMC 6030 In-ceiling Speakers

Speakers > In-wall / In-ceiling Subs

Company: Artison, LLC
Product: RCC 300 In-wall Subwoofer
MSRP: $1,200
www.artisonusa.com

The RCC 300 In-Wall Subwoofer is a compact and more affordable version of Artison’s award-winning RCC 600. The Reactance-Canceling Configuration technology combined with the long throw driver design allows the RCC 300 to provide dynamic, vibration-free, detailed bass from an enclosure that disappears into a customer’s environment. This provides interior flexibility unlike any other subwoofer, as the product matches any décor style without compromising performance or aesthetics. The subwoofer’s white finish can be painted to match any interior, which further enhances its visual appeal. Featuring bass performance equivalent to a 10-inch floor-standing subwoofer, the RCC 300’s accompanying amplifier measures a slim 1.5 Rack Units and is easily hidden. If displayed, its sleek black cabinet and blue backlighting are very attractive.