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High-Perf. Audio & Home Theater

Consumer interest in high-performance audio options are growing naturally as purchasers of flat-panel TVs eventually come to realize that their audio experience is not nearly as dazzling as their high-definition video experience. Plus, retailer interest in promoting high-performance audio components like bookshelf speakers, tower speakers and home speakers likewise will grow, given the rapidly declining profit margins on flat-panel TVs and the comparatively generous margins of audio components.

The push for appealing design inspired the speaker industry to dramatically increase the selection of high-performance shallow-depth speakers that can be hung on a wall or mounted on pedestals next to flat-panel plasma and LCD TVs.

New high-performance A/V receivers promise to boost the surround-sound performance of new HD DVD and Blu-ray high-definition disc players, HD radio and satellite radio. Many of these receivers are built by audio specialty companies known for coaxing the best possible audio performance from any music or video source. The first of these receivers debuted in 2007, and they incorporate high-performance processors to decode for all of the mandatory and optional surround-sound formats approved for use on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs.

High-performance one-piece tabletop home radios also are making connections. These mono and stereo radios, priced from about $99 on up to about $699, aren't complete these days without an iPod dock, Wi-Fi access to Internet radio stations, USB ports, built-in HD Radio and satellite radio, or connections to tiny, optional outboard satellite-radio tuners.

XStreamHD, planned for a late 2008 launch, was the first video service to announce plans to deliver soundtracks with 7.1 discrete channels and in one of the new, high-performance "lossless compression" formats, DTS HD Master Audio. An XStreamHD satellite continually will transmit HD content to a set-top box for storage on its hard-drive for later playback.

All in all, it's a big year for the high-performance markets. Register now for the 2009 International CES, and get ready to see and hear it all.

Source: Digital America, a CEA publication.


While all consumer technology markets converge at CES, it's still easy to find specific segments that matter to you. If high-performance audio & home theater technology is your primary interest, start by exploring these parts of the CES show floor:

• DisplayPort TechZone
• Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase
• The Venetian

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