era Speakers has garnered a reputation for offering spectacular loudspeakers for very little money. Their bookshelf models have received unanimous praise, and recently they were joined by two new floorstanding models.

 

The era Speakers D10 (inset) is a 34" tall 2 1/2 way that utilizes two 5" woofers and a 1" textile dome tweeter. The D10 represents a light load of 8 ohms with 87.5dB efficiency. The era D10 is front ported, so placement closer to a wall won't represent as much of an obstacle. The era Speakers D14 is a 38 1/2" tall 3 way that adds an era 4" midrange driver to complement the two 5" woofers and 1" textile dome tweeter. Like the era D10, the D14 is receiver-friendly at 8 ohms and 88.5dB efficiency. The era D14 uses a tuned slot on the rear of the enclosure, so this model will need more breathing room than it's D10 sibling.

 

The era D10 and D14 floorstanding loudspeakers are available in cherry or rosewood veneer. The era D10 will set you back $1700 a pair, and the era D14 $2300 a pair and are almost sure to be two of the more compelling floorstanders available in that price tier. 

Yamaha has rolled out some new AV receivers. Notable among the new group is the Yamaha RX-V663 AV Receiver, which boasts an impressive spec sheet for a price that won't break your bank account.

 

The Yamaha RX-V663 AV Receiver offers most of the functionality of it's $1000 big brother, the Yamaha RX-V863. Similar to the new Onkyo Av Receivers that launched last fall, the new Yamahas offer HDMI 1.3 compatibility with onboard handling of all advanced audio codecs. The Yamaha RX-V663 is a 7.2 channel AV receiver that sends 95 watts per channel. Some of the noteworthy features: analog bypass, Sirius and XM satellite radio ready, 2 HDMI in 1 HDMI out with upconversion, USB and ethernet jacks, RS-232c, YPAO room equalization, zone 2 output, and 12v triggers. The HDMI capability of the RX-V663 will handle 1080p24 and pass 120 Hz signals. This sound like any other sub $1k AV receiver to you. Ok, how about Burr-Brown DACs on all channels.

 

The Yamaha RX-V663 has an MSRP of $549.95, which makes it a very good value. Yamaha has never had a reputation of making AV receivers for audiophiles, but the specs on the RX-V663 position it to be considered if you're in the market for a $500 AV receiver.

Stereophile's John Atkinson has given some unusually strong praise to flagship floorstander in the KEF Reference line, the KEF Reference 207/2.

 

Normally I don't link to equipment reviews as they are so abundant and equipment evaluation is entirely subjective. Steophile's editor John Atkinson has heard a loudspeaker or two in his day, and when I saw last week's review of the KEF Reference 207/2 on Stereophile's website, it piqued my interest. In the review John states the KEF Reference 207/2 is "overall the best-sounding full-range speaker I have used in my current listening room", which is extraordinary praise considering the number of loudspeakers John has evaluated over the years.

 

Sounds to me like the 207/2 deserves a spot on everyone's audition list, and those of us fortunate enough to be able to plunk down $20,000 on a pair of loudspeakers should take special notice.

While AV Enthusiast announced the death of HD DVD on January 4, 2008 the rest of the internet has just caught on and is reporting the demise of the HD optical format.

 

Early this morning Toshiba officially declared they were cutting their losses and discontinuing their HD DVD business. Toshiba president and CEO Atsutoshi Nishida offered “We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop. While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality.”

 

While a lot of us weren't very happy about Warner Bros. abandoning HD DVD, after that we all knew this was coming sooner or later. It's official, HD DVD is now a footnote. 

 

 

Canada's Focus Audio has updated their Signature series of loudspeakers, adding four new models for 2008. The have also rolled out a new line, the Prestige series, which for now consists of just one loudspeaker, the Focus Audio FP 90.

 

The new Signature models introduced have abandoned the familiar Eton hexacone drivers in favor of what appear to be Peerless nomex cone units with phase plugs. The tweeters appear to be modified Vifa ring radiators, or something very similar. The Focus Audio Signature FSC 1 center channel, FS 6 bookshelf and FS 8 floorstander all utilize a combination of this tweeter with 5 1/2" woofers. The 38" 2 way Focus Audio FS 7 uses a 7" nomex cone mated with the same tweeter, and will descend to 35Hz on the low end. The FS 6 bookshelf and the FS 7 floorstander are 8 ohm 86dB loudspeakers, whereas the FSC 1 center and FS 8 floorstander are 4 ohm loads, but a more efficient 91dB.

 

The 43" tall Focus Audio Prestige FP 90 is a 3 way floorstander that is practically full range, plumbing all the way down to 25 Hz. It's an easy load of 8 ohms, and has average efficiency of 87dB. Driver complement consists of 1 1/8" ring radiator tweeter, 5 1/2" midrange and 9" woofer. Power handling is a robust 500 watts.

 

No details are yet available on pricing or finishes for these new loudspeakers from Focus Audio.

 

 

The Audio Insider is clearing out remaining stock on certain models in the Swan Diva .1 series of loudspeakers.

 

The Swan Diva 6.1 floorstanding loudspeakers, C3 center channel and  R3 surrounds will continue to be offered, but the remaining models will no longer be sold via The Audio Insider. The Swan Diva 2.1 bookshelf loudspeaker is now available for $349 a pair, the Swan Diva 4.1 floorstanding loudspeaker is selling for $499 a pair, the Swan Diva 5.1 floorstanding loudspeaker is now $549 a pair, the Swan Diva C2 center channel $199, the Swan Diva R2 surround $249 a pair and lastly, the Swan Diva Sub10 is priced at $345.

 

Pricing on the remaining stock of these models in the Swan Diva .1 series of loudspeakers is limited to stock on hand.