The TV Compass SR1500 remote is the first universal remote based on TV Compass' Digital Media Remote platform.

 

The TV Compass SR1500 sports a 320x240 color LCD, WiFi, and a web browser with flash and java support all running on the Windows CE operating system.The always-on WiFi gives the Digital Media Remote platform an up to date electronic program guide and firmware updates via internet. The SR1500 is an OEM solution, so don't go looking for it at your local big box stores. Targeted applications for the SR1500 are set top boxes and electronics components. In 2007 TV Compass and Audiovox announced that they are collaborating on a consumer remote based on the TV Compass platform, but their announced release of Summer 2007 has came and went. Details aren't available on the new remote at this time, or if it will even materialize.

 

We'll have to wait and see if this device ever shows itself in the market. The $299 announced price of the Audiovox unit make it an interesting gadget for the money, and is certainly cheaper than the buy-in that Pronto units command. 

Krell Industries will soon be shipping their new 8.4 channel Evolution 707 pre/pro.

 

The Krell Evolution 707 is an HDMI 1.3 compliant device that supports all advanced audio codecs. The laundry list of features includes four HDMI 1.3 inputs, one HDMI 1.3 output, 7.1 channel analog inputs, four toslink and four digital coax inputs with one each for output, fully balanced and unbalanced outputs, analog bypass, 1080p video scaling, separate power supplies for digital and analog signal paths, RS-232, ethernet, 12v triggers, (1-in 4-out), a whopping 350MHz bandwidth for the video signal path, all packed in a brushed aluminum chassis.

 

The Krell Evolution 707 packs an impressive feature set, as a high end flagship pre/pro should. The status of owning a Krell Evo707 will only set you back $25,000. The Krell Evolution 707 pre/pro ships this quarter.

French loudspeaker producer Triangle Industries has introduced a new line of loudspeakers. The Genese line sits right below Triangle's flagship Magellan line, and much of the technology used in the Genese line of loudspeakers was developed by Triangle for the Magellan line.

 

Presently the Triangle Genese line consists of three loudspeakers. The 50" 3 way, front ported Triangle Lyrr uses three 6.5" woofers coupled with a 6.5" midrange and Triangle's familiar tweeter, which features a phase plug and is either sitting in a shallow horn or a deep waveguide, depending who you ask. The Triangle Genese Quartet is a 46" 3 way, front ported floorstander that gets the job done with two 6.5" woofers mated with a 6.5" midrange and the Triangle tweeter. Bringing up the rear is the Triangle Trio, a 2 way, front ported bookshelf that utilizes a 6.5" woofer mated with the Triangle tweeter. Across the line the tweeters sit in their own housing, reminiscent of Usher and Swan, and the sides of the enclosures are rounded. Finishes appear to be of the piano gloss variety. Sensitivity is high, typical of Triangle, with the Trio claiming 90dB and the floorstanding Quartet and Lyrr at 92dB. Plinths have the familiar five-footed stance that is familiar from Triangle's Esprit line. The Genese line's ports split into a Y inside the enclosure, giving the port more volume without increasing the aperture. Triangle claims this lowers distortion and unwanted resonances.

 

No pricing details on the Genese line at this time. The Genese line sits between the economically priced Esprit and flagship Magellan lines. Triangle loudspeakers have gotten an unfair rap for being on the bright side. Paired with the right equipment their offerings deliver exceptional detail. They can definitely play loud, and may be just the thing for someone with a tube affinity.

British loudspeaker maker Epos Acoustics has updated their website and their flagship M Series of loudspeakers. The new Mi Series keeps the lineup intact, minus the critically acclaimed Epos M15 2 way floorstander.

 

Updates include changes to all drivers, crossovers and wiring, and Epos is claiming extended upper frequencies from the new silver anodised aluminum tweeters. Thicker baffles and revised internal bracing also make the enclosure less of a contributing factor in the Mi Series' sound reproduction. All internal connections are now hand-soldered. The tweeter faceplates and input terminals are now aluminum instead of plastic, and the floorstanders have permanently attached black plinths equipped for spikes. The  M12i bookshelf and M22i floorstanding loudspeakers now use 165mm drivers instead of 150mm for those who thought the previous incarnations sounded a little light on the bottom end. Lastly, gone are the metal grilles, replaced with conventional fabric grilles. Cherry, dark cherry and black oak remain the choices for the real wood veneers. No pricing details on the Mi Series at this time.

 

The Epos Acoustics M Series loudspeakers were well received by everyone who evaluated them. Epos appears to have made good choices in evolving the line, and we look forward to hearing the new Epos Acoustics Mi Series. 

BG (formerly Bohlender-Graebener) has updated their hybrid Z Series of loudspeakers. The new Z Series consists of the BG Z-62 LCR and the BG Z-92 floorstanding loudspeaker.

 

The BG Z-62 and BG Z-92 feature the same driver compliment of two 6.5" aluminum cone woofers with cast chassis and rubber surrounds mated with a BG Neo3PDR ribbon tweeter mounted coaxially on top of a BG Neo10 10"x5" midrange ribbon. Both speakers will be available in black ash, light maple and cherry. The size of the coax midrange-tweeter array is likely going to  preclude BG from offering a bookshelf model in the updated Z Series, so plan a system around the floorstander and the LCR instead of holding your breath for BG to announce a bookshelf model.

 

Pricing on the updated Z Series is $999 for the BG Z-62 LCR and $2499 for a pair of the BG Z-92 floorstanders. The new Z Series ships this February.

Musical Fidelity has added a "supercharged" version of their Musical Fidelity Supercharger, the Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger.

 

The Musical Fidelity Supercharger is designed to be used inline, between your amplifier and loudspeakers. The new 750K Supercharger will boost your existing system to over 750 watts per channel with 8 ohm loudspeakers, and over 1000 watts per channel with loudspeakers that present a 4 ohm load. The 750K boasts a pants-wetting 260 amps of peak current capacity, so fans of large orchestral works will get dynamics in spades. Keep your children and pets away from the back of this thing though.

 

The Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger will be available in late February, and will set you back right around $5,000.