French manufacturer of glass loudspeakers Waterfall Audio is set to begin offering their product to the U.S. market.

 

Two models are slated to debut in the U.S., the 3-way, 40 inch tall Victoria EVO floorstander, and the 2-way, 34 inch tall Iguascu EVO. Stunning in glass enclosures and die cast aluminum bits, the EVO models enclosures are strong as well as elegant. The downfiring driver in the base plate extends the low end performance but compromises on the side of appearances by being passive. 

 

No specifications on the two models at this time. Pricing for the U.S. market is set at $5400/pair for the Victoria EVO and $3900/pair for the Iguascu EVO. 

 

Wireless HD is a new standard for streaming uncompressed audio and video, and may just end up replacing some of the nest of cables behind your equipment rack.

 

WiHD operates in the 60GHz band, and is capable of streaming uncompressed 1080p video and multichannel audio at an initial throughput rate of 4Gbps, with a theoretical maximum 25Gbps possible. The standard calls for transmission up to 10 meters, not line of site dependent. The technology is targeted at HD disc players, cable and satellite tuners, DVRs, camcorders, and videogame consoles.  The WiHD includes HD content protection. Early backers include LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), Sony, Toshiba, NEC and Samsung.  

 

I always cast a suspicious eye at wireless technology as I'm not convinced there isn't signal loss involved. When it comes to my audio and video I would much rather deal with an inconvenient cable than lose signal for convenience's sake. With an impressive theoretical bandwidth limit and so many CE companies on board, WiHD just may become the new standard for audio and video signal transmission. Hopefully it will not produce the unwanted side-effect of reanimating the newly dead, ultimately ending civilization as we know it.

 

An anonymous hacker altered the official Blu Ray Disc Association's web site to redirect to the official HD DVD web site today.

 

Starting around 3pm Eastern time today visitors to the official Blu Ray web site found themselves on the front page of the official HD DVD web site. Checking as I write this, the redirect is still in effect. While this may be the most humorous blow struck in the Format War, AV Enthusiast has to disapprove the actions of the hacker. No one wants someone tampering with their web site, and the attention HD DVD will receive from such an act is dubious.

 

AV Enthusiast initially decided not to publish this story because we don't condone such actions, but upon further review decided it still qualifies as relevant news.

 

 

Consumer electronics manufacturer Sony has announced that they have ceased production of rear projection televisions.

 

Sony will no longer produce their LCoS SXRD and 3 LCD rear projection series and supplies are limited to current inventories. Sony's announcement comes on the heels of similar statements issued by Philips, Hitachi and Toshiba. Sales of rear projection televisions were halved last year compared to the preceding year, and analysts forecast a similar outcome for the coming year.   

 

It's unanimous, rear projection is dead. Look for similar announcements from Samsung, Panasonic, JVC and Mitsubishi in the coming year.

Danish loudspeaker producer Dali has revamped their respected Helicon series of loudspeakers.

 

New for the Dali Helicon MK2 loudspeakers are piano black baffles, new binding posts, and upgraded crossovers. The Dali Helicon series was appreciated by fans and critics for the beauty of the cabinetry and the sound that emanated from it. Not a major overhaul, but the new Helicon's certainly are fetching with their glossy black baffles to accent the beautifully lacquered enclosures. By all appearances the wood-pulp bass drivers and hybrid ribbon and silk dome tweeter arrangement remain unchanged.

 

Dali loudspeakers produce beautiful, excellent performing loudspeakers at a variety of price points. If you're fortunate enough to live near a dealer, stop in to listen to a pair. You may wonder why they hadn't made it on your audition list sooner.

 

 

Vandersteen Audio has developed a version of their Quatro loudspeaker, clad in, of all things, wood veneer.

 

Stereophile gets the jump on everyone in their just-posted review of the Vandersteen Quatro Wood loudspeaker. As one would expect of a loudspeaker produced by Vandersteen, the Quatro Wood receives glowing praise from Stereophile. The Vandersteen Quatro Wood will set you back $10,700 a pair, a mere $3705 more than the cloth sock-wrapped version, but rest assured that the differences between the Quatro and Quatro Wood are more than skin deep. Richard Vandersteen's designs eschew traditional styling and looks to concentrate on what really matters: the sound. A veneer wrapped Vandersteen gets our attention because Richard's loudspeakers are mostly minimal-baffle designs that are wrapped in a cloth sock.

 

For those of you unfamiliar with Vandersteen, Richard Vandersteen is responsible for one of the most enduring designs in hi-fi, the Vandersteen 2. If you are anywhere near a Vandersteen dealer and haven't yet heard Richard's loudspeakers, make the effort to go do so. They may just end up on your Christmas list.