At a press conference in Weekawken, NJ Tuesday, Boston Acoustics and Denon said the two brands were increasing focus on distributed audio, TV solutions, and lifestyle products with several new soundbars, two-channel loudspeakers, AV receivers, and a complete home theater system.
In the soundbar category, the TVee Model 25 functions as a 2.1 system, adds a digital/analog control switch to transition between movie and music mode, and a wireless subwoofer. A placement EQ switch delivers sound whether the speaker is on a cabinet or wall-mounted.
The Boston Acoustics A Series loudspeaker line.
The TVee Model 30 is the “big brother to the Model 25, according to Eli Harary, Boston Acoustics senior vice president, global brand management and business development. A center channel section makes the Model 30 a true 3.1 system. The wireless subwoofer comes down a bit in size, and it is the first soundbar with Bluetooth capability, allowing users to stream music from a mobile device wirelessly.
Harary alluded that AirPlay for soundbars might be coming in time for CEDIA, but he declined to comment on any specifics.
The A Series loudspeakers for multi-channel home theater or stereo-only music systems was the other major product introduction from Boston Acoustics. The crossover components integrate low-loss film capacitors and low-distortion laminated silicon steel cores for the inductors.
On the Denon side, networked, AV receivers feature Apple’s AirPlay and DLNA technologies are the latest. The IN-Command Series allows access to networked content and connected devices. The receivers can stream from a host of services, including Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, and Flickr.
On the control side of the AVR products, the new lines are capable of web browsing, setup with an IP-enabled device–such as an iPad–and remote access to diagnose and correct issues from an offsite location.
The DHT-1312BA home theater system is a turnkey solution that combines the AVR-1312 receiver with a Boston Acoustics 5.1-channel surround sound loudspeaker system. The DHT-1312BA is anticipated to ship in May.
The other major news from parent company D&M Holdings stems from the business side where a multi-tiered channel management plan was launched. The initiative includes an online portal that requires all Denon, Boston Acoustics, and Marantz dealers to register and agree to guidelines that prohibit third-party sales and transshipping.
The portal was designed specifically to help protect users from gray market, counterfeit products, which have run rampant since e-commerce has grown. According to Phil Cohn, senior vice president of sales for D&M Holdings, they want to make sure consumers get the technology they pay for. Counterfeit products was “one of the key drivers” of the new dealer agreement.
