High-end speaker manufacturer Thiel is showing off THIELnet, its new IP-based audio distribution system developed in conjunction with Bicom. It's a system indeed, with multiple parts to mix and match: the distribution processor (dB1), speakers (SCS4D) and subwoofer (SSD1) are all IP-addressable, there's an IP adapter (dS1) for bringing third party speakers to the, um party and there's PC-based software (Streamer) to tie into your library. Maximum capacity for the setup is eight zones, each with eight speakers, and synchronization is done between zones to get rid of nasty echo effects. Good stuff, but we think what really sets this approach apart is that Thiel has kept everything digital right up to the speaker cones; each speaker has its own digital crossover and 250-watt amplifier. The outfit expects to be spreading this IP / crossover / amplifier module across its lineup, but it's kicking things off with the SCS4D. Pricing is still unannounced, but expect a high-end style ticket befitting the Thiel sound quality and name.