IpAudio
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Olive and Thiel team up for a high end, high priced audio server
Call us crazy, but we think this is an idea that just might work. Olive, known for high-end music servers, and Thiel, who we've seen in this space purveying high-end speakers and IP-based audio solutions, have joined forces to rock your condo, trendy loft space, or dentist's office. Built around the Olive 4HD (with its 2TB storage, 24-bit / 192kHz sound, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, and an iPhone / iPod touch remote control app), the Olive+Thiel can rock up to four pairs of Thiel's SCS4D IP-based self-powered speakers with 6.5 Inch Coaxial/Coincident driver and 200W Class D Power Amp. In addition to the server functionality, this bad boy can rock you out via its analog and USB digital audio inputs -- trust us, Butterfly by Crazy Town has never sounded this sweet! (OK, maybe its never sounded that sweet to begin with.) Available this month for $7,900. PR after the break.
Atlantic Technology ships its NetStreams-enabled in-wall speakers
Atlantic Technology may not have hit the initially-promised Q4 2008 launch for its NetStreams-enabled in-wall speakers, but given the housing slump, that's probably just fine. The three new models -- IWTS-4 LCR-IP, IWTS-7 LCR-IP and IWTS-14 LCR-IP are ready to go now, and just as promised, they can switch hit between standard analog hookup and a NetStreams connection that will keep things digital right up to the cones; to take advantage of the 50-Watts of biamplification built into each speaker, though, you'll need to spring for the NetStreams hookup. Yours for $250, $325 or $450 each depending on whether you opt for the IWTS-4, IWTS-7 or IWTS-14; and don't forget to budget about $60 more for the grilles and frames on the two top-end models.
Atlantic Technology hooks up with NetStreams
When it comes to whole-home audio systems, the idea of using IP transmission is attractive -- the cabling and fine-grained control satisfy our inner geek on so many levels. Atlantic Technology is hoping its in-wall speakers will be a natural fit for this market, and has made its IWTS-4, IWTS-7 and IWTS-14 LCR models NetStreams compatible to fill the niche (and the holes in your walls). If you're not quite ready to spring for a full NetStreams system with all of its digital wizardry -- digital EQ and bi-amplification courtesy SpeakerLinX amps -- no worries, these speakers can also be hooked up to an old timey conventional analog audio signal. Expect these to ship in Q4 of this year for a yet-unannounced price.
Thiel showing off IP-based, high-end multiroom audio
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.
Netstreams announces CinemaLinX IP-based home theater system
Netstreams has announced an IP streaming home theater system called the CinemaLinX, which does exactly as it says on the tin: it streams audio to IP speakers dotted around your house. Demoing the home theater box for the first time at CEDIA, the CinemaLinX accepts Dolby or DTS signals, but not higher quality standards like Dolby TrueHD or DTS MA. The benefit for IP speakers over regular dumb speakers is that it provides more parameters -- just what the audiophile market craves -- like auto calibrated equalizers and far simpler multi-room support: Netstreams's solution has thankfully tackled the usual latency issues with IP speaker setups by building the CinemaLinX with lags of around 1ms. No word on ship dates or prices yet, but we'll let you know as soon as there is.
