Atlantic Technology and Solus/Clements Intruduce Bass Technology

Atlantic Technology and Solus/Clements Introduce Revolutionary H-PAS™ Bass Technology
H-PAS™ technology allows speaker designers to achieve targeted bass performance with 50 percent smaller cabinets, smaller drivers, and lower costs. Atlantic Technology will be licensing H-PAS to other manufacturers.
NORWOOD, MA (8/24/09) -- Atlantic Technology and Solus/Clements, two highly respected US loudspeaker manufacturers, today announced that they have joined forces to develop, market, and license a revolutionary new loudspeaker design protocol capable of delivering deep, low-distortion bass response at output levels unobtainable through conventional bass-alignment techniques. In particular, this technology will allow speakers with smaller cabinets and drivers to achieve levels of performance normally associated with much larger speaker systems. Proof of concept prototypes will be demonstrated at the CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, Georgia from September 10 through September 13, 2009.
The new patent-pending system, called H-PAS™, (Hybrid Pressure Acceleration System), combines elements of several speaker technologies: bass reflex, inverse horn, and transmission line. Using a unique cabinet design, these technologies are cascaded one to another to pressurize and accelerate low frequencies. In addition, the signals travel through a passive resonance/harmonic distortion line filter. The final result is the ability of an H-PAS design to deliver extended deep bass with exceptionally low distortion.
H-PAS does not require the use of special drivers, any kind of on-board electronics or outboard equalization -- it is a purely passive system, completely compatible with all amplifiers and AV receivers.
The inventor of the technology is Philip Clements of Solus/Clements Loudspeakers, a 30-year plus CE industry veteran and loudspeaker designer. For the past eight months, Clements has worked closely with Atlantic Technology to develop a range of compact designs using H-PAS protocols. Clements has contracted with, and appointed Atlantic Technology as the exclusive licensing agent for the technology, and will now continue its development together with Atlantic.
The H-PAS demonstration model that will be on display at the CEDIA Expo utilizes two 4 ½-inch drivers in an enclosure of approximately 1.4 cubic feet to produce bass that extends to 29 Hz (-3dB) at Sound Pressure Levels that exceed 105dB. Bass harmonic distortion is under 3%. Comparable performance in a conventionally designed loudspeaker system would require bass drivers of at least triple the size in an enclosure at least twice as large.
“Until now, I would have considered it virtually impossible to achieve such high levels of bass performance and quality in such small enclosures," said Peter Tribeman, the president of Atlantic Technology. "With higher performance from smaller cabinets, and hence the potential for lower manufacturing and shipping costs, we believe H-PAS has applications in almost every corner of the loudspeaker business, ranging from large floorstanding towers to desktop computer speakers."
"This new system," Tribeman continues, "is the first ever to break the famous Iron Law of loudspeaker design, which states: 'deep bass extension, compact enclosure, or good efficiency … pick any two at the expense of the third'. For the very first time, due to Phil Clements' breakthrough design, we can have them all.”
Atlantic Technology anticipates shipping its first H-PAS product, the H-PAS-1 floor-standing speaker, in the 4th quarter of 2009. Solus/Clements will also deliver an H-PAS 6-1/2-inch tower and bookshelf model to be available early next year. Additionally, Atlantic Technology will be licensing H-PAS technology to other manufacturers. The new system will be demonstrated by appointment to interested parties at Atlantic Technology’s CEDIA Expo booth 3001.
From its inception in 1989, Atlantic Technology's mission has been to produce home entertainment products that exemplify the very best in both performance and value. The company specializes in complete high-performance multi-channel speaker systems, state-of-the-art home theater electronics components, and products for custom audio/video installation. For more information on Atlantic Technology and its many fine products for home theater and custom audio/video installation, visit www.atlantictechnology.com or call 781-762-6300.

Onkyo Release Info on their high end TX-NR5007, TX-NR3007, and TX-NR1007.

Onkyo Debuts 3 Networked, Multi-task AV Receivers
Onkyo's versatile new high-end network-capable AV receivers jump from seven to nine channels, adding two new amps that can be used for Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz expanded soundstage processing, added multi-zone capabilities, or to provide increased power to the main loudspeakers.


Onkyo's 9.2-channel TX-NR5007 (left, with open front panel) and TX-NR3007 (right).Additional photographs available in the online press release. Click any photo for 300 dpi JPEG image files.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (8/24/09) -- Onkyo has introduced three network- and internet-radio-capable, 9.2-channel THX Ultra2 Plus certified A/V receivers that deliver all the power, processing, and features to support cutting edge home theater and whole-house entertainment. The three new models, the Onkyo TX-NR1007, TX-NR3007, and top-of-the-line TX-NR5007, will all be shipping to dealers before the end of September.
"With nine amplifier channels, dual independent subwoofer outputs, and up-to-the-minute networking and AV processing, the flexibility of the 'double-0' series is unprecedented," said Paul Wasek, Marketing Manager, Onkyo USA. "You can have a full-tilt 9.2-channel theater using Audyssey DSX or Dolby ProLogic IIz, or a great five-channel theater with added power to the main speakers or to additional stereo zones - the list of possibilities is a long one. These receivers take home theater to the current frontiers of networking, audio, and video performance."
All three new receivers include a rear-panel Ethernet port, and provide advanced networking capabilities with streaming for Pandora, Rhapsody, vTuner, and Sirius Internet Radio services. Each receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and carries DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5 certification, ensuring optimal compatibility with other network-enabled equipment throughout the home.
The two top models in Onkyo's TX-series AV receivers, the TX-NR5007 and TX-NR3007, feature eight and seven HDMI 1.3a inputs each, respectively, including one on each front panel. Video processing, including upscaling of all video inputs to 1080p/24, is handled by an advanced HQV Reon-VX chipset. The less expensive TX-NR1007 features a total of six HDMI inputs on the rear panel, and 1080p upscaling via Faroudja DCDi Cinema processing. All three models include dual parallel HDMI outputs, allowing for display of current programming on dual monitors, simultaneously or independently, for increased setup flexibility. These models also include powerful ISF Certified Calibration Controls (ISFccc) for independent optimization and fine-grain adjustments of a full range of video sources, including day, night, and custom modes for each input.
Audio processing duties in each new model is handled by a trio of TI Aureus ™ DSP chips, and is compatible with every major surround format currently in use. Premium quality Burr Brown DACs—32-bit in the case of the TX-NR5007--in conjunction with Onkyo's exclusive VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) are employed for digital-to-analog conversion. In addition to audio decoding, the receivers include a full suite of acoustic setup and optimization technologies from THX (Loudness Plus) and Audyssey (MultEQ XT, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume) that custom tailor audio output to ensure optimal system performance in any environment and at any listening level. Additionally, the TX-NR5007 and TX-NR3007 are the first Onkyo Receivers to include Dolby Volume, which maintains listening volume at a consistent level regardless of changes in the source material, such as commercials, or when switching from one source to another, such as TV to DVD.
The nine power amplifiers can be configured for a variety of different purposes. One option is for a full 9.2-channel theater system that includes independent left and right subwoofers, and two additional 'height' or 'stereo-wide' speakers when using Audyssey DSX or Dolby's Pro Logic IIz processing. The system can also be configured to power two independent stereo zones in addition to a five-channel theater set-up. Two channels can also be combined with the front left/right channels to increase power to the main speakers via bi-amplification or, in the case of the TX-NR5007 and TX-NR3007, in a bridged configuration. Finally, in the TX-NR5007 two channels can be tasked to power a second pair of main speakers for dedicated two-channel listening, allowing for independent 7.2-channel home theater and stereo audio speaker setups in a single room.
The TX-NR5007 is rated at 145 watts per channel, and its power supply features a massive toroidal transformer and a pair of 22,000 microfarad storage capacitors to handle even the most dynamic source material. Both the TX-NR5007 and the 140-watt-per-channel TX-NR3007 feature separate power supply transformers for audio and video processing and reproduction. All three receivers, including the 135-watt-per-channel TX-NR1007, feature a push-pull amplification topology, with three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and the company's highly regarded WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) for highly dynamic and linear response throughout the audible spectrum.
The TX-NR5007, TX-NR3007, and TX-NR1007 each include Onkyo's exclusive Universal Port, allowing for one-cable expansion with the company's HD Radio tuner and/or iPod dock unit. Each model is firmware updatable via Ethernet or (on the TX-NR5007 and TX-NR3007) front panel USB port. All three include Onkyo's new bidirectional and customizable preprogrammed remote control that dramatically simplifies the process of programming all the components in your system.
The Onkyo receivers will be available in September at suggested retail prices of $2,699 for the TX-NR5007, $2,099 for the TX-NR3007, and $1,599 for the TX-NR1007.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.

Onkyo seems to have hit a sweet spot with the TX-NR807

Onkyo Debuts Mid-Price THX Select2 Plus AV Receiver With Streaming Internet Radio Capabilities and DLNA 1.5 Networking Compatibility.
With the growing market for advanced internet radio services like Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, and vTuner, consumers increasingly seek to integrate their home entertainment systems with the internet.

Onkyo TX-NR807 AV receiver. Additional photographs available in the online version of this release. Click any photo for 300 dpi JPEG image file.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (8/10/09) -- Onkyo has introduced and begun shipping its first network-capable home theater receiver configured for Pandora, Rhapsody, and Sirius' streaming internet radio services. The new Onkyo TX-NR807 also capable of playing computer music files from networked PCs, is fully compatible with the Digital Living Network Alliance's DLNA 1.5 consumer electronics interoperability specification, and sells for less than half the price of the company's previous network-capable model. With THX Select2 Plus certification and state-of-the-art processing from Dolby, DTS, Audyssey and Faroudja, the Onkyo TX-NR807 offers high definition audio and video performance. The TX-NR807 and non-networking TX-SR707, also introduced today, are Onkyo's first receivers to offer Audyssey DSX soundstage extension processing in addition to Dolby Pro Logic IIz height-capabilities.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 connects directly to the internet or a home network via a rear-panel Ethernet port. The receiver's on-screen user interface allows users direct access to Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, and vTuner streaming radio services, or to access MP3, WMA, FLAC, Lossless, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC files from any computer or storage device on the network. The receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and its Ethernet port can also be used for firmware updates.
The TX-NR807 also includes Onkyo's new Bi-Directional Preprogrammed RI Remote Control which will impress anyone who has ever been frustrated by the trial-and-error manual data inputs and paper listings usually needed to program associated TV's, disc players, cable boxes, and other components. Onkyo's new system allows users to select from a on-screen list of compatible products, and then automatically transmit the codes from the receiver to the remote control. The remote also offers up to four macro programs for simultaneous activation of multiple components and feature sets.
As a premium home theater receiver, the TX-NR807 is also the perfect match for high definition video displays with Blu-ray players and other HD sources. It has six HDMI 1.3a inputs, 1080p video upscaling of all sources using the powerful Faroudja DCDi Cinema processor chip. On the audio side it has a full suite of surround processing, including lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 is one of the first receivers to incorporate Audyssey DSX technology, which allows the back surround channels to be retasked for front-wide speakers to expand the width of the sounds stage, or for front height speakers to provide vertical ambience effects. The receiver also includes Audyssey MultiEQ room calibration technology, plus that company's Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ processing. Dolby ProLogic IIz processing is also included to provide an alternate implementation of height channel technology.
The TX-NR807 has seven powerful 135-watts-per-channel Onkyo WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) amplifier sections for high output and low distortion, offering a dynamic power rating of 300 watts into 3 ohms. It has an extensive array of analog and digital inputs and outputs, including an MM/MC phono input. Its multiroom audio capabilities are similarly extensive with Powered Zone 2 and 3 capabilities, multiple DC triggers, bidirectional RS-232, and Onkyo's exclusive Universal Port for connection of an optional iPod Dock and HD Radio tuner.
The Onkyo TX-NR807 is now shipping to Onkyo dealers and will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,099.
Onkyo Debuts TX-SR707Onkyo has also introduced the TX-SR707 THX-Select2 Plus home theater receiver, which has the same advanced high definition audio and video processing features as the TX-NR807, but uses a 7 x 100 Watts power amplifier section, Powered Zone 2, conventional preprogrammed remote control, and has no networking capabilities. The Onkyo TX-SR707 is currently available with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $899.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning product that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.

Sansa slotMusic Player Review by Jerry Tubbs

What I Love/Hate about the new "Sansa slotMusic Player."

SanDisk...you know them...they make the memory card that turns your digital camera into a Photo mat booth (for pics) or a film studio (for vids). They turn your phone into a data warehouse of addresses, appointments, applications and "tune"-age. They make thumb drives so dense that you can carry the digital equivalent of a set of encyclopedias on your key ring.

When you make something (memory cards) in a way that is so ubiquitous, why do anything else? And after my trial run with the new SanDisk Sansa slotMusic Player...I'm still asking that.

Don't get me wrong, I love MP3 players, but after 10 years of having one...I'm spoiled, and as much as I love SanDisk products, it's a love/hate relationship with this one.

I love that fact that is pocket-sized, this one will remind you of a Zippo lighter......and like the coolest Zippo lighters...the slotMusic player comes with a graphicswrap...in my case the sample was the artist "Akon", but it would be easy to imagine getting a wrap with your favorite artist on it.

I hate the fact that it's got a wrap on it instead of a display! What tune am I on...hello??? Guessing what track I'm on went the way of the dodo bird when I finally listened to my last cassette tape in..hmmm...1985?

I like the fact that it's battery powered...I hate MP3 players that have rechargeable batteries that develop a "memory" and can't be replaced. Nothing worse than a 30 minute treadmill run ahead of you and your Mp3 player dies in the first minute...with this player I can snap in my own rechargeable and carry a spare!

I love the ear buds....normally hate them because they fall out of my ears constantly...but the set that came with these are oversized...so they friction fit my ears. First time I've been able to wear ear buds AND be in motion without constantly re-inserting them.

I hate the fact that the sound was so-so....hey folks, you are dealing with perfectly reproduced digital music...make sure the "speakers' can handle it.

I love the fact that the controls were so simple...on/off, skip forward/skip back and play/pause. But hate 'em as well...I was listening to an artist that was new to me, and a compilation that was new to me...so I didn't know Track 1 from Track 13...without a display I had to rely on an eerie sense of Déjà' Vu when I had tried to skip to the next song unsuccessfully 3 times in a row.

And finally, I love/hate the one the thing SanDisk does so well....the reason for theSansa Media Player to even exist...the Micro disk that stores all your tunes and makes the player play.

I love that this Micro card is less than 1/2 the size of a postage stamp and thinnerthan an ATM card, this mighty midget carries an IMPRESSIVE 1 gig of memory. And SanDisk anticipated my next question, and provided a USB convertor, so I was able to slip the chip out of the player and in to my computer...where I discovered a photo gallery of the artist, full length videos, all the songs AND...about 400 Megs of left over memory, to boot.

I also hate that the Micro card is so small. In fact, for the first time, I can sympathize with women who lose the back to their earrings...drop this card on a dark carpet and you’re in for an all out "down on your hands and knees" search for hours.

I love the fact that the Micro card comes in its own plastic carrying case...thesecards are so small and so thin, you want to protect them.

But, I also hate that the Micro card comes in a little plastic case with the artist’s picture on it. I know you are trying to bring me back to my old "album art" days ...but I left those days on purpose. Imagine if Barbie had a record collection...that's the size of the case this Micro card comes in ...with a postage stamp sized picture of Akon glued to the front.

My first thought was, I just weaned myself away from the old CD Carrying cases...how silly am I going to feel bringing a carrying case for a couple hundred plastic postage stamped sized album covers...not gonna happen. Remember when you could spend a whole afternoon trying to match CD's to their empty cases? Imagine trying that using a magnifying glass.

Packaging...gone the way of the dinosaur when the MP3 player arrived. It's the very reason why the IPod was so revolutionary in the first place...a jukebox without all the baggage. I can carry thousands of artists with me without the packaging...that's the freedom of an MP3 player, freedom from packaging, freedom from media....dangerous words for a media company.

Okay, okay...so I don't hate the thing...but, what's it going to take for me to love this player?

1) A display...I gotta know who/what I'm listening to and a way to navigate quicker thanskipping through my entire collection a song at a time.
2) One BIG memory card, not hundreds of little ones. I want a multi-gig card that USB'sto my PC so I can manage my library with ease, and that can slip into my phone or my player with the same ease,
3) Wraps with MY favorite artist on it.

Maybe I just need to remember what I am dealing with. After all, what would you expect from a basic $20 player that was designed to be cheap yet allow you to listen to the slotMusic. Maybe what I need is the new slotRadio player with it’s built in display, get a large capacity memory card for all my tunes, and a nice pair of ear buds.

Until then, I will remain Micro card free....and loving it.

Onkyo Announces 2 New Premium HTiB Systems

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (7/28/09) -- Onkyo has introduced two new 7.1-channel home theater systems that deliver leading edge AV processing and surround sound reproduction for today's most advanced home theater programming, including HDTV and Blu-ray. The HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 each feature powerful AV receivers with 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, 130 watt-per-channel amplification, processing for every major audio format on the market - including the option of incorporating front height-channel reproduction with Dolby's newly introduced ProLogic IIz processing. Each package also includes a high performance 7.1-channel speaker system with a powerful active subwoofer, and Onkyo's exclusive U-Port single-cable iPod dock and charging system.
The Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 feature five and four HDMI 1.3a inputs, respectively, and are completely compatible with 1080p HD video. The HT-S7200 also incorporates upscaling of component and composite video sources to 1080i, including Faroudja DCDi Edge deinterlacing to eliminate unwanted conversion artifacts. There is audio processing for every major surround format, including decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio formats, as well as Dolby's new ProLogic IIz algorithm, which introduces a third dimension to surround sound through the addition of a pair of 'height' channels above the front left and right channel speakers.
Onkyo's HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 each include a full complement of seven speakers with attractive gloss black finishes and a powerful subwoofer for deep bass reproduction. The HT-S7200 speaker system features dual-drive tallboy front speakers consisting of dual 3-1/4-inch woofers and 1-inch balanced dome tweeter - that deliver a fuller mid-range while making a sleek visual statement - a horizontal center channel with the same drivers, and four surround speakers. In addition to its inclusion with the HT-S7200, this speaker system is also available separately as the standalone model SKS-HT870 speaker package. The HT-S6200 incorporates gloss finished bookshelf sized speakers with single 4-inch woofers and 1-inch balanced dome tweeter on the three front speakers and 3-1/4-inch full range speakers for the surrounds. Both systems derive deep bass sound effects from a powerful, 230-watt bass reflex subwoofer with a 10-inch woofer.
Both the Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 include a trio of acoustic correction technologies: Audyssey 2EQ room correction and calibration system, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, and Audyssey Dynamic Volume. When used in combination with the 2EQ system, the latter dynamically adjust the receiver's output to correct for room acoustics, listening position, and playback-level variations, delivering an overall experience much closer match to what the audio engineers originally intended.
The Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 include Onkyo's exclusive Universal Port (U-Port) which enables one-cable connection for the included UP-A1 iPod™ dock. This control and charging dock integrates both audio and video playback from Apple™ iPhone™ or iPod portable devices, greatly extending the flexibility of these systems to integrate consumers' electronic entertainment devices. Additionally, the U-Port connection can also provide a one-cable connection to the company's optional HD-Radio tuner, making it simple to bring this new transmission format to the home theater.
The Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 are now available at suggested retail prices of $899 and $699 each, respectively. The SKS-HT870 7.1-channel speaker package is also now available at a suggested retail price of $499.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning product that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.
# # #

Magellan Maestro 4350 GPS review by Jeff Roy

Up for review is the Magellan Maestro 4350 GPS receiver. If you have ever gotten lost before, with a little help you no longer will. Just as most consumer electronics continue to get better with more features, so it is with the 4350. Not only is it a great GPS receiver loaded with extra features, it will also work with other consumer electronics.

The Magellan 4350 GPS receiver is a great unit. The 4.3 inch display is easy to see, and the 3D landmarks help you see where you are. Magellan’s OneTouch is easy to use. To get directions, simply press the options button, followed by the GoTo and Address buttons. The onscreen keyboard will come up to enter the city, followed by the street name and then street number. Press the GoTo button and the GPS will calculate the route for you. The directions are easy to see, include turn by turn voice prompts with street names and each direction, lane guidance for highway driving, and re-routing if you need to make a pit stop. For pit stops, there are also 6 million searchable points of interest thanks to AAA, in categories such as restaurants, gas stations, banks, etc.

That may sound like basic GPS features. But the 4350 has ones that are not quite basic. I really like the night map, where it changes colors for a dimmer look at night. Trip information is provided with your duration and estimated time of arrival. For city driving it also gives you the current address as you drive. No more need to search for street numbers- it is on your display. For those of you with a heavy foot, there is also a speed warning feature. And since reaching your destination does not always mean getting there in your car, the 4350 has a pedestrian feature so you can navigate while you walk. For those of you that live in a busy city, there is also a subscription traffic service to notify you current traffic info and potential recommended detours. I really like the zoom feature that allows you to zoom in and out of the current map. If you want to get a peak ahead at where you are heading, you can even click and drag the map to see other areas.

The features of the Magellan 4350 are also not just limited to its use as a GPS receiver. There is a built in Bluetooth radio, so you can sync it with certain cell phones that also feature Bluetooth to make and receive hands free calls. You can use either the built in speaker for hands fee calls, or the fm transmitter to hear through your car’s stereo. The unit also is a functioning media player, with a memory card slot to use for your music, photos, or videos.

The 4350 also has worked wonderfully. Since using it I have yet to get lost. It has never leaded me wrong. Program in your home address and it is even easier to find your way back with fewer data entry. While the 4350 is not your basic GPS and as such has features not found in your basic GPS like the Bluetooth and media player. But the other GPS related features could be well worth the extra cost over a basic GPS. Having been lost before, I now will not be without a GPS receiver. Magellan has done a great job with this high quality receiver in the 4350. If you are in the market for one, I highly recommend putting the Magellan Maestro 4350 on your list. For complete details and specs please checkout Magellan’s website at wwwmagellangps.com.