Copyright (c) 2011-2012 EISA - The European Imaging and Sound Association Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:31:51 +0100 EISA is the unique association of 50 special interest magazines from 20 European countries. Internationally known for the European EISA Awards http://www.eisa.eu/ http://eis.ac/images/global/feed.png 60 61 EISA - The European Imaging and Sound Association en-gb http://www.eisa.eu/ http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-desktop-speakers-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-desktop-speakers-2011-2012 Turn your computer into a Hi-Fi system by adding a dynamic set of active speakers. The Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 will be your best company for work or play on your computer. The enclosures feature spun aluminium top plates and detailing and a black cloth grille offering a minimal, high-class design. This stunning pair of 2-way speakers stands just 17cm high housing DSP controlled bass drivers and tweeters with nautilus technology and a built-in DAC. A stylish remote control and a USB or 3.5mm mini jack connection complete the set. They are not inexpensive, but the sound quality easily justifies the cost. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-sound-station-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-sound-station-2011-2012 Don’t be fooled by the familiar Zeppelin profile – Bowers & Wilkins’s new ‘Air’ version boasts improved sound quality and enhanced flexibility. Inside its radical enclosure are five new loudspeaker drivers – one woofer, two midrange and two treble units – each with its own DSP-controlled Class D amplifier. As you might guess from the name, the new Zeppelin also contains an Apple AirPlay wireless streaming receiver that will play music directly from your iTunes library. Moreover the central dock now makes a digital connection with your iPhone, iPod and iPad devices to replay your music with even higher fidelity. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-universal-player-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-universal-player-2011-2012 Look once, look twice. You are not mistaken, for the Cambridge 751BD universal player really does provide a one-stop platform to play all CD, DVD, SACD, DVD-A and Blu-ray discs, including 3D, for just €1300. Its core processor will decode all Dolby and DTS HD audio formats while a separate Marvell QDEO scaler delivers exceptionally high quality picture performance through its primary HDMI output. The 751BD is also replete with added connectivity. There’s a Wi-Fi dongle included and wired Ethernet port to support interactive services via the internet plus an eSata connection for playing HD audio and video content, including FLAC and MKV files, from an external hard drive. The proprietary 7.1 channel audio stage is a development of the tried-and-tested circuit employed in Cambridge’s 6-series CD players, promising superb sounds to match those excellent pictures. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-audio-design-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-audio-design-2011-2012 If you think all hi-fi loudspeakers are built into rectangular wooden boxes, then DALI makes us all think again with its stylish FAZON F5. Rather than use orthodox materials, DALI, the Danish speaker specialist, has worked with die-cast aluminium to achieve a highly novel and elegant loudspeaker shape. Not only conceived to be pleasing to the eye, its curved cabinet is also ideal for minimizing internal reflections while offering great rigidity. Not just a pretty face, the FAZON F5 also benefits from DALI’s tried-and-tested wood-fibre cones and light silk dome tweeter. Available in high gloss red, black and white, this 86cm-tall sculpture comes with a purpose-built stand that allows your cables to be hidden from sight. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-loudspeaker-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-loudspeaker-2011-2012 Striking from the first glance, JBL’s ‘Weave’ design ensures its Studio 190 floorstander will stand out from the crowd. This three-way loudspeaker, which includes a pair of 165mm bass units, sounds powerful, dynamic and detailed, offering a great insight into all types of music – including movie scores. Crucially, while the Studio 190 has an exotic appearance, it remains easy to drive and is the ideal partner for a great many entry-level amplifiers and AV receivers. So much loudspeaker, so small a price tag – how does JBL do it? Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-video-projector-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-video-projector-2011-2012 To get fully immersed in the 3D realm you need a big picture and JVC’s DLA-X7 does this with room to spare! This D-ILA projector is one of the first to achieve THX 3D certification, boasting a 70,000:1 native contrast and substantial 1300 ANSI Lumens brightness. Because JVC has designed this projector for use with active shutter 3D glasses, this allows the DLA-X7 to be used with a far wider choice of screen types than might otherwise have been the case. Other key technologies include a custom on-screen gamma control and 7-axis Colour Management System, ensuring very accurate calibration, and a video processor for smooth rendering of all types of video material. All-in-all it delivers an eyeball-popping 2D/3D experience. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-51-loudspeaker-system-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-51-loudspeaker-system-2011-2012 In the race to produce the slimmest home theatre loudspeakers, KEF is on the winners podium with its black T-series satellites that are a mere 3.7cm deep. These are not lo-fi panel speakers but employ proprietary twin-layered drivers, rather like a conventional cone made very rigid and shallow. Designed to sound impressive whether hung on the wall or mounted on KEF’s floorstands, the satellites and partnering subwoofer are smoothly integrated into a cohesive system with little adjustment required on the part of the user. The subwoofer employs a 250W Class D amplifier, its elegant profile also optimized for use close to a rear or side wall. KEF’s T205 speaker system is a skinny latte that’s big on flavour. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-3d-home-theater-solution-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-3d-home-theater-solution-2011-2012 This year EISA has paired two LG products together which we believe complement each other and create a market beating Home Theater combination. The LG 55LW650S uses passive 3D technology. This brings immediate benefits as unlike its active counterpart, the glasses are lightweight, relatively cheap and do not require batteries making this the best way to share 3D movies or sports coverage with large groups of family or friends. But convenience is not the only reason to choose the 55LW650S. 3D pictures are reproduced in a very natural way, with negligible crosstalk and can be viewed without causing any eye fatigue and results from watching normal Blu-ray movies and TV contents are also of a very high standard. Set-up is extremely simple and when combined with LGs HLX56S soundbar with integrated Blu-Ray player and wireless subwoofer, it delivers powerful multichannel sound. Good connectivity, including LG Smart TV services, completes the reasons for its success in this year’s awards. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-51-system-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-51-system-2011-2012 Looking for a distinctive and elegant home theatre package that won’t break the bank? Then LG’s HX966TZ 3D Blu-ray system with its 5.1 channels of audio, easy connectivity and, in TZW guise, wireless rear speakers could be just the ticket. LG’s central unit offers Smart TVaccess, enabling you to view content from the web, download apps, stay in contact with your friends on social networks, check the weather forecast or play games. It also incorporates Wi-Fi Direct, for easy wireless connection, a USB input that supports NTFS hard drives and an iPhone/iPod dock. In a market full of complex home theatre solutions, LG’s HX966TZ offers a genuinely user-friendly surround experience. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-network-music-player-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-network-music-player-2011-2012 What is the CLiC? To describe it as a digital preamp or a streamer does not do it full justice. Better to think of it as a comprehensive unit which funnels internet radio and music files from a variety of sources – including wired and wireless networks and USB sticks, CD players and even analogue sources. At its core, the CLiC uses the company’s M1 24-bit/192kHz DAC, and there’s a large clear colour display to help navigate its menus. It boasts a total of seven digital inputs – iPod/iPhone/iPad, a network connection, front and back USB, two coaxial and one optical from which it delivers a wonderfully open and dynamic sound that’s lively, communicative and punches well above its weight. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-high-end-audio-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-high-end-audio-2011-2012 Celebrating its 60th anniversary Swiss company Nagra, famous for its precision audio engineering, has introduced a hybrid tube amp that breathes new life into the classic 300B triode valve. With solid-state input and bias adjustment combined with a parallel pair of 300B direct-heated power triodes, the 300i amplifier offers a sweet 2x20W output – perfect for high sensitivity loudspeakers. This modern classic employs the finest custom-made transformers, matching the 300i to 16 through to 4ohm speaker designs. The amplifier’s compact design is instantly recognisable as part of the Nagra family of high-end components – beautiful to behold, delicious to hear. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-compact-system-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-compact-system-2011-2012 As an evolution of its Streamium series, Philips has added touchscreen operation and a pair of rather impressive loudspeakers to create a multiroom music system from its MCi8080 and NP3700. A DVD player is included for the main room while, in up to five separate zones, it delivers audio from a variety of sources including internet/FM radio and DLNA streaming from a home network. Included in the package is a 160GB external USB drive for storing your personal music and photos. At its heart is a 2x50W Class D amplifier, ushering an exceptionally smooth and detailed sound from the speaker’s glass-fibre bass/mid and top-mounted treble units. And the icing on Philips’ cake – you can control this system via free Android and iPhone apps. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-compact-system-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-compact-system-2011-2012 Rarely do you find such striking industrial design, intelligent answers to customer demands and great performance packed together so neatly in one system as is the case with Philips ‘SoundHub’ HTS9221.This all-in-one 2.1 system combines a 3D Blu-ray player, full DLNA network capability, web radio, a concealed iPod dock, USB and SD card slots. Partnering this tour-de-force of features is a pair of elegant, tabletop speakers with inverted titanium dome tweeters and a punchy 230W active subwoofer. To complement this stylish system, Philips even offers a free iPad/iPhone app for full remote control. This is a modern product that’s dressed to impress. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-receiver-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-receiver-2011-2012 In the modern home theatre environment, features and connectivity are as important as sound and picture performance. The Pioneer VSX-921 excels in all these areas. It combines four 3D-compliant HDMI inputs with DLNA streaming of HD audio files over a wired network, internet radio and wireless music streaming via AirPlay. Under the bonnet there a total of seven discrete amplifiers with sufficient power to drive the vast majority of home theatre systems. Pioneer’s familiar MCACC room correction regime is included, with the added flexibility of further fine-tuning via a PC application over the network. Last but not least, Pioneer’s new AirJam iPad app offers an interactive way for friends to fill the party with music. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-2-channel-system-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-2-channel-system-2011-2012 Designed to be the perfect pair, Primare’s matching USB-equipped CD player and amplifier promise some very sweet Swedish sounds. Their deceptively simple and elegant appearance belies their versatility, as all functions, including volume control and display brightness, are accessible via Primare’s system remote. Audiophile’s will be keen to learn of the CD player’s balanced outputs and amp’s inputs, the latter employing a bespoke Class D technology to deliver a rated 2x125W/8ohm and with plenty in reserve to drive some very difficult loudspeaker loads. A plug-in media module is also available, adding digital inputs, DAB/FM radio, iPod, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for streaming media. Most important of all, this pair offers a crystal clear sound, always bubbling with engaging musical detail. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-blu-ray-player-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-blu-ray-player-2011-2012 As the first Sony Blu-ray player to benefit from an all-Sony chipset, the BDP-S780 succeeds in offering a new level of performance at this entry-level price. Its superb picture performance is aided in no small measure by Sony’s proprietary ‘image engine’ while the viewing experience is enhanced with access to an on-line Entertainment Database Browser. The player even converts 2D movies to 3D and features DLNA streaming via both wired and wireless networks. Fast loading times are a given, even with Java-heavy BDs, while the same transport also plays CD and SACD music discs. Skype-ready and equipped with a basic, in-built web browser, the BDP-S780 opens up a new world of entertainment in your home. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-subwoofer-2011-2012 http://www.eisa.eu/awards.html#european-ht-subwoofer-2011-2012 Whether used for multichannel home cinema or pure audio, in the SDS-12 the US subwoofer specialist Sunfire offers a perfectly equipped and deceptively compact solution for the enthusiast on a budget. Sunfire’s combination of a very efficient 300W Class D amplifier, proprietary DSP and both active and passive 300mm drivers is key to achieving such an impressively deep bass from its modest 423x370x394mm (WHD) enclosure. It’s a little sub that’s big on thrills. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200