Essential Install | EI Live! 2017 Review
The show played host
to many major UK
fi rsts, including the
Sony ZD9 100in TV
Monitor Audio showcased the latest product to join the Platinum
II range: the PLIC II in-ceiling speaker, designed to combine high
quality sound, ease of installation and discreet appearance.
Also on show were the updated SB Soundbar Series, which
include the SB-4 model, an audio solution for 70in plus screens. The
manufacturer was also highlighting the new IV140 invisible speaker
designed to deliver ‘best in class’ audio performance for hidden in-
wall and in-ceiling applications.
The Climate range, featuring three two-way satellites and one
single stereo weatherproof speaker, was also on the stand. Visitors
also had the chance to familiarise themselves with the four in-wall/
ceiling speakers that make up the All-Weather In-Ceiling Series and
the new CLG160 satellite from the Climate Garden System.
For home cinema, the Platinum In-Wall II three-way reference
architectural speaker system was featured, complemented by the
CP-IW260X and CP-IW460X in-wall speakers, which combine Monitor
Audio’s drivers in compact three-way, fi ve-driver confi gurations, built
into closed-box designs.
CAVD used to the show to launch its new brand, Audio Excellence
the audio department of Screen Excellence Ltd.
Jamie Pullen, MD, CAVD, sad: “Audio Excellence’s exciting new
speaker system and associated ‘Congard Code’ bring a refreshing new
solution to the market for dealers. We’ve had a great response at EI Live!”
Jamie also revealed that CAVD is also about to unveil its new
demonstration facility in Marlow featuring an Audio Excellence Dolby
Atmos speaker system in the cinema showroom to introduce the
sound and ‘Congard Code’ to dealers.
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Over in the AWE village, th ere was plenty of new introductions and
interesting demos. Epson chose to base itself within the village,
helping to deliver a full home cinema demo using AWE’s other
brands including Draper screens, which was on hand to show just
how much difference a high-quality ambient light capable screen can
make. The full cinema demo made a real impact at the show as the
cinema sector continues to show good buoyancy.
Fans of the Denon Heos multiroom audio platform were treated to
a new option with the HeosBar sound-bar and the Heos AVR, the fi rst
time either had been shown in the UK. Loaded with everything needed
to power a Heos system (see our AVR feature in this issue) the machine
has an attractive minimalist look and went down well with visitors.
Hard to miss on the AWE stand was an absolute monster of a TV:
the 100in Sony ZD9, an LED Ultra HD, HRD capable smart TV. Coming
in at a cool 60K, this really is one of the most impressive TVs on the
planet and got its fi rst UK showing. If anyone was thinking OLED was
now untouchable in terms of quality, then this intelligently backlit
LED has got news for you, it’s every bit as good. Detail and realism
are impressive and if you were wondering if 60K was a little steep, in
the fl esh you can see where every single penny went. This fl agship
model is joined by two smaller versions at 75in and 65in, when the
end user price drops considerably whilst retaining much of the
same tech including the intelligent backlighting which really takes
the range from good to very good. The 100in version can be wall
Now
ble!
Availa
The Sound
Choice
The H2X Series.
Modular HDBaseT 4K HDR and
integrated audio matrix switchers
that are literally wired for sound
MX-1010-HDBT-H2X
MX-1616-HDBT-H2X
• 10x10 and 16x16 models
• 4K HDR 10-bit to 70m
• HDBaseT 5Play including PoH and
Ethernet
• Audio matrix with 3x source inputs
per zone
• ARC from all zones
• Optional HDBaseT Input card
• Bidirectional IR, CEC and RS-232
• Mirrored HDMI supporting 18Gb/s
• QuickSync™ instant switching
• SmartEDID™ / AVR Priority Mode
wyrestorm.com
May 2017 | 27