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T3.com: If you have a new 3D TV, you probably ought to consider a new sound system – come on, it’s only money; you can’t take it with you. There are plenty of audio options out there, from all-in-one systems and soundbars with built-in Blu ray decks, to speaker combos for those who own a Blu-ray player. Here are five of the best.

Best: Pure quality
Samsung HT-C9950W
£1,800
Love: Innovative design. Audio and visual prowess
Hate: Very expensive
 

Best: Convenience
Pioneer HTP-200
£500
Love: Convenient and quick to set up
Hate: No on-screen menus. Cheap design
 

Best: Sound quality
Denon AVR-1911 & KEF KHT8005
£1,400 (£400 + £1,000
Love: Awesome sound quality. Feature packed
Hate: High total price
 

Best: Internet content
Sony BDV-E370
£450
Love: Internet extras. Streaming. Clear audio
Hate: Dull looks. Poor sub
 

Best: Extra features
Panasonic SC-BFT800
£700
Love: Space-saving design. Wireless sub. Wide range of features
Hate: No surround sound. Lacks a certain punch

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TechRadar: It won’t be too long before CES 2011 is upon us. Taking place from 6-9 January 2011 in Las Vegas, CES sets the tone for the tech year.

Apple may not be present, but just about everyone else is – from the electronics giants such as Sony, LG and Samsung to the tiniest software companies. CES covers the whole gamut of technology, so you’ll also find Microsoft and Nvidia alongside names such as Kodak and Polaroid.

CES, or the Consumer Electronics Show, is the place where the industry meets, does business and – most importantly for you – launches new kit. TechRadar will be there in force to bring you the latest news and hands-ons from the event, but what can we expect to see there?

Last year, 3D was the main theme alongside every single company talking about the environment. This is a slightly odd thing to hear in Vegas, which is possibly the least environmentally friendly location known to man. Expect those companies who haven’t yet gone big on 3D – such as Sharp – to go fully 3D this time around.

We’ll also see plenty of universal glasses available – specs you can use with various 3D TVs, not just those from one manufacturer. And expect a lot more hype behind 3D Blu-ray.

The movers and shakers at CES 2010

Traditional LCD will seem like old technology at CES 2011 – it’ll be LED all the way. Movement on the next-gen OLED tech has been slow so far, with only Sony, Samsung and LG really demonstrating anything of worth.

Sony has had its 11-inch on-the-market XEL-1, Samsung with an OLED laptop and 40-inch TV demos and LG with the UK’s larget OLED TV, which clocks in at 15 inches. Expect far more to come at CES from various manufacturers.

Highlights from CES 2010 included Samsung’s LED 9000 series and the first look at the Toshiba Regza Cell television – though we’ve since learnt that the Cell is yesterday’s news and will be replaced by the new Cevo processor.

As well as connected TVs, there will also be plenty of other connected devices – we’ll surely also see a plethora of Google TV devices. Google TV will come to the UK in 2011.

GOOGLE TV: Will CES 2011 be where Google TV really takes off?

In terms of computing, we’re expecting lots and lots more in the way of tablets. Dell has not been too secretive about its desire to produce larger siblings for the Dell Streak, so expect more from them.

Likewise HP – we’d predict that the leading PC manufacturer won’t be too far behind with a tablet-based device. Lenovo also had plenty of Snapdragon-based devices at this year’s CES. Will we see more at CES 2011? Will it be the LePad?

But the most interesting part will be the operating systems these guys end up using. Will the buzz continue to be around Android (which Google says isn’t yet ready for tablets anyway) or will we see something new from Microsoft or will the Redmond giant just hope for the best with standard Windows 7? And what of Chrome OS – it’s all gone quiet on that front.

We’re also expecting plenty of announcements from Intel and Nvidia, so watch this space for more.

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Electronista: Sharp Japan has launched the BD-HP90, which it first announced back in September. The 1.3-inch thin device supports 3D Blu-ray content in 1080p at 24fps as well as support for DVDs, CDs and digital formats through USB including DivX HR and JPEGS and MP3.

But like many home entertainment devices currently available, it is also web-enabled. It offers support for Netflix video and Pandora audio streaming through its in-built Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections. It DLNA compliant giving users the option of streaming media from compatible devices wirelessly for display on a connected TV.

The Sharp BD-HP90 ships in Japan on November 20 for the equivalent of $450. US availability and pricing has not yet been announced.

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Newlaunches: Bose has introduced the Lifestyle 235 home theater system. The company claims it is their best 2.1 channel surround system. You can connect upto 6 audio or visual sources and the system supports HD upscaling for non HD media upto 1080p. The system comes with an iPod / iPhone dock, a remote and a headset to calibrate the system’s sound. The Lifestyle 235 can be yours for $2300.

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TechRadar: Pioneer has announced three new 3D-capable home cinema systems, with the ability to pass 3D signals over HDMI. Pioneer’s new line-up includes 5.1-channel HTP-610, the bar-style 3.1 channel HTP-SB510 and the 2.1 channel HTP-FS510 front speaker system.

Stylish and entertaining

Pioneer’s latest range of receiver subwoofer home cinema systems, provide what the company claims to be a “stylish as well as entertaining home cinema experience.”

At the top end of the new range, the new 5.1-channel HTP-610, is described as “a brilliant solution for immersive high definition home cinema sound in the home entertainment space.”

For those on slightly tighter home cinema budgets, Pioneer has also launched the 3.1 channel HTP-SB510 bar-style and the 2.1 channel HTP-FS510 front speaker system.

Pioneer HTP range

Pioneer’s “HTP” product range consists of a main subwoofer unit and a fully featured home cinema receiver, combined with three speaker set variations.

“All receiver subwoofer components are finished in a high-gloss, deep black, exuding a clean, minimalist feel that will enhance any living room environment,” adds the press release.

All three new systems include three of the latest specification HDMI (v1.4a with 3D) inputs and are all fully compatible with upcoming 3D TV broadcast receivers, Blu-ray Disc players and game consoles.

They also pack in integrated decoders for the latest HD audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, enabling “the systems to deliver sound to match the breathtaking depth and richness of high definition imagery.

Finally, Pioneer promises “the ultimate iPhone or iPod experience – without the need for a docking station” as all three systems come with a specialist cable providing a complete video and digital audio connection.

Pricing and exact release dates to follow. For now, head over to www.pioneer.co.uk for more.

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Übergizmo: Sony’s an old hand when it comes to home theater systems, and their offerings while not high end, are enough to satisfy most people out there. Their latest offering would be the BDV-F7 home theater system which will target beginners who do not want to spend time figuring out how to set up a 5.1 surround sound configuration, preferring to use those precious minutes watching their favorite movie instead. Apart from that, the BDV-F7 comprises of a sound bar, a subwoofer and a Blu-ray player to make life a whole lot easier.

Don’t be fooled by its sound bar, since it is the equivalent of two speakers crammed into a long, slim design, and won’t have any trouble residing under your TV. As for its Blu-ray player, it is 3D ready so don’t worry about watching the latest 3D blockbusters in the comfort of your own home – just make sure you have enough active shutter glasses to go around.A Wi-Fi adapter is thrown into the mix for you to connect it to your home’s wireless broadband network so that all can access or stream movies from Netflix, Pandora and YouTube among others. No idea on an official release date, but expect the BDV-F7 configuration to ship this coming October 6th for $600.

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The Audiophiliac: Few big-screen-TV buyers are willing to invest in bona-fide home theater systems with a receiver, five (or more) speakers, and a subwoofer. Most folks are satisfied with the sound from the tiny stereo speakers built into the display. That’s sad, since based on what I’ve heard from the displays being reviewed at the CNET offices the sound is at best barely passable. In fact, the quality of the built-in speakers is getting worse with each passing year. Great-looking high-definition video matched to lo-fi sound doesn’t work for me, but we all have our priorities, don’t we?

Those considering stepping up to a $300 sound bar speaker are more sophisticated buyers, and by the time we get to home theater in a box systems, with five or more speakers and a subwoofer, we’re getting to the elite buyer class. I’m not joking, HTIB buyers can deal with a tangle of wires, and nearly all the setup hassles associated with a receiver-based home theater system. If you want an even higher quality home theater system with a receiver and full-size speaker/subwoofer system plan on spending close to $2,000. Sure, you can spend less, but you’ll just wind up with something that doesn’t sound much better sounding than a really good HTIB.

Here are my recommendations for the best-sounding affordable home theater solutions. (Editors’ Note: The following list is Steve Guttenberg’s personal opinion, based on his evaluation of sound quality and audio performance. For a more complete list of CNET’s official product recommendations [which takes design and features into account], check out CNET’s in-depth list of best home audio products.)

The Samsung HW-C450 sound bar ($300 street price) is a worthwhile step up from your TV’s built-in speakers.

Want something better? If you already have a DVD or Blu-ray player, put Onkyo’s HT-S3200 HTIB on your short list. It comes with five nice speakers, a hefty subwoofer, and a component grade receiver, all for around $350!

For a 5.1 channel HTIB with a built-in Blu-ray player, I like Samsung’s HT-C6500 ($650 street price).

For an entry-level receiver, I’d go with Pioneer’s VSX-920 ($399) matched up to a Klipsch RF-10 ($1,464) speaker package with tower speakers, full-size center speaker, dipole surround speakers, and a 200 watt, 10-inch powered subwoofer. This system will blow away the pitiful speakers built into your TV, as well as every sound bar and home theater in a box ever made. Chances are you’ll own this system long after your shiny new TV is taking its place in a landfill.

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whathifi : The age of technological convergence is upon us and the latest generation of televisions is leading the way. On-demand content is already revolutionising the way we watch TV, and the latest screens will allow you to access it all from the one device that dominates your living room.

While added functionality and features have often in the past been something of an unwanted distraction, with Internet-enabled content it looks we finally have something genuinely worth making a song and dance about. And this week, Samsung has been doing just that. With its own Internet@TV service and Apps Store, Samsung has arguably the best developed service, and a one-to-one guided tour of the service showed that the company is convinced this is one of the key features on the latest generation of televisions.

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Techradar: 3D TVs and connected TV looks set to dominate IFA 2010 – the biggest consumer technology show in Europe.

Why does it matter? Because unlike Las Vegas’ CES, where the focus is on the US market, all the major launches at IFA 2010 are likely to make their UK release dates very soon.

Highlights will likely emanate from the showcase stands from the likes of Sony, Panasonic, LG, Toshiba, Philips and Samsung. Each typically has a whole hall to themselves.

The show takes place at the huge Messe Berlin complex. There are a staggering 26 halls, plus other facilities, and it’s all taken over by IFA for the first week of September.

While the show is traditionally AV-centric – there will be more new 3D TVs – recent years have seen more computing wares debut at the show. Last year Samsung took the opportunity to drop several new laptop ranges, while Toshiba showed off new laptops and its Journe Touch tablet.

We’d expect some tablets to make their debut at IFA 2010 – perhaps even running Google’s new Chrome OS.

This year we’re expecting plenty more 3D TVs and associated kit, including universal glasses you’ll be able to use with 3D TVs from various brands.

Content providers may well get in on the act, too. We might hear some more news about Google TV, perhaps a LoveFilm tie-up or maybe even Hulu for Europe. Whatever the partnerships announced, connected TV will be big news.

As usual, IFA 2010 will attempt to cover the whole gamut of consumer electronics across its 121,000 square metres of showspace – mobile, home entertainment, computing, videogames, digital imaging, car audio and sat nav – as well as domestic appliances like high-tech cookers and fridges.

Nestled among the 1,164 exhibitor stands at IFA 2010 will be a brand new iZone, which will focus on the growing popularity of the Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad with apps showcases and the latest iPhone 4 accessories – including Cinemizer glasses that will enable you to watch 3D movies anywhere.

Also new to IFA 2010 is the eLibrary – an area of the show dedicated to eBooks and tablet PCs, with content providers displaying their wares.

Last year there were also some new phone handsets, such as the Samsung Galaxy running Android. It’s wholly possible we might see some Windows Phone 7 handsets at the show – perhaps even the Samsung Cetus running Microsoft’s new mobile OS.

Like Las Vegas’ CES, IFA has an enviable record when it comes to breaking new technologies with past highlights including colour television (1967), MP3 (1991) and 3D TV (1998). We expect this year – the exhibition’s 50th – to be no different.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the brand new products, technologies and innovations being shown off at IFA 2010, make sure you follow TechRadar’s in-depth coverage of events, both in the run-up to the show and on the show floor itself – we’ll be there in force to bring you the very latest updates.

IFA 2010 runs from Friday 3 to Wednesday 8 September, though most of the major press conferences happen on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 September, so expect plenty of news right from the get-go.

You can find out more about the event and what’s being shown there by visiting the official IFA 2010 website.

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Gizmodo: If you want a packaged home theater that’ll soak your eyeballs in three-dee and fill your ears with THX-certified boom, Onkyo’s HT-S9300THX will oblige. It has seven theater loudspeakers, a 12″ sub, and works with all the latest 3D gear.

The HT-S9300THX receiver has four 3D-Ready HDMI 1.4a inputs and will upscale video to 1080p. It definitely won’t sound shabby, either, with Dolby and DTS high def audio processing and Dolby ProLogic IIz height channel processing. It’s the first packaged system to be both 3D-ready and fully THX certified.

Some might consider the pre-packaged Home Theater In a Box concept the lazy man’s path to home theater nirvana, but those are the types that are likely to be tangled up in speaker wire while you’re hanging out in Pandora. Available at the end of the month for $1099. That’s a lot of boom for your buck.
 

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Akihabara News: Both of Onkyo’s new HT-S7300 & HT-S6300 “Home Theatre in a box (HTiB)” packages include 7 home theater loudspeakers (130-watt, 6-ohm), 290-watt subwoofer, audio-video receiver, Audyssey calibration microphone, and an outboard dock for iPod/iPhone (UP-A1).

They both are 3-D Ready, feature HDMI-1.4a inputs, 1080p video upscaling regardless of native resolution, lossless Dolby & DTS high definition audio, Audyssey 2EQ room acoustics correction technology (Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume processing), as well as Dolby ProLogic IIz height channel processing allowing the back surround speakers to be re-tasked as front height speakers.

The first is available for $899 and the latter for $749.

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We’re just on the bullet train heading back to Narita airport, so finally have time to publish the full details of the Spring 2010 products Yamaha has been showing us at its HQ in Japan over the last few days.

Home cinema amplifiers

As mentioned in our original (and exclusive) news story, Yamaha’s tackling the affordable end of the market with its first 2010 receivers, and is also making a big effort to make them less fiddly and frightening than other products of this type.

For example, each receiver has a set of shortcut buttons on the front panel (pictured above) and simplified connection arrangements on the back (see below for the RX-V367).

These aren’t low-tech receivers, though, as each has advanced features like automatic speaker calibration and 3D-compatible HDMI connections.

RX-V367
Price – £200
Available – Imminently
Finish – black (above) / titanium (below)

RX-V367 spec overview:

5.1
100W per channel RMS
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI repeater (4in/1out)
SCENE buttons for quick access to sources and saved settings
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner

RX-V467

Price – £300
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black / titanium (pictured above)

Key Specs:

5.1
105W per channel RMS
HD audio decoding
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI with Audio Return Channel (4in/1out)
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner
Optional Bluetooth receiver – YBA-10
Optional iPod/iPhone dock YDS-12

RX-V567
Price – £400
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black (pictured above)/ titanium

7.1
90W per channel RMS
HD audio decoding
192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amping
3D-compatible (via firmware update) HDMI with Audio Return Channel (4in/1out)
Video upscaling to 1080p
YPAO automatic speaker calibration
CINEMA DSP with 17 programmes
Compressed music enhancer
FM tuner
Optional Bluetooth receiver – YBA-10
Optional iPod/iPhone dock YDS-12

Home cinema speakers

To complement these bargain-priced amps, Yamaha is also launching a very affordable 5.1 speaker package – the NS-P285. This is likely to be made available bundled with the RX-V367 as well as on its own.

NS-P285
Price – £180
Available – from late June
Finish – semi-gloss black

5.1 (four identical satellites, dedicated centre, subwoofer)
Compact, wall-mountable design
Impedance – 6 ohms
Satellite power handling – 80W
Satellite sensitivity – 81dB
Centre power handling – 100W
Centre sensitivity – 84dB
Subwoofer power – 100W dynamic, 50W RMS
Subwoofer driver – 16cm
Advanced YSP for ‘awesome deep bass’

Desktop Audio (DTA)

Yamaha is aiming to build on the success of its PDX players from last year with a new micro system and bedside unit. Styling is paramount, with a wide range of colours available, but high tech goodies like wireless, AirWired connections for iPods and iPhones also feature.
MCR-040
Price – £220
Available – Imminently
Finish – 10 colours available – including white (pictured above), blue, green, orange, pink, red, turquoise, brown and black

iPod/CD/USB and DAB/FM
15W per channel
Wide choice of colours
Detachable stereo speakers
YST technology for improved bass and stereo imaging

MCR-140
Price – £275
Available – late May / early June
Finish – 10 colours available (Green finish pictured above)

As MCR-040, but with AirWired dock for iPod and iPhone. This is a new version of Yamaha’s proprietary wireless technology, which allows for uncompressed, latency-free transmission of music when an Apple player is connected to the wireless dongle.

TSX-80
Price – £200
Available – late May / early June
Finish – light blue (pictured below) / ivory / purple (pictured above)

Key specs:
2.1
16W total power
iPod/iPhone dock with radio and alarm
Touch Smart controls illuminate buttons relating to the source or menu you’re using
LED clock shines through coloured front panel
IntelliAlarm gradually fades music in to avoid sudden wake-up

Outdoor speakers

It’s nearly BBQ time, and Yamaha wants to make sure you can listen to your music while you cremate your steaks. Hence the introduction of three pairs of stereo speakers that can be mounted anywhere, are aesthetically designed to blend in, and are weather resistant.


NS-AW392
Price – £150
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black (pictured above), white
Key specs:
Drivers – 13cm waterproof woofer and 1.9cm tweeter
Nominal power – 40W
Maximum power – 120W
Sensitivity – 86dB
Impedance – 6 ohms
Weight – 1.8kg

NS-AW592
Price – £200
Available – late May / early June
Finish – black, white (pictured above)
Key specs:
Drivers – 16cm waterproof woofer and 2.5cm tweeter
Nominal power – 50W
Maximum power – 150W
Sensitivity – 88dB
Impedance – 6 ohms
Weight – 2.4kg

And that’s it for now. We’ve seen – and heard – plenty more Yamaha products still to come in 2010. Watch this space for news updates, plus reviews of the kit above from next month onwards.

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