EISA 2008-2009 年度影音设备大奖(2)

　　Well known for its giant-killing integrated amplifiers, NAD has refined this art to a new level in its C315BEE. Like the legendary 3020 that started the story decades ago, the new C315BEE combines an unexpectedly high power output with a range of genuinely useful facilities. The ability of this little amplifier to drive difficult speaker loads should not be underestimated. Meanwhile, its slim case supports six inputs, a front-mounted socket for portable players and an output for headphones, plus integrated tone and remote control. The C315BEE may appear unassuming, but its musical impact is unashamedly spectacular.

　　Yamaha has made a superb return to hi-fi form with a range of highly advanced audio components. Among them are the affordable 1000-series components, comprising a full-size stereo SACD player and a 90W integrated amplifier. Externally, these products betray a strong retro-styling even though the internal technology is bang up-to-date. Individually, the player and amplifier offer tremendous performance but as a combination they prove greater than the sum of these parts. These 1000-series products not only remind audio enthusiasts of simpler times but restore Yamaha's position at the forefront of music reproduction in the modern era.

　　The MCi500H is a brand new model in Philips' Streamium series, with a colour display that significantly increases its ease of use and a 160GB hard disk for saving a personal music collection. It will stream music from this internal disk and play selections from a USB drive or external PC while offering internet radio and CD playback. The system will write mp3 files up to 320kbps for the best possible sound quality, and will catalogue music content and album artwork with assistance from the Gracenote database. Under the bonnet, Philips has equipped the MCi500H with a 2x50W Class D amplifier, generating an engaging and entertaining musical experience from the high quality and attractively designed two-way speakers.

　　Linn's Majik DS ‘Digital Stream player’ connects to an existing home network to stream audio from your PC or a dedicated music server. The unit accommodates numerous audio file formats from mp3 through wav to high quality Studio Master Flac at up to 24-bit/192kHz. The Majik DS will also catalogue your music files and permit easy access to an entire music collection at the touch of a button via remote control or even a mobile phone. Set up is straightforward and the system is eminently flexible and upgradeable, but its most outstanding feature is the consistently excellent audio performance available from any streaming audio format. Connected to a high quality amplifier/speaker system, the Majik DS creates a truly high performance music system for the networked living room.

　　Now here’s a pleasant surprise: this Samsung provides Full-HD LCD-TV at a price that previously would have purchased only an HD-Ready set. This brings High-Definition Blu-ray content, in its ‘native’ 1920x1080p resolution, within the reach of ordinary consumers - there is even an exciting 24p Real Movie Mode to provide a magical cinematic experience in domestic living rooms. The picture quality is really good, the contrast ratio is well above average and the response time is sufficiently swift to avoid viewing discomfort. With three HDMI-connections the Samsung LE40A557/577 is unequivocally a real bargain.

　　The first-ever 46-inch full HD plasma TV screen delivers not only big-screen impact but also excellent picture quality, thanks to Panasonic’s advanced V-Real 3 Pro image processing. Intelligent Frame Creation technology offers 900 lines of moving picture resolution, while the 24p Real Cinema function accommodates 24 frames-per-second sources. Plus there’s 100 Hz Double Scan to eliminate flickering, and the set delivers more vivid colouring from x.v. Colour gamut signals. Last but not least, the VIERA Link via 3 HDMI is a real convenience boost, permitting the set to control compatible companion products such as DVD and Blu-ray players, and home cinema systems. This plasma TV is outstanding for its price.

　　The Panasonic DMP-BD50 is more than a spectacular Blu-ray Disc player as it also allows playback of conventional DVDs with full 1080p upscaling. Its SD card slot also opens up a new world of personal entertainment with support for JPEG pictures and AVCHD video. The DMP-BD50 is also capable of decoding all the new HD audio formats from both Dolby and DTS. The DMP-BD50 is fully compatible with the BD-Live function, available on the newest Blu-ray Discs, which allows consumers to access exclusive on-line bonus features via an Ethernet connection.

　　They say small can be beautiful, but in the case of JVC's exquisite LT-42DS9, slim is the most attractive of all. This LCD TV demonstrates outstandingly low energy consumption in both daylight and dark surroundings, utilises only a moderate quantity of materials, and complies fully with European RoHS regulations to minimise hazardous materials use. And while this set performs superlatively in daily use, easy disassembly means it will also excel at the end of its life. Finally, a standard sea container can hold at least 50 more boxes of the LT-42DS9 than any of its direct competitors for this year’s EISA Green Award, because its slim design is such an efficient use of space.

　　This multifaceted device provides so many useful digital video recording features, it’s hard to count them. There’s a voluminous 320 GB hard disk to hold nearly 570 hours of recordings, an SD/SDHC memory card reader and a USB interface. Users can copy movie footage from their camcorder directly to the hard disc, or store audio CDs in an uncompressed format. The DVD drive is compatible with all disc formats, including DVD-RAM, while purchasers have the option of choosing either a digital DVB-T variant (model EX) or one incorporating a traditional analogue TV tuner (model EH). Variable bit-rate means picture quality is amazingly good, and it’s very easy to edit all recordings as required.

　　Mobile music is all very well, but wouldn’t it be great to lose those tangled headphone wires? At last that dream becomes a reality in the shape of Sennheiser’s brand-new headphone concept based on wireless audio technology from Kleer. This new headphone design for the first time provides the luxury of audiophile-level sound quality, in a wire-free format that permits complete freedom of movement. To drive the headphones there’s a matchbox-sized 2.4GHz transmitter, offering an operating radius of three metres, and holding out the prospect to connect a second headset in addition for a more communal listening experience. Finally, to ensure the music doesn’t have to stop too soon, a belt-mounted charger can provide an extra three hours.

　　Marantz is no stranger to the world of high-end hi-fi and the spectacularly well-engineered SC-11S1/SM-11S1 pre/power amplifier combination is a perfect illustration of the company's talents. The stunning metal finish and architectural build brings an unmistakably tactile quality to this pair of precious gems. The lucky owner gets to enjoy a high class MM/MC phono input in the preamp coupled with a hugely robust output stage in the power amp, capable of generating a fast, three-dimensional sound that is both smooth and finely detailed with almost any choice of speaker. These amplifiers are true 'high-end statements' that stand for the very best in musical reproduction.

　　Samsung’s HT-BD2 is the very first fully-integrated home cinema system to incorporate a Blu-ray Disc drive. The 7.1 channel AV receiver feeds four very robust ‘tallboy’ loudspeakers, two surround speakers, a centre channel speaker plus a hefty subwoofer capable of driving large rooms. Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding are included to ensure every BD movie is handled with the optimum fidelity. The HDMI 1.3 output sends crisp 1080p pictures to your flat TV. The system also supports a range of multimedia audio and picture formats, including MP3 and JPEG.

　　Converging different digital media into a single device for the living room has often meant sacrificing usability for simplicity, a conundrum solved by the sleek black Harman Kardon DMC1000. This self-effacing box offers CD ripping and playback, a 250GB hard disk, plus support for up to 1TB of external storage for archiving your music via USB. There's optional iPod connectivity, audio streaming capability for up to four zones and a 1080p-upscaling DVD player with HDMI output. This wealth of features is easily controlled through an elegant GUI, the icing on the cake of a sophisticated but highly accessible first step into the world of home entertainment.

　　Arguably the most powerful and complete HD Home Theater receiver available, the Denon AVC-A1HD is the pinnacle of Denon’s continuing effort to bring the best in multichannel audio and high definition video to the discerning enthusiast. Three SHARC DSP chips from Analog Devices are combined with proprietary 'Advanced-AL24' processing, a sophisticated power supply and selected audiophile components to deliver a blend of raw power and precision. Similarly, a top Realta processor from Silicon Optix runs powerful algorithms from Teranex to assure near-perfect adaptive de-interlacing and scaling from any kind of video source. As expected, the connectivity is from another world, catering for every high definition audio and video format and even including Wi-Fi compatibility. The AVC-A1HD is simply the home theater perfectionist's dream.

　　Uni-Q is KEF's not-so-secret weapon - a bass/mid driver with an integral and concentric treble unit - has been further refined in its latest XQ series of loudspeakers. As the two drivers in each Uni-Q have coincident acoustic centres, each of the XQ40, XQ50C and XQ20 loudspeakers helps avoid creating a 'sweet spot' in a home theater, enabling as many people as possible to enjoy the best sound. This broad compatibility coupled with its exacting sound quality and exceptional standards of construction and finish seals the EISA Award for KEF's XQ series.

　　Fully-fledged but affordable HD AV receivers like Sony's STR-DA5400ES are few and far between. In keeping with the Elevated Standard (ES) range's illustrious heritage, the 5400ES is built and specified to a fabulously high standard. Features include HDMI blending, full Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio decoding, a second zone GUI, a proprietary auto setup/room correction regime and no further than seven channels of discrete power amplification. Sony's HATS interface for the low-jitter transfer of SACD data from compatible players is also included. All in all, this is one of the best performing and versatile HD AV receivers available, regardless of price.

　　Based on a long tradition of subwoofers, the NS-SW700 from Yamaha can bring a superb and robust bass response to every home theatre system. Its ‘no parallel planes’ bass-reflex cabinet sports a highly polished piano black finish and incorporates a downward-firing 10in driver unit powered by a 300W highly efficient amplifier. The subwoofer stands on a special base, dubbed the QD-Bass, which spreads and homogenizes the sound. For those who care about the environment, this subwoofer boasts very low power consumption when in stand-by mode. An elegant-looking subwoofer, the Yamaha sounds tight and deep with movies and balanced and accurate when fed audio-only material.

　　LG Electronics has made great strides in the styling, in addition to the audio and video performance of its products, and the HR953TV 'do-everything' home cinema system is a perfect example of this trend. Among other features, this inclusive system offers a built-in DVD player with 1080p-upscaling, an FM radio tuner, iPod connection and a USB Plus port with direct recording. The characteristic keyhole design of the on/off switch on the centre console will trigger everybody’s curiosity, and the flute-shaped floorstanding speakers are easy both on the eye and ear of the user. LG’s focus on audio quality has recently been underlined by the company’s appointment of Mark Levinson - the engineer who almost single-handedly invented the concept of high-end audio some 30 years ago.

　　For the best images on the move there’s nothing to beat Sony’s double-DIN XAV-W1. Its superb 7-inch LCD screen with 800x480 pixel resolution offers picture of unprecedented clarity and liveliness, clearly excelling the de-facto standards of mobile video. Impressive as a stand alone all-in-one unit, XAV-W1 can form the heart of a sophisticated in-car cinema system, thanks to its compatibility with Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II (and outputs for front, rear, sub and central speaker channels). Audiophiles won’t be disappointed too: this head unit not only reads CD, DVD, MP3, WMA, JPEG and DivX, but also offers compatibility with SACD to provide the most advanced mobile sound experience. Amazing video capabilities and true audiophile sound have hardly ever met in a single headunit before.

　　This amplifier strikes a perfect balance between the latest digital technology and traditional analogue audiophilia. Driven by a four-stage power supply, this amp offers four different configuration options: A class, A-B class, Hi A-B class and Energy Saving. Analogue inputs may be connected for a traditional straight signal path, but with the facility to run through a fully configurable active crossover stage. Additionally, there’s an S/PDIF digital input available to permit a direct connection to the powerful internal 24-bit, 192 kHz D/A converter, and then the amplification stages. Amplifier configuration and signal path are controlled digitally by the built-in ASC (Amplifier Status Control) and Status Display, neither of those interfere with the signal path - which is a new concept for in-car audio. TH amplifiers can be digitally addressed and controlled by an external Digital Remote Control (DRC) to build a complete digitally controlled audio network in the car.

　　A simple wave of the hand activates one of the most capable and versatile in-car head units ever made. El Chameleon Zero technology blacks out all controls on the face of the KD-AVX44 when they are not in use. However, when a movement nearby is perceived, the Smart Motion Sensor controls light up on the jet-black face panel, to provide intuitively clear and easy control. The KD-AVX44 is a top class audio source. It’s compatible with both DVD and CD, and multiple digital audio file formats burned onto CD or DVD or uploaded from USB storage (including WAV, MP3, WMA and AAC). Built-in Bluetooth means the KD-AVX44 also functions as a hands-free device and receives streaming audio from Bluetooth media players. Finally, the KD-AVX44 will also operate as a fully functional DVD player with DivX compatibility, built-in 5.1 decoder and its own 3.5-inch screen. All at the wave of a hand!

　　Zenec’s E>GO is the first range of head units to offer a true ‘plug and play’ concept. Unlike generic 2DIN devices, these units are made to perfectly match the original looks and controls of specific car models. Even more importantly, they will communicate immediately with modern cars’ CAN bus systems, including existing steering wheel controls. It goes without saying that E>GO models far exceed OEM equipment in terms of audio and video performance, while also meeting the latest connectivity standards. They provide interfaces for iPod, USB and SD card, as well as AV inputs both on the unit front panel, and on the media link box. A complete set of pre-outs can be used to build a multimedia system. There is Bluetooth functionality, including audio streaming, while with an optional box E>GO can become a state-of-the-art navigation system. The E>GO concept provides a way to seamlessly, easily and affordably upgrade AV and navigation facilities in modern cars.

　　The Pioneer AVIC-F900BT is a fully loaded in-car entertainment and communication system, including DVD playback, a 5.8-inch WVGA screen, music playback from SD card, CD, USB, and the option for iPod dock as well as an RDS radio with TMC. However, the main bonus is an innovative flash-card based navigation system, which allows users to plan routes on their home PCs, then export the route key points to the head unit before departing from home. Other valuable features include text-to-speech functionality, exceptional ease of use, and full Bluetooth support for mobile phones (including the option to have up to three address books stored simultaneously in the head unit). With so many features at such an attractive price point, the AVIC-F900BT is hard to beat.

　　In this first speaker system from the non-compromise Audison Thesis brand, each component is a masterpiece in every respect. The design represents an unprecedented combination of traditional and innovative solutions. The story starts with cellulose and high-tech fibre cones, multiwave surrounds and perfect aerodynamic baskets; it ends with truly innovative magnet systems ensuring the thermal stability needed for flawless sound reproduction. Transparent Polycrystal dust caps reveal the sophisticated motor structure of Thesis Sax and Voce; indeed ‘transparent’ is the word that best describes the sound signature of these stunning new Audison speakers.

　　JL Audio´s many years of experience in high quality subwoofers has directed its development of this extremely shallow subwoofer. By employing many new, patented technologies in the 13TW5-3, JL Audio has managed to create a drive unit that measures just a little over 60 mm thick - and compromises neither sound quality nor sound pressure. By incorporating a huge seven-inch voice coil (built to house the magnet) and advanced materials, this subwoofer can handle up to 1,200 Watts of power. JL Audio even made the 13.5-inch cone fit a normal 12-inch mounting aperture, and it requires only a very shallow 23-litre enclosure. All in all the 13TW5-3 provides a fascinating blend of newest technology, high-tech construction and outstanding sound quality in its class.

　　The new 42PFL9803 with Perfect Pixel HD Engine solves two of the most critical challenges in current LCD TV technology: black level and motion blur. Thanks to its genius LED backlight, featuring 2D Dimming control over 128 individual areas, the 42PFL9803’s black level can now compete with the best plasma-TV sets. The Clear LCD 100Hz technology, meanwhile, reproduces crystal-pure images that are also naturally fluid thanks to Philips’s extremely sophisticated motion compensation algorithm. The picture-sensitive Ambilight is another smart feature exclusive to Philips. Sound quality is better than average, but this does not compromise aesthetics: the loudspeakers are, in fact, invisible! Finally, this TV is all set for multimedia content thanks to its DLNA (Digital Living network Alliance) standard network connection.

　　Whether you shoot portraits or wildlife, this new Sony zoom lens is an invaluable tool to use with your α DSLR camera. The lens is very light, providing fast and smooth autofocus through its SSM motor, while maintaining its manual focus ability. The focus lock button and the focus range selector in the left side of the barrel give the lens a professional touch and contribute to its overall ease of use. Optically, you can expect beautifully detailed pictures with an impressively even resolution across the image frame. Any limitations of the relatively small maximum aperture are more than balanced out by the reduced high ISO noise that is characteristic of Sony’s α cameras.

　　Who could resist this piano-black Walkman-series phone? It’s a quad-band handset loaded with 8 GB of internal memory, a 3.2 Megapixel camera, an FM tuner, Bluetooth stereo, and a music player that operates even with the phone flip-lid closed. Opened out, the handset reveals its 2.2-inch QVGA display with 262k colors and stunning picture quality. One incredibly valuable innovation is the built-in FM radio transmitter. This broadcasts phone-based music playback to a standard car radio, even transferring artist and track details via RDS. The music player handles a wide variety of audio file formats, and automatically sorts tracks according to a range of criteria. Finally, two excellent features are the SenseMe and Shake control. These group tracks by mood, enabling track changes and entire playlist shuffling with just a simple flick of the hand.

　　Is it a phone, or is it a camera? Only a few years ago the SGH-810’s features would have been unimaginable on anything but a high-spec camera. It offers 5 Megapixel resolution from its CMOS sensor, and protects its optical 3x zoom lens with a sliding cover. Image quality is surprisingly good in bright light, while in low-light conditions the xenon flash is a real bonus. Numerous camera-style photo functions include auto focus with face detection, panoramic mode, macro capabilities, multi-shot mode, digital image stabilization and red-eye reduction. Plus the SGH-810 device also includes Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS Geo-tagging, USB, an earphone socket and a slot for microSD memory cards. Best of all, it manages to look at once both elegant and robust.

　　The Pioneer PDP-LX6090 is a superb plasma TV whose advanced functions bring out the very best results from Blu-ray, DVD and standard TV signals. Thanks to an amazingly low black level - Pioneer calls it KURO - this set’s contrast ratio is sky-high. The result is an impression of immense depth and crisp detailing, the like of which have not been seen on a plasma-TV before. Professional users can tune to ISF standards, to view films exactly as their directors intended: 1080p/24 with correct colours and cinema-like movements at 72 frames per second. However, myriad other settings are equally accessible through a lavishly specified menu system. The final layer of optimization is a light sensor that automatically enhances the picture in response to individual room lighting conditions.

　　Navigon’s latest portable device - featuring a wide 4.8 inch LCD touch screen and brushed stainless steel finish - is setting new standards for navigation systems with its multiple innovations. Detailed European maps are rendered with real 3D-landscapes, the Lane Assistant Pro function highlights which lane leads to the desired direction, while a Reality View Pro shows motorway junctions and exits in a very realistic manner. Spoken guidance is also excellent since its text-to-speech converter indicates not only which direction but also which street name to follow. Better still, this device not only talks, but also listens: its reliable voice recognition system allows drivers to enter destinations simply by speaking the name of a city, street and house number. With an integrated MP3 player, picture viewer, Bluetooth handsfree and FM transmitter radio, the Navigon 8110 is a cutting edge multimedia product.

　　Here’s a device that is certain to attract undivided attention from gadget connoisseurs everywhere. The Touch Diamond’s glossy, shiny case contains an operating system based on Windows Mobile v6.1 Pro, enhanced with a new 3D TouchFlo interface. Images on the 2.8-inch VGA touch-screen are very sharp and clear, making the Touch Diamond a refreshing and rewarding device to use. No user will want for anything in terms of functions, since HTC has included a 3.2 Megapixel camera, 4GB of internal memory, an FM radio and GPS navigation. Connectivity options include HSDPA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB. By achieving such slick looks and performance, the Touch Diamond is a clear winner.

　　Glamorously shaped and fabulously well thought-out, the B&W Zeppelin benefits from the technical heritage of one the most renowned loudspeaker brands in the world. Born to be the bridge between traditional high-end audio and the newest generations of music lovers, the Zeppelin extends the appeal and capabilities of the ubiquitous iPod range, including the iPod Touch and iPhone. Beneath the sculptured enclosure are five transducers designed by Bowers & Wilkins (two tweeters, two mid/bass units and one subwoofer) driven by 100W of efficient Class D amplification and with custom DSP to help optimise its bass performance in the normal living room. So the Zeppelin not only looks charismatic but also sounds deeply impressive.

　　Samsung’s PS50A476P1D is the first ‘3D Ready’ television on the European market, and sets the stage for a new generation of TVs that provide a three-dimensional viewing experience. The technology, based on affordable ‘active glasses’, is generating a buzz in the gaming community because for the first time it adds an extra dimension at sufficient quality to prevent eyestrain. Broadcasters and filmmakers are adopting the technology in movies and TV coverage of, for example, sports events and music shows. This idea is now coming to fruition thanks to the arrival of TV sets with ultra-fast response times, such as the Samsung PS50 with 100Hz plasma panel, and projectors or back projection TVs with a DLP picture engine.

　　In its latest incarnation, JVC’s D-ILA projection technology again sets new standards in home theater imagery. An astonishing picture contrast sets the DLA-HD100 apart from its competition, but its broad and neutral reproduction of colours, transparent video DSP and flawless handling of 1080p/24 signals are no less impressive. For truly high-end applications, the anamorphic stretch function allows the HD100 to be used with an optional anamorphic lens, delivering a cinema-like picture quality in domestic home theatre environments.