B&W CES 2009 Announcement

[markov]

Saw this on B&W's site; inlcudes an addition to the XT line and a yet to be named product...

B&W announces groundbreaking new product at CES

http://bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?utm_campaign=Version+9+US+SoS+Zeppelin+lifestyle+theme&utm_source=%2fHome%2f&infid=4008&utm_content=Promo3_B%26W+at+CES+2009&utm_medium=PROMOLINK3

[sikoniko]

I'm going. Anyone else going? Perhaps we can meet up?

[GregLett]

I'm going. Anyone else going? Perhaps we can meet up?

Let us know what you think of the XT8. That should be great.

[DM3000 Owner]

I'm going. Anyone else going? Perhaps we can meet up?

I'm going to THE Show at the Alexix Park. Went to CES last year for the first time. It was fun but I was told that THE Show is smaller, more interaction and a better time.

[sikoniko]

I'm going to THE Show at the Alexix Park. Went to CES last year for the first time. It was fun but I was told that THE Show is smaller, more interaction and a better time.

going to that as well. Rebelman and I are meeting up to play for the weekend.

[Kal Rubinson]

I'm going to THE Show at the Alexix Park. Went to CES last year for the first time. It was fun but I was told that THE Show is smaller, more interaction and a better time.

Definitely smaller.

Kal

[sikoniko]

I'm going to THE Show at the Alexix Park. Went to CES last year for the first time. It was fun but I was told that THE Show is smaller, more interaction and a better time.

I called Rebelman this evening to ask about it and he said that the CES badge got you into "The Show". He gave me the impression that you can do both.

[wettou]

I called Rebelman this evening to ask about it and he said that the CES badge got you into "The Show". He gave me the impression that you can do both.

"B&W is introducing a completely new premium category, where sound quality and style blend seamlessly."

Anyone knows what that is? New 800D series??

Also What Show

[bigburner]

"B&W is introducing a completely new premium category, where sound quality and style blend seamlessly."

Anyone knows what that is? New 800D series??

I predict that B&W are going to resurrect the CDM-9NT and admit that it is the pinnacle of their engineering excellence to-date. I feel a HUGE apology coming on to all those 800 series owners out there who have paid far more than they needed to.

Coincidentally I had the foresight to purchase a pair of CDM-9NT speakers a few years ago. Not that I'm bragging or anything...

Nigel.

[wettou]

I predict that B&W are going to resurrect the CDM-9NT and admit that it is the pinnacle of their engineering excellence to-date. I feel a HUGE apology coming on to all those 800 series owners out there who have paid far more than they needed to. Coincidentally I had the foresight to purchase a pair of CDM-9NT speakers a few years ago. Not that I'm bragging or anything... Nigel.

I am happy for you I bought my B&W at 25% off list so I don't care :B What are the CDM-9NT?

[Briz vegas]

I predict that B&W are going to resurrect the CDM-9NT and admit that it is the pinnacle of their engineering excellence to-date. I feel a HUGE apology coming on to all those 800 series owners out there who have paid far more than they needed to.

Coincidentally I had the foresight to purchase a pair of CDM-9NT speakers a few years ago. Not that I'm bragging or anything...

Nigel.

Nigel may not be that far off the mark. Premium is how B&W describe the 700 series. I heard a rumour that they were going to be called the CD M&Ms, they are round and very colourful to fit with every decore.

This is all good for the forum as there will be pages of posts saying how much we hate or love the new series.

Don't know about this new market segment. I can onlyguess that they will start making 1. components 2. PA systems or 3 perfume and clothing. Given recent trends I suspect it will be 3.

Seriously, my money is on ipod headphones. I already want a pair for my fm stereo radio.

[bigburner]

What are the CDM-9NT?

These...

[Nolan B]

XT8....sounds great. I am all about looks as good as it sounds. I wonder how it will stack up against the CM series which looks great in piano black.

[Kal Rubinson]

I called Rebelman this evening to ask about it and he said that the CES badge got you into "The Show". He gave me the impression that you can do both.

Yes, a CES badge will get you into "THE Show" but a badge from "THE Show" will not get you into CES.

Kal

[Kal Rubinson]

These...

Looks like an ancestor of the 804S.

[William]

Looks like an ancestor of the 804S.

...or more like the 703.

[joetama]

This is rather intereting...

Too bad I'm not going this year.

[wettou]

These...

Thanks they are ugly :cry:

[Allegiance]

Thanks they are ugly :cry:

+1 to that brother. :E

[Briz vegas]

Are you guys B&W newbies or something. When they came out I wanted the N1s. Compared to the other boxes in the store they looked great.

[Mark-n-b]

I always aspired to the 9NT, but I never had the resources to get them at the time.

B&W headphones sounds like a very good idea - if you will excuse the pun! :roll:

[Alloroc]

Hmmm....

My thoughts are something it may be the realms of wireless(?) - maybe an evolution or production version of The Liberty system from last year.

Or, maybe they might launch a soundbar.

Headphones sounds most plausable to me though.

[wettou]

Only a few more days and then we will know :B

[wgriel]

...or more like the 703.

Yes. The CDM series is the direct predecessor to the 700 series. In fact, the 700 series white paper states this directly.

I don't think this new product will be any kind of traditional speaker though. Something wireless is a possibility, or something iPod related. They are stating "B&W is introducing a completely new premium category, where sound quality and style blend seamlessly".

I think the emphasis is on "category".

[wakefield103]

Can someone please post a picture of the XT8s?

[Kevin D]

Just got this:

At the Renaissance Hotel, next door to the Las Vegas Convention Center, New products include Rotel 15 series two-channel and custom models that have not yet been released to market, along with CT models from Classé and the forthcoming addition to the B&W CT series of custom stealth speakers, CT8.2. In addition, there will be an active audio/video demonstration of the exciting Panorama speaker from B&W. Please come and see us.

Looks like B&W will have a surround bar coming out..

Kevin D.

[joetama]

Just got this:



Looks like B&W will have a surround bar coming out..

Kevin D.

That is rather uneventful... I was really hoping for the headphones so I could never have to not listen to B&W again...

[Briz vegas]

:Z :Z :Z :z :Z

Anyone got some spare B&W drivers. I suggest we build our own headphones.

[KyaDawn]

Just got this:



Looks like B&W will have a surround bar coming out..

Kevin D.

Wow, sounds so mass market. Well that seems to be the trend for B&W, I even see the Zeppelin now in the big electronic stores where I live, similar to Best Buy, etc., in the States.

This is probably a great way to increase their profile. I see a lot of people I know that had little knowledge or interest in hi-fi suddenly all praising and wanting the Zeppelin. Of course, they still find it "expensive", but certainly not out of reach.

I never got these sound/surround bars, anyone know how well does the "surround" work? I can imagine it's very room dependant, and probably they have to implement a lot of digital processing to create some sort of effect. Wonder how B&W can implement a better solution besides using higher quality speakers.

[Alloroc]

Just got this:



Looks like B&W will have a surround bar coming out..

Kevin D.

Y'know, when I first saw the post it's what I thought. It's the only type of speaker product that they don't do - but I did think it unlikely. That said, the zep has really raised their profile to a whole level of consumers that would have never heard of them. I was in the Apple Store in London earlier this year and they were going nuts for the Zeppelin - literally crowds surrounding it.

My local hifi guy has a Yamaha soundbar in his showroom - I've not listened hard but on first impressions it's OK. I would use one - not for HT replacment but rather as a tidy add on for a wall mount TV in a secondary area - a kitchen or bedroom perhaps - given that TV speakers are pretty shoddy and room for other gear and cables is really limited.

I'm looking forward to seeing it tho' - for curiosity more so than anything else.

[sikoniko]

I have a Zeppelin. I'm quite impressed by it. The sound is great and it has a digital input, so I was able to plug a Sonos into it and use it as a second zone for my Sonos system. It made the wife very happy that I could tune into a "Christmas" station on Pandora and play Christmas music over the holidays. It can fill a good sized room very well for its size.

As far as a sound bar, it doesn't really surprise me. B&W is in business to be profitable. If they think they can be competitive in that space, then why not? Some people don't want speakers all around their room.

[Russ L]

I never got these sound/surround bars, anyone know how well does the "surround" work? I can imagine it's very room dependant, and probably they have to implement a lot of digital processing to create some sort of effect. Wonder how B&W can implement a better solution besides using higher quality speakers.

I heard the first Yammy surround bars. I found them bright, hollow and unclear. The surround bars are very room dependent since they use directed "beams" of sound. The number of beams varies with the listening mode. To get the rear sound you must reflect off the side walls then off the back wall. To setup all furniture and wall hangings/pictures must be removed from the "beams" paths for the unit to work. Similar to an acoustically poor room. Although the processor must allow for timing differences between the "beams" of sound. I wouldn't settle for this product and the label "premium" by B&W seems a stretch. The 800 series is premium. The product is very wife friendly :smootch: so should sell if they can up the quality from the Yamaha bars. But the basic principle should be the same so it looks like an uphill struggle.

[artv4]

Leaving For CES Tonight!!!!! Go B&w!!!!!

[sleddogg]

what about something in car audio? maybe keeping in stride with zeppelin in ipod connectivity? How about computer sound card and 5.1/7.1 to superfi elements of home entertainment like windows media center. Just brainstorming.

[Kevin D]

All ready have car audio (not for retail though).. Their Jaguar is going to be on display again this year.

Kevin D.

[KyaDawn]

I heard the first Yammy surround bars. I found them bright, hollow and unclear. The surround bars are very room dependent since they use directed "beams" of sound. The number of beams varies with the listening mode. To get the rear sound you must reflect off the side walls then off the back wall. To setup all furniture and wall hangings/pictures must be removed from the "beams" paths for the unit to work. Similar to an acoustically poor room. Although the processor must allow for timing differences between the "beams" of sound. I wouldn't settle for this product and the label "premium" by B&W seems a stretch. The 800 series is premium. The product is very wife friendly :smootch: so should sell if they can up the quality from the Yamaha bars. But the basic principle should be the same so it looks like an uphill struggle.

Yes, I agree. It should definitely sell, basically bringing the "cachet" of owning B&W to a more affordable level and to a wider consumer base similar to the Zeppelin. Heck, I might buy one for the family room flatscreen!

I'm interested in how they are going to approach the "surround" angle, though. As you described it, seems like you need a perfect storm of room dimensions and acoustics to really achieve the "surround sound". Curtains would kill it immediately, as well as lack of immediate surrounding walls.

In the end, I guess most people would be satisfied with a cool looking speaker and great sound.

[Epicurus]

B&W Adds Tower Speaker (XT 8 - $3500 pair ships Q1), Panorama Sound Bar ($2,200 spring) and CCM816 In-ceiling speaker ($600 each ships February).

Press Release

[kmcheng]

B&W Adds Tower Speaker (XT 8 - $3500 pair ships Q1), Panorama Sound Bar ($2,200 spring) and CCM816 In-ceiling speaker ($600 each ships February).

The XT8 looks mildly interesting. I am kind of disappointed that the Liberty system is still not out. I have to say that the soundbar is uninspiring. At $2200, one can get the CM1, nice stands, and a nice receiver. You cannot get real surround sound from sound bars anyway, so what is the point? Purely aesthetics?

Would someone who has seen and heard the soundbar in person please chime in? Do you think it is worth the $2200?

[Alloroc]

Jeepers, maybe I should invest in a crystal ball.....

[KyaDawn]

Wow, the sound bar is way more expensive than I expected. $2,200 puts it out of reach for more consumers looking for this kind of solution, unlike the Zeppelin. I was even considering it for the TV in the family room, but this is much more than I'm willing to spend.

I find it interesting, however, and actually I must applaud B&W's decision to not advertise this sound bar as having "surround sound". Even with DSP modes, that's not something a sound bar can truly deliver or even "fake" effectively, so not promising it at all is the right way to go. However, they are calling it the "Panorama"... :roll:

[joetama]

$2,200 is pretty high for a sound bar. I would honestly prefer a cheap stereo system out of 600 Series speakers.

But, I'm sure they have a plan of some sorts with this thing.

[Isaac]

groundbreaking? aaah....No.

Hopefully B&W has something else.

[Glenee]

[B]A Sound Bar and that's it. You've got to be kidding me. That's the Big thing. I can not believe it. What a JOKE.

[Russ L]

[B]A Sound Bar and that's it. You've got to be kidding me. That's the Big thing. I can not believe it. What a JOKE.

Thanks for saying what we all were thinking.

[Kevin D]

Best damn sound bar I've ever heard... It's good for that special situation, and there has been a number of times we've had a whole house running B&W and that difficult room running a Polk or Yamaha..

Kevin D.