Lifestyle Audio
Once monopolized by Bang and Olufson, stylized audio components are becoming more popular. It seems fitting that the year 2000 would usher in a whole new series of products that titillate the senses, futurize your décor and sound sensational.
Nakamichi, a name synonymous with innovation, has designed an entirely new product line called SoundSpace. The simple SoundSpace 3 ($499) incorporates an AM/FM tuner, CD player and subwoofer unit, while the SoundSpace 5 is a wall-mountable AM/FM tuner with a three-disc CD changer and speakers, retailing for $799. At the other extreme is the SoundSpace 10 ($4999) that houses Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, a built-in five-disc DVD changer using the patented MusicBank system (which does not use cartridges or a carousel) in an elegantly styled head unit (floor standing or wall mountable). Four matched floor-standing speakers, two subwoofers and a LCD learning remote are included. SoundSpace 11 (February delivery, undisclosed price) is a feast for the senses, with the speakers encased in a space-age capsule, where the drive unit can float along a vertical axis for different listening positions that can be placed in memory for instant recall.
The Scottish high-end audio manufacturer, LINN, has entered this lucrative category with the Classik component, an all-in-one chassis with amplifier, preamp, CD Player and Tuner. Rated at a respectable 75 watts per channel and including thin wall-mountable speakers, the Classik comes in five colors and retails for $1,500. Perfect for the audiophile who can’t do without high-fidelity even in the den or office.
Kenwood highlighted two new compact systems that boasts both features and modernistic styling. The Allura NV-600 ($650) combines a three-channel amp, preamp, CD Player and tuner in an attractive wave-shaped chassis. Die-cast aluminum two-way satellite speakers are included, along with a passive subwoofer. Dolby Virtual Surround Sound provides a plausible surround sound effect with only the two speakers and sub. The VH-600 ($599) is a much smaller chassis that can be placed horizontally or vertically on a shelf containing a Class A amp, tuner and CD player with HDCD decoding capabilities. Cosmetically matched cassette player ($250) and Mini Disc player/recorder ($400) may be added.
