Sunfire is known in the audio industry for its subwoofers but the company is treading new ground with the release of the Cinema Ribbon and Cinema Ribbon Center Channel – the first Sunfire speakers other than subwoofers. The company describes them as full-sized loudspeakers crammed into very small enclosures – the ribbons are about the size of a napkin dispenser and the speakers measure only 8x5x6 (HxWxD). Five feet of ribbon has been wrapped into a tight one-by-five-inch spiral in order to get a large radiating area within a small space. The ribbon is encased in a specially designed lens with a center vane to ensure that the wave launch is uniform even at the highest frequencies.

Meridian introduced the use of Digital Signal Processing technology in a loudspeaker and the company continues to invest in DSP speakers with the DSP3100. The new speaker replaces the DSP33 at the same price point and is intended for use as a bookshelf or stand-mounted speaker. The speakers are tonally similar to other Meridian DSPs and the company suggests using them as surrounds for a DSP-based system although they are also well suited as a smaller stand-alone system, second zone speakers in a multi-room environment or even high-end computer speakers. Meridian also boasts that because of their high-accuracy, the DSP3100s can also be used for studio monitoring either as near-field or surround monitors in recording and mastering facilities where they can accept digital audio data at standard digital recording sample rates up to 24-bit, 96kHz.

Energy has introduced a new set of speakers – the C-Series is intended to replace both the XL and Connoisseur Series, offering performance and aesthetics at an affordable price point. It will begin shipping in October.

Paradigm’s Performance Series loudspeakers have been updated with a new look that includes stylish brushed platinum baffles designed to satisfy the trend for silver in today’s home theater market, detailing on matching kick plates, and curved, low-diffraction grilles. Performance speakers are still designed for smaller spaces and smaller budgets—typically customers entering the world of high-end audio for the first time.

Paradigm’s new line of 5.1 Compact Theater systems – Cinema 70 CT, Cinema 90 CT and Cinema 110 CT – are their most affordable complete and compact speaker systems to date and feature technology derived from their Monitor Series.