CES 2011 had an upbeat mood, you could feel it on the show floor. Most exhibitors and attendees I spoke with were optimistic about the coming year. A few just hoped it wouldn't be any worse than 2010. Overall attendance appeared to be higher than last year, though we won't know final attendance figures for awhile. It seemed that iPads were everywhere - many exhibitors used them effectively to make product presentations and to control stereo and home theater systems via an iPad app.
In the stereo world, a few higher-end speaker manufacturers used the event to introduce more affordable speakers. Martin Logan, for example, showed their $2000/pr speakers with the company's legendary electrostatic drivers. Quad showed a pair of bookshelf speakers and powered speakers in the sub $1,000 range. Some went the other direction. Wisdom Audio showed their no-holds-barred LS4 line source speaker system combined with new the STS subwoofers. This two-channel system, clearly designed for the ultra serious music lover, will be available for around $80,000, but what a great listening experience! Sony showed its SS-AR1 flagship speakers for about $27,000 per pair, clearly not intending to sell many, but to use it as a technology and design statement. It also sounded great.
2.1 channel speaker systems were popular, such as Cambridge Audio's Minx, the Bird system from Focal and the new T Series from KEF. Manufacturers see an opportunity in 2.1 channel systems to appeal to homeowners that want good home theater sound without the hassle of installing and wiring five or more speakers.
Overall, CES 2011 was a very positive show. For more information, check out Robert Silva's CES 2011 Home Theater coverage.
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