CES 2013 Announcements

[blessingx]

Thought I'd start a thread for any interesting CES gear (audio or otherwise). First is a DAC. Anyone know BMC gear? http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/01/06/pre-ces-b-m-c-audio-announces-puredac/ Seems the XLR comment is off.

Edited January 6, 2013 by blessingx

[Tari]

Jonathan Tinn from Blue Light/Evolution Acoustics sells the BMC line and thinks very highly of their products (his more expensive amp line is Dartzeel.) These price points make more sense. While BMC is a german company, their products are made in China, and the 8-10K they were charging for most of their amps just wasn't working. It will be interesting to see what they can do at this price point.

Sennheiser is displaying the orpheus setup at CES this year, and that may coincide with an announcement of a new stat, if the rumor mill has their timetables right.

[blessingx]

Kinda cool Canopy Sensus iPhone case... http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/06/canopy-sensus-case-adds-10-point-touch-to-iphones/

[MexicanDragon]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/6/3844860/nvidia-tegra-4-announcement-specs-availability

Tegra 4.  Mmmmm...

 

**BRENT**

[Tari]

From the LA Times:

There was bound to be a smart utensil. At Unveiled, the show's first media sneak-peek event, Hapilabs showed off its new Hapifork product: a set of utensils that the company says will "help you lose weight."

The "smart electronic" fork and spoon pair, created by Frenchman Jacques Lepine, are equipped with sensors that cause vibrations when users take too many bites too quickly.

(I suppose this could be used to serve the opposite purpose, as a sort of competitive eater's version of Nike Plus)

Edited January 7, 2013 by Tari

[blessingx]

Interesting move Canon. Nikon?

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/canon-powershot-n/

[Tari]

Update on the Orpheus thing, looks like its Sennheiser's coming out party for "Club Orpheus."  Basically they're restricting their dealer network on higher end models so that you can be assured you're getting "orpheus service" if I'm reading correctly:

 

 

About Club Orpheus
Club Orpheus takes its name from the legendary Orpheus headphones. Released in 1991, Orpheus is still regarded as the most exclusive and expensive headphone ever produced. Its limited run of only 300 pieces, combined with unparalleled levels of engineering and component choice, means the Orpheus has left its mark on the audio world forever.

Club Orpheus has been created around the very same values as this superlative product – its members represent the finest and most experienced audio retailers in the UK. In buying from a Club Orpheus member, you receive a range of benefits not found anywhere else. These include unparalleled expertise and first-class service. You can also be confident that you are getting the very best in quality from an approved Sennheiser specialist.

We truly believe that there is something for every audio enthusiast. Remember that our most prestigious models are only available through Club Orpheus members.

 

(Included products are HD800, 700, ie800, RS200, Momentum.  No word if they plan on implementing something similar in the US.)  

[n_maher]

Interesting move Canon. Nikon?

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/canon-powershot-n/

 

As a guy with paws instead of hands that looks like it would be rather difficult to handle. 

[spritzer]

Update on the Orpheus thing, looks like its Sennheiser's coming out party for "Club Orpheus."  Basically they're restricting their dealer network on higher end models so that you can be assured you're getting "orpheus service" if I'm reading correctly:

 

 

About Club Orpheus

Club Orpheus takes its name from the legendary Orpheus headphones. Released in 1991, Orpheus is still regarded as the most exclusive and expensive headphone ever produced. Its limited run of only 300 pieces, combined with unparalleled levels of engineering and component choice, means the Orpheus has left its mark on the audio world forever.

Club Orpheus has been created around the very same values as this superlative product – its members represent the finest and most experienced audio retailers in the UK. In buying from a Club Orpheus member, you receive a range of benefits not found anywhere else. These include unparalleled expertise and first-class service. You can also be confident that you are getting the very best in quality from an approved Sennheiser specialist.

We truly believe that there is something for every audio enthusiast. Remember that our most prestigious models are only available through Club Orpheus members.

 

(Included products are HD800, 700, ie800, RS200, Momentum.  No word if they plan on implementing something similar in the US.)  

 

This has a lot more to do with pricing than anything else... 

[blessingx]

As a guy with paws instead of hands that looks like it would be rather difficult to handle.

Don't worry about the practicalities. "The new PowerShot N opens up a new dimension of photographic expression, helping people express their personal style and creative flair with powerful innovative Canon technologies."

[deepak]

Update on the Orpheus thing, looks like its Sennheiser's coming out party for "Club Orpheus."  Basically they're restricting their dealer network on higher end models so that you can be assured you're getting "orpheus service" if I'm reading correctly:

 

 

About Club Orpheus

Club Orpheus takes its name from the legendary Orpheus headphones. Released in 1991, Orpheus is still regarded as the most exclusive and expensive headphone ever produced. Its limited run of only 300 pieces, combined with unparalleled levels of engineering and component choice, means the Orpheus has left its mark on the audio world forever.

Club Orpheus has been created around the very same values as this superlative product – its members represent the finest and most experienced audio retailers in the UK. In buying from a Club Orpheus member, you receive a range of benefits not found anywhere else. These include unparalleled expertise and first-class service. You can also be confident that you are getting the very best in quality from an approved Sennheiser specialist.

We truly believe that there is something for every audio enthusiast. Remember that our most prestigious models are only available through Club Orpheus members.

 

(Included products are HD800, 700, ie800, RS200, Momentum.  No word if they plan on implementing something similar in the US.)  

That is seriously blue ballsing us

[guzziguy]

Interesting move Canon. Nikon?

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/canon-powershot-n/

As a guy with paws instead of hands that looks like it would be rather difficult to handle. 

 

As a southpaw (left-handed), who enjoys many ambidextrous and left-handed tools, etc., I have never felt the need for an ambidextrous or left-handed camera.

 

Don't worry about the practicalities. "The new PowerShot N opens up a new dimension of photographic expression, helping people express their personal style and creative flair with powerful innovative Canon technologies."

 

Canon is definitely a leading thought leader.

[TMoney]

Is Tyll going to be at CES again this year scoutin' products for us? I haven't seen anything on IF.

[n_maher]

Is Tyll going to be at CES again this year scoutin' products for us? I haven't seen anything on IF.

 

Yes, he's out there again this year.  But CES doesn't technically start until tomorrow so I'm not sure how much you'll see on IF until tomorrow at the earliest.

[Torpedo]

What's the point of buying the HD800, currently TOTL of Sennheiser's offering from an expensive boutique?

[deepak]

What's the point of buying the HD800, currently TOTL of Sennheiser's offering from an expensive boutique?

My guess is like Grado, they want dealers to rigidly stick to minimum advertised price. This is probably easier to do through a smaller dealer network opposed to Amazon, etc.

[Tari]

They include a link on the bottom to contact them if you're a dealer wanting to become part of "Club Orpheus."  My guess is it won't be unduly hard to become part of the club, but if they then catch you selling lower than MAP (they artificially boost MSRP so that MAP is what they really want vendors to charge), you lose your club certification and ability to sell their higher end products.  It also serves as a way to reinforce exclusivity and luxury, as well as to remind everyone that they made a headphone called the orpheus at one time that was really good.

Edited January 7, 2013 by Tari

[Hopstretch]

That's fuckin' weak, Senn. Boo.

[The Monkey]

My guess is like Grado, they want dealers to rigidly stick to minimum advertised price. This is probably easier to do through a smaller dealer network opposed to Amazon, etc.

 

 

Agree.  Also probably an easier way to do this legally.  Despite recent developments, if they don't offer some sort of premium service to justify their agreements on price, then arguably they're going to have antitrust problems.

[swt61]

That's fuckin' weak, Senn. Boo.

 

Please do not disparage the company I've grown to love so.

[Salt Peanuts]

As a southpaw (left-handed), who enjoys many ambidextrous and left-handed tools, etc., I have never felt the need for an ambidextrous or left-handed camera.

As a left-eye dominant being, I wish they made cameras that didn't force me to jam my right hand into my face every time I used it (yes, I know there are rangefinders and NEX-7 with viewfinders to the left side).

[deepak]

@dn we're showing the Orpheus at CES. That's all we can share. (Sennheiser USA)

[blessingx]

New Philips cans. Also this thang...

 

[blessingx]

Also a little info on the N. Seems kinda interesting for some lite shooters.

[Tari]

LG announces they are finally releasing their OLED TV.