October 2023 ertonline.co.uk


Panasonic’s GNW10 Sound Slayer JBL Authentics wireless speakers


Sylvox also had


weatherproof outdoors LED TV, available in a variety of screen sizes, that apes Samsung’s custom install-


a friendly Terrace screen. Weighing a comfortable 400g, it connects


wirelessly via a compact USB transmitter that connects to a console or PC. We gave it a try and were impressed at just how immersive the gaming audio experience was. Panasonic also introduced the EAH- AZ40M2 earphones (above right), completing its 2023 True Wireless line-up. Joining the EAH-AZ80 and EAH-AZ60M2, the AZ40M2 features


active noise cancellation Bluetooth Multipoint Connection.


Something for everyone Making its debut at IFA was Chinese newcomer, Sylvox, but rather than enter the TV market with cookie-cutter screens, it opted for some rather novel designs, including a waterproof bathroom range, and a kitchen cupboard smart TV with a drop down screen.


and


This lookalike is IP55 rated, and has a bright 2,000 nit display, but retails for half that of Samsung’s outdoor models.


DTS Play-Fi used the show to launch a


wireless home theatre system that challenges the norm when it comes to home cinema. This new standard supports 12 channels of sound over Wi-Fi and is fully compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.


As all Play-Fi speakers are compatible with one another, consumers can mix, match and add components as they require. For this home theatre audio launch, DTS partnered with TP Vision, whose Philips branded sets can act as the Play-Fi-enabled cinema source. It’s worth noting that while the Play-Fi system can technically deliver 12 channels of wireless audio, that’s not actually possible from launch. Current Philips TP Vision sets are limited to 10 channels. Even so, a Play-Fi demo at the show impressed with its immersive sound quality and minimal delay between speakers, hinting at a wireless future for home cinema enthusiasts.


Projections for the future Above: The ‘Potato’ cupboard TV from Sylvox


Similarly cinematic, Hisense expanded its projection ambitions at IFA, introducing the C1 4K laser projector series. The models follow on from Hisense’s popular Laser TV ultra- Short Throw models. These cube-shaped projectors, which include the portable C1 Air with a carry handle (left) and the C1 Pro, looked bright and vibrant even in a partially lit IFA hall. All three feature a Trichrom tri-colour laser light engine, with a brightness rating of 1,600 Lumens and a 110 per cent BT.2020 colour gamut. I suspect they’ll be real crowd-pleasers! Hisense has also partnered with Leica


to produce the first Leica-branded laser projector, the Leica Cine 1, which is similarly impressive. It’s going to be interesting to see just how significant Hisense can become in this fast growing market sector.


Orbiting IFA, JBL entered the home speaker market with its Authentics wireless speakers. Inspired by the brand’s iconic L100 Hi-Fi loudspeaker, the range includes the Authentics 500, which combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with Dolby Atmos audio decoding; the Authentics 300, a portable model with an eight-hour battery; and the Authentics 200, a small, but boisterous wired model. In a sign of things to come, these speakers work with both Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, offering users the convenience of using either voice assistants, perhaps assigning one smart home device control and the other streaming entertainment duties. In a surprising move, JBL also launched the PartyBox Ultimate (below), a massive club speaker with built-in LED lighting and Dolby Atmos support. Thanks to high-sensitivity mid-range drivers, dual tweeters, and a pair of nine-inch subwoofers, this speaker delivers a whopping 1,100W of power. JBL used several PartyBox Ultimates for its VIP launch party and practically brought the roof down! >>


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