Meridian Audio plans to showcase high resolution audio at ISE 2017 as it sets to launch the Meridian 258 8-channel amplifier, the Meridian 857 2-channel amplifier and the Meridian 218 zone controller.

The Meridian 258 is a dedicated rack-mount 8-channel power amplifier customers can integrate with any passive loudspeaker system. The Class D amp is designed for a wide range of applications, and delivers 100W per channel into 4 Ohms. The other amplifier seen at the show is the Meridian 857, a 2-channel amp able to deliver 500W per channel into 4 Ohms. Bridgeable to 1.5kW, it is available as a dedicated rack-mount variant with a new design, and is designed to work with any audio product.

The final product seen at ISE 2017 is the Meridian 218 Zone Controller-- a Sooloos/MAQ-enabled controller suitable for a wide range of distributed audio applications, from single zone to multi-zone use. Contol options include IP and IR, and it is easily integrated with 3rd party control systems. The controller is 1U high, and can be rack, shelf or wall mounted.

Martin Audio brings the BlacklineX series of passive loudspeakers to ISE 2017 for a first European showing as main focus in a static stand display, as well as a central cog in a demo room experience.

First announced back in October 2016, BlacklineX represents a reinvention of the original 1999 Blackline Series. The update consists of four 2-way systems, from the ultra-compact X8 to the powerful X15, and three subwoofers including an unobtrusive slimline model.

Onkyo claims the VC-FLX1 is one of the first assistant-equipped speakers to offer high quality audio playback together with the cloud-powered smarts of Amazon's Alexa.

To power such audio the speaker carries a proprietary full-range speaker driver. To further add "tremendous functionality and value," it also includes a built-in webcam and a temperature, motion and humidity sensor, allowing customers to monitor the surroundings.

Parasound starts shipping the ZoneMaster 4 DAX, a product described as the first 4-zone DAC and crossover capable of multi-zone streaming audio using Sonos Connect, Chromecast and similar technologies.

The ZoneMaster 4 DAX improves digital sound quality while simplify connection options, and reduces equipment clutter in multi-zone setups. As the company puts it, the 4 DAX creates a profitable value-added alternative to other streaming products, and provides installers with the opportunity to incorporate higher quality amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers.

The global home audio market outperforms the wider CE market in 2016, Futuresource Consulting reports-- shipments for the year total 102 million units, bringing revenues worth $11 billion.

"Over the last few years home audio has been the go-to growth category for CE, but 2016 is pushing expectations even further," the analyst says. "Against a backdrop of activity from soundbars and Bluetooth speakers, and the success of Amazon's Echo and Alexa, it's been a record year that is also building firm foundations for future growth."

Driving the market is growing interest in music streaming services, as well as playback from smartphones, pushing demand for wireless audio products. Bluetooth speakers make 80% of the 2016 wireless speaker market, and should remain popular thanks to lower costs. Soundbars are also popular, with shipments growing by 15% to 16 million units.

AudioControl announces the availability of DTS:X and DTS Neural Surround for the Concert AVR-7 and AVR-9 home theatre receivers, as well as the Maestro M9 theatre processor, via firmware update.

Both AVR-7 and AVR-9 ship with Dolby Atmos support, and with the addition of DTS:X the only 3D surround format missing is Auro-3D. DTS:X promises a lifelike sense of dimensionality without need for a specific speaker layout, since auto-calibration and an object-based surround processor determine proper levels and placement for dialogue and sound effects. Installers can add further value by fine-tuning critical parameters for the finest experience possible.

Meanwhile DTS Neural Surround up-converts conventional audio sources, such as streaming content, TV broadcast and game soundtracks, into 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, as well as an immersive 7.1.4 format.