Key Digital shows how good things come in small packages as it launches 2 mini audio format converters-- the KD-DAXAA and KD-AAXDA from the HD Spider series.

The KD-DAXAA converts 2-channel PCM or Toslink digital audio to analog L/RA audio (using RCA connectors), while the KD-AAXDAA converts analog  L/R Audio to PCM and Toslink digital audio.

Both adapters support 32, 44.1, 48 and 96KHz sampling rates with auto input source selection, and weigh only around 80g each.

Key Digital says both are ideal for source devices with limited output formats (such as Apple TV), enabling full integration with amplifiers, distributed audio systems and AV receivers.

Go Key Digital KD-DAXAA

Go Key Digital KD-AAXDA

Aeria Sound Environments claims Aeria 801 Series transducers will allow you to create the sound image you want, without placement limitations-- and no need for punching holes into customers' walls or ceilings.

The transducer is an 8ohm unit with no moving parts. Since it presents a nominal amount of impedance, it allows a variety of amps (including digital amps) to effectively drive it.

Thus, the company says the 801 Series provides a "stealth" way to incorporate audio into environments such as across any seating area (using walls or ceilings), bed headboard head/ear levels and behind architectural panels (fibreglass, concrete, ceramic tile, granite and even glass).

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Unlike pulp hero The Shadow, the Monitor Audio Shadow speaker series might not know what evil lurks in the heart of men-- but it should fit the look of customers' thin plasma or LCD TVs rather nicely.

Each Shadow speaker is only 40mm thick and is mountable around or beneath a flat panel TV. Construction is in extruded aluminium, and 4" low profile bass-midrange drivers feature a flat RDT sandwich diaphragm constructed from C-CAM and Rohacell materials, with a unique concertina driver suspension arrangement.

4" low profile ABR drivers push bass further, while 1" tweeters include a rear venting chamber. The speakers also require no additional bracket for mounting, thanks to a flat-to-wall attachment.

Four models are available-- the Shadow 25 satellite, 50 tower, 60 tower (with taller and more powerful structure) and Centre (for use as a dedicated centre speaker).

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Customers asking for a smaller audio system for their desks or tabletops might want to look at the Onkyo CS-345 CD Mini System-- now carrying a CD player, FM/AM radio and built-in iPod/iPhone dock.

It comes with x2 speakers, each of which with separate dome tweeter and a 4" cone woofer inside a bass-reflex enclosure featuring MDF construction. A digital power amplifier comes with Onkyo ActiveBass Control and Super Bass features.

The front-mounted CD player handles audio CDs, MP3 compilations and CD-R/CD-RW discs, while the radio tuner comes with 30 station presets.

The system also provides video output for iPod and iPhone devices, as well as charging support. Additional ports include stereo input jacks, subwoofer output and a front-panel headphone jack.

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Amina launches an addition to the Evolution invisible loudspeaker range-- the AIW350E, carrying the company's OptiDrive and OptiDamping technologies improving on the previous AIW3X speaker.

The company says OptiDrive technology increases modal energy at frequencies over 1kHz-- resulting in flatter overall frequency response and greater fidelity. Installers also get more flexibility in speaker location options through careful speaker panel drive position tuning.

Meanwhile OptiDamping technology increases low frequency extention and dynamic range by combining new exciter technology with selective modal damping, improving base definition at higher volume levels.

The AIW350E is ideal for low/medium powered music systems, and is easy to install into drywalls or ceilings. It is also compatible with current backboxes and APU protection units, using the same installation technique as the previous models.

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The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) awards the SonicBlade speaker with a 2012 Best of Innovations award-- a glass plinth speaker combining an electrostatic sonic panel with conventional cone technology.

The unit is tall and free standing, with an 8mm thick tinted glass plinth framing the sonic speaker plate. Speaker construction is in alumium, with a pyramid subwoofer box at the bottom.

The sonic panel is an active membrane speaker reacting to the most minute of audio signals-- making the SonicBlade one of the fastest speakers on the market, according to makers LiquidBase.

The speakers are uniform bi-directional, with a rear audio imaging reinforcing audio delivery. Being passive speakers, SonicBlades need driving from an amplifier ideally powering a 4ohm load and delivering 100W RMS), and deliver 80Hz-20KHz output.

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