Libre Wireless Technologies launches the "Universal Audio Streaming Endpoint" at CES 2020-- an embedded wifi media platform able to seamlessly and concurrently support all major streaming ecosystems.

Based on the Libre LS9X wifi media module, the platform is not only interoperable across brands and products types, but also supports voice control of devices in both single device and multiroom-multidevice groupings. Meanwhile the LS9X module is sertified with Google Chromecast, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay 2 and SPotify Connect, and features dual-band 11ac wifi, Bluetooth audio, simple Bluetooth LE setup and all necessary media processing.

Belkin employs the audio know how of Devialet to bring about the Soundform Elite, a device one can safely describe as a smart speaker with a wireless charging pad on top, as well as a first audio product from a company better known for charging products.

“Belkin is excited about the potential that both the Soundform Elite Hifi Smart Speaker + Wireless Charger and the partnership with Devialet unlock for us as a brand,” the company says. “Our heritage in audio, leadership in fast wireless charging, and Devialet’s acoustic expertise allow us to make products for consumers that are both exceptional and convenient.”

JBL announces the Bar 9.1 at CES 2020-- a first Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbar from the company featuring four upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers and a pair of detachable wireless speakers.

The detachable speaker design should be familiar for JBL customers, since it was first used in the 5.1 Bar. The company says the detachable speakers are battery-powered, and can be undocked from the soundbar for placement elsewhere in the room. Battery life clocks at around 10 hours per charge. Recharging takes place by reattaching the speakers back on the soundbar.

Denon announces a first full-range soundbar with DTS Virtual:X-- the DHT-S216, a soundbar leveraging DTS psychoacoustic algorithms to simulate a multi-channel soundtrack played on a home theatre surround system system.

The DHT-S216 connects to any TV and media player via 4K UHD HDMI with Audio Return Channel (ARC) or optical/auxiliary inputs. While just 6cm tall it delivers high quality playback using two 3-inch down-firing subwoofers, two 1.75- x 3.5-inch dual mid-range drivers and two 1-inch tweeters. A Pure Mode eliminates surround processing and removes any adjusted characteristics associated with Movie, Music or Night modes for more precise and open sound.

JBL Professional launches the DSi 2.0 series cinema amplifiers, offering "class-leading" power output, state-of-the-art DSP and advanced networking capabilities for the JBL cinema loudspeaker range.

As the first JBL-branded cinema amplifiers, the DSi 2.0 series builds on the Crown DSi series amplifiers. As such, the range combines the DSP from the Crown CDi DriveCore series amplifiers with a high-power design to deliver superior efficiency, reliability and audio fidelity. The DSi 2.0 series includes three power configurations-- 350, 700 and 1200W-- with 6 models (the LA4, LA4-D, MA4, MA4-D, SA4 and SA4-D) available in analog and analog-plus-digital versions with Dante/AES67 and SNMP connectivity.

British hifi specialist Cyrus announces an addition to the One stereo amplifier range-- the One Cast, a version adding connected smarts to the audio setup with the ability to handle both streaming audio services and voice assistants.

Described by the company as a piece of smart audiophile equipment, the One Cast features wired connectivity as well as dual-band wifi and Bluetooth. It supports the three major voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and Google Assistant) together with the Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and Qobuz streaming music services, among others. Users don't even need to download a companion app, since they can pair the streaming service directly with the unit.