Boat-owning customers should be interested in the latest offering from Boss Audio's Marine line-- the MR218UA AM/FM/CD receiver, with illuminated, no-slip buttons and European frequency support (with 24 presets).

RCA outputs allow for full-range and subwoofer amps, while an internal amp drives up to x4 speakers at 80W per channel. CD access comes through flip-down face, and inputs include rear USB and AUX in IPX6-rated, 1.5-DIN housing.

Control can come through the optional MRC21 remote, with RF communications providing control from different boat areas or rooms.

Also available from Boss Marine are the MR404 and MR202-- two small power amplifiers with bridgeable power plants. The MR404 (400W max, 200WRMS) is 4-channel and can run in 2-channel mode, while the 2-channel MR202 (200W max, 100W RMS) can also function as a 1-channel monoblock.

Both amps feature line-level and speaker-level inputs, variable gain control and are marinised to prevent rust and corrosion with specially treated circuit boards, rubber control panel cover and weatherproof connectors.

Go Boss Audio New Marine Gear

Artcoustic adds new soundbar models to its portfolio-- the Multi Soundbar SL series (available in x4 standard sizes) and the C-2SL high performance, high output loudspeaker.

The four Multi Soundbar SL models (1039mm, 1230mm, 1357mm and 1499mm) share the same specifications, with 65Hz-40Khz operating range and left/right/centre SPL at 1W is 87dB (Max SPL 101dB).

Designed to complement current LED TV and projection screen designs, the Multi Soundbar is configurable as either an LCR or mono loudspeaker.

Meanwhile the higher performance C-2SL measures 209mm x 67mm (with 1115 - 2500mm widths) and is mountable either vertically or horizontally. It carries a 12-6 array (12 x 3" bass units, 6 x 1.5" tweeters) and complements higher output (8-4 arrays and higher) speakers.

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Bang & Olufsen debuts a wireless means of connecting digital music sources to B&O designer speakers-- the Playmaker wireless audio bridge.

It streams music from most devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and media servers, with AirPlay and DLNA compatibility. A built-in Digital Audio Converter (DAC) handles sound quality.

The company says customers do not need a separate amp, since all B&O speakers have built-in specially tuned amplifiers. It also promises "extreme ease-of-use and intuitive operation" through an easy setup process and the free B&O BeoSetup app.

The Playmaker also creates wireless music scenarios allowing users to set different music zones around the house. It handles all B&O speakers, up to and including the 2500W BeoLab 5.

Go B&O Playmaker

Leon Speakers takes on the outdoor speaker market with the Boundary B404-- the first model from the new Boundary speaker lineup ideal for use in open, covered outdoor spaces.

The solid mahogany (45.2 x 15.9 x 15.2cm) cabinet houses two 4-inch aluminium woofers and a 1-inch aluminium/magnesium dome tweeters. The speaker is designed for use with a subwoofer, but a larger model with 6-inch woofers is in the works.

Go Leon Speakers

Futuresource Consulting reports networked home audio devices will "rocket" by 2016, with dedicated speaker docks and networked speakers leading the global market.

According to the analyst the WW total 2011 home audio market grew by 7% Y-o-Y in 2011 to reach $9.7 billion-- and 2012 should see 9% growth in both shipments and value.

Sales drivers include multi-room audio and Bluetooth/Airplay-powered streaming from smartphones and the internet.

Networking features will help reinvigorate a mature speaker dock segment, pushing demand to around 40 million units in 2012 and 48m by 2016. The dedicated audio product market will also retain relevance thanks to networking.

The global soundbar market will also grow in 2012-- 3.4m units with 54% Y-o-Y growth, before reaching 7m units in 2016.

Go Networking is Biggest Growth Area in Home Audio Market (Futuresource)

Krell introduces the Phantom III stereo preamplifier-- the first preamp from the company including either an option digital input module or a headphone input.

The digital input module features AES/EBU, coax and optical digital inputs for use with streaming devices and other digital sources, with 24bit/192kHZ LPCM support.

All digital signals feed an ESS Sabre DAC before going to Krell's Current Mode, discrete balanced analog circuitry.

The oversized power supply features a 95VA transformmer and 40000µF capacitance, giving the preamp the ability to respont quickly to musical demands. The large power supply also improves noice rejection and renders the Phantom III impervious to all but the most sever power fluctuations.

A new eco-friendly standby mode also reduces power consumptions to 2W.

Go Krell