Savant Systems starts shipping the SmartLink matrix switch and the SmartAudio SSA-3220 distributed audio solution-- a pair of products first revealed back at CEDIA Expo 2013.

The SmartLink switch is available in 3 versions, each with 8 HDMI inputs and 8 S/PDIF audio-only outputs and a choice of 4, 6 or 8 HDBase T 5Play or HDMI outputs-- in other words enoough control ports for easy audio and video source management.

All 3 switchers are designed for control via TrueControl iDevice apps, while an open control protocol provides the flexibility to upgrade customers to a Savant video switch regardless of existing control environment.

Meanwhile the SmartAudio SSA3220 32x20 is a distributed audio solution inside a compact 2U rack-mountable design. It carries 16 analog and 16 digital selectable inputs, as well as 20 outputs (16 analog plus 4 S/PDIF) for passing analog line-level audio to external amplifiers.

Hard to believe this is not yet up on their European web site, but Sennheiser professional and consumer technology played a major role in Invisible Cities: the world's first large scale opera for wireless headphones.

Imagine an opera with no opera house and no assigned seats — audience members are not restricted in their movement and encouraged to roam freely.

The landmark production (with singers, dancers and an 11-piece orchestra) was a collaboration among The Industry, L.A. Dance Project and Sennheiser, was staged at Los Angeles' iconic Union Station — the largest railway terminal in the western United States.

The Invisible Cities opera, written by Christopher Cerrone and based on the 1972 novel by Italo Calvino, combines historical fiction with surrealist elements to create an 'invisible opera for wireless headphones'. Invisible Cities used Sennheiser's wireless technology to convey both dialogue and music to listeners. Performers were outfitted with Sennheiser wireless microphones and attendees will use Sennheiser's RS 120 wireless consumer headphones for an opera-house-less experience.

Meridian launches a successor to its first digital surround controller, the S65-- the G65, a 19-input surround processor armed with 8 SpeakerLink digital (RJ45) and 8 analog balanced (XLR) outputs.

Inputs include 1 MMHR (Meridian Multichannel High Resolution) port designed to accept audio from an own HDMI switcher, 2 SpeakerLink inputs, 6 S/PDIF inputs, 2 Toslink ports and 8 analog phono (RCA) ports.

In addition it also includes a 12V tripper, IR port and control via USB and RS232.

According to Futuresource Consulting 2013 headphone shipments are to grow by 9% from 2012 to reach 284 million units, with revenues forecast to be worth $8.2 billion.

"The headphones market is highly fragmented and increasingly competitive, with new brands continuing to emerge across all price categories," the analyst says. "Traditional headphones brands Philips, Sony, JVC, Sennheiser and Skullcandy combined accounted for 45% of global headphones shipments in 2012 and in terms of value, Beats by Dr. Dre has captured 23% of global revenues."

The analyst predicts headphone sales will flatten by 2017, as the market should saturate at one set per 6.6 audio devices in use. Many customers also rely on headphones bundled with devices.

Meanwhile global headphone retail value wil grow at a CAGR of 5% during the 2013-2017 period thanks to growing ASPs and strong demand for premium over-ear models from brands such as Beats by Dre.

Harman Kardon launches a non-portable Bluetooth sound system-- the Nova Wireless left-right two way speakers designed for use with PCs, tablets and mobile devices as well as TVs and living room applications.

Housed inside translucent "sculptural" casing are performance-tuned 2.5-inch midrange/woofers, 1.25-inch tweeters and a passive radiator for extended bass response. Amplification comes at 2x20W, while frequency response stands at 70Hz-20kHz. Further audio improvement comes through Harman Kardon DSP.

Bang & Olufsen shows off the first WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Sound)-certified wireless BeoLab speakers-- the BeoLab 17, BeoLab 18 and BeoLab 19, all making use of wireless audio technology first announced back at CEDIA 2013.

The BeoLab 17 is a compact, wall-mountable speaker, the 18 is a slender standing speaker and the 19 is a geometrical subwoofer. All look as stylish as one can expect, with premium aluminium construction and easy compatibility with other B&O products via BeoLab Transmitter 1 wireless hub.

The BeoLab 17 promises to be a flexible speaker one can position in any way-- it stands either upright or on the sides, with 4 antennas inside each corner of the single-piece aluminium shell promising optimum connectivity. It carries a 6-inch midrange woofer, 0.75-inch tweeter, two 160W amps, and a frosted "broken ice grid" on top of the actual speakers.