Polk at CES

gatemplin

I dont know if this has been posted before but here is a pic of some new inwalls.

Polk Audio’s LC-265-IP is an in-wall speaker that is IP addressable, meaning you can “log on” to its DSP circuit and modify the response curve. Three power amplifiers are also built-in, 25 watts for the tweeter, 75 watts for the midrange, and 100 watts for the woofer. Price is $6,000 a pair.

AsSiMiLaTeD

wow, that's cool. I'd never 'log in' to a speaker, but it's still cool nonetheless...

Toxis

For that kind of money, I'd hope for a little more power all around. Killer concept, but how often will that be needed?

Larry Chanin

Originally posted by gatemplin
I dont know if this has been posted before but here is a pic of some new inwalls.

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the picture.

The demand for these must be huge!;)

It looks like the price has gone up from $4,500 a pair to $6,000!

New Polk In-Walls for $4,500 a pair

Here's an article I lifted from the TWICE website describing the system. Obviously, its going to cost more than the $6,000 for the speakers.

NetStreams: The Austin, Texas, company's long-awaited DigiLinX system recently began shipping and will be on display. DigiLinX sends audio signals and control signals over an Ethernet network to deliver digital audio without the losses or distortion caused by long audio-signal runs.

An AudioLinX component at the main A/V system routes audio from multiple connected music components over an Ethernet network, controls connected audio sources via an IR database, powers Ethernet-connected in-wall keypads, and accepts a planned optional XM Satellite Radio tuner card. The component converts analog or PCM audio from connected source components in real time into TCP/IP streams, which are delivered to Ethernet-connected SpeakerLinX decoder/amplifiers in multiple rooms.

The SpeakerLinX modules feature 2x20-watt Class D amplifier, but they don't get low-voltage operating power through Ethernet cable. Operating power is supplied via separate cable running from a PowerLinX 28-volt power supply at the main A/V system.

The modules decode MP3, WMA and WAV music files streamed through the AudioLinX from source components. The modules can be mounted behind walls near in-wall speakers.

The system is controlled from multiple in-wall TouchLinX color LCD touch screens.

Each component contains a Web server to enable control by Ethernet-connected PCs and by wireless-Ethernet-connected Web pads and PDAs.

Per zone, prices would range from $1,000 to $1,200, including amplifier and keypad but excluding speakers and the central AudioLinX component.

Larry

Whadyasay

That'll go perfectly with my new 100" in-wall DLP rear-projection system which projects the same color as your surrounding walls when not in use, so as to simply 'blend and disappear'....as well as my new subwoofer disguised as an overweight exchange student.

gatemplin

Thanks Larry. I thought this sounded familiar. Cool technology. Not my cup of tea but for some people like an uncle of mine, this would be ideal.

Larry Chanin

Originally posted by gatemplin
Thanks Larry. I thought this sounded familiar. Cool technology. Not my cup of tea but for some people like an uncle of mine, this would be ideal.

Hi Graham,

If you followed that thread you'll see that the guys were teasing me because there was a posting three month before mine dealing with the subject.

By the way, your uncle wouldn't happen to be Bill Gates would he?:D

Larry

gatemplin

Yeah I saw that too. I read Paul's description and these are really cool but I would have no use for them.

My uncle is just one of those lucky guys who likes gadgets like this and doesn't ask how much.

brettw22

There is zero practicality for producing this type of speaker.

If Polk claims to want to serve the masses, then whips this little **** to market, they sure the hell better bring out a current SDA line that people have been begging for for years.

dorokusai

I have to disagree Brett.

There is ALOT of gear being driven towards home automation, home networking, whatever you wish to call it....and this speaker is just capable of being interfaced easily with that protocol and idea.

What's that mean to you and me? Nothing, because you and I will be dead before that technology ever becomes standard....but the sheep love technology.

If I build a new home, which may or may not happen as I may choose to detonate the beer keg in my basement at some point.....I'm 100% down with In-Walls and Home Productivity...those things appeal to my aesthetic and control behavior. I like the idea of a remote driven life....hell, I'm married, so I am essentially a remote driven human....what's the diff.

brettw22

I should have qualified my original statement with "now."

I see the home automation thing growing, but not to the point that people are looking to dump $6k into a stereo set of speakers....that's even outside most audiopholic type of people looking for good sound. Especially considering that it's going to take a LONG time before home automation is the norm.

In-walls in and of themselves are fine. Putting a $4-5k bump on the pricetag for the electronics is ridiculous IMO. Oh, and as mentioned above......if ALL i'm getting power-wise is 75 and 100wpc, I'd feel completely ripped off.

I personally wouldn't EVER pay this kind of money, for this kind of speaker.

PolkThug

Originally posted by dorokusai
If I build a new home, which may or may not happen as I may choose to detonate the beer keg in my basement at some point

Oh yeah, I have to get a MAC address and a NIC for my regulator on my keg fridge, then I could go from 15 to 19 psi with a few clicks; I'll get all the babes when they see that.

bknauss

Originally posted by dorokusai
I have to disagree Brett.

There is ALOT of gear being driven towards home automation, home networking, whatever you wish to call it....and this speaker is just capable of being interfaced easily with that protocol and idea.

What's that mean to you and me? Nothing, because you and I will be dead before that technology ever becomes standard....but the sheep love technology.

If I build a new home, which may or may not happen as I may choose to detonate the beer keg in my basement at some point.....I'm 100% down with In-Walls and Home Productivity...those things appeal to my aesthetic and control behavior. I like the idea of a remote driven life....hell, I'm married, so I am essentially a remote driven human....what's the diff.

Very well put. There is a growing demand for custom install stuff. Just because most of the people on the board (including myself) will never be able to afford something like this doesn't mean there isn't a large amount of people out there ready with their credit card at this moment.

Personally, I'm not into the whole in-wall thing, but the amount of power in the DSP is not something to look over. I'd love to have a DSP on each of my speakers, or a 5 channel DSP with the control this thing has. Yes, there are DSP based speakers out there, but they usually cost much more than this (see Meridian... I believe the DSP8000 speaker line).

bknauss

Also brett... its 200 WPC, not 75-100W as you state.

Larry Chanin

Originally posted by bknauss
There is a growing demand for custom install stuff. Just because most of the people on the board (including myself) will never be able to afford something like this doesn't mean there isn't a large amount of people out there ready with their credit card at this moment.

Hi,

Yes, I agree. Even though I kid about how expensive this technology is now, I think its a positive movement that Polk Audio is embracing the custom installer market.

Personally, I don't think that for a company like Polk Audio its a bad thing that they enter into new markets. After all how many markets are they currently in? Consumer, mid-range, multi-media, automotive, why not custom install too? They have the reputation and resources to pull it off.

Originally posted by brettw22

If Polk claims to want to serve the masses, then whips this little **** to market, they sure the hell better bring out a current SDA line that people have been begging for for years.

In the infamous "Matthew Polk on SDA" thread I suggested that the custom installer market might be the perfect place to introduce a version of the SDAs. If you'll remember Matt had a concern about demoing SDAs. However, if you're part of this market that has the resources to hire a custom installer, then you are relying on the installer's judgement. For the most part these folks don't want to be bothered with such mundane details. As mentioned above, these folks are simply not members of this forum.

So in summary, even if members of this forum have no interest in this Internet technology, this initiative positions Polk Audio in the custom installer market. SDAs are a niche market and I think that there's more chance of Polk Audio eventually introducing a type of SDA to the custom install market than anywhere else.

Maybe this is wishfull thinking, but you just never know.

Larry