Make no mistake about it, Panasonic's SC-BT100 is pretty intriguing for those looking to dive head first into the Blu-ray / surround sound game simultaneously. Boasting a 5.1 speaker system along with the DMP-BD50 standalone Blu-ray player, Panny's BD HTIB has a lot going for it on paper. Design wise, reviewers found lots to love, and they also admired the plethora of connection options and simplicity of use. Unsurprisingly, the picture quality was coined "phenomenal," but we wouldn't expect anything less from the BD50. The only real digs on the entire system are the steep price and the lackluster audio quality; highs were said to be "too harsh," and the overall quality was so far below par that it prevented critics at Pocket-lint from offering up a wholehearted recommendation. Maybe your ears will feel differently, though.

It only takes a glance to realize that Boston Acoustics' Horizon i-DS2 iPod boombox is merely a cleaned up version of the knobby Duo-i, but we must say, the new look is pretty sleek. Built to function with any dock-connecting iPod, this 60-watt speaker system includes twin 3.5-inch full-range drivers, a composite video output, USB connector and an auxiliary input for plugging in other DAPs / PMPs. The unit itself arrives in glossy white or glossy black, though users with an itch to customize can select from a variety of P.O.P. metal grilles. On paper, the unit isn't too shabby, but the $179.99 price tag is somewhat of a drag.

We don't normally associate Boston Acoustics with high-fashion design, but its new Vista speakers definitely change that opinion. There will be six speakers in the range by the end of the year, so you should be able to put together a package with the desired amount of "surroundedness." To lead things off, the company will bring out the VS 336 floorstander ($1,700 each), VS 325C center channel ($900), VS 240 bookshelf ($400 each) and the VPS 210 subwoofer ($1,700). All these models have different-sized cones to fill in the bass end of their coverage, so let's hope the crossover and voicing act to create a strong family resemblance between speakers. A pair of additional models will be added to the lineup in November at the $700 price point -- the VS 224 L/C/R and VS 260 bookshelf. Okay, so we can tick off "good-looking" and "reasonable price" -- if these check out sonically, we think Boston has all the ingredients for a successful speaker family on its hands.

[Via AudioJunkies]

Although QuantumPhonic's QR technology is emerging a touch late to make a difference at the Beijing Olympics, it certainly has its sights set on zapping excess noise at the 2012 Summer Games in London. In a rather excited and somewhat unprofessional release, the aforementioned company has announced a technology that can seemingly kill the echo and reverberation that almost always sour the audio experience in large arenas and stadiums. Of course, it also claims that the tech "defies all feasible common sense and design," so believe at your own risk. If you're terribly interested in learning more, there's an immensely entertaining video waiting just after the break.

No doubt, Onkyo saves some of its choicest goodies for its home market. We can look past the HTIB systems, but we sure would like to see these full-size speakers cross the pond. Besides, they're a better fit for super-sized U.S. domiciles, right? From the Japanese promo material, we piece together that the D-108E floorstanders come in a wood grain or lacquer finish, pack a pair of 8-cm bass/mid drivers alongside a 2-cm tweeter and reach from 55-Hz to 80-kHz (the last 60-kHz are for the dog, perhaps). Okay, so the speakers won't exactly shake your floorboards with bass, but at least the 901-mm (35-inches) height will place the tweeters close to ear level. And besides, you'll be counting on the SL-A250 subwoofer to fill in the bass. The sub's 20-cm (8-inch) cone and 50-Watt amp span 27- to 200-Hz, which should make for an easy crossover to the mains. Pricing is ¥45,150 ($413) and ¥31,500 ($288) for the D-108E and SL-A250, respectively.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Read - Onkyo D108E [warning: PDF link]
Read - Onkyo SL-A250

Look out, Yamaha / Polk / Vizio / et al., you've got another rival heating up the surround bar game. Destined to hit CEDIA 2008, soundmatters' SLIMstage40 checks in at a luscious 3.3- x 3.4- x 39-inches in size and features 170-watts from eight internal amplifiers. The device houses four Linear Magnetic Drive main / satellite speakers and a trio of down-firing Extreme-Energy subs that are assisted by six mass radiators. Furthermore, you'll find three digital audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial), three analog inputs, a headphone jack, LED-backlit panel, an RS-232 port and an IR remote. Folks interesting in dabbling in faux-surround can snag one now for $899 to $1,199, depending on whether you spring for the bundle including the SUBstage100 subwoofer.

Speakers are probably one of the least-frequently updated components in a system, so it pays to take your time selecting them. For fans of Monitor Audio who have been waiting for the company to release the compact PLC150 center channel speaker, our friends at CEPro have some good news for you. The speaker is set to demo at next month's CEDIA, and should be available in October. Okay, "compact" is a relative term -- the speaker packs two 6.5-inch metal bass/mid cones and a ceramic-coated ribbon tweeter into its frame -- but that's what you'd expect from the company's top Platinum line, right? If you're tired of that hole where a center channel should be in your Monitor Audio setup, you've got a couple of months to save up $3,300 for your new toy.

[Image courtesy CEPro]

There's no earth-shattering new developments in the sixth version of Paradigm's Monitor speaker lineup, but let's face it -- after four revision cycles, you've probably got things pretty dialed in. Take the modest (at least on paper) improvements to the Monitor v.6s as a sign of the company's dedication to solid engineering development, okay? Speakers are coming under increasing fashion scrutiny, so many of the changes in the Monitor v.6 series are cosmetic: redesigned magnetic grills that will stay perfectly centered, nickel-plated screws and a new finish called Wengé (pictured above). What makes our ears perk up are the redesigned, phase-coherent crossovers that Paradigm says raise the efficiency of these speakers to horn-loaded levels. As always, the Monitor models are an affordable slice of the high-end, with prices ranging from $150 - $700 per speaker. Full press release after the break.

Long-time producer of round speakers, Cabasse is preparing for the North American debut of its reference La Sphère (we believe that's French for "The Sphere") model next week. The Fench firm has poured its 60-years of experience into these point-source radiators that cover the all-important range of 20Hz-20kHz. Outpacing efforts like KEF's Uni-Q coaxial two-way drivers, La Sphère manages to squeeze all four of its drivers, from the 22-inch woofer to the 1.2-inch tweeter, into a coaxial arrangement. We've got to respect the no-holds-barred effort to produce "the perfect full-range transducer," even if it's just an ideal; and the model pictured above seems pretty happy with the sonics. But the $140,000 per pair pricing isn't really music to our ears. Hit the link for details on all the sonic ideality you'll never hear in your home.

Sure, getting some premium in-wall speakers is one way to maximize your speakers' sonics while minimizing their visual impact, but for many rooms just getting a different finish on the cabinets and grills is all that's needed. To that end, online speaker retailer Axiom Audio has launched a custom service that can churn out any of its speakers in one of more than 2,000 styles. If you order one of the six real wood veneers you get your choice of: six stains, three gloss levels, three feet/logo metals and six grill colors. Those who order one of the 16 matte vinyl finishes get to choose from six grill colors. Surely, you should be able to find something that will fit your fashion sensibilities, right? Pricing is (obviously) variable, but Axiom has made a name for itself when it comes to value, so don't be afraid to check out the website to configure that next speaker of yours.

Set to show at CEDIA next month are a couple of new models from on-wall specialists Leon. The shallow depth (3.25-inches) of the company's new Profile 404-X-A speakers allow you to set them up on- or against-wall. Either way, the idea is to blend the speakers into the surroundings, so a choice of veneers and finishes (including paints) are available. Leon hasn't skimped on the high-end drivers -- 4-inch Peerless woofers and 1-inch Morel tweeters -- but that cabinet is bass-challenged and can't reach much below 65Hz. And wouldn't you know it, that's where the new A3-SUB, um, subwoofer fits in. The 12- x 14- x 4-inch box houses an 8-inch woofer that plumbs down to 30Hz. This gear is aimed at the fashionista crowd, and priced accordingly: the Profile 404-X-As start at $2495 per pair, the A3-SUB goes for $895, and you can throw in a 1000-Watt Leon sub amplifier for another $995. Full press release and more pics after the break.

Let's face it -- not everyone has the space nor disposable income to piece together their own multichannel surround sound system, and that's where this week's Ask Engadget HD question comes in. Take it away, Todd:

"I'm currently stuck in a small apartment with a need for surround sound, but I can't go buy a bunch of separates and create a system. I'm obviously in the market for a small but great sounding HTIB. I already own a Blu-ray player, so I'm not too concerned with any built-in DVD / BD players. Which 5.1 (or greater) set out there today offers the best bang for my buck?"

There's no shame in buying your surround sound in a box, so puff out your chest and give this man an answer. Are you pleased with the sound quality / volume / overall performance of your boxed rig? Does your friend's unit sound better? Turn it to 11 and speak up!

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Need a home theater upgrade from your TV's audio but don't feel the need to have any of those messy things like speakers laying around? Sony's announced its own HTIB / TV stand, the RHT-G500, a 3.1 channel sound system with three HDMI 1.3 inputs, BRAVIA Sync connectivity and a Digital Media Port for additional access to iPods, WiFi etc. With S-Force PRO Front surround technology (apparently they're not bothering to fake 5.1 without rear channels anymore) Sony Europe didn't see the need to include any further specs or pricing info, though it should fit and BRAVIA LCD from 32 - 40-inches with no problem, unless you consider the lingering feeling you probably would have been better off with a midrange HTIB system a "problem".

[Via Slash Gear]

There aren't many celebrities in the world of HD hardware -- even dropping names like Joe Kane or Mark Levinson at your next dinner party is likely to produce blank stares. But if your speakers have a tweeter flanked by two midrange drivers, chances are that you're the beneficiary of the "D'Appolito Array." Joseph D'Appolito came up with this arrangement (along with a 3rd-order crossover) to even out the horizontal dispersion; important in getting the sound to stay the same across the wide swath in front of your display. A long-time consultant to several companies, Dr. D'Appolito has moved exclusively to Snell as its chief engineer. We wish Dr. D'Appolito great success at Snell, and hope that he continues to share his insights with the audio community at-large.

[Image courtesy Stereophile]

We'd already been formally introduced to Sony's HT-IS100 HTIB, but it -- along with the DVD-based 5.1-channel DAV-IS50 and the HDD-infused HTD-890IS -- have just been made official over in Europe. The low(er)-end DAV-IS50 arrives with 450-watts of amplification, a slot-loading DVD / CD / MP3 Disc player with 1080p upscaling, built-in AM / FM radio, wireless rear speakers and Sony's own BRAVIA Sync. The HTD-890IS spices things up with a 160GB hard drive, digital / analog TV tuners, a Digital Media Port, support for wireless rear speakers, two USB sockets and one-touch dubbing from camcorders or the HDD to blank DVD media. Mum's the word on pricing, but don't plan on any of the sets being a runaway bargain.