Monitor Audio, Cabasse Impress in Demos

While video products are gathering most of the headlines here at CES, it's actually the audio companies that are providing most of the performance upgrades on the show floor.

Companies like Monitor Audio, Cabasse, ADA and Triad are challenging video's seemingly exclusive hold on consumers through the introduction of several products that will make people stop and listen for once.

Two of the most impressive demos to take place on the show floor belonged to Monitor Audio and Cabasse.

In its suite at the Hilton, Monitor debuted its new line of Platinum series loudspeakers, which incorporate new woofer cone and cabinet technologies, along with a new ribbon tweeter that sounds detailed and crisp.

According to Jeff Myatt of Kevro, Monitor's U.S. distribution partner, the company is anticipating that the technologies developed for the Platinum line could trickle into other Monitor products, including its line of custom-installation speakers.

Cabasse, a French company, demoed its top-of-the-line La Sphere loudspeakers in a stunning two-channel and multichannel home-theater demo. I was impressed with the speakers' dynamics, sound stage and imaging during the playback of a couple of classical pieces. I would be interested hearing the speakers with some rock music to see if they could maintain their impact, tightness and musicality.

I was, nevertheless, impressed, especially considering I was in the back of the room and off to the side. I can imagine how good these speakers would have been if I were in the money seat.

The only negative I could say about the speakers is their appearance. While some may find them striking, I would bet the house that most of our wives would never allow these speakers -- which look like "Mikey" from Monsters, Inc. -- into their living rooms.

ADA and Triad impressed me with how well they understand their dealers. Both of these companies will be releasing scalable audio solutions to meet a variety of installation needs, while maintaining a high level of performance.