A must-attend event for hi-fi and home theater enthusiasts, the Paris Audio Video Show is the highlight of autumn. The 2024 edition took place until Sunday, October 27, and featured a host of new products, including wireless hi-fi speakers and Bluetooth models. Technics, Altec Lansing, Focal, Klipsch, Audio-Technica and Cabasse presented their latest innovations to visitors!
Focal
Among the stars of the Paris Audio Video Show 2024, the Focal Diva Utopia speakers are probably at the top of the list. The first connected speakers from the French manufacturer, these 3-way floorstanding speakers use the very best acoustic solutions, with an M-profile beryllium tweeter, a W-profile midbass driver and four 6.5″ woofers in a push-push configuration combined with 400W per speaker Naim amplification. They are AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Bluetooth and UPnP compatible, and feature an RCA input, an optical input, a USB-A port, an RJ45 port and an HDMI eARC input to pair them with a TV.
Technics
On the Technics stand, visitors were just as excited about the Japanese manufacturer’s famous turntables as the new Technics SC-CX700E active speakers. Unveiled in September, they feature an exclusive coaxial driver combined with 2 x 100W amplification. The Technics SC-CX700E support AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth wireless protocols, and feature HDMI eARC, phono, USB-C and auxiliary inputs, so you can connect all your sources, including a TV and turntable.
Argon Audio
No visit to PAVS 2024 is complete without a trip to the Son-Vidéo.com stand, where this year audiophiles could admire Argon Audio’s active speakers. The Danish manufacturer presented its latest speakers in the Forte range: the Forte A55 WiFi and Forte A4 WiFi. These models carry on the design of the Forte A4 MKII and Forte A55 MKII versions, while adding the AirPlay 2, Chromecast and DTS Play-Fi multi-room protocols. These elegant, versatile speakers feature full connectivity with HDMI ARC, phono, optical and stereo RCA inputs, plus a subwoofer output.
Altec Lansing
Also on the Son-Vidéo.com stand, located in the main hall, visitors could discover portable solutions from Altec Lansing, a newcomer to the catalog. The manufacturer offers a wide range of portable Bluetooth speakers, such as the HydraBoom, HydraBlast and HydraJolt models, as well as party speakers such as the SonicBoom 180, SoundRover 75 and ShockWave 200, which are robust, LED-lit speakers that can be paired wirelessly. All Altec Lansing speakers are designed for on-the-go use, whether you’re having a party or enjoying background music during a day at the pool.
Audio-Technica
The tour also took us to the Audio-Technica stand. The famous Japanese brand presented its very first active speakers: the Audio-Technica AT-SP3X. This 2-way, bass-reflex-loaded model is equipped with a 30-watt amplifier and a Multipoint-compatible Bluetooth 5.3 receiver. These bookshelf speakers can also be connected via their stereo RCA input to a turntable preamplifier. They feature a 3″ midbass driver and a 1″ tweeter.
Klipsch
At Klipsch, The Fives, The Sevens and The Nines wireless hi-fi speakers were in the spotlight. This range by the American manufacturer shares a Bluetooth module, a 24-bit/192kHz USB DAC and an HDMI ARC input. All three models feature the iconic Klipsch sound signature, with pronounced bass. For music lovers on the move, the focus was on the Klipsch Music City range, wich includes the three Austin, Nashville and Detroit Bluetooth speakers. IP67-certified, they feature a waterproof design and battery life ranging from 12 hours for the compact Klipsch Austin model to 24 hours for the Nashville and Detroit portable speakers.
Cabasse
The Breton brand’s stand features the latest speaker in the Pearl range, with the Cabasse The Pearl Myuki Bluetooth speaker. This 18cm portable sphere integrates two 4.75″ honeycomb-structure midbass drivers and the Dom 45 tweeter that’s exclusive to the brand. Each driver is supported by its own amplifier module, for a total power output of 141 watts. In addition to its mini-jack, optical, USB-C and RJ45 inputs, this contemporary speaker supports Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 wireless protocols. It comes with a practical carrying case and 12-hour battery life.
