The RP-WF5500 wireless 5.1ch headphones were unveiled by Panansonic, and could hit the market on November 20th in Japan

They are the World’s smallest and lightest wireless surround sound headphones according to Panasonic with a weight of only 255g. It features 5.1 channel with wireless transmission on the 2.4GHz band over a 30 meters range. The 40mm drivers (20Hz - 22kHz) comes from his brother "RP-WF6000" on sale since November 2006.
The decoder supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS and AAC via a couple of inputs such two optical digital inputs, two analog 2ch inputs (RCA), and one digital audio output.

Furthermore, the RP-WF5500 has an autonomy of up to 6 hours of continuous playback, a bass-boost function and it will be available in black or white color.

Pioneer announced its latest Super Audio CD player. Pioneer's PD-D9 player will be available on November for about $1,200.

This player supports the playback of SACD and CD-R/RW as well as MP3 and WMA audio files. The electronic is based around a twin Wolfson DAC "WM8741" (24 bit/192kHz) recognized as the best sounding audio DAC. For the supply circuit, Low-ESR capacitors have been used along with Schottky diode rectifiers and 2x R-core transformers, one for the digital circuit and the other for the analog circuit.

It results in a SNR of 110 dB for SACDs or 115 dB for CDs, the total harmonic distortion is not bad either with respectively 0.003% for SACDs and 0.002% for CDs.

Pioneer recently announced the F-F3, a standalone FM/AM radio tuner that will hit the market in late November at a price of 45,000 Yen (approx. $400 USD).

This radio tuner uses high-quality components such as "Schottky Diode" with a better time response than normal diodes and a separated ground for digital and analog circuits for less interference. Also the Pioneer F-F3 features an aluminium case, 100 station presets, a remote control and 2 antennas.

Yamaha Japan announced for the mid-December its new A-S2000 amplifier matching with the CD-S2000 SACD/CD player presented in this news, however the Yamaha A-S200 won't be for everyone because it will cost a mere $1,800 USD.

Yamaha's latest amplifier get a retro design with its brushed aluminium faceplate, the natural wood inserts and the big knobs. It boasts a power output of 2x120 W / 8 Ω or 2x190 W / 4 Ω, thanks to the high-end electronic, built on a circuitry that separates and balances the path of the 2 audio channels for an optimum signal clarity it delivers a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB.

The A-S2000 measures 435x137x465mm and weighs 22.7kg for a power consumption of 220W.

Yamaha unveiled its high-end SACD / CD player "CD-S2000" to be released in mid-December for $1,500.

The CD-S2000 adopts an elegant design with a brushed aluminium finish available in grey or black color as well as the remote. It supports the playback of CD-R/RW, SACD, MP3 and WMA files. The player has 1x optical digital output, 1x coaxial digital output, 1x analog XLR, 1x analog RCA output and it measures 435x440x137mm for a weight of 15kg.

This product has been engineered to deliver high quality audio playback, with a symmetrical design construction which results in a negligible total harmonic distortion of 0.0017% (SA-CD) and 0.002% or less (CD).

Victor will sell from earlier November at 29,400 Yen (approx. $250 USD) its new SX-WD1KT handmade bookshelf speakers kit.

Based on its predecessor "EX-A1", the SX-WD1KT model uses a 8.5cm full-range speaker with a wooden cone, the enclosure uses a bass-reflex design made from natural cherry wood unfinished (sub treatment only). It measures 120x160x233mm and weighs 1.6kg (speaker include).

The package contains screw x4 (M4 x 20 mm), cord for speaker terminal, speaker terminal, airduct, screw x4 for the speaker terminal (M4 x 20 mm) and the sound-absorbing materials (200 x 170 mm).

Victor announced its latest EX-AK1 compact stereo sytem. Adopting the proprietary "K2 technology" algorithms of decompression along with MP3 and WMA audio files, the EX-AK1 system restores a natural sound.

Victor's EX-AK1 stereo supports the playback of VCD, SVCD, DVD-R/RW +R/RW, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, WAV and JPEG, it gets a built-in AM/FM radio tuner and a remote control.
The speakers employ a 8.5cm wooden cone type driver mounted in a bass reflex enclosure made from natural cherry wood. The power amplifier delivers a rated output of 30W + 30W using a digital amplifier "DEUS".

The Victor EX-AK1 stereo system will be on the market on early November, however the price is unknown at the moment.

Sony is going to release in Japan on November 10th for $200, the MDR-DS7000, a wireless 7.1 channel surround sound headphones.

Successor of the 5.1 channel headphones MDR-DS6000 model, the Sony MDR-DS7000 delivers a 7.1 channel sound with the Sony's "Virtualphones Technology" (VPT) wireless via the 2.4Ghz band. The MDR-DS7000 adopts a 40mm driver with a frequency response of 6Hz - 25kHz and the internal lithium-ion battery lasts for 10 hours of continuous playback.

Moreover the external decoder is compatible DTS, DTS-ES, AAC and gets two digital inputs and one analog input.

Sony Japan has announced its new MDR-EX55SL earphones, available in black, white, blue or pink color bundled with 3 differents sized eartips.

The MDR-EX55SL features a silicon body with a 9 millimeters driver and it weighs only 3g. The power cord measures 0.5m and an 1m extension cord is also include in the package. These earphones have a frequency response range of 6-23,000 Hz @ 16 Ω, a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW and it supports a maximum input of 100mW.

Well Sony's MDR-EX55SL will be on shelves for the next month and will cost you about $25.

The IM414 isn't like other docks, this one is the first Altec Lansing Dock made for the Microsoft's Zune player and also compatible with the Zune 2.0.

The device features a stereo sound system with a pair of 3.2 Watts neodymium drivers, a built-in FM radio with station presets and a telescopic antenna, a remote control and an LCD display.
The internal battery will power the portable station up to 24 hours, thanks to the energy efficiency class-D amplifier.

There is no word on availability yet but the price has been set at $99.95.