Monster Debuts Flat-Screen Frame, Display 'Mirror' Line

Las Vegas — Even as flat-panel television is driving consumer electronics sales, the profit is “going away,” said Monster at an International CES press briefing here earlier this month. To this end, Monster said it is making the effort to increase profit by bringing audio to video, encouraging the attachment of power and cable sales to sales of hardware and bolstering its M-Design home theater component centers, sound systems and furniture.

Priced and now ready to ship from Monster is the InvisiSound Mirror Frame for flat-screen TVs, which makes home theater display invisible. The hardwood-trimmed frame conceals audio and video components from view as well as speakers. An anti-glare finish reflects room images when the display is off and allows pictures to permeate through when in use. The company said it is not selling the InvisiSound furniture/frames through furniture channels “because the furniture people don't understand CE products.”

The mid-price-range Centra Flat Screen InvisiSound Mirror Frame 2000, from the Brisbane, Calif.-based company, comes in piano black or light cherry. It fits most popular flat-panel displays up to 42 inches and has a $3,999.95 suggested retail. The 50-inch Centra 3000 frame is $4,499 in black or light cherry.

The high-end Eleganza Flat Screen InvisiSound Mirror Frame 6000 comes in light cherry and fits most popular flat-panel displays up to 60 inches. Suggested retail is $5,999.95. The 6300 frame is available in light cherry for displays up to 63 inches. Suggested retail is $8,999.95.

The Americana end of the frame line still remains “elegant” but is a “lot less expensive.”

Monster is shipping two THX loudspeakers to retailers and installers as the first of a complete line of Monster home theater music sound systems. The new line includes four speakers, two subwoofers and two stands that when formed into various configurations make 23 different sound systems. Suggested retails range from $2,500 to $10,000.

The line includes monitor speaker 200, at $500 suggested retail; tower bass module 200, at $1,000; monitor speaker 100, at $400; tower speaker 200, at $700; select dipole surround speaker 100, pair at $700; select subwoofer 200, at $1,000; monitor 100 speaker stand, pair at $150; and monitor 200 speaker stand, pair at $200.

In its M-Design lineup, Monster is launching the Eleganza Divano Action Couch, a sleek and contemporary-styled couch designed to “rumble” with the low frequency effects found in movies and video games. Second in a series of action couches, the Divino incorporates a transducer and a 300-watt amplifier into its frame.

The couch is available in several options, including leather or microsuede, and in a variety of colors. It features an elegant curved design on a hardwood frame, said Monster. Suggested retail is $7,999.95.