Audio Briefs

Morgan Hill, Calif. — Velodyne expanded its subwoofer line with a 10-inch, 1,000-watt RMS MiniVee 10 subwoofer at $1,249. The new model is 12.75 by 12.38 by 14.5 inches and complements an even smaller 8-inch MiniVee 8 at $999.

Piedmont, Calif. — Lotus Audio Import has begun distributing high-end Xindak-brand stereo components made in China. Previously, the products were sold mainly to consumers in China.

Marlboro, N.J. — KEF updated and expanded its Reference series of stand-alone speakers to nine SKUs, from seven, with the shipment of three floorstanding models priced from $4,000 to $10,000 each, a bookshelf model at $2,500 each, two center-channel speakers priced from $3,000 to $4,500 each, a surround model at $3,750 each and two powered subs at $5,000 and $9,000.

The new series adds powered subs for the first time. The new full-range speakers feature the same cosmetics as their predecessors but, among other changes, eliminate the hyper tweeter sitting on top, include new UniQ concentric-driver technology using elliptical-dome tweeter inside a midrange driver with a flat surround, and feature "super-light" neodymium-magnet assemblies on the woofers for low distortion and fast response. The result is a more stable and deeper image and delivering faster, "more impactful" bass without losing bass articulation, the company said.

White Plains, N.Y. — Audio Design Associates (ADA) plans summertime shipments of its first multiroom-audio system to use a structured-wiring cabinet box, making it suitable for multiple dwelling units as well as tract and custom-built homes, the company said.

The SWAN (Structured Wiring Audio Network), which will be ADA's lowest price multiroom-audio solution, eliminates the need for big entertainment cabinets and equipment racks.

The cabinet box, mounted between wall studs, accepts four-zone preamplifier and integrated-amplifier modules and tuner modules. The box connects via CAT-5 to in-wall keypads and audio sources in other rooms.