Just a few more days to the 2014 CES, so if there is any major news, that's when it will come out.
That said, I'm not expecting anything significant at the show. The line-up seems fairly complete at this point. Is there a specific price point or feature-set that's not covered?
As for a new 'statement' piece, I'd not expect one until the world economic situation is vastly improved. Event the CLX is outside the reach of many 'rich' audiophiles.
There is also a question of size. Just how much bigger than a CLX can most rooms fit?
For a model above the CLX, I'd expect some or all of the following:
- Total system integration via active crossovers with in-built room-EQ
- Supplied with 2 or 4 subs that work off the active speaker processor
- Direct-drive High-voltage ESL amps (no audio step up transformer) Options for tubes or SS versions
- Slightly reconfigured CLX ESL elements in new frames
Thant could easily get one into the >$50K club and deliver demonstrably superior performance to a plain CLX based system where owners/dealers randomly assemble amps, subs, etc.
The key to true higher performance is going to lie in using direct-drive HV amps driving the panels directly. So they need to go all-active.