MartinLogan: MartinLogan has launched its Custom Shop application, which will enable consumers to utilize a 3D model and a palette of finishes to configure custom loudspeakers. ML claims that its flagship Summit loudspeaker ($10,995/pair) can be ordered in 400,000 custom combinations. The consumer can chose everything from cabinet finish to the color of the screws on the rear panel, the company claims.

And if the consumer wants something not offered through the Custom Shop? ML will make it happen. MartinLogan assistant marketing manager Devin Zell said that a Russian customer recently ordered a pair of Summits clad in white leather with chrome metal work, supplying leather that matched his interior. "The resulting speakers were absolutely beautiful," said Zell.

Hansen: Hansen Audio announced its "baby" loudspeaker, the Elixir, a two-driver, stand-mounted two-way loudspeaker that retails for $15,000/pair.The midrange/woofer driver is manufactured by Hansen, with a multilayer composite cone and Hansen's optimized geometry motor assembly. The 25mm soft-dome tweeter is designed and engineered by Hansen and is manufactured solely for the company. The crossover employs Hansen's proprietary V2 DAT (driver assimilation technology) and is frequency- and phase-aligned.

We caught Hansen's US marketing director, Wes Bender, as he was taking off for the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest and he said, "Lars [Hansen] wouldn't release a 'bookshelf' loudspeaker unless it was superior to most manufacturers' floorstanders. That's not knocking anybody's loudspeakers, that's simply how good the Elixirs are. I expected them to be good and I was knocked on my keister."

Bender said Hansen would be demoing the Elixirs at CES2008.