It looks like others are starting to jump on the band wagon. I'm sure it's in the look only! I ran across these in a recent catalog and hunted them down on the web.

http://www.samsung.com/CeBIT2004/PPK/HT_DS1000/ppk_01_htds1000.htm

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_138839381_138839375,00.html

Dean,

The resemblance is at best, merely visual.

I didn't see anything in the descriptions that suggests that there is anything remotely resembling a line-array going on here.

I can't see setting these up a home theatre speakers on a stage for live music performance.

ST's right.

These shaped speakers started to emerge in Japan a few years ago, when we were doing our research, and we took a look. They are conventional speakers fitted into a pole-shaped speaker.

I can testify as to these look alikes for home theater. I have a set of four made by Panasonic. It was part of my big screen set up purchase last year. Nice for my family room, but... not even entertaining the idea of using them when I play. Especially now that I have my PAS.

I love my PAS! (Hey, that would be a great bumper sticker or tee-shirt. Remember it was my idea when sales hit the roof!)

Eugene

If you think that is cool, check out something more close to home/overseas. . .
http://www.bose.co.jp/home_audio/ht_speakers/am55.html

My translation is not so good. What are the specs on these speakers? Are they in any way like the MA12's?

Copycats! Jumping on the bandwagon!
Bose did not invent the line array and many other companies have brought line arrays to market way before Bose. The PAS is unique in that it is a self contained PA system using a line array. Look at the Duran Audio Intellivox 1608. Duran has had these types of line arrays on the market for well over a decade. Does it look familiar?
Robert L

You can find this approach by a number of manufacturers of home and pro speaker arrays. The big difference is that this is a total system for personal amplification. That hadn't been done yet. Actually if my memory serves me correctly, one of Ken and Cliff's earlier contributions to Bose was this.

panaray

Very similar looking don't you think?

The Bose MA-12 and the Duran may look similar in a photo but if you read about the Duran 1608, and if I understand correctly it has 14 6.5" transducers and is 3.7 meters tall, that is quite a difference.

Claims made by Bose and Duran are about the same when comparing charecteristics except for the coverage, the 1608 is designed for a much larger area.

Maybe it's not a matter of copycat, but two different applications of similar technology.

Oldghm

The Duran designs are based on a completely different technology. The shape is the same.

Interestingly, the first arrays using what is now in the Duran designs used Bose speakers. You can still hear these arrays in Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, in both the vast Arrivals Hall, and the Check In area for the European Community flights.

Maybe it's not a matter of copycat but two different technologys appied in a manner that produces similar results.