Sony HT-IS100: Home theater system with supertiny speakers coming

Sony's HT-IS100, a 5.1-channel home-theater system that includesfive speakers that are just 1.7 inches in diameter, will be comingto the U.S. next month. If it looks familiar, there are two reasons: The unit was announced for the Japanese market just a couple of weeks ago, and the tiny speakers were firstfeatured in 2007's DAV-IS10 , which is still widely available. (Fun fact: Sony calls thespeakers "roughly the size of a golf ball" in its press release--anadjective that nearly everyone who covered the IS10 lazily cribbed. The company uses the same golf ball wording in theIS100 press release--but, oddly, included the strawberry photoabove.) Unlike that earlier model, the new HT-IS100 doesn't have a built-indisc player, or even a "head unit"--all of the electronics andamplifiers are consolidated into the system's subwoofer, so there'sno need for a separate AV receiver. The IS100 includes three HDMI inputs--so you can toggle among up tothree high-def AV sources--a built-in AM/FM radio, and Sony's DCACautocalibration system. Like most other current Sony audio systems,the IS100 features compatibility with a variety of proprietary Sony accessories, including the S-AIR Air Station speakers (for expanding the audio to a multiroom setup) and Sony's quartet of Digital Media Port accessories . Those who want to eliminate the front-to-back speaker cables canopt for the WAHT-SA10 wireless kit (sold separately).