The TH-BA3 system is a 280 watt 5.1 home theater that doesn't let any wires get in the way. The sound bar has a built in power-amplifier, one analog and two optical digital inputs and decodes Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby ProLogic II surround signals. Also new today is the 180 watt TH-BS7, a 4.1 channel system whose centerpiece is mountable sound bar that's a scant 1.4" tall by 1.2" deep, with a wee 6" wireless subwoofer to match.

The Yamaha YSP series is still our pick for best-in-class because of its sonar-like sound steering, but these two JVC systems do tickle our fancy. Both systems will be available this month, which I hope anyone with my Christmas list in hand picks up on. The TH-BA3 runs $550 while the TH-BS7 will set you back $600.

JVC LAUNCHES DUAL WIRELESS AND SUPER-SLIM SOUNDBAR SYSTEMS

New TH-BA3 includes wireless rear speakers; TH-BS7 features a slender soundbar and slim, wall-mountable amplifier.

WAYNE, NJ, December 14, 2009 - JVC today introduced a pair of soundbar home theater systems, offering consumers a home theater sound solution to meet a range of budgets and needs. Among the two new systems is the world's first dual wireless soundbar system that features a wireless subwoofer and wireless surround speakers. The other is highlighted by a super-slim soundbar and a thin, wall-mountable amplifier.

JVC's new dual wireless soundbar system is the TH-BA3, a 280-watt, 5.1-channel surround sound system that includes a sound bar, wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speaker kit comprised of wireless left and right surround speakers and a wireless receiver. The sound bar contains four speakers - one each for the left and right main channels and two for the center channel. Also built into the sound bar is the power amplifier, surround decoding, system controls and the transmitter for the wireless surround speakers. It offers one analog and two optical digital inputs and decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II surround signals.

The new JVC TH-BS7 system is designed to match the slimmest of flat panel HDTVs. It includes a sliver of a soundbar that measures just 1.4 inches (36mm) tall, an even slimmer wall-mountable amplifier/control unit and a wireless subwoofer.

The 180-watt, 4.1-channel TH-BS7 owes its slim design to JVC's own Direct Drive speaker technology that uses a unique voice coil design and strong neodymium magnets to deliver outstanding sound quality and a broad soundfield from a super-slim speaker. The design allows the TH-BS7's soundbar to boast a frequency range of 200 - 20,000 Hz that falls to just 200 - 10,000 Hz at 360 degrees off-axis. The soundbar features four JVC Direct Drive speakers - left and right main channels and left and right surround channels - each driven by 20 watts. The two surround channels are processed using JVC's Front Surround technology to provide a surround sound effect without the need for rear speakers.

Complementing the slim design of the soundbar is the system's amplifier/control unit. It measures just 1.2 inches deep and can be wall mounted. It decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II, and offers one analog and three optical digital inputs. The system's wireless subwoofer features a six-inch woofer powered by a 100-watt amplifier.

[JVC]

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2007 - Sony today introduced four component home theater systems designed to complement high-definition televisions and Blu-ray Disc™ players.

Optimized with 1080p-capable HDMI™ inputs, the HT-SS2300 and HT-CT100 models support full HD video and eight channels of uncompressed audio. The HT-7200DH and HT- DDWG700 models round out the line, offering 5.1 channel home theater surround sound.

HD Companion
The HT-SS2300 and HT-CT100 component systems are designed for Blu-ray Disc players and other high-definition components using three 1080p-capable HDMI inputs, in addition to optical and coaxial digital inputs.

The 5.1 channel HT-SS2300 system, with 1,000 watts (RMS) of power, features a slim AV receiver designed to match Sony's line of 2008 Blu-ray Disc players. It will be available this summer for about $400.

At 250 watts (RMS), the 3.1 channel HT-CT100 unit includes a sound bar and separate subwoofer, which delivers realistic surround sound using Sony's S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound technology eliminating the need for rear speakers. The system will be available in March for about $300.

Both systems feature Sony's Digital Media Port, which adds controlling, networking and connectivity features for music playback with various optional accessories sold separately. Additional accessories include a Network Walkman™ player audio cradle, a PC client device and a Bluetooth® adapter.

The units offer a simple set-up feature with Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) that uses an included microphone to measure speaker distance, level and frequency, automatically calibrating the listening environment to accurately optimize the sound field.

Additionally, the new home theater systems offer an updated Portable Audio Enhancer. This improves the clarity and depth of a connected music player by adding information to the audio signal that had been removed during compression.

High-Resolution Audio
The 5.1 channel HT-7200DH and HT- DDWG700 systems deliver high-resolution surround sound with 900 and 800 watts (RMS) of power, respectively.

The HT-7200DH system integrates a single disc DVD/CD player with upscaling to 1080p via HDMI™ when connected to a 1080p-capable HDTV set. There is an HDMI repeater that automatically switches the television to the correct input needed for operation. The integrated AV receiver has three 1080p-capable HDMI inputs for support of high-definition home theater components. An on-screen display simplifies content navigation and device operation. The model will be available in May for about $500.

The HT- DDWG700 unit includes a cradle for iPod® players (TDM-iP10) so you can enjoy music through the home theater via a connection to its Digital Media Port. The surround sound system will be available in March for about $200.

All of the models offer Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, Portable Audio Enhancer and a Digital Media Port interface.
The new systems will be available at sonystyle.com and Sony Style retail stores nationwide, as well as at military base exchanges and authorized dealers throughout the country.

The dual mute function allows you to mute the audio coming out of the speakers so your mom doesn't complain about you going deaf. And it lets you mute your headset, so your battalion of renegade mercenaries (or is that mercenary renegades?) don't have to hear the dreaded, "I love you too, mommy."

The final touch, for the more artistic gamer, is something called G-Skin. The speakers have clear shells, under which you can insert your own "personal artwork." Hopefully, once Logitech sees what your own stuff looks like, it will begin offering download-and-print artwork of its own. That or you borrow some of those excellent unicorn drawings from your sister.

Fact Sheet

Logitech® G51 Surround Sound Speaker System

Bring games to life with 360-degree surround sound

Announcement Date: August 22, 2007 Shipping: October 2007

Price: $199.99 Available at: www.logitech.com

Product Description
With high performance audio, gamer-inspired features such as dual mute controls and gaming matrix mode, the G51 speaker system is optimized for 5.1 high-definition audio. The laser-tuned satellites include FDD2 technology, which produces a uniform soundfield, while the ported, down-firing subwoofer rumbles with every explosion.

Key Features
• 360-degree surround sound with dual matrix modes:
• Gaming matrix mode creates 5.1 surround sound from common two-channel stereo sources such as legacy PC games
• Music matrix mode takes two speakers and electronically upmixes to 5.1
• High-performance audio: speakers feature laser-tuned satellites with FDD2 technology
• Precision dual mute controls: weighted, non-skid control pod features independent mute controls that allow for one-touch muting of both audio output and microphone input
• Customizable: design and insert personal artwork into the G-Skin™ mod system on each satellite speaker

Technical Specifications

Power
• Total RMS power: 155 watts RMS
• Satellite powers: 20 watts
• Subwoofer: 56 watts
• Frequency response: 36 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-6dB

Drivers
• Satellites: 2-inch laser-tuned drivers
• Subwoofer: 5-inch high-excursion driver

Source Inputs
• Six-channel direct
• Stereo RCA

Control Center
• Master volume control
• Subwoofer, center & surround level controls
• Matrix surround sound music and gaming modes
• Independent audio and microphone mute controls
• 2 Headset jacks (microphone jack + headphone jack)

System Requirements
• PC or Mac with at least a six-channel sound card (for discrete surround sound)

Contents
• Four satellites (4.2 inches x 5.6 inches x 8.5 inches)
• Center channel (8.0 inches x 3.9 inches x 5.6 inches)
• Subwoofer (7.7 inches x 10.4 inches x 13.1 inches)
• Control pod (5.7 inches x 3.4 inches by 1.8 inches)

Warranty
• 2-year limited warranty

Active surround sound: Plug and play, no external amp needed
Philips Ambisound ($1,000) - You get a lot for your money with this one. Not only is it an active surround system, but it comes with an iPod dock and has a built-in DVD player.

Yamaha YSP series ($900 to $1,800) - Real deal audio projectors rely on reflection against back walls and a particular sweet spot, but often do very well to convey the 3D sound feel. The new flagship does video upscaling via HDMI and can handle iPods and XM radio.

Yamaha YAS-70 ($600) - This is very promising, for the money. It's meant specifically for smaller rooms, but promises the same surround as its siblings. And like the YSPs, it also requires a separate subwoofer.

SoundMatters SlimStage (Still "Under $1,000") - A powered sound-bar billed as slim yet so powerful and rich in frequency range, it doesn't even need a separate subwoofer. Too bad it hasn't shipped yet. When it does, it will succeed the $429 MainStage HD.

Denon DHT-FS3 Active Surround Sound System ($1,200) - 5-channel built-in amplifier for surround, plus a powered 50-watt subwoofer. (Three digital inputs, one analog one.)

Passive surround sound: Needs a little juice
Polk SurroundBar50 ($1,100) and SurroundBar ($950) - Delivers true five-channel sound, but does it the old fashioned way: It requires a 5.1 amplifier, like an A/V receiver or a home theater in a box. Also, you still need to supply a subwoofer.

Stereo sound bars: Not true surround, but you can fool some people some time
Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two ($400) - Today's Boston Acoustics entrant promises just 2.1, with a wireless "woofer" for middle to low-end fillout.

ZVOX ($200 to $600) - A bit chunky and stereo all the way, this all-in-one speakerbox has a cult following because of how much it eerily mimics surround sound with nothing more than stereo source. Great for people who just don't care about things creeping up from the rear.

A few of you audiophile folks might be wondering where some of your favorite sound bars are, like the Paradigm 3-in-1, the Mirage Uni-Theater or the Atlantic FS-5000 Flat Screen Speaker. These are all pretty awesome speaker bars, but they don't fulfill the specific goal of the others: they don't keep you from installing surround speakers behind your couch. Anyone who buys one of these and not use it as a complete surround system (in some cases, by buying a second to mount in the rear) is just dumb, or at least should have probably stuck with that tasty ZVOX.

Well, are they the end of the world? I don't think so. As you can see, there are just too many different types at work here, some are bound to be good, others not so much. The most important takeaway for all of us, including that stuffy editor, is that in the coming year there will only be more, not less, of these. So it's good to know what we're in for.

Besides sporting a removable boom mic, it features a 10-band, six-channel EQ and allows you to hear outside sounds as well. (Though I'm not sure why you'd want to be distracted by the real world or your girlfriend during a hardcore fragging session.) The $150 price tag seems reasonable for a solid headset, but that could just be because I'm hung up on the eight speakers—the $30 pair on my desk seem so inadequate now. – Matt Buchanan

Product Page [via CrunchGear]

We're looking forward to seeing this product, because if Ben Heckendorn's track record of making controllers, handhelds, and Xbox 360 laptops shows one thing, it's that he knows audio. – Jason Chen

Product Page [eDimensional via Ben Heck via Kotaku]

Press Release

LG keeps trying to blind the world with their latest models, even when they are not holding phones. This one is holding some kind of Stargate pyramid model made of aluminum, the LG HT752TP. Their latest home theater comes with HDMI, DivX compatibility, electrostatic buttons guaranteed to drive you mad, a USB host port to connect to storage devices and a Virtual Sound Matrix system that can simulate 10.1 sound using its 5.1 speakers. How, do you ask? I don't care, she says so and I take her word for it. The HT702TN does more or less the same, with 700 watts of power. More legs A photo of the HT702TN right after the jump. – Jesus Diaz

Press release [Google translated from korean] [LG]

According to the press release, «this year groove shear sprouting keyword is `designs'»

Indeed.

The Return of the Living Room Console [Crave]

Okay, this has a little more application overseas where the DMB television runs free on cellphones, but still, wouldn't regular stereo sound be sufficient? That is bound to suck the battery dry in addition to annoying everyone on the train. This prototype phone is currently on display at CEATAC. – Travis Hudson

Cellphones with 5.1 surround sound [Uberphones]

iPod and NOVA MKII Friends [GadgetCandy.com]

Product Page [Morel]