“When we began planning the SUB product, our estimates showed that the Matte SUB would cost less to produce than the gloss SUB” a company representative said today. “During the manufacturing process, we determined that this was not the case. In addition, the gloss finish has been well-received by our customers and continues to be in high-demand.”

So as to keep to its original commitment to owners, however, Sonos will offer a “very limited quantity” of the matte-finish version over the next two weeks. On sale until supplies run out, or April 2, whichever comes first, the $599 subwoofer is functionally identical to the glossy SUB only with the different finish.

Sonos is already selling the SUB through its own store, priced at $599/€599/£499, but says that Amazon and Best Buy will also be offering it in the US and Canada eventually. Local dealers may also have “limited stock” too.

Joining the Sonos Party

With the Sonos SUB you’ve got a one-button-connected bass component for your Sonos system. You will not want to buy just the SUB and not at least one of the two speakers that Sonos has to offer, those being the PLAY:5 or the PLAY:3. With either of the PLAY speakers – if you buy one at the time this post is being published – Sonos has a special “Gift Pack” that essentially means you’ll get a free Sonos Bridge with the purchase of either speaker. So you’ve got the Bridge, either a 3 or a 5 speaker (or two) and the SUB – this is the basic setup you’ll want, not just the SUB.

This is because the Sonos family of devices works in its own net, and does not connect the same way a standard speaker does. On the other hand, if you do pick up the Sonos CONNECT or CONNECT:AMP, you’ll be able to connect a standard RCA line-in bit of audio to your SONOS network where it can be wirelessly output to the SUB and wired to several of your standard speakers with combined spring binding post / banana jack connectors all at once. And if you don’t know what that means, I wish you good luck and suggest you get a standard speaker setup.

On the other hand again, if you want to work with Sonos from top to bottom, you can connect whatever you want to a CONNECT and blast all your audio from all your sources. If you just want music, you wont have to mess with all of this stuff, you’ll only need one Sonos speaker – and the AMP, since that’s what we’re reviewing, of course. To connect your devices together, you either need to hook one (any one) of your Sonos speakers or SUB to the internet with an ethernet cord.

If you don’t want to connect one of your speakers with an ethernet cord – if your router is in a room that you don’t want speakers in, for example – then you should indeed get the BRIDGE. With the BRIDGE you can connect to the web, then the BRIDGE will be your access point for all the rest of the devices. Then you’ve only to access and wirelessly control the music you want to listen to from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android phone, Android tablet, Mac, or Windows-toting PC.

Software

The software experience with Sonos is being updated rather rapidly – just today we found an update for the iOS apps that allow us to play music directly from the device, this effectively taking the place of what Apple notes is their unique wireless capability in AirPlay. Android has an app that’s essentially the same as the iOS experience, while the Mac and PC versions of the software offer, again, basically the same abilities with slightly different layouts.

Above: Android, Below: iOS (iPhone 5)

The larger the screen you have, the easier it is to navigate the Sonos user interface – while when you’re working with a display as small as the iPhone 5, you might be tripped up by the slightly less-than-intuitive arrangement of the buttons and access to your tunes. Once you’ve set up your own playlist or have decided upon a single source for your music though, you won’t have to worry about it.

At the moment you can use a variety of music sources including Pandora, Spotify, tunein, Amazon Cloud Player, Songza, Rhapsody, mog, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Slacker Radio, Wolfgang’s Vault, DAR.fm, AUPEO, rdio, murfie, last.fm, and stitcher. Sonos is currenly working with the developers of 7digital and Hearts of Space to get them onboard with this wireless experience as well.

Perhaps the most useful element in all of this SonosNet wireless control environment is the power to group speakers together individually. You can set up a couple of PLAY:3 units in your living room with a SUB under the couch while you’ve got two PLAY:5 speakers in the kitchen and a set of two 5′s, two 3′s, a SUB, and a CONNECT:AMP in your basement to play some heavy-hitting theater beats, each of the rooms with their own audio, all of them in the same network. The real power of this system is for the super-vested in Sonos to create their own massive network, really.

Sound Quality

There’s not much to be said for the sound quality of the SUB that’s not already spoken by Sonos themselves: “soul-shaking” is what they call it. Indeed it is difficult to even set this device up for sound if you live in an apartment for fear that you might not only disturb the residents above and below you, but that you might wake up your neighbors across the hall as well, not to mention the whole complex across the street.

But once you do have the system set up and ready to rock, you can turn the whole thing down to human levels. This system is made to be sitting either right out in the open next to your television set or in the center of your room or under your couch or bed. If you do place it under your seats, prepare to get you butt rumbled. The sound here is as loud and as precise as any system we’ve yet tested.

The SUB doesn’t break up the family as other massive stand-along subwoofers might. Instead it’s able to be mixed right in with the natural array of sounds coming from the rest of your Sonos speakers – and with your Sonos apps you’re able to push them all up and down individually as needed, of course.

Wrap-up

The Sonos SUB is a massively expensive subwoofer made to be part of the full wireless speaker family for an equally giant price: $699 right out of the box. You do get free shipping and unlimited support from Sonos, and we’re to understand that there’s a slightly less glossy version of this machine coming soon that’ll cost just a bit less than this first release. If you’re willing to pay $699 for a component in your hi-fi speaker arrangement, you certainly wont be disappointed in the SUB.

Have a peek at the column/review Small Sonos: Is multi-room music overkill in a tiny apartment? by Chris Davies for additional insight with the Sonos PLAY:3 and the overall Sonos experience.

It’s an entirely digital system, with no analog components to introduce hiss, and includes active equalization and automatic time alignment. Dual acoustic ports increase bass resonance and boost volume.

Inside the 402 x 158 x 380 mm box – which tips the scales at 16kg – there are two Class-D digital amps, while the cabinet itself uses a proprietary resin. In the pipeline is a black matte finish version, expected to go on sale in October priced at $599.

The Sonos SUB works with all of the company’s amplified components (i.e. the CONNECT:AMP, ZonePlayer 120, ZonePlayer 100, PLAY:5 and PLAY:3) but not with the non-amplified Sonos CONNECT/ZP90/ZP80. You’ll obviously need at least one from the former list to get started, and it’s worth noting that SUB orders placed today aren’t expected to ship until the end of this month.

Meanwhile, the new app also features pre-emptive support for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, along with future “enhancements to the Sonos Controller apps for Mac and PC.” Exactly what those enhancements might entail is unclear.

The Sonos Controller app for iPad is a free download [iTunes link] from the App Store, as is the app for iPhone. You can find the Android app in the Play Market, also a free download.

You’ll obviously need at least one Sonos streaming box in order to actually use them, however. The SUB, meanwhile, will play nicely with the CONNECT:AMP/ZP120/ZP100; PLAY:5/ZonePlayer S:5; PLAY:3, but not with the non-amped Sonos CONNECT/ZP90/ZP80.

[via Twitter]

Hardware

Soundbars are often pushed as ideal for compact living rooms, but the SB 16 manages to still be imposing despite only consisting of two pieces. The bar itself is 92 x 89 x 11 cm and weighs 3.6kg, while the subwoofer is a hefty 48 x 38 x 38 and 15kg. It requires a little consideration for placement, though the wireless link between the two components makes it easier.

Harman Kardon SB 16 Unboxing and hands-on

Build quality is excellent, and takes some of the sting out of the $600 tag. The Soundbar is creak- and flex-free, and the design is minimalist in its sturdy black simplicity: you don’t get a display or a splash of buttons, only power, volume up/down and source switcher.

All of the inputs are on the back of the soundbar: an analog stereo, a digital optical and a digital coaxial. Unlike some systems, there’s no HDMI input or throughput. Both parts require their own power input.

Remote Control

Harman Kardon takes the arguably unusual route of not bundling a remote with the SB 16; the integrated buttons are the only controls you get. Instead, the plan is to use your TV remote for controlling power, volume, mute and source. That requires some programming first.

In essence, it’s a matter of holding down the power and source buttons on the soundbar until it enters programming mode, choosing the button you want to set up, and then pressing the relevant key on your TV remote until it’s learned. We found it took a couple of tries – sometimes the SB 16 would time-out of learning mode, and we needed to start again from the beginning – but after we persisted it all responded as expected.

Performance

Convenience and design are for nothing if the sound quality underwhelms, but luckily that’s not the case. There are some basic setup controls on the soundbar – a three-step Trim switch for input sensitivity, along with a choice of “Wall” or “Table” EQ presets depending on where you’re putting it – along with Volume, Crossover and a Phase Switch on the sub. Crossover can be adjusted from 50-150 Hz, while Phase has two options, “0″ or “180.” We had no problems with the sub getting a wireless signal all the way across our living room.f

With two 3-inch midrange speakers and a 3/4-inch dome tweeter per channel in the soundbar – driven by a 2 x 25W amp – and a 100W amp in the sub, we were expecting loud sound from the SB 16. What surprised us was the precision of the audio; there was no muddiness in more frantic scenes, and even when film soundtracks mixed high-octane backing audio with dialog, we could comfortably make out the speech.

It’s all too easy for speaker systems to try to mask low-quality mids and trebles with an extra heaping of bass, and while there’s no shortage of power from the subwoofer, the SB 16′s upper registers aren’t shy. There’s a width to the soundstage that belies even the meter-wide soundbar, too, and even the “3D Surround” mode, though of course nothing like true surround, adds a highly listenable element to films.

Music performance, meanwhile, stands up to most genres. The Harman Kardon does best with acoustic and classical tracks, its treble and midrange clarity adding up to great guitars, piping vocals and crisp pianos. More aggressive rock and RnB lost some of its punch at higher volume, but keep the audio more around the mid-point and it’s still highly listenable.

Wrap-Up

$600 is a lot to pay for a speakerbar system. To understand the SB 16, you first have to reconsider your ideas on value: this isn’t a space-saver, or a cheap way to bypass integrated TV speakers, but a straightforward and practical upgrade to better sound quality.

Performance for movies and TV is stronger than for music, though the SB 16 does a good job holding its end up there too. A separates system might deliver more authentic surround sound or better music performance, though at the price of more complex setup and a potential wiring mess. For a balance of audio and ease the SB 16 does a lot for the money.

SpeakerCraft intends you to use the new BoomTomb subwoofer with their other outdoor speakers, like the Ruckus and OG series speakers. The subwoofer features an integrated 250 watt amp, and as the title suggests, you literally bury the majority of the ‘woofer into the ground. Once you bury the main unit, and leave only the port exposed, you’ll get the bass effect in no time.

The press release, which you can read below, says that the BoomTomb will start shipping some time in the fourth quarter 2010, but it doesn’t divulge just how much this new outdoor subwoofer will cost. With the fourth quarter creeping up on us, it probably won’t be long before a price shows up somewhere, so if you’re interested, keep your eyes peeled.

Press Release

New Subwoofer Goes “Deep” SpeakerCraft introduces the BoomTomb

RIVERSIDE, CA: September 21, 2010 SpeakerCraft, America’s original manufacturer of in-wall speakers announced a new outdoor subwoofer to compliment its Outdoor Elements, Ruckus and OG series speakers. It has been appropriately named the BoomTomb because of the fact that the majority of the enclosure is buried underground with only a small, hooded port exposed above the surface.

“Outdoor audio continues to be a huge category for us” commented Dave Donald, SpeakerCraft’s V.P. of Marketing. “Adding critical low end reinforcement to our already broad assortment of exterior loudspeakers is a natural progression and a benefit to dealers who are always looking for ways to improve sound quality outdoors.”

The BoomTomb consists of a poly/resin enclosure that houses a ten-inch long throw woofer mounted in a support that is in the center of the internal space. Sound is then vented through a port that extends through the top of the enclosure. The port is the only visible part of the speaker once it is installed. A hood covers the top of the port to protect the internal workings

from water and debris. The woofer is powered by a dedicated 250 watt amplifier that is designed to be placed with the source equipment and attached via standard speaker cable.

The BoomTomb will ship in the fourth quarter. Pricing is still to be determined.

SpeakerCraft, established in 1976, devoted itself for more than a decade to the design and development of architectural loudspeakers and became known as the prime OEM for many well-known, in-wall speaker brands in the field. In marketing its own brand, now one of the
widest lines of architectural speakers and electronics in the industry, SpeakerCraft brings with it years of experience and a dedication to dealer satisfaction.

Video demo after the cut

Inputs include two 3.5mm sockets and a pair of stereo RCA jacks, so you should be able to get going with your PMP, iPod or DVD player, and the controls are all on the right satellite speaker so you can tuck the included subwoofer out of sight.  Logitech reckon there’s 200W RMS of power locked up in the whole system.

The Logitech Speaker System Z623 is yet to show up on the company’s US site, but it’s already up for grabs on the UK version (where it’s priced at £149 or roughly $230).  No word on when it will cross the Atlantic, but we don’t expect it will take long

DigiZoid has a new device called the zo personal subwoofer that promises to redefine personal music listening. The gadget is about the size of an iPod nano and promises to give the sort of bass you would normally get from a 12-inch subwoofer. That is a bit hard to believe.

The gadget connects to your media player or other device using the headphone jack and a supplied mini-stereo cable. The user then plugs their headphones into the output on the zo for improved sound. The zo gets power from an internal rechargeable battery. If you are intrigued, you can get your own zo for $99 right now.

Like all subwoofers, the BeoLab 11 is omnidirectional so you don’t have to position it at a certain point in the room in order to reap the benefits; unlike most, however, the Acoustic Balance Principle – basically the two cones firing at each other – means there are minimal vibrations, too.  Since the amp is onboard you don’t need a separate poweramp to drive it, either.

The Danes reckon the BeoLab 11 is so gorgeous that you’ll want to leave it out on show, and so it’s designed for both floor-standing or wall-mounting.  The B&O BeoLab 11 will arrive in May, initially available in silver anodized aluminum or white, and then with various color finishes – including black, dark grey, red, blue and golden – following on.

Press Release:

Beauty and The Bass

BeoLab 11 is a new elegant subwoofer from Bang & Olufsen which combines excellent bass performance, intriguing design and unorthodox placement possibilities.

BeoLab 11 is a new small subwoofer from Bang & Olufsen that delivers amazing bass quality for its size. With BeoLab 11, Bang & Olufsen has revolutionized the subwoofer category by creating a subwoofer with an entirely new look. Despite its strong sculptural presence, BeoLab 11 has a discreetness about it that makes it easy to integrate in a home environment without turning the room into a sound studio.

The unique acoustic design of BeoLab 11 allows it to be placed on the floor, in a corner, or mounted on the wall. In fact, due to its minimal vibrations, it is one of the very few subwoofers in the world that can be mounted on a wall. And with the sculptural design of BeoLab 11, you’ll want to put it on display, instead of hiding it behind a sofa.

Powerful bass wrapped in aesthetic elegance

Based on Bang & Olufsen’s world-renowned sound competences, BeoLab 11 offers enhanced sound experience and outstanding acoustic performance. BeoLab 11 provides a significant addition to the bass experience in any small to medium loudspeaker setup, adding low frequencies from 300 Hz and down.

BeoLab 11 is composed of two identical loudspeaker cabinets, with baffles facing each other. The outer shells are made of aluminium and are available in silver and white. The concept is based on two 6½” drivers with electronics making BeoLab 11 fully active and suited for both Bang & Olufsen and third party applications.

Utilizing the Acoustic Balance Principle for the first time in a Bang & Olufsen subwoofer, BeoLab 11 features uncompromising bass performance with minimal vibrations. It adds a presence to your surround sound system and also reveals the subtle nuances of your favourite tracks.

Placement flexibility

Due to the omni-directional properties of the bass, the performance is not dependent upon orientation; therefore the unit can be ‘rotated’ as desired when positioned on the floor.

“Thanks to its acoustic principle, which reduces to a minimum the vibrations normally experienced from a subwoofer, BeoLab 11 can be placed either on the floor or can be hung on a wall – and it will offer great performance in either position. Hanging a subwoofer on the wall is quite unorthodox. However, in many home environments this may be the preferred placement, as it will be possible to hide the cables and it will free up floor space,” states Michael Jensen, Product Manager Bang & Olufsen.

Rediscover your music collection

By adding a BeoLab 11 to a simple stereo setup, you will experience that you hear things on your CD collection you never knew were there. This is because many audio CDs contain bass information that is not possible to reproduce with smaller loudspeakers as they do not cover the entire frequency range.

With BeoLab 11 you get a richer sound not only in the bass area but also in the other frequency areas as it takes over smaller loudspeakers’ reproduction of the lower frequencies. This means that all capacity in the smaller speakers can be used to handle upper bass, midrange and treble.

Adding BeoLab 11 to your existing speaker set up will greatly improve your overall listening experience. You’ll feel as though you are in the studio with an orchestra, or in a jazz club in Manhattan. You’ll enjoy music as it was originally intended, authentic and as if the artist were right in front of you.

Interestingly, Aperion also reckon you won’t need the usual four regular walls that soundbars usually bounce their directed surround signals off of.  Instead, their Euphony HD system apparently does it all virtually, though it’s not entirely clear how that works.  Still, you’ve got 140W RMS shared out between the multiple speaker units, six inputs (half analog, half digital) and Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround certification.

There’s also a headphone port and a front-panel input for plugging in your PMP.  The SLIMstage30 on its own is priced at $599, but Aperion Audio also offer a bundle that includes it and their own 100W Bravus 8A subwoofer for $799.

Press Release:

Aperion Audio’s New Powered Soundbar Enhances the HDTV Experience
for Home Theater Enthusiasts’ Other Rooms

The Aperion Signature SLIMstage30™ Soundbar Matches Flat-panel Simplicity
and Allows the Enthusiast to Customize Their Sound

Portland, OR, April 15, 2010 – Aperion Audio, a consumer direct maker of award-winning home theater speaker systems, introduces the Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Soundbar, a slim profile speaker system for HDTVs. The SLIMstage30 is designed to create theater-like sound for flat-panel HDTVs in secondary viewing locations, such as bedrooms, dens, and children’s play areas where simplicity and room aesthetics are just as important as the surround sound experience. Although simple to connect right out of the box, an easy to use settings menu also allows enthusiasts to optimize the sound for their specific room and personal preferences.

As households add a second or third flat-panel HDTV, these secondary viewing locations may not accommodate a 5.1 home theater speaker system due to room size, layout, or pure aesthetics. “Because of our direct relationship with consumers, we were able to sit down in one-on-ones with key decision makers in the home,” said Ed de la Fuente, VP of Marketing for Aperion Audio. “Most consumers already expect that a single speaker really can’t match the surround sound performance of a discreet 5.1 home theater system, but for these secondary locations they place a premium on aesthetics such as wanting the speaker to visually disappear under the TV. Still important, however, are dialogue intelligibility, a wide surround effect, and clean, dynamic bass – like they get in the theater,” he said. De la Fuente added that “While both men and women desire simplicity of setup and use, the audio enthusiasts also want the ability to ‘tweak’ the system for optimal sound in their home – so after giving them an accurate starting point, we made sure to include that functionality as well.”

The system includes the Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Soundbar and the Aperion Bravus 8A Subwoofer which provides 100W RMS of low frequency power. The SLIMstage30, engineered in partnership with Soundmatters International, Inc. of Reno, Nevada, includes the 31-inch wide powered soundbar, with a profile of only 3 ½ inches high by 3 ¾ inches deep, and is finished in a gloss black wrap-around grille to fit most HDTV aesthetics. Soundmatters’ patented Linear Magnetic Drive™ speaker array is driven by a total of 140W RMS (at less than 0.8% THD) to create a clear and wide surround sound image. With its built-in decoding of both Dolby® Digital and DTS™ Digital Surround, this soundbar accurately recreates what movie producers intended using Euphony HD™ surround technology, which does not require reflecting walls to create a virtual surround experience.

Pricing and Availability:

The Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Soundbar and the Aperion Bravus 8A Subwoofer system is priced at $799. The Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Soundbar standalone unit is priced at $599. Both are available now at AperionAudio.com.

Warranty:

Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Soundbar Warranty: Two (2) year limited warranty covers all defects in material and workmanship. Aperion Audio Bravus 8A Subwoofer Warranty: Ten (10) year limited warranty covers all defects in material and workmanship. Three (3) year warranty on the amplifier.

The Aperion Audio Experience:

Aperion was the first in their industry to provide free shipping both ways with their Risk Free 30-Day In-Home Audition™. Aperion’s “Home Theater Gurus” are available to assist those shopping for audio systems from initial research through lifetime technical support. The “Gurus” are home theater experts, focused only on making sure the customer is able to enjoy a lifetime of great sound.

That gets you not only the BassJump itself but Twelve South’s accompanying amp app, which allows you to tweak the equaliser – to rock, pop, R&B, etc – but adjust the sub volume and the crossover.  The BassJump speaker hooks up via a USB connection, which gives it both audio signal and power.

As for the sub’s specs, it uses a 77mm cone but Twelve South aren’t exactly shouting about the wattage, so we’re guessing it’s reasonably low-key in comparison to some external speaker systems.  The BassJump is available now – for MacBook owners only, naturally – priced at $79.99.

In fact, the SUB 1 packs a 1,700W RMS amp capable of 3,400W RMS dynamic peak bursts, and the SUB 2 trounces that with a sustained 4,500W RMS and 9,000W RMS dynamic peak.  The unusual driver layout, Paradigm claim, means that vibrations are minimized; a glass of water sat on top of each sub, so they say, “will barely ripple”.

Of course, as with anything hexagonal in life, neither subwoofer comes cheap.  The Paradigm SUB 1 is priced at $3,499, while the Paradigm SUB 2 comes in at $7,499; both include the company’s Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) for automatic room correction.

Press Release:

PARADIGM REFERENCE SIGNATURE SUB 1 AND SUB 2 UNLEASH THE PERFECT STORM

Silent, hexagonal cabinets will redefine the audio industry’s performance standard for bass reproduction.

TORONTO, CANDADA – October 1, 2009 – Paradigm Electronics Inc., an international leader in speaker design and manufacturing, introduces the Reference Signature SUB 1 and SUB 2 as the flagship models in its growing line of high-performance, smart subwoofers. The SUB 1 and SUB 2 models are more powerful than any other Paradigm speaker to date; they are completely unique both in their internal elements and aesthetic qualities; and they represent the best in audio bass technology and highest performance characteristics in the subwoofer category.

The SUB 1 and SUB 2 cabinets offer virtually no shaking despite moving vast amounts of energy via the drivers and 3000W “Kilomax” amplifier platform which is capable of 4500W when connected to a 208V or 240V line. The SUB 1’s six high-excursion, low-distortion 8-inch (10-inch for SUB 2) woofers are arranged in stacked pairs and geometrically aligned so the resultant force vectors, producing up to 7,500 watts of dynamic peak power, cancel each other out. Even a full glass of water placed atop the SUB 1 or SUB 2 will barely ripple. This radial alignment concept is successful because the pressure waves inside the cabinet generated by each driver as the cone and voice coil move in and out are effectively cancelled, leaving a silent and distortion-free cabinet.

Another benefit to the new models’ woofer design is their compactness. In the SUB 2, six 10-inch drivers move as much air as a pair of 15-inch or a single 21-inch woofer in a smaller, more compact form factor. Handsome finishes and eye-catching but not overbearing design elements support the ability of these subwoofers to be hidden in plain sight. With the added flexibility conferred by Paradigm’s Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) room correction, staggering performance is assured in just about any listening area.

Advanced scientific features such as AC line voltage detection, power consumption monitoring, and a universal power supply on the SUB 1 and SUB 2 ensure that the subwoofers are fed a diet of clean, unadulterated energy.

SPECIFICATIONS
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 1
Design
Six high-excursion eight-inch drivers, patented built-in Ultra-Class-D™ power amplifier, USB port, sealed enclosure
Amplifier
3,400 watts Dynamic Peak/1,700 watts RMS Sustained
Auto-On/Off, Trigger-On/Off, soft clipping, thermal protection, electrical shorting protection
Bass Drivers
38-mm (1.5-inch) four-layer voice coil, high-temperature composite former, 4.7-lb. (2.1 kg) ceramic/ferrite magnet / motor structure
Oversize FEA-optimized Pleated LCS™ Linear Corrugated surround
AVS™ die-cast heatsink chassis, 203-mm (eight-inch) RCR™ mineral-filled co-polymer polypropylene cone

Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2
Design
Six high-excursion 10-inch drivers, USB port, patented built-in Ultra-Class-D™ power isolation amplifier with Power Factor Correction, sealed enclosure
Amplifier
120V – 50/60Hz (20amp dedicated circuit recommended): 7,500 watts Dynamic Peak/3,000 watts RMS Sustained
208V/240V – 50/60Hz (30amp dedicated circuit recommended): 9,000 watts Dynamic Peak /4,500 watts RMS Sustained
Auto-On/Off, Trigger-On/Off, soft clipping, thermal protection, electrical shorting protection
Bass Drivers
76-mm (three-inch) 10-layer voice coil, high-temperature composite former, 12.6-lb. (5.7 kg) triple ceramic/ferrite magnet / motor structure
Oversize FEA-optimized elliptical surround
AVS™ die-cast heatsink chassis, 254-mm (10-inch) RCR™ mineral-filled co-polymer polypropylene cone, dual spiders

The SUB 1 has an estimated US FMV of $3,499 including PBK, and SUB 2 has an estimated US FMV of $7,499 including PBK. Both subwoofers will be shipping by the end of October 2009.

For more information on Paradigm, please visit www.paradigm.com.

Elsewhere you’re looking at up to 4GB of RAM, a choice of 160GB, 250GB or 320GB hard-drives and either a 6- or 9-cell battery, though they’re tight-lipped on what sort of runtime you can expect.  There’s also a 2-megapixel webcam, three USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, a 3-in-1 card reader, gigabit ethernet, WiFi b/g/n and optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

All well and good, but nowhere in their press release (below) or site do MSI say exactly how much the Bravo EX628 is, and nor can we find it online at any of the usual retailers.  If the price is right then this not-especially-handsome machine could be a decent student buy.

Press Release:

The MSI Bravo EX628: High Performance Audio & Video

MSI announces the all new 16″ Bravo EX628 featuring the highest audio and video specs for an entertainment notebook. Utilizing the latest Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology, a high performance ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4670 graphic card, and a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD cinema display, the EX628 is capable of providing brilliant image quality. Sound quality will leave you even more amazed. Hi-Fi speakers are located on both sides of the touchpad, a subwoofer is housed underneath the base, and second generation Dolby® surround sound enables a professional-grade acoustic performance. When paired with MSI’s exclusive Cinema Pro technology, whether watching a movie or gaming, you’ll be able to enjoy a highly authentic audio and video experience.

Extraordinary Audio & Video
The ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphic card (with 1G memory), 16″ 16:9 aspect cinema display, and the latest Intel® Centrino® 2 processor, grouped with 2 speakers and a subwoofer, gives the EX628 the hardware advantage to strengthen your audio and video capabilities. Also, MSI’s exclusive Vivid image enhancement technology enhances color saturation, giving the EX628’s display more color layers and richer detailed images.

The EX628′s most extraordinary feature is MSI’s industry leading Cinema Pro technology. With a dedicated Cinema Pro function key on the keyboard, watching a movie requires the mere push of the dedicated key to access MSI’s independently designed theatre mode for more detailed imagery. At the same time, Dolby® surround sound and subwoofer recreate a cinematic audio and video experience.

High-end Audio & Video Specs
The EX628 offers the highest and most comprehensive specifications for audio and video interface. A built-in HDMI digital terminal, E-SATA (USB Combo), and a 2.0MP webcam give you the ability to display clear images on a large television screen. With an external device access speed of up to 3GB/s, you can instantly and effortlessly share content with others. What’s more, the EX628 is also capable of reading Blu-ray discs with up to 50GB of storage capacity, so you can enjoy outstanding high definition 1080p image quality and multi-channel audio outputs.

Elegant Wave Design
MSI uses a color film printing technology to create graceful wave patterns on the EX628 to convey a laid-back and tranquil feeling. This wave pattern makes every moment spent using the EX628 feel natural, helping you forget all of life’s worries. With MSI’s unique conceptual design approach, every detail is given special consideration. Even the border of the keyboard is designed to slowly blend from deep black to light silver, making the EX628 an example of evolution in high fashion. Also, the color film printing technology has anti-scratch and fingerprint-resistant qualities, making it the best protective film on any notebook. This technology also produces a glossy and extravagant finish, giving this notebook a spectacular shine while retaining its soft, smooth feel.

The VS2620 have dual 3-inch full-range speaker drivers and dual 3-inch passive radiators, together with integrated power, volume and tone controls.  Two audio inputs are on offer, one of which being a 3.5mm jack on the front panel, for easy connection of an MP3 player or other device.  They’re priced at $29.99.

As for the BXR1220, they connect via USB and require no AC adapter.  Each has a 2-inch full-range driver, and there are built-in controls on the top of the right speaker.  The Altec Lansing BXR1220 are priced at $19.99; they’re also available with a matching 4-inch subwoofer, as the BXR1221, for $10 extra.  No word on release date for any of the speakers; all are listed as “coming soon”.

[via Acquire]

Capable of soaking up 4000 watts of peak power and deliver deep bass frequency down to 27hz, the custom and cast-frame Cerwin-Vega TS-42 houses a staggeringly large 21-inch bass drive with an in-house Stroker technology, reinforced carbon fiber cone and folded horn design to extend sound travels and prolong speaker durability.

The CV-P speaker line-up, on the other hand, is passive designed full range loudspeaker with 15-inch bass driver and horn tweeter. The CVP-1152 has a direct-firing 15-inch cast frame subwoofer with 3-inch voice coils powers the bottom ranges, while top ranges are handled by a 44mm mylar driver. For extended bass, Vega offers a dual subwoofer design CVP-2153 for monstrous bass.

Serious audio professionals now can get their hands on the new Cerwin Vega, all three of them, at Cerwin-Vega authorized dealers worldwide.

Hollywood, FL – January 14, 2009 – Cerwin-Vega! a leading manufacturer of loudspeakers and audio products for professional and home markets, today announced the Cerwin-Vega Passive (CVP) loudspeakers. The new speakers build on Cerwin-Vega’s legacy for providing outstanding bass and reliability, while delivering high output and sonic clarity for the gigging or touring musician. The CVP-1152 features a single 15” woofer and horn tweeter while the CVP-2153 has two 15” woofers with a horn tweeter. Both products are available now at Cerwin-Vega authorized dealers worldwide.

The CVP speakers were designed to be used as a performer’s primary speaker or in conjunction with one of Cerwin-Vega’s legendary folded horn or direct-firing subwoofers. Custom 15” cast frame woofers with 3” voice coils power the CVP designs’ low end, while high frequencies are handled by the 44mm mylar driver. The custom high-frequency horn can be rotated to optimize dispersion when the speakers are in floor monitor positions. The high-power handling of the speakers (1000w peak for the CVP-1152 and 2000W peak for the CVP-2153) ensure compatibility with Cerwin-Vega folded horns, including the newly announced 21” TS-42 subwoofer.

According to Tony Rodrigues, Cerwin-Vega’s Vice-President of Marketing, “Cerwin-Vega speakers are renowned for delivering monstrous bass. The new CVP loudspeakers handle high power, deliver amazing sound and have Cerwin-Vega’s trademark bass performance. They match the looks and performance of our subwoofers, which allows us to offer our customers a complete range of live and installed sound solutions.”

Both products also feature bi-amplified modes for use with external crossovers, fast-reacting speaker protection circuitry and twelve fly-points for permanent installation applications. The CVP-1152 also has pole mounts and a floor-monitor wedge position.

Hollywood, FL – January 14, 2009 – Cerwin-Vega! a leading manufacturer of loudspeakers and audio products for professional and home markets, today announced the Cerwin-Vega TS-42 folded horn subwoofer. The TS-42 is the ultimate expression of the legendary Cerwin-Vega bone-jarring bass and earth-shaking sound. The subwoofer is aimed at sound companies, performing DJs, musicians, nightclubs and theaters that need to thrill their audiences with clear, powerful bass. The TS-42 is available now at Cerwin-Vega authorized dealers worldwide.

The TS-42 is based on Cerwin-Vega’s decades of research and development into the perfection of folded horn designs. The folded horn design lengthens the path that the sound travels, which results in a massive amplification of sound. This allows the 21” speaker in the TS-42 to produce higher sound levels than standard front-loaded system, hence the “42” designation. The 21” speaker is a custom, cast-frame Cerwin-Vega design that utilizes Stroker™ technology. This technology allows the speaker to play longer by reinforcing the speaker’s internal structure, optimizing cone excursion and voice coil efficiency. The speaker cone is reinforced with carbon fiber which increases reliability and power handling.

“The TS-42 builds on our legacy as the premiere live sound subwoofer company”, says Tony Rodrigues, Cerwin-Vega’s Vice-President of Marketing. “The sound from this folded horn is full, deep and smooth and its power handling makes it possible to use this single speaker in applications that may have required several in the past.”

Cerwin-Vega speakers are renowned for delivering monstrous bass. The TS-42 is no exception, capable of handling a whopping 4000 watts of peak power and delivering frequencies as low as 27Hz. The TS-42 also features Cerwin-Vega’s trademark “barbeque” grill that is not only stylish but also acts as a heat sink for the woofer, increasing reliability and allowing the speaker to play louder longer. The cabinets are designed to easily fit through standard-sized doors and ergonomic handles and integrated heavy-duty wheels make for easier loading.

The TS-42 features Speakon input connectors, internal reinforcements for added rigidity and alignment marks to assist when stacking the TS-42 with other Cerwin-Vega Passive speakers.

For more information, images and/or review units please contact PR representative Greg Mondshein at gregmondshein@maxborgesagency.com.

Altec’s FX3022 features twin desktop speakers with 25 watts RMS power handling and has auxiliary input jack and controls built right in. The down-firing 4-inch subwoofer is mounted at the bottom of the cylinder-shaped speaker, each channel has dedicate deep bass response range of 40hz-200hz in 4 ohms driven. While the 1.5-inch full range woofer handles the rest of frequency spectrum, for up to 16khz, at 12 ohm impedance.

Altec’s engineer insists that the presence of the dual-woofer, entitles a 2.2 channel-design for the identity of their Expressionist Bass. Available now, you can get the Altec Lansing kitchen appliance at Amazon for $115

[via ubergizmo]

The EON 500 Series speakers crank things up a notch and really make an improvement over the line that came before them. Designed by RKS, these speakers fit right in with the JBL look.

But more important than looks come impressive specs. Three speakers come in the series including the EON 510, 515 and the 518S. All of these speakers are self-powered and 10″ two-way, 15″ two-way and 18″ bass-reflex, respectively. They are also very lightweight, adding to their super portability and versatility. It’s not often that a product looks nice and packs top functionality, but these EON 500 series speakers do it with ease.

The active subwoofer has an immense integrated amplifier of 3000 watts and includes the ARO (Automatic Room Optimization) system found others JL Audio home subwoofers. Unit comes with laboratory-grade calibration microphone with both balanced and unbalanced inputs provided. The F212 measures 32x15x20-inches , weights in a massive 220lb. JL Audio will ship the Fathom f212 subwoofer in next month for $6000 in satin black and $6,100 for high gloss black finishes.

Frequency Response (anechoic):
20 – 97 Hz (+/- 1.5 dB)
-3 dB at 19 / 110 Hz
-10 dB at 15 / 157 Hz

Low Pass Filter Mode:
Off , 12 dB per octave or 24 dB per octave

Low Pass Filter Crossover Frequency:
Variable from 30 Hz – 130 Hz

Polarity:
0 or 180 degrees

Phase:
Variable from 0 – 280 degrees