DENVER — Definitive Technology turned up at the CEDIA Expo with its second active soundbar, second Bluetooth speaker, first powered two-speaker desktop-speaker system and its next-generation flagship Mythos ST tower speaker.
In expanding its active-soundbar selection to two models, the company is launching the $1,199 SoloCinema Studio to join the $1,999 SoloCinema XTR launched last year. The new model, the company’s first soundbar with stereo Bluetooth, will be available in select North American retail stores and online in October.
SoloCinema Studio delivers 5.1 discrete audio channels and comes with outboard wireless subwoofer, builtin Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 decoding, three HDMI inputs, one HDMI output, a digital optical input, an analog input, and stereo Bluetooth with NFC pairing. Bluetooth supports the AAC and AptX codecs. Power output is rated at 120 watts in the soundbar and 200 watts in the outboard subwoofer.
Definitive’s proprietary Spatial Array technology widens the sound stage and is said to envelop the listener in sound. The soundbar also features Dolby Pro Logic II and SRS TruSurround post processing.
The soundbar measures 43 inches by 3.5 inches by 3.15 inches. Its driver complement consists of six 3-inch polymer composite midrange drivers, three 1-inch aluminum- dome tweeters, and one 8-inch downfiring outboard subwoofer.
Provided hardware allows for placement on a shelf under the flat screen, raised above a protruding TV table stand, or mounted on a wall.
An included remote includes preset surround parameters and bass and center-level controls to adjust bass and dialog volume.
A second Bluetooth speaker is the $399-suggested cube-shaped Cube, which joins the $249-suggested cylinder-shaped Sound Cylinder. Both are AC/DC models. Both stream AAC over Bluetooth, and the new model adds AptX Bluetooth streaming.
The 80-watt Cube measures 7.7 inches by 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches, and when placed in a corner on a countertop or bookshelf, the drivers on the exposed sides fire out at a 90-degree angle to create a wider sound stage and greater stereo separation. Speakers on the top of the enclosure fire up to add height and breadth to the stereo image, the company added. Definitive calls this speaker configuration tri-polar.
The speaker also features nearfield communications (NFC) technology for tap-to-pair functionality with Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 8 devices. It comes with an eight-hour lithium-ion battery.
The driver complement consists of five 1.25-inch mid/ high-frequency drivers and one 5.25-inch woofer. Digital signal processing (DSP) is used for equalization and enhanced imaging. Physical connectors consist of a 3.5mm stereo mini analog line-level in and USB-A, which is used only to charge devices.
The Cube will be available in the U.S. in October and will be sold through the company’s existing dealer base, including Best Buy’s Magnolia Home Theater and Magnolia Design Center stores.
For its first two-speaker powered desktop system, the company unveiled the compact $399/pair Incline, shipping to North American retailers in October. The two-way speaker system is designed for use with PCs, laptops, tablets and other audio sources. Audio sources can be connected via USB port, digital optical output or headphone output jack.
The Incline speakers measure 11.3 inches by 5 inches by 4.4 inches, and they use the brand’s bipolar technology, which uses active drivers on the front and back to radiate sound in an omni-directional pattern. The dispersion pattern creates a wide, deep and spacious soundstage.
The Incline is powered by an 80-watt amp and features DSP to enhance sound quality. An optional subwoofer can be added through a subwoofer output.
The driver complement in each speaker consists of one 3.5-inch bass/midrange driver, one 4-inch pressure-coupled bass radiator, one 0.75-inch silk-dome tweeter, and one rear-firing 1.5-inch full range driver on back.
In floorstanding speakers, Definitive is launching the flagship Mythos ST-L, due in October at a suggested $2,499 each in black and in a limited-edition graphite-silver finish.
Its driver complement and driver sizes are the same as those in the model’s predecessor, including builtin powered subwoofer, with many improvements, a spokesman said.
Imaging is wider and deeper compared with the previous model because lattice-work behind the grille was removed to reduce diffraction, he added. It also adds wireless remote to adjust bass levels.
Like before, the flagship features slim, extruded-aluminum enclosure, which measures 53 inches by 6.75 inches by 9.5 inches. The cabinet packs two 5.25-inch third-generation BDSS midrange drivers and one 1-inch magnesium/aluminum dome tweeter in a D’Appolito array. They’re complemented by a built-in powered 6×10-inch active woofer pressure-coupled to two 6×10-inch planar bass radiators. Subwoofer amplifier power is 1,200 watts.
The speaker’s 1-inch tweeter has an all-new design with new dome material, motor structure and throat geometry to reduce distortion, the company said.
The new midrange drivers features the patent-pending Linear Response Waveguide (LRW) technology, the company said.
The subwoofer features all-new racetrack driver and Class HD design incorporating a 56-bit micro-processor preamp stage with DSP.
For more details, see TWICE.com
