Swampscott, Mass.
– Zvox is bringing new features to its Z-Base series of low-profile
single-cabinet sound systems that improve flat-panel TV sound, deliver virtual
surround, and double as TV pedestals.
Compared to their
predecessors, the $399-suggested Z-Base 555 and $599 Z-Base 580 add a dialogue
emphasis button to enhance dialogue intelligibility; dynamic range compression
to prevent abrupt volume shifts when channels are changed, TV commercials
appear, and sources are switched; IR programmability to enable control from
most TV remotes; and a front-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input to connect mobile
devices to play back stored audio content.
Also new is a new
generation of virtual surround technology called Phase Cue II, which
manipulates the phase of multiple audio channels to deliver what Zvox called
“room-filling three-dimensional sound” from two-channel analog and multichannel
digital content. The new version is said to perform better on stereo music
sources.
All of the new
Z-Base features are firsts for Zvox, which also offers soundbar-like
single-chassis audio systems for TVs.
With the launches,
Zvox is shrinking its pedestal-sound-system selection to two SKUs from four by
offering analog and digital inputs in the two new models. Previously, the
company offered two SKUs with analog inputs and two SKUs that offered analog
and digital inputs.
Both Z-Base models
feature five embedded main speakers, subwoofer drivers, Class D amplification
and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder.
Embedded connections
consist of two analog audio inputs, one optical (Toslink) digital input and one
coaxial digital input. The top model adds front-panel 3.5mm analog stereo
input.
With both models,
sources can be selected from most any TV or cable-company remote or from the
devices’ front panels. The TV and cable-company remotes will also control the
products’ volume, mute and power functions.
Both models
feature wood MDF cabinets and hand-lacquered side panels.
The $399 model is
3.38 by 28 by 14.5 inches and comes with 70-watt amplification, bi-amplified
design, frequency range of 45Hz to 20kHz, built-in 5.25-inch ported subwoofer,
five 2-inch drivers with long-throw design, and a subwoofer output jack to add
a separate powered sub.
The $599 model is
5 by 36 by 16.5 inches and features 120 watts of amplification, bi-amplified
design, frequency response range of 35Hz-20 kHz, dual 6.25-inch ported
subwoofers, five 3.25-inch main long-throw drivers, and subwoofer output.
Both products are
shipping.
