Ridgefield Park, N.J. — Samsung revealed the pricing and ship dates of its first curved and flat LCD-LED SUHD TVs, an expanded selection of curved LCD-LED UHD TVs, new flat LED UHD TVs and an expanded assortment of curved soundbars.
The company also added the first omnidirectional speaker, an egg-shaped model, to its line of Wi-Fi multiroom-audio speakers.
The 22 TVs, four curved soundbars, and wireless speaker were shown at International CES. Select products have begun shipping, and others are due this month and later in the spring.
The SUHD TVs include five curved-screen models in three series with screen sizes of 48 to 78 inches at prices from $3,499 to $9,999. One flat-screen SUHD series consists of two models at $2,999 and $3,999 with 55- and 65-inch screen sizes.
TV lineup: In LED UHD TVs, the company revealed pricing and ship dates of nine curved-screen models in two series and six flat-screen models in one series. The curved-screen models range in price from $949 to $5,999, and the flat-screen models range in price from $1,399 to $4,999.
The curved SUHD TV series consist of the:
— JS9100 series available in May in a $9,999 78-inch model;
— JS9500 series available this month with one 65-inch model at $6,499; and
— JS9000 series available now in 48 inches at $3,499, 55 inches at $3,999, and 65 inches at $4,999.
In flat SUHD TVs, the selection consists of the JS8500 series available now in a 55-inch model at $2,999 and a 65-inch model at $3999.
In curved UHD TVs, two series consist of:
— the five-SKU JU7500 series, available in April in 40 inches at $1,399, 50 inches at $1499, 55 inches at $1,799, 60 inches at $2,499, 65 inches at $2,999, and 75 inches at $4,999 and
— the four-SKU JU6700 series, available in the spring in 40 inches at $949, 48 inches at $1,149, 55 inches at $1,499, and 65 inches at $2,699.
SUHD technology uses a proprietary form of quantum-dot technology to expand the color gamut to close to Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards. It’s positioned as offering a more cost-effective alternative to OLED TVs, which Samsung is putting on hold for now.
Samsung’s SUHD technology uses proprietary cadmium-free nano-crystal technology, which is combined with other display enhancements to not only produce a wider color range but also to deliver what the company said are “the deepest blacks seen on an LED screen” and deliver “unmatched brightness.”
The SUHD TVs also feature local dimming technologies to minimize black loss, improve contrast, and deliver what Samsung said is “the deepest blacks currently available without loss of detail.”
All are the first Samsung smart TVs incorporating the company’s proprietary Tizen OS, which is also used in select smart watches. Tizen features an octacore processor, what the company called an intuitive user interface, and a Quick Connect feature said to enable an easy wireless connection to select Samsung mobile devices to deliver a second-screen experience. With one button press, the company said, users can share content from their Samsung smartphone or tablet with the TV while they browse the web on the mobile device or talk on their smartphone. The feature will be upgraded later this year to work with other devices.
Curved soundbars: The company expanded its curved-soundbar lineup to four from one, adding lower and higher price points ranging from $499 to $1,299 compared to last year’s single $799 SKU. Each is designed to match specific sizes of Samsung curved TVs.
All but one feature Wi-Fi to connect to Samsung’s wireless multiroom-audio network, which includes Wi-Fi speakers starting at $199. The top curved soundbar supports 192kHz/24-bit audio playback.
All feature high-frequency restoration technology for compressed-audio playback, multiple amplifiers with active crossovers to drive anywhere from 6.1 to 9.1 drivers, wireless subwoofer, HDMI, Dolby and DTS 5.1, and TV Sound Connect, which connects the soundbars via Bluetooth to Samsung TVs to play back TV audio. All also come with dual-position subwoofer that can be placed horizontally or vertically.
The curved soundbars are the:
— W-J6000, sized to match Samsung’s 48- and 55- inch curved TVs and available at $499;
— HW-J6500, sized to match 48- and 55- inch curved TVs and available this month at $549;
— HW-J7500, sized to match 55- and 65-inch curved TVs, available now at $799, and adding side-firing speakers for spatial enhancement; and
— W-J8500, matching 65- and 78-inch curved TVs, available now at $1,299, and adding center-channel driver and bigger subwoofer.
At CES, the company showed straight soundbars to expand the straight-soundbar selection to five from four with the launch of four new models and a carryover. Prices and ship dates for those products were unavailable.
Wireless speaker: Two new wireless-multiroom speakers shown at CES include the $499 Radiant 360 R7, Samsung’s first omnidirectional speaker. It will be available this month.
The oval-shaped speaker offers a 360-degree dispersion pattern said to deliver a stereo sweet spot throughout the room.
At CES, the company had also showed an active 2.1 system with separate left-right speakers and outboard sub. Plans for it were unavailable.
All of the company’s Wi-Fi multiroom-audio speakers also feature stereo Bluetooth.
