Hasta La Gadget!

We’re always leery of “world’s first” claims, but we’ve definitely never seen an AV receiver with a ginormous port on the front. The unorthodox device you’re inevitably peering at above is one part of the two-piece YHT-S400, which looks to provide cinema-like sound in areas where space is hard to come by. The 31.5-inch long soundbar measures just 2-inches high and is designed to fit in front of most 32- to 50-inch HDTVs without blocking the screen, while the accompanying “first-of-its-kind subwoofer-integrated receiver” provides the power, the bass and the connectivity. A trio of HDMI inputs are included, and HD audio signals from Blu-ray Discs are accepted via linear PCM transmission. It’s up for grabs now at $599.95, and if you’re hoping to add iPod or Bluetooth support, Yamaha‘s YDS-11 and YBA-10 adapters are fully compatible.

Yamaha YHT-S400 sound system packs ultraslim soundbar, sub-infused receiver originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini impressions

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that we haven’t seen an elongated iPod sound system before, but we’ve definitely yet to see one as totally bodacious as this. JVC has just slung out its XS-SR3 iPod speaker dock, which — like B&W’s Zeppelin Mini — can hold your iPhone / iPod vertically or horizontally. JVC claims this little trick better enables users to view videos in widescreen form, while the 5-watts of power are sure to blow your skin back when cranked to 11. Other specs include a bundled remote and two audio inputs (one analog, one digital), and if you’re even mildly interested, you can check it out later this month for $149.95.

Continue reading JVC gets tubular with XS-SR3 iPod speaker dock

JVC gets tubular with XS-SR3 iPod speaker dock originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want to make your home theater system sound even better? Today, JVC announced two soundbar systems that let you create movie theater sound without taking up a lot of space. Both systems will be available this month.

The TH-BA3 is a 280-watt, 5.1-channel surround sound system that includes a soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and wireless rear speaker kit (with wireless left and right speakers and a wireless receiver). The soundbar itself contains four speakers–one each for the left and right main channels, plus two for the center channel–as well as a power amplifier, system controls, and the transmitter for the wireless speakers. It will list for $549.95.

The second system, the TH-BS7, includes a super-slim soundbar that measures 1.4-inches tall, an even slimmer wall-mountable amplifier and control unit, and a wireless subwoofer. This 180-watt, 4.1-channel system includes two front surround channels that use JVC’s Front Surround technology to create a surround sound effect without the need for rear speakers. It will list for $599.95.

During our week celebrating precision audio, you guys asked about respectable but affordable home-theater audio. So we hit up CNet’s Audiophiliac, Steve Guttenberg, to clue us in to three exceptional 5.1 speaker/subwoofer combo packages selling for $800 or less.

Energy RC-Micro 5.1

Energy is big on small speakers. Their RC-Micro 5.1 system ($600) includes four satellite speakers that stand a mere 4.7 inches tall, and the center speaker isn’t a whole lot bigger. The wee 240-watt, 8-inch subwoofer is a seriously gutsy performer. The big catch with most little systems is they crush wham-bam dynamics, and their bass either booms or runs out of gas. No problem here, the RC-Micro 5.1 belts out bombast like a larger system. It’s simply one of the most refined sounding micro systems I’ve heard to date.

Mirage Nanosat 5.1 Home Theater

The Mirage Nanosat 5.1 Home Theater ($600) sounds unlike any box-type satellite system on the planet. Conventional speakers project sound forward, the Nanosat speakers produce a ratio of 30 percent direct and 70 percent reflected sound. The direct sound heads straight to the listeners, while the other 70 percent bounces off the room’s walls and ceiling before finally reaching the listeners. With the room lights turned off, the Mirage satellite speakers can literally disappear as sources of sound. The system comes with five identical satellite speakers and a rather potent mini-subwoofer.

Definitive Technology ProCinema 600

Definitive Technology is a high-end speaker company, but it is one that has learned how to sell its products for a lot less than high-end prices. Take the ProCinema 600 six-piece satellite-subwoofer system ($800). Clever engineering solutions make for an exceptional package. For example, the system’s injection-molded mineral-filled polymer speaker cabinets have more of a high-end feel than more typical plastic or fiberboard cabinets. The 250-watt, 8-inch subwoofer has a second 8-inch “infrasonic radiator,” in order to produce extraordinary deep-bass slam. The ProCinema 600’s resolution of fine detail, razor-sharp imaging, and dynamic kick are the stuff that make high-end worth it. Listen and you’ll see.

For more details and full reviews of these three amazing systems, head over to The Audiophiliac.

Steve Guttenberg’s CNet blog, The Audiophiliac covers high and low-end audio and everything in between. He’s been reviewing audio components for 14 years. He has never ever heard anyone make a Police Academy or Short Circuit joke about his name. Ever.