Yamaha today announced the availability of its new YAS-101 affordable soundbar. The speaker combines a dual-driver speaker design with a powerful built-in 60-watt sub-woofer to produce a high-quality sound reproduction. The YAS-101 adopts the company exclusive Air Surround Xtreme technology, delivering 7.1 channels of highly accurate surround sound and supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound formats. The soundbar connects to any HDTV with a single digital cable (included). Additional specs include a couple of optical inputs, a coaxial input, and a subwoofer output (line out) for an optional external subwoofer. If you are interested, you can buy the Yamaha YAS-101 soundbar for $299.95. [Press Release]
Sony Electronics today introduced its VPL-VW1000ES 4K home theater projector. With 2,000 ANSI-lumens of brightness, the VPL-VW1000ES delivers nearly twice the output of previous Sony home theater projectors, which makes it perfect for screen sizes up to 200-inch diagonally. The VW1000ES employs an entirely new SXRD 4K panel and the company’s Iris3 technology, allowing the projector to produce outstanding deep blacks and an incredible 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. What’s more, this home theater projector also features a built-in transmitter and an exclusive Super Resolution 4K “upscaler” that dramatically enhances 2D and 3D 1080P content. Sony’s new VPL-VW1000ES 4K home theater projector will be launched in December 2011 for around $25,000. [Press Release]
The Polk Audio AM1055-A 10-inch subwoofer features a Dynamic Balance Composite Driver and an MDF construction with a black wood grain finish. Measuring 40cm x 22cm x 40cm and weighing 14 Kg, the subwoofer has a built-in 50 Watt RMS high current amplifier with high and low level inputs, an adjustable crossover, a phase switch, and an auto On/Off circuitry. The Polk Audio AM1055-A 10-inch subwoofer is priced at just $99.99 each. [FutureShop]
The Bose Acoustimass 6 Series III speaker system is a perfect satellite/subwoofer combination. The system consists of five Bose’s Direct/Reflecting satellite speakers and a 5-1/4-inch high-excursion woofer in the Acoustimass module, which supplies a very musical, deep bass. These satellite speakers are magnetically shielded, so they can be positioned without worries near a television monitor. The recommended power handling of the Series III is 10 watts to 150 watts, with an impedance of 4 ohms to 8 ohms. The Acoustimass 6 Series III home theater speaker system is priced at $699.95. [Bose]
Panasonic today launched its first Full HD 3D home theater projector namely the PT-AE7000U. The optical system of the PT-AE7000U features a new 200-Watt Red-Rich Lamp and new LCD panels with larger aperture ratio for increased red luminance and brightness output. The combination of fully-optimized Pure Contrast Plates, Pure Color Filter Pro and Dynamic Iris Pro has resulted in a 300,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,000 lumens of brightness. The Panasonic PT-AE7000U will be launched in September 2011 for $3,499 a pop. [Press Release]
The ZVOX Z-Base 555 and Z-Base 580 soundbars are designed to fit elegantly under flat-panel TVs and use only one connecting wire. Both new ZVOX systems come with five high quality full-range speakers and built-in subwoofers all housed within real wood (MDF) cabinets. New computer-controlled tonal balance delivers ultra-smooth midrange and remarkable bass (as low as 35Hz). No word on pricing at this time. [Press Release]
Onkyo has announced the TX-NR809 7.2-channel network-capable A/V receiver. As a successor to the TX-NR808 model, the new TX-NR809 is THX Select2 Plus-certified and comes packed with several new features including the Mavell Qdeo and IDT’s HQV Vida video upscaling and processing circuits. It also includes Imaging Science Foundation’s ISF Video Calibration technology. What’s more, the new TX-NR809 also features Audyssey’s MultEQ XT automated calibration, Dolby Volume, and several USB ports for your digital device or Onkyo’s optional wireless USB adapter. The front-panel USB port allows you to access MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC audio files stored on a USB flash drives or iPod/iPhone. The Onkyo TX-NR809 will be available later this month for $1,099. [Press Release]
Samsung has finally released the HT-D6750W premium Full HD 3D smart home theater in South Korea. The HT-D6750W offers a stunning 1300W 7.1Ch total output. This home theater system also supports Samsung’s AllShare DLNA, a slot-in Blu-ray player, Smart Hub, 3D Blu-ray playback with 2D to 3D conversion, an iPod cradle and wireless rear speakers. [Samsung]
Onkyo is back with a new home-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) in the form of the Onkyo HT-S5400. The home theater receiver at the heart of the system features the latest implementation of the HDMI connectivity standard with support for 3D video, lossless audio from Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and an Audio Return Channel. The amplifier sections of the receiver uses a massive transformer, optimum gain volume circuitry and PLL jitter-cleaning circuitry to preserve signal accuracy. Additional features include high-quality TI Burr-Brown audio DACs, a new Advanced Music Optimizer to enhance the fidelity of compressed audio files, and an on-screen display for adjusting the settings. What’s more, the Onkyo 7.1-channel HT-S5400 also supports Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume, two volume and equalization technologies that enable users to enjoy audio content in greater comfort. The Onkyo HT-S5400 will be available in April 2011 for $599. [Press Release]
Sunfire has unveiled a small subwoofer for home theater, which is claimed to be the most powerful subwoofer in its class. The little sub enclosure has a 6.5-inch woofer that is paired with a special design to allow 1.5-inch of excursion for deeper bass. Sunfire claims that the sub will out perform many of the 10-inch and 12-inch subs on the market. Sunfire will launch the Atmos in Q2 2011 on a limited basis. [i4u]
