Recent Soundbar & Surround Speaker Reviews

We're not going to write much about this because we already reviewed the Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Speakers system. This system is designed by Boston Acoustics to also include digital inputs.

Central Hall is alive as Samsung debuts a new range of home theater systems and the first of those was their 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System with wireless surrounds, model HT-E6730W.

Sound bars are nothing new, but Samsung is attempting to multi-purpose its new HW-E550 by giving it greater flexibility of placement. How? How about Bluetooth, USB, ARC and a wireless subwoofer!

Central Hall is alive as Samsung debuts a new range of home theater systems and the first of those was their 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System with wireless surrounds, model HT-E6730W.

MonoPrice's 5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers & Subwoofer is a starting point, nothing more. That's right, we're not going to wax eloquent about the incredible quality of the drivers...

HTiB buyers just want something that looks good, disappears, and has a good name. The 5.1 Wharfedale DX-1 satellite/subwoofer system certainly fits the bill for well under $1k.

With a MSRP of $320 and a retail price sure to be less, the Vizio VHT215 Sound Bar has everything some consumers are looking for. Wireless subwoofer? Check. 3D? Check. On sale? Probably check.

The new EMPtek E55Wi Surround speaker fills the much needed void of a dedicated on-wall surround and the E56Ci introduces a new, more powerful center channel to match with the E55Ti towers.

The new Energy Power Bar, is only attempting to provide an improved sonic experience over your display speakers. When they come with a wireless subwoofer, we are all the more intrigued.

Atlantic Technology has revoiced and redesigned the enclosure of their FS-7.1 Surround Bar. The $350 SB-900 sub dips to 32Hz and looks to be a good value. At $950, the FS-7.1 faces stiff competition.

At $999 for the Def Tech Mythos XTR-SSA5 Surround Bar and $799 for the XTR-SSA3 Sound Bar, these aren't inexpensive solutions but they sit less than 2" off the wall and have the Def Tech heritage.

At $299 each, the new Aperion Audio Verus Surround speaker shares the 4.25" woofer/1" tweeter coaxial driver of the Forte line but the $299 price of the Grand line.

MKSound is back in full force with the relaunch of the brand incorporating legendary loudspeaker and subwoofer designs and new products as well. No nonsense, well engineered products is MKSound.

With a response down to 55Hz both on and off axis, the specs on the PSB Imagine mini speakers (a speaker so small, it doesn't even get a capital letter) are almost too good to be believed.

The ElectroMotion C2 center and FX2 surround speakers share Martin Logan's new Folded Motion XT thin film radiating tweeters paired with paper cone woofers in a ported box.

The Boston TVee Model 30 is a new premium soundbar solution. As more and more flat panel TVs get sold, and more people realize just how awful they sound, soundbars continue to gain in popularity.

The Paradigm MilleniaOne system consists of five small satellites that are 7.75" tall, 4.5" wide and 5.75" deep. The MilleniaSub is a diminutive 14" by 18.375" by 8.875" and a paltry 24 pounds.

Technology in the Onkyo HT-S5400 is very impressive given the $600 price with things like Audyssey 2ED/Dynamic Volume/EQ, Dolby ProLogic IIz, and HDMi 1.4 with 3D support and Audio Return Channel.

The Harman Kardon SB 16 seems to have it all from looks to features. But it also seems to perform really well sonically. The wireless sub is a plus and three inputs a definite bonus to consumers.

Well, we acknowledge that surroundbars have their place. When you are looking for something to make your secondary TV sound better, the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 will certainly work for you.

Polk Audio's Blackstone TL350 5.0 Satellite system represents the pinnacle of what they've brought to the satellite market. With drivers sourced from their reference line, these are sure to impress.

Polk Audio has put some of their best drivers into their SurroundBar CHT500. At $999, it isn't a cheap solution but it may be worth it if the audio quality (and surround experience) is there.

JBL is breaking into new ground with the JBL Control 2.4G Wireless Surround Speakers that guarantee anyone can enjoy surround sound - even without wires... or at least without speaker wires.

Soundmatters has paired with Aperion Audio to bring you the SLIMstage30/Bravus 8A combo. The sound quality, especially for movies, is impressive and will have you shaking your head in disbelief.

Panasonic today announced that its first surround bar home theater speaker system would be spearheaded by the SC-HTB10 starting this summer. The sound bar is designed to fit neatly in front of a TV.

The SLIMstage30 is from soundmatters and the Bravus 8A is from Aperion Audio. Aperion is now offering both on their website at a significant discount for the pair.

Panasonic announced this week a brand new 3D-compatible surround bar home theater speaker system in the SC-HTB500 starting in August. The sound bar is designed to fit neatly in front of a flat panel.

The ZVOX takes a very different tack from other surroundbar offerings. Meant to be placed under a display, the ZVOX IncrediBase575 is large, constructed out of MDF, and sports integrated subs.