Panasonic SC-HTB10 Sound Bar First Look

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 flat panel TV and offer an easy to install, stylish alternative to a full 5.1 home theater sound system. The SC-HTB10 soundbar is equipped with a single HDMI 1.4 input, which is compatible with the new 3D video standard from a connected Blu-ray 3D player. It doesn't do any processing of the 3D signal, but rather passes it unmolested through the system and onto the display. A single HDMI 1.4 output is available which includes the new HDMI 1.4 audio return channel. This means that the SC-HTB10 can decode digital audio sent from a compatible television making use of the ARC function. The soundbar features an integrated "subwoofer" (really just a pair of 3-1/8" drivers) and is ideal for televisions up to 42-inches.

The system uses a bamboo cone speaker design and features Clear-Mode Dialogue, which is designed to make the sound seem like it is coming from the center of your television display. Anchoring dialogue to the TV is one way that movie and television soundtracks are enhanced for more realism. 

The SC-HTB10 is designed to produce a lot more sound than its diminutive size would suggest. The sound bar measures only 31-1/2 inches wide, packing its 2.1-channel audio system into that frame. The integrated subwoofer on the SC-HTB10 features both forward and rear firing woofers.

Wall mounts are supplied, and the system operates on a principle of simplicity above functionality. You connect it with just one HDMI cable, and the Audio Return Channel means that even audio sourced from your compatible television can be decoded without any additional wiring.

Available in June, the SC-HTB10 carries a suggested retail price of $199.95.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.