VOXX International : Soundbar Trends

CE FEATURE SOUNDBAR TR ENDS

JAMES LOUDSPEAKER CUSTOM SPL3 LCR

With a slim 1.5-inch profile, the SPL3 is intended to match the physi­ ca l a ppearance of today's flat-panel TVs. James' u!tra-s!im driver technologies help yield the speaker's depth as we[[ as ena ble the speaker to produce a dynamic frequency response and clear presen­ tation. James says that, like its other sound ba r prod ucts, it man ufac­ tures the SPL3

to match the precise size of any compan­

ion television to ensure

the aesthetic symmetry of each

insta llation. Ja mes adds that it ca n a!so accorn­

modate various system configurations via single channel and stereo bar manufacturing options. jamesloudspeaker.com

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KEF HTF8003

Representing the latest from British manufacturer KEF's famous industria! design and audio R&D teams, the HTF8003 soundbar pro­ vides homeowners with a stylish so!ution that delivers high levels of sound quality. The three-channel HTF8003 features the company's Uni-Q driver array with a 3-inch bass/midrange driver, a 15mm (0.6 inch) tweeter and a 3-inch !ow-frequency radiator. KEF notes that the

HTF8003 is finished in gloss black, and it is designed to complement flat-pane! TVs larger than 42 diagonal inches. us.kef.com

KLIPSCH REFERENCE R-108

Diversifying the company's Reference line, the R-108 is meant to complement the rest of the offerings while adding the convenience of a soundbar model. The two-way design employs a pair of 3/4-inch textile-dome tweeters loaded into the company's proprietary Trac­ trix horns, plus two 3-inch polypropylene midrange drivers. Klipsch says this driver array has been

developed to reduce distor­ tion, and to focus sound into homeowners' seating areas. The R-108 has user-friendly options such as wireless Bluetooth audio

support and Dolby Digital decoding. klipsch.com

66 CE Pro SEPTEMBER 2016

LEON SPEAKERS HZOTO

Powered; thin; digital; custom crafted to match any TV ... in less than 10 words Leon's description of its HzOTO loudspeaker succinct!y sums up the company's manufacturing philosophy. In the case of the HzOTO soundbar, the product incorporates multiple a!Uminum-cone midrange drivers, optical and ana!og inputs, and a 2 x SO-watt ampll­ fier. Supporting its custom mantra, Leon says insta!ters can order

the HzOTO in any size or finish to match any requirement a customer requests. Leon adds that dealers can boost the HzOTO's bottom end with its AS-400 subwoofer. /eonspeakers.com

MARTINLOGAN MOTION VISION X

While more known for its electrostatic speakers, Martinlogan's Motion Vision X addresses the soundbar category as the !atest addi­ tion to the company's Motion Series. This versatile sound bar delivers five channels of surround emulation, and it also incorporates DTS' P!ay-Fi wireless whole-house audio platform. The Vision X employs three Folded Motion tweeters, four 4-inch woofers and seven ampli-

fiers that produce 100 watts of power. Martin Logan says the inclusion of its latest DSP technologies enables the

sound bar to produce a five-channel

soundstage that doesn't

compromise performance. martinlogan.com

NEXT LEVEL ACOUSTICS FUSION LCR

A relative newcomer, Next Level Acoustics is based in Massachu­ setts and its latest product is the Fusion LCR soundbar. The speaker incorporates the company's Optimized Soundbar technology, which it says enables low and moderately powered amplifiers drive the passive Fusion LCR to high sound pressure levels (SPLs). Next Level

explains that a 35-watt amp can drive the sound bar to produce 97dB from almost 6 feet away. Next Level supports the three-channel sound bar with custom finishes and sizes, and it says its footprint matches the width of many popular HDTVs. nextlevelacoustics.com

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