NXT SoundVu display-based speakers reviewed

NXT has made a name for itself with flat, compact, speakers (including the biodegradable cardboard SoundpaX), and their latest, the SoundVu system, takes this to an extreme: it plants a thin, transparent speaker behind an LCD screen, effectively turning the screen into a speaker. While you probably wouldn't want this to be the main sound source for your home theater, it sounds like a perfect technology for laptops, where space is at a premium. LIVEdigitally took a look at the first laptop to incorporate SoundVu, the NEC LaVie S, and found that, unlike other laptop speakers (which, let's face it, sound pretty crappy), you can actually listen to this one.

[Via I4U]

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Thats pretty clever.

[amitheone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

unlike other laptop speakers (which, let�s face it, sound pretty crappy)

erm I guess you should consider the inspiron 9100 and XPS as exceptions for that
Along with the sub-woofer the sound's pretty decent

[TheZodiac @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Panasonic has a similar technology that tops off (at the time) at 15 inch displays. Damn now that I think of it, it could have been Philips. I cant remember :(

[Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Now, if they would make a laptop with a second screen that hinged on the side to have dual monitors, you could also have stereo!

[Bill D @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

I thought I heard of these guys before(NXT).I bought a pair of their inflatable speakers for $5 from a closeout store.Sound like crap as expected but I figured 2 audio transducers and an 10w amp for half a sawbuck was a good deal.Why do I suspect their other offerings do not have as good a price/performance ratio?

[Derrick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Quick IBM or Lenovo, go license this technology and then make it into Thinkpads. My T41 needs a sound boost. Hmm maybe it should be available as an optional accesory. Then I can plug to my ancient desktop too.

[D Morecroft @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Your reviewer is wrong on two important points.
1)The SoundVu screen goes in front of the display not behind.
2)You definitely want one in your AV system--it makes a perfect centre channel speaker placing sound with image. Also the area of this speaker is large reducing distortion -yet you cannot see it as a speaker!!

[dan warriner @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

speakers rattle when it gets too loud...does the screen shake?

[Andy @ Dec 29th 2005 8:12AM]

The screen would not shake as the panel is transparent and is located in front of the screen. Also, that the speaker is bigger does not mean less distortion. It *could* mean more power handling, hence less distortion. But one of the tradeoffs of flat speakers is lower power handling/area ratio I believe. I mean if you had a regular cone speaker with the same area, you would have a much powerful speaker.