Subwoofer -- Engadget

subwoofer posts

Altec Lansing FX3021 Expressionist Plus reviewed, deemed good value

by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 15th 2009 at 9:43AM

Speakers might be among the worst hardware to assess online. What do 36 watts of power output and a 40Hz to 20kHz response range tell you about the actual audio quality? A kindly soul over at Macworld has tried to clear that up for us with a review of Altec Lansing's prettified Expressionist Plus 2.1 setup. The tiltable satellites score design points for their looks, though that all-important sound output was deemed only middle of the road. Real bass response begins at somewhere around 70Hz and the midrange is, well, middling, though treble definition is considered rich and well detailed. The reviewer also notes that while the design is attractive, the positioning of the power button and extra audio input on the subwoofer makes for awkward day-to-day use. On the whole, with online prices in the vicinity of $75, this looks like a decent value, so hit up the full review if your interest has been piqued.

KEF lands its wireless HTB2SE-W subwoofer

by Steven Kim posted Sep 24th 2009 at 9:31PM

Don't get us wrong -- we love subwoofers -- but honestly we've been pretty satisfied with the formula that combines a driver, strong box and large amplifier into a more or less (we prefer less) inconspicuous cube. Changing the physical design always looks kind of strange, even when the results are great. Horses for courses, however, as KEF has introduced its HTB2SE-W subwoofer that has us thinking of one George Jetson. That impression is only enhanced by the wireless connection (hey, it was futuristic a few years ago) that promises "CD-quality sound," which is probably more than sufficient for even lossless LFE tracks. If you don't like the flying saucer look, simply put the HTB2SE-W on its side -- the 10-inch driver and 250-Watt amp promise to deliver bass so non-directional that you won't be able to tell the difference. Available next month for $1,200 -- head below the fold for one more pic if you're not sure if this is the look for you.

Continue reading KEF lands its wireless HTB2SE-W subwoofer

Polk adds some oomph to its SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater

by Steven Kim posted Jan 5th 2009 at 9:58PM

Getting bass out of a soundbar that conveys proper theater impact is asking for a bit much, so Polk Audio has wisely chosen to add a standalone subwoofer and name the package the SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater (IHT). Of course, soundbar shoppers are likely concerned about stringing wires across the living room floor, ceiling, or what have you, so Polk has added a wireless connection between the SurroundBar and the 6.5-inch subwoofer. Nice and tidy, and it'll ship this month for a buck under ~~$600~~ $500.

iLuv reveals iSP200 2.1-channel portable soundbar

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2008 at 7:47AM

No need for a gargantuan home theater-styled soundbar? Then have a gander at iLuv's latest, the iSP200. Hailed as a 2.1-channel speaker system for "laptops and desktops," we view this more as just an easy-to-tote sound system that ought to outperform most of those weak iPod docks. The system packs 32-watts of power, SRS-XT "surround technology," master / bass / treble audio controls, an inbuilt 3-port USB 2.0 hub and 3.5-millimeter auxiliary input. You'll even notice that the speakers are detachable from the main unit, though the biggest knock is the omission of a rechargeable battery for true mobility. Still, not too shabby for a penny under a Benjamin; full release is after the break.

Continue reading iLuv reveals iSP200 2.1-channel portable soundbar

Vizio intros 55-inch 1080p XVT HDTV, soundbar, more goodies

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 9:35AM

Chrismakwanzika has come early for anyone remotely interested in Vizio kit, and quite honestly, even for those that aren't. From the top, we've got the 55-inch VF550XVT1A, a 1080p HDTV with 120Hz Smooth Motion Video technology, a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, five HDMI inputs, SRS TruSurround HD and a $1,999 MSRP. Next up is the firm's own soundbar and wireless subwoofer kit (VSB210WS), which has finally escaped rumor purgatory to pop official. The kit sports four 3-inch speakers alongside a single 1-inch tweeter for each channel, and the long throw 6.5-inch subbie makes sure the lows are well addressed, too. Just a single cable is needed to connect the VSB210WS to any flat-panel, and just $349.99 is needed to bring it home. On deck are a trio of smaller LCDs: the 19-inch VA19 ($249.99), 22-inch VA22 ($349.99) and 26-inch VA26 ($449.99), with the middle guy becoming Vizio's smallest 1080p HDTV ever. Closing things out is the 26-inch VMM26, a 25.5-inch "multimedia monitor" with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, HDMI / USB ports, touch-activated menus and a $429.99 sticker. All but the first two products mentioned are on sale now, while the first two will be available just before your '09 Super Bowl bash.

Wireless ButtKicker kit ready to rumble your posterior

by Darren Murph posted Nov 17th 2008 at 10:40AM

Earlier this year, we were fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on perspective) enough to get our rumps on one of the famed ButtKickers. For those unaware, these devices are meant for installation underneath a seat or sofa in order to provide chair-rumbling effects to help you "feel" the film. Now, the Guitammer Company is making them even easier to install by cutting the wires, bringing low frequency audio transducers just inches from your derriere without any cords necessary. The above pictured kit will go on sale next Friday (yes, that's Black Friday for you Americans) for under $300 on Amazon -- are you really ready to rumble?

ELAC's MicroSUB 2010 BT: the most rumbling Rubik's Cube you ever did see

by Darren Murph posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 10:57AM

We've seen some pretty ingenious covers for earth-movers, but ELAC's Rubik's Cube-inspired MicroSUB 2010 BT is really something special. Sure to please both puzzle and bass lovers alike, the dual-driver subbie features built-in Bluetooth (A2DP), 100-watts of power and a pair of speaker outputs for satellites. For those looking for less vivid versions, it is available in black or white, but really, where's the fun in that?

[Via Unplggd]

NHRA to test ButtKicker remote-butt-shaking device this weekend

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 26th 2008 at 10:35AM

We played around with the home version of the ButtKicker rumpwoofer at CES back in January, but this weekend the NHRA is going to test out the other part of the signal chain: driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. will have a special Bluetooth vibration sensor installed in his car that will eventually allow the home viewer to feel like they're riding shotgun while planted firmly on the couch. NASA is already using ButtKicker tech as part of the Shuttle launch experience ride at the Kennedy Space Center, so it's clearly capable of doing the job, and the plan is to eventually sell subscriptions to the ButtKicker feed as an add-on to NHRA and NASCAR races. That should make weekend afternoons a lot more, uh, vibratey -- but we're not going to be happy until our couch is pummeling us during NFL games with full-speed tackles.

Tymphany's LAT250 subwoofer: smaller than you'd think

by Darren Murph posted Dec 10th 2007 at 7:48AM

Believe it or not, that thing you see above actually is a subwoofer, albeit a wee one. Tymphany's LAT250 (Linear Array Transducer) deviates from the traditional cone approach and instead "displaces air using a linear array of multiple smaller diaphragms." A pair of internal motors drive both sets of diaphragms, and the unit itself can be mounted either horizontally or vertically depending on your install needs. Most notably, this thing reportedly checks in at just 10.24- x 3.5-inches in size and weighs only 1.86-pounds, but it can somehow still handle 100-watts RMS. As you'd expect, Tymphany is aiming this unit at users with tight space requirements, and while a variety of impedance configurations are available, the standard 4-ohm dual-coil version is available now for $58.

[Via AudioJunkies]
Read - MadiSound
Read - Tymphany

Infinity and JBL's PS212W and CSS10W wireless subwoofers

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Sep 22nd 2007 at 4:02PM

Although the humble subwoofer is probably the least likely to require placement inside a space that's beyond cable reach -- or concealment -- thanks to its non-directional sound frequencies, JBL and Infinity have teamed up to solve the problem anyway. The PS212W is a 12-inch $679 400W sub with an included 2.4GHz wireless transmitter / receiver bundled: yes, that's 2.4GHz, the same frequency nearly all your other wireless kit uses. JBL's Cinema Sound CSS10W also uses this overused frequency for its wireless, but it's only 10-inch and 300W, and will retail at the lower price of $559 when it launches in January next year.

[Via Audio Junkies]

dB Dragger gets 180.5dB from a single subwoofer

by Darren Murph posted Sep 11th 2007 at 5:29AM

We've seen (and heard, er, felt) some pretty sensational subwoofers in our day, but we can't even imagine what 180.5dB of mind-rattling bass (at the dash, no less) would do to one's senses. Nevertheless, Alan Dante has reportedly set a new record in the world of in-car bass output by using four Stetsom 7KD amplifiers, 15 Power Master batteries, and a single Digital Designs 9918Z subwoofer. Kudos Mr. Dante, you exemplify overkill, and that's exactly how we like it.

[Via AudioJunkies]

Elemental Designs' 12-sided subwoofer will implode your universe

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 8th 2007 at 10:22AM

Sure, you've got your Super Mario subwoofer, and your grand piano subwoofer, and of course, everyone's got that sixty-inch subwoofer at home these days... but maybe that's not enough. Enter the Elemental Designs eD D1 Dodecasub -- a $2,500, ten-subwoofer-sporting, 12-sided polygon of bass-related pain. In case you're wondering, each subwoofer rocks 600-watts on its own, potentially creating enough bass to rupture not only your bowels, but your sanity as well. Finally, you can hear your Geto Boys album collection the way it was meant to be heard... with too much bass.

[Via Crave]

Panasonic's Nano Bass Exciter adds thump to compact speakers

by Darren Murph posted Jul 31st 2007 at 9:03AM

We've long since wondered how laptop manufacturers got away with claiming that a bonafide "subwoofer" was somehow crammed within those tight confines, but if Panasonic has anything to do with it, true low-range may soon fit within such an enclosure. The patent-pending Nano Bass Exciter reportedly enables compact equipment to "reproduce high fidelity low-range sounds," and while specifics have yet to be divulged, this technology can supposedly "reproduce low-end sound equivalent to that emitted by conventional speakers with larger cabinet volume." Furthermore, Panny even goes so far as to claim that this new sound reproduction method allows "ultra-compact speakers used for mobile terminals to produce a sound effect closer to that of home AV equipment speakers." Unfortunately, there's no word on exactly when the firm plans on implementing this into any future products, but until we get a listen in, color us cautiously skeptical.

[Via Japan Today]

Super Mario Brothers subwoofer brings the bass, mushrooms

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 20th 2007 at 8:59AM

What's better than experiencing the bowel-shaking, wall-rumbling, thunderous bass of a custom made subwoofer? Why, having that bass emanate from perfect replicas of the "question mark" and brick blocks from Super Mario Brothers, (thus making it the perfect thing to play back your recordings of the SMB Tesla coil), of course. According to the owner, the subs sound great, but the low-end gets a little muddy whenever the question mark gets turned into a metal plate.

[Thanks, Michael]

Ceratec's CeraLight Xeno audio system offers adjustable LED lighting

by Darren Murph posted May 1st 2007 at 10:33AM

If you're one of those folks who genuinely feel that Philips' Ambilight technology adds a whole new level to your television viewing experience, we'll tell ya, these are going to be awfully hard to resist. Ceratec's CeraLight Xeno audio system consists of four Ceraplanar flat diaphragm transducers and one subwoofer, and besides the 100-watts or so of power you'll have at your fingertips, these column speakers should delight the lighting freaks in the crowd with their remote-controllable brightness and color. Apparently, the LED-infused speakers can emit a variety of colorful glows depending on your mood, ensuring that there's never a lack of rainbow going on in your living room. Unfortunately, there's no word on price or availability just yet, but be sure to click on through to see these vivid sound sticks in action.

[Via FreshCreation]

Continue reading Ceratec's CeraLight Xeno audio system offers adjustable LED lighting