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Polk Audio reveals its first Dolby Atmos soundbar
The $399 Signa S4 uses Polk's VoiceAdjust tech to make dialogue clearer.
Polk Audio claims React is the 'most advanced Alexa-enabled soundbar'
The $249 soundbar supports Dolby Digital and STS 5.1 virtual surround sound.
How to buy a soundbar
It's no secret that the built-in speakers in most TVs are trash. Soundbars are a must-have if you care about your home audio setup. Here's what you need to consider when picking a soundbar, plus our best picks.
Engadget giveaway: win a gaming headset and sound bar courtesy of Polk!
This week's giveaway goes out to all the Xbox One owners out there (and even future adopters). Polk Audio collaborated with Microsoft to fine tune some of its gaming-centric gear and we've got a set of prize packages for a few lucky Engadget readers. First off, we have the Striker ZX headset, which offers wireless connectivity for Xbox owners and an omni-directional boom mic for in-game chats or phone calls. Also, when the coast is clear, you'll be able to fire up Polk's N1 Gaming SurroundBar for open-air audio immersion. The company worked alongside designers from Halo and Forza to provide optimized sound experiences for the games in addition to its Music and Cinema settings. You can also connect to the sound bar with your Bluetooth devices and aptX support is on the menu. It has its own Sub Bass tech, but if you're a glutton for punishment, you can add your own subwoofer to the mix, too. It's a trifecta this week, with three pairs of speakers and headsets ready to ship out to a trio of lucky winners. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning!
Spotify streaming comes to Polk Omni wireless speakers
Ever since Spotify announced Connect, a feature that lets you easily play music on various compatible devices, manufacturers quickly started taking advantage of it. Now, following in the footsteps of Libratone, Bang & Olufsen, Samsung and many other audio makers, Polk is finally bringing Spotify Connect support to its line of Omni wireless speakers. If you own of these, you'll have to use the companion iOS or Android app to start the jams from your mobile device. Unfortunately, Polk's only letting users stream to a single Play-Fi speaker at the moment, but the company says that multi-room streaming is coming soon to the Omni sets.
Engadget giveaway: win an Omni soundbar system and wireless speaker courtesy of Polk Audio!
Polk Audio's been in the speaker business for over 40 years, delivering quality sound at an approachable price and the company's getting into the holiday groove. This week's giveaway includes one of Polk's Omni SB1 soundbar systems and an SR2 rechargeable wireless speaker -- all for one lucky Engadget reader. The Omni soundbar is ideal for cozy home theater setups or those just looking to ditch the surround speaker cluster. It's VoiceAdjust feature lets you fine tune the channel with all the chitchat, while it's Full Complement Bass Technology helps beef up the low end along with the wireless subwoofer. When you're not camped out on the couch, you can take the SR2 wireless speaker anywhere on your network (up to 100 yards from your router) and control it from the Polk Omni App. It boasts up to 10 hours on a charge, so you can pipe tunes to friends and family in any room, or even make a break for it to spend some alone time during the holiday melee. All this could be yours if you head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this Polk Audio package. Winner: congratulations to Duane G. of Carson, CA.
gdgt's best deals for October 28th: ASUS VivoBook S500, Polk Audio Monitor 60
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our friends at sister site gdgt track price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. With the long winter season approaching, it's probably wise to make sure your home theater system is in proper working order. And while you're cooped up in the house, a new laptop could help you get some work done. So, with that in mind, we dug up some deals on Ultrabooks, speakers and more. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list; every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Polk Audio Xbox N1 sound bar and 133t gaming headphones eyes-on
Polk's at E3 showing off two new devices it's showing off at E3 this week that aren't half bad looking. Granted, they're not as slick as some of the higher end products the audio company has shown off in the past, but as far as gaming-centric devices go, they're not too shabby. According to the company, Microsoft approached it specifically to create peripherals for the Xbox, leading Polk to give the world the 133t Gaming Headphones and N1 sound bar. The 133ts eschew the standard external gaming mic for a little nub that juts out from one ear. To mute it, you just click it back up inside the cup. The headphones also feature a mixer that plugs directly into the controller to help eliminate cords and lets you adjust sound settings on the fly. The Surroundbar, meanwhile, was designed specifically with the Xbox in mind, featuring four modes: Racer, FPS, Music and Cinema, so you can switch between gaming and standard media consumption. The N1 is set for a fall release, with the 133t coming some time in Q4. More info in a press release after the break.%Gallery-191251%
Polk enters the headphone game with sporty, generic ear-speakers
It seems the Polk folk have had their fill of iPod docks, shower speakers, and soundbars, and are hungry for a new market: headphones. The outfit aims to "change the sonic landscape" (their words) for athletes and "ardent headphone users" with their UltraFit and UltraFocus monikered ear-gear. Between the two brands, Polk is promising four brightly-colored UltraFit sports 'phones, including in-ear, on-ear, and earbud models, as well as two UltraFocus in-ear and over-ear noise canceling headphones. No word on price or release date, but Polk suggests you should be able to get your hands on its sporty headgear sometime this fall. Need more? You can find a buzzword-laden press release after the break.
Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor
Sheesh. Just days after Altec Lansing shocked the gaming world with a dedicated stage monitor for Guitar Hero, Rock Band or any other gaming title you'd care to pump through a mini-wedge, Polk Audio has stepped in to do the same. As we witness the beginning of a curious, um, beginning, the HitMaster has stepped things up for anyone else thinking of joining the fray by packing 60 watts of RMS power, a pair of 2.2- x 5.5-inch horns, twin 1-inch tweeters and a booming 6.5-inch subwoofer. The whole cabinet weighs some 13 pounds, and aside from line level inputs and outputs, you'll also find a 1/8-inch jack for connecting iPods and the like. Oh, and did we mention that you can daisy chain these things? Because you can. Look for this one to rock your face off (or something to that effect) in early 2010 for $99.99. [Via Hot Hardware]
Polk snips the cord on PSWi225 portable wireless subwoofer
Haven't you heard? Wireless subwoofers are all the rage right now, man. Polk Audio is following the lead of Infinity and a gaggle of others by introducing the PSWi225, a "portable" cord-free subwoofer that can be added in to any home theater / stereo setup with utmost ease. The earth-shaker supports RF wireless signal transmission and delivers a 40Hz to 180Hz frequency response from the floor-firing enclosure. The unit itself measures in at 12- x 13- x 12-inches and houses a rugged long-throw Dynamic Balance co-polymer driver with Butyl Rubber surround. Curiously, there's no mention of the speaker size, though we are told that an active crossover system is included for those who like to fiddle. Check it this March for $399 (MSRP).
Polk SurroundBar SDA IHT gets reviewed, lives up to its name
It sure didn't take long for Polk's SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater (IHT) to find its way into the hands of the review crew at Gaming Nexus, and it sounds like it lived up to the billing. The "instant" bit certainly came through, as the kit was set up inside of five minutes; as far as "home theater," the virtual surround did a good job of putting at least the "sweet spot" listener in a soundfield that was convincing. The 2.4GHz wireless subwoofer connection held up just fine, and the boom from the little box was satisfactory. All said, it sounds like a candidate for the short list if you're shopping all-in-one speaker systems.
Polk adds some oomph to its SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater
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.
Polk Audio gets all outdoorsy on us with Atrium Sat 30 / Sub 10
When we heard of Polk Audio's Atrium Sat 30 and Sub 10, we can't say we envisioned those two objects you see pictured above. Debuting at this year's CEDIA, these two units combine to create a new outdoor speaker system "that adapts seamlessly into any exterior landscape." The Sat 30 resembles an outdoor light fixture (or one of those "plants" on Honey, I Shrunk The Kids), while the Sub 10 was crafted to resemble a "plant stand or pedestal table." Both devices are sealed from water and are hopelessly ugly in and of themselves, but if you're looking for something to blend right into your flora, look no further. The pair will begin shipping in January 2009 for $179 (Sat 30) / $329 (Sub 10). Full release after the break.
Polk Audio strikes another deal, winds up in Apple Stores
Directed Electronics' president and CEO Jim Minarik isn't letting Polk Audio sit idly while rivals make a push to get all up in your grille -- oh no. Just days after the firm announced that its products would be hitting Best Buy later this year, now it's proudly proclaiming that Polk's logo will also be seen in Apple Stores this March. In particular, consumers will notice Polk Audio's I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 (ES2), which is hailed as the "world's first product" to feature iTunes tagging for HD Radio. Curiously, there's no word as to whether any other Polk items will show up in Apple Stores, but we suppose we've only got a month or so to find out.
Polk Audio products hitting Best Buy in June 2008
Out with the old, in the with new. Apparently, the big box retailer that everyone loves to hate is following said mantra as it welcomes in Polk Audio this June. The brand, which has long since been available in rival Circuit City, is gearing up to make its debut in Best Buy in just a few months, and according to Jim Minarik, President and CEO of Directed Electronics [Polk Audio's owner], the move is one aimed at "expanding the market presence of Polk's marquee brand." As for actual products, you'll likely recognize the firm's forthcoming TSi loudspeakers, PSW powered subwoofers, select RM series drivers and of course, the SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater. Granted, we wouldn't expect any substantial savings from picking up your future Polks from here, but at least you've one more location to scour when you hear the word "discontinued."
Polk Audio intros miDock Studio, 10 and Portfolio for your iPod
It's not like we haven't seen miDocks before, but Polk Audio is enjoying the spotlight at CES and releasing a trio of newcomers to mingle with your iPod. Up first is the miDock Studio (pictured after the jump), which takes a subtle hint from the late iPod Hi-Fi in the design department and features a pair of 3.25-inch drivers and the ability to operate on AC power or from eight C-cell batteries. The miDock 10 (shown above), on the other hand, is entirely more suited for being hoisted over your left shoulder when pouncing down the street, while the diminutive Portfolio can be folded up for easy transport and operated on four AA cells for over eight hours. Notably, the Studio and 10 also sport USB inputs for direct computer connections, and the trio will run you $229.95, $179.99 and $119.95 in order of mention.
Polk Audio's SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater gets official
Remember that soundbar from Polk Audio we spotted last year? We certainly hope you've been saving those pennies if you instantly considered yourself in the market for one, because Polk's mighty proud of it. Debuting officially at CES, the SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater is a two-piece surround sound system that includes a single "multi-channel loudspeaker" alongside a separate console that houses a DVD / CD player, SDA (Stereo Dimension Array) signal-processing amplifier, AM / FM radio and a host of inputs. 'Course, whether or not you'll really feel immersed by sound is debatable, but at least you can look forward to 1080i DVD upconversion, an HDMI output and a gaping hole (known in this example as $1,199.95) in Sir Wallet.[Via WidescreenReview]
Polk Audio's SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater
As far as these surround sound bars go, Yamaha seems to have made quite the name for itself, but it looks like Polk Audio is offering up another iteration in its own lineup to compete. The SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater features a single 44-inch long speaker that purportedly provides a 5.1-channel experience "using patented SDA technology." Furthermore, the system looks to come with a dedicated DVD console, but we've no idea if the pair will ever be offered up separately. No word on price / availability at the moment, but we're expecting Polk to spill the rest of the beans sooner rather than later.
Microsoft talks third-party Zune accessories
You can't run around launching fancy new music players these days without a secondary offensive of cases and car chargers following close behind, and Microsoft's new Zunes have a veritable cavalry behind them. In addition to the official accessories we've already heard about from J Allard and crew, the company's lined up a number of third-party manufacturers to crank out 60 different Zune-friendly products, including Polk, Belkin, DLO, Monster, Altec Lansing, Targus, iHome, Memorex and Griffin. Microsoft's new pals will be releasing everything from speaker docks to RCA cables, so it looks like you'll be able to build a happy little home for that new Zune of yours when it launches next month.
