surroundsound
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Wii Guitar Hero III outputs only mono sound
If it weren't bad enough that Activision shipped out Guitar Hero III with no offline co-op quickplay mode, a few careful listeners have noticed another thing they left out - a few channels of sound. Audiophilic owners of Guitar Hero III for the Wii have noticed that not only does the game not support Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound systems (despite that feature being advertised), but it doesn't even output sound in stereo. As we all know, it's nearly impossible to pass "Cult of Personality" on Expert unless the manic shredding of Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid washes over you from six different angles.Apparently, Activision is looking into the problem, though they said in regards to a fix, "the time frame is still unknown." For the time being, we're afraid you're going to have to learn to rock out monaurally.
Beyerdynamic's Headzone headphones promise "perfect spatial impression"
We've got another from the pre-IFA run-up, this time it's Germany's own Beyerdynamic getting set to launch their Headzone Home surround-sound headphone system. Using their patented "Headtracking" tech, the kit is said to react to the listener's head movements and automatically adapt "the space impression" in real-time. In other words, the actors' voices remain at the front of the room even while turning your head. They even claim to deliver "perfect spatial impression" regardless of your room acoustics. With a list price of €2490/$3,397, they'd better. Best give these a whirl in a noisy showroom before laying out that kind of dough, though.
Logitech intros G51 surround sound system for PC gamers
Logitech is breaking away from all those iPod-friendly speaker stations a moment and getting down to business with the G51 Surround Sound Speaker System. Designed for PC gamers and film-watchers alike, this 5.1 rig features "360-degree surround sound with dual Matrix modes," which creates a "surround-sound experience from any common two-channel stereo source." Furthermore, users can look forward to built-in headphone / microphone jacks, a convenient mute button, customizable satellites, gaming and music Matrix modes, 155-watts of total power, a ported, down-firing subwoofer, and independent volume controls for good measure. Notably, Logitech's latest setup won't exactly break the bank, as interested consumers can bring these home for just $199.99 this October.[Via TheNewsMarket]
Samsung's new AV-R720 receiver turns it up at IFA
Samsung's delivering the perfect receiver coming to add some wattage to your volume-deprived home entertainment system: the AV-R720. Clocking in at a massive 850-watts, the home-theatre-ready box should add a little kick the next time you're watching Bad Boys II or Animal Planet. The receiver can rock 1080p video, features 7.1 surround sound, and has two HDMI ins and outs, plus component, composite, digital coaxial, and optical jacks. As of right now, the AV-R720 is only available in Germany (for around €659), but hopefully it will make its way Stateside.[Thanks, Tony C]
Yamaha's YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector adds HDMI upscaling
Yamaha's single unit surround sound bars have come a long way since the YSP-1 made its debut, and the company's latest entry, the YSP-4000, continues to up the ante, with 1080p HDMI compatibility, analog video upscaling to 1080i / 720p, XM Neural Surround compatibility, optional iPod dock, and a host of calibration modes, including one designed to make compressed audio sources sound better. Yamaha is being pretty coy with the frequency response numbers, suggesting that the YSP-4000 isn't an ass-shaking bass machine, but the 120W of power through six channels should provide plenty of clean sound for average TV and movie viewing. Available in October for $1,799.[Via Apartment Therapy]
Altec Lansing introduces new surround sound speaker systems
Altec Lansing's unveiled its own entry into the sound bar market, designed to cut down the number of components and match up with that sleek new flat panel TV. The PT8051 consists of two parts, with left center and right channels up front, and left/right channels in the rear wireless speaker, while the PT7031 uses virtual speaker technology from Dolby Labs to give 5-channel surround through one piece with three speakers in it. Whether the sleek design and easy setup can provide a surround sound experience comparable to discrete systems remains to be seen, as both will be available in August: the PT8051 for $999.5 and the PT7031 for $599.95. Check out the latter after the break.
Turtle Beach's AK-R8 eight-speaker USB surround sound headphones
If we had a revolution for every surround sound headphone that promises us one, we'd all be so directionally aware we wouldn't know what do with ourselves. Today's "revolutionary" headphones come to us from Turtle Beach, who promises to turn the very waveform on its head with this new Ear Force AK-R8 "True Surround Sound" headset. Lucky for Turtle Beach, it has indeed packed a couple of notable features into the AK-R8, including a whoppin' eight speakers, dual mics to monitor outside sounds, and a USB audio interface / sound card that includes a 10 band EQ and positioning abilities to (theoretically) get that big room system feel without all the calls from the neighbors. The AK-R8 also includes a removable boom microphone for chatting up your frag buddies, is Windows only, includes an optical S/PDIF adapter for tapping into your sound system, and should be retailing now for about $150.
Mysterious smartphone offers up integrated 7.1 surround sound
Believe us, we've seen "surround sound" get put in places it was never meant to be, and while the likes of headphones, laptops, and even PDAs have yet to be spared as companies try anything to attract attention to their presumably lackluster offerings, the mobile phone doesn't typically see such desperate measures -- until now, of course. While minor gimmicks are fairly commonplace on humdrum overseas handsets, a mysterious Hong Kong-derived smartphone (another snap after the jump) purports to rock 7.1 audio right on the device itself, and by the looks of things, it's not lying. Of course, there will be absolutely no separation of channels with this thing, and we've got to believe that there's a few wires crossed within giving off a more matrixed wall of sound in reality. The rest of the specs (if they're to be trusted) include a 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen, Bluetooth, two-megapixel camera, a microSD slot, and a transparent protective lid, and please, shut off that little voice that's urging you to ponder about where to find and purchase this hunk, alright?[Via JustAMP, thanks Wigald]
Tritton AXPC USB surround sound headphones -- Xtreme?
Sorry Tritton, but whenever you slap the "Xtreme" moniker onto any product (Audio Xtreme PC), we're required by law to point and laugh at you. That aside, we're sure these new TRI-UA512 AXPC USB headphones are just peachy. It's always rather dubious to hear we're going to get "true" 5.1 surround sound out of a pair of cans, but with four speakers in each ear, things are going to get at least a tad bit directional. There's a removable mic included for VoIP or game chat on the quick, and an in-line volume adjustment doohickey has controls for all four speaker sets. Looks like you can grab one of these sets for $60-$80 at various online outlets, which isn't bad for what you're getting -- just don't expect to be blown away here, we won't.[Via I4U]
Audiovox shows off DV7600XM XM Mini-Tuner home theater system
Audiovox is broadening its XM love from the portable / in-car units to a home theater in-a-box with its DV7600XM XM Mini-Tuner home theater system. This all-in-one solution features 600-watts of earth-movin' power, five satellite cubes, a passive subwoofer, and a slim, retro-styled DVD player / XM tuner. While we assume you'll find the usual assortment of AV ins and outs, there's not too many details floating around on this one just yet, but if you're scouting a 5.1 system with a dash of XM already throw in, the DV7600XM should go for $159.95 when it skedaddles on out of CES.
Novac's Dolby Digital 5.1 headphones put surround sound on your dome
There's nothing quite like shoving six speakers over your ears, and while bulky these cans may be, it's still an awful lot smaller than a full home theater rig. While Wave-on just unveiled its own rendition of surround sound 'phones, Novac's upping the ante quite literally by offering up two pairs of Dolby-loving units. The Champion (HP-850XB) model rocks the more common headphones-plus-decoder-box setup, as the standalone unit accepts 3.5-millimeter stereo and coaxial / optical digital inputs, and channels the tones through a G9 connector where it hits your head. The headphones themselves sport both cinema and game modes and weigh (an admittedly hefty) 17.6-ounces. The USB-powered counterpart, dubbed Tusnami (HP-850U), was designed for PC use, and uses the internal decoder to deliver that svelte 5.1 goodness. Additionally, it sports a handy microphone for use with VoIP, voice chat, and online karaoke applications. So if you're stuck in a studio apartment, but lust after the luscious surround sound experience, the HP-850XB should run you ¥24,800 ($214), while the USB-friendly HP-850U requires just ¥12,800 ($110).Read - Novac's HP-850XB headphonesRead - Novac's HP-850U headphones[Via Impress]
Wave-on's new big ass cans provide 5.1-channel sound
There's nothing like a good pair of headphones that can offer some decent, 5.1-channel surround sound support, along with planet destroying capabilities in a pinch. The new AON MDH-501H/D headphones from Wav-on can take a juicy S/PDIF plug straight from a HD source, which is then decoded for the six internal speakers inside the gargantuan headphones. Of course, with the power requirements of the decoder, along with the extreme bulk of all included components, it's going to be a bit difficult to take this surround sound gig on the road, but we're sure plenty of gamers and movie nuts can find refuge in its sound-containing capabilities for late night media consumption sessions. The unit should be available late November in Korea for 149,000 KRW, about $159 US.
SX Pro technology promises 5.1 sound from stereo sources
You can't fault the folks at the Fraunhofer Institute for resting on their laurels after creating that obscure bit of technology known as the MP3. Having already announced an eye-controlled interaction system and a multimedia dome in the past two months, our fine German friends have now developed a technology that purports to automagically turn any old stereo content into sweet 5.1 surround sound. According to the Institute, SX Pro (which can apparently be implemented at either the software or hardware stage) works by analyzing an audio signal to identify characteristic sound elements, instantly redistributing those elements using an intelligent algorithm to create a natural sounding 5.1 mix. Fraunhofer even sees the technology being used at the professional level, with additional controls available to tweak the upmix process used by SX Pro -- offering a faster and cheaper alternative to producing a true 5.1 mix. How well it works, of course, is yet to be seen (er, heard), but the Fraunhofer Institute seems to be pretty confident in its work, noting that that the tech will be ready for use by the end of the year.[Via Gizmag]
Yamaha's YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector
Yamaha is set to roll with their new YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector unveiled at CEDIA. Like the YSP-1000 it replaces, the YSP-1100 is said to do a decent job of creating the illusion of surround-sound by bouncing sound off the walls via 40 built-in beam drivers and 2 built-in woofers with 42 corresponding digital amplifiers. However, the YSP-1100 brings a larger sweet-spot than its predecessor, an RS-232 port, IR in/out, component-video in/out, and an improved version of Yamaha's IntelliBeam automated system calibration to adjust the sound for best effect. Yours for $1,699 starting September, if you dare. [Thanks, Mike P]
Multimedia Dome, the ultimate surround-sound theater
You think you have surround sound in your home theater? What if the sound really enveloped you, putting you at the center of the action? Enter the "Multimedia Dome," the "first digital dome theater to feature natual spatial sound." Fraunhofer, the maker of this aural hemisphere (and creator of MP3, among other things), says that films are shown with six projectors (including one at the pinnacle of the dome), and nearly 100 speakers to create a bubble of dynamic sound. Each projector also comes with its own PC, using software to seamlessly blend the borders of each image. If we were in Berlin at this year's IFA, we'd definitely be spending our days kicking back and watching every other company's video product demo in here.
Griffin shipping FireWave
Way back during Macworld SF Griffin announced the FireWave, a $99 Firewire device that brings 5.1 surround sound (with the magic of Dolby Digital™ to your Mac. It looks like, several months later, the FireWave is shipping (and it is still only $99). Your Mac will need to be running OS X 10.3 or 10.4 to take advantage of this, but that is not too much of an imposition for sweet, sweet surround sound.
Surround sound with style
Always wanted surround sound but were afraid that those ugly black components would clash with your pearly white 360? Then Pioneer has the ultimate system for you! Enter the HTP-GS1, the first officially licensed sound system for the 360. Borrowing the aesthetics of the 360 and combining them with top quality sound, Pioneer hopes to sell plenty of these among the five million 360 owners out there. The system can be set in either a 3.1 or 5.1 configuration. An all-in-one solution, the system has built in decoders, a tuner, a remote control and a separate display for the individual settings. The remote features a Media Center button as well as the Xbox Guide button and the X,Y,A, and B buttons. Also on board is a nifty feature Pioneer calls Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System, or MCACC (shouldn't that be MCACS?). This feature utilizes an embedded microphone that adjusts each individual speaker to fit the acoustics of the room, ensuring that the sound from each speaker reaches your ear at the same time and the same volume. Um...wow. If you've got about US $500 to spare, you can pick these up this month -- or you could always get something cheaper. [Thanks, Randy]
Sony's "hide-and-seek" Bravia TAV-L1 gets pricing and release details
It's coming out a little later than we expected, but Sony has finally announced a solid release window for the Bravia TAV-L1 complete home theater system that we first spotted all the way back in February. As you may recall, this model consists of a 32-inch LCD monitor covered by a motorized panel containing speakers and a slot-loading DVD/SACD player, along with a single HDMI input and two vibration-canceling subwoofers in the base. Knowing full well that consumers love to personalize their gear, Sony will be offering the L1 with optional green, gray, burgundy, orange, or silver speaker grills for $100 apiece starting in September, about a month after the product itself is released. Also on the horizon is a $1,300 system called the RHT-G1000, which features speakers and a receiver built right into a TV stand, allowing users to hook up their own flat panel sets and rear satellites for the full home theater experience. Expect the G1000 to be available sometime in October, while the $4,000 TAV-L1 is scheduled for release next month -- well past the May launch we'd first heard, but also a lot cheaper than the $7,000 we originally reported.
How-To: Dial in your surround sound
A while back we dug into setting up a front projection system for that oh so sweet movie experience without the extra sticky floors. Today we're digging into the other side of the electromagnetic spectrum. So you trekked over to your favorite electronics wonder barn and picked up a receiver, a bunch of speakers, and several tons of speaker wire. In an angry Hulk moment, you pulled the entertainment center away from the wall, hooked it all up, arranged your speakers, and then also your furniture. A few times, in fact. You popped in the most powerful sounding movie you could think of (don't tell us, T2?) and crashed on your couch in exhaustion. You've got surround sound. In today's How-To we'll show you how to dial in your audio to help get the most out of your monster (or not so monster) sound system.
Okoro's OMS-GX300 adds SLI to the HTPC
Although home theater PCs are great for watching and listening to your digital content from the comfort of your couch, most lack the graphics horsepower for playing your favorite games on your 60-inch plasma and eight speaker setup. Not so with Okoro's new OMS-GX300, which besides sporting a dual-core Athlon64 FX-60 processor from AMD, also packs in that tasty SLI goodness in the form of nVidia's GeForce 7950 GX2 card featuring a full gig of video RAM. As if that weren't enough to get you excited, the GX300 also comes with 1TB of storage standard -- upgradable to a whopping 3TB thanks to four open SATA bays -- three TV tuners (2 analog and one OTA digital), an HDA Digital X-Mystique 7.1 sound card, and just about every input and output that you could ask for -- except, curiously, HDMI. Best of all, this model features a 7-inch front panel touchscreen for displaying tons of infoswag, at a price that's at least four hundred bucks less than the $5,000-and-up screen-less Denali series from Niveus.
