Tag Archives: SoundBar

Modular speaker concept creates an immersive audio experience anywhere

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Portable wireless speakers are becoming quite ubiquitous these days as a way to enjoy your favorite music anywhere you are, whether you’re outside or just in another room. In exchange for their portability, however, the quality of the sound these speakers produce is less impressive compared to bigger and more stationary equipment found at home. It would be nice if you could have the best of both worlds, enjoying an audio system that follows you around the house without missing a beat. You could try to buy multiple wireless speakers and hope they can be connected to each other, or you can hope that this peculiar speaker system concept becomes a reality, allowing you to pick up one or two speakers from their base as easily as you would pick up your takeout meal.

Designers: Junwoo Kim, Yoonjeong Lee, Heeyeol Yang, Jaehoon Jeong

For an audio experience to be considered truly immersive, it has to sound like it’s coming from all around you. More specifically, the right sounds have to come from the correct direction rather than equally from all directions. Making this possible with a single speaker or even a pair of headphones is possible but difficult to accomplish, requiring sophisticated algorithms and precise control to create the illusion of surround sound. Of course, you could set up a surround sound system in your entertainment den, but then that magic only takes effect in that room.

TakeOut is an LG-inspired concept for a modular speaker system that lets you design your own audio space in a snap. At its core is a 360-degree soundbar that tries to bring the sound to you wherever you are in the room by blasting it in all directions. But when you push down on one of the circles on the top of the soundbar, a short cylindrical wireless speaker pops up. It’s not a completely independent speaker and it works in tandem with the soundbar, but its most important feature is that you can take it anywhere with you in the house.

This portability means that you can set up your audio experience just the way you want it, whether you’re listening in the same room or elsewhere. Need to go to your home office for a while? Just pop out one of the speakers and let the music follow you there. You can also create your surround sound setup in a flash by positioning the four “sub-speakers” around the room, though that doesn’t necessarily mean that the system will know which sound needs to come from which speaker.

While the design of TakeOut is quite interesting, there might be some practical issues with it as well. For one, the concept doesn’t clarify if the individual speakers can be used separately from the soundbar or if they’re completely dependent on it. If it’s the latter, it also means that the speakers won’t function properly if they ever go out of range of the soundbar or if the data can’t reach them because of obstacles like walls. Those details, however, could actually be ironed out with some features that don’t take away anything from the spirit of this modular and immersive audio system.

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BlueAnt Soundblade Hands-on at CES 2024: Revolutionizing the Desktop Audio Experience

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As I roamed the show floor of CES 2024, I was captivated by the BlueAnt Soundblade, an under-monitor soundbar that promised to revolutionize the desktop audio and visual experience. Its sleek and modern design immediately caught my attention, blending seamlessly with any workspace.

Designer: BlueAnt

BlueAnt’s Soundblade soundbar boasts an elegant design that combines aesthetics with functionality. It’s a perfect fit for any desktop, and its sleek form adds to any setup’s overall visual appeal. It’s clear that the designer paid close attention to detail when crafting this product. Stuart Ralston, Chief Technology Officer for
BlueAnt, informed me that their target audience is the ‘Gen Z’ demographic. This is mainly because the colors of their products match Apple’s iMac. In fact, based on his observation, the pink one was extremely popular among women.

The Soundblade looks great and delivers an impressive audio experience that makes you feel like you are part of the action. The 120W peak power output ensures that every sound, from dialogue to sound effects, is crystal clear and full of detail. The 2.1 channel sound configuration, built-in 80mm neodymium subwoofer, and dual full-range neodymium drivers produce a rich, immersive audio journey.

I was particularly impressed by the Soundblade’s ability to bridge the gap between monitor speakers and the visual experience. Whether I was watching a movie, playing a game, or indulging in AI-generated media, the soundbar transported me into the heart of the action. The auditory details were so vivid that I could feel the intensity of cinematic storytelling and the thrill of being “in the game.” The Soundblade truly elevated the overall gaming and streaming experience.

In terms of specifications, the Soundblade boasted an array of impressive features. Its compatibility with PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Bluetooth, and AUX seamlessly integrates with various devices. The connectivity options, including USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input, ensured versatile usage across different tech ecosystems.

The device measures 584 x 218 x 54mm (23 x 8.58 x 2.13in) and weighs 1.7kg (3.75 pounds), making it a compact and unobtrusive addition to any desktop setup. It has a remote control for easy operation and offers three built-in EQs tailored explicitly for different media types: Games, Movies, and Music.

Overall, my hands-on experience with the BlueAnt Soundblade at CES 2024 left me thoroughly impressed. Its stunning award-winning design, HD audio quality, and powerful performance make it an ideal choice for design enthusiasts seeking a superior desktop audio solution. Whether you’re a movie buff, a gaming enthusiast, or someone who appreciates high-quality sound, the Soundblade will elevate your desktop audio experience to new heights.

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Best of Razer’s gadgets launched at CES 2023 – Gamers take note

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Just like every year, Razer is stealing the limelight at CES 2023 with its gaming-centric gear and peripherals. They’ve revealed gaming laptops, PC soundbar, cloud gaming handhelds, advanced webcams and a geeky headrest. Let’s have a look at what caught our attention from the Razer camp.

Designer: Razer

1. Kiyo Pro Ultra

This webcam has the biggest camera sensor (as per Razer) ever, the Sony 1/1.2″ STARVIS 2 sensor with (2.9 μm pixel size) to offer DSLR comparable detail. The accessory has an f/1.7 aperture lens for superior low-light performance, and streamers with a low-light setup will want to own it. Razer claims that the webcam is capable of capturing four times more light than other options on the market.

In-built features on the Kiyo Pro Ultra include AI-powered face tracking, autofocus and background blur. It supports HDR at 30FPS and the inbuilt processor can directly convert 4k 30fps footage to uncompressed 4K 24fps, 1440p 30fps or 1080p 60fps. The peripheral connects to your setup via USB 3.0 port. It is the predecessor to the Kiyo Pro that was launched a couple of years ago, so yes, this one is a worthy upgrade at $300.

2. Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar

Again Razer etches the “world’s first” tag onto this accessory for gamers and streamers. The beamforming soundbar is a unique offering with head-tracking AI that always keeps listener in the sweet spot no matter how much you move around. This fancy feature is achieved via the IR camera that monitors the position and beams the audio accordingly.

The sound system on this one is developed by THX and the beamforming technology comes courtesy Audioscenic. The soundbar has two modes for 3D audio – THX Spatial Audio Virtual Headset for stereo content, and the THX Spatial Audio Virtual Speakers for multi-channel audio. Leviathan V2 Pro demands a price tag of $400 with availability from February 2023 onwards.

3. Razer Edge

Gaming handhelds are here to stay and Razer Edge cloud gaming system wants to cash-in on the trend. The compact Android-powered handheld console is powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform (with an active-cooling system) mated to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The device gets a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 2400 x 1080 resolution (144Hz refresh rate) and HyperSense haptic feedback for immersive gaming on the go.

Razer Edge has a couple of digital mics, a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers loaded with Verizon Adaptive Sound. The gadget comes in two variants, a Wi-Fi-only version for $400 and a 5G model that’ll be Verizon Wireless exclusive for $600 – both up for grabs from 26 January 2023. Just so that nerds don’t complain, the handheld has Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband support for the respective variants.

4. Project Carol

The most interesting accessory from the lot is this geeky head cushion designed specifically to elevate in-game immersion. Currently in the concept stage, Project Carol brings audio and tactile response right to your gaming chair with near-field surround sound and haptics.

The audio beaming from this unique accessory comes courtesy the HyperSense technology, delivering 7.1 surround sound made possible by intelligent near-field surround sound tech. This will come really handy while playing FPS games where you need to be spot-on with the sound source. The accessory can be paired with your mobile device or PC via the 2.4 GHz wireless connection. Razer estimates a battery life of about 8 hours before a recharge, and it fits any gaming chair out there just for the records.

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The Sonos Ray is one affordable yet powerful soundbar for your TV

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Sonos has always been a known maker of premium quality audio devices. However, they are never that affordable as prices are always in the higher range.

Not many people noticed, but the company actually increased the prices of their products last year. That is understandable because the consumer market is still struggling. Items under $200 are not that cheap but somewhat affordable for most people.

Designer: Sonos

The latest product from Sonos, the Ray Speaker, can be had for $279. That’s already a reasonable price, but it has yet to be available in the market this coming June 7. The Sonos Ray Soundbar offers an improved audio experience from the usual built-in TV speakers. In addition, it can be wireless with WiFi connectivity which means you can stream your favorite songs or podcast episodes from different streaming media apps.

Thanks to the multi-room playback features, the Sonos Ray can also work with other Sonos speakers. Such a setup may be better and offer a fuller surround sound experience. The soundbar also works with Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, and many other related apps. It’s wireless, but you can use it with a cable.

The Sonos Ray soundbar lets you upgrade your music, TV, and gaming experiences with more solid bass and crisper dialogue. Expect a more balanced sound and flexibility, especially if you want a multiroom or surround sound system.

Sonos says this small standalone soundbar is ready to blow your mind away. It is prepared to deliver a more robust and clearer sound than ever before possible. It’s stereo sound only, but the custom acoustics allow high and mid-range frequencies to harmonize. A proprietary anti-distortion technology produces perfectly weighted bass.

The soundbar is ideal for your TV as it ables you to enjoy surround audio. It makes you feel like you’re in the center of a scene with the sounds and dialogue going around you. What makes the audio better are the advanced processing and split waveguides projecting sound from wall to wall.

The Sonos Ray Soundbar is sleek and slim, so it can be hidden if you don’t want to see any clutter. Not that it’s an eyesore, but you can keep things neat and clean, especially with electronics that tend to look cluttered with the wires. This thing works with a compatible app and can efficiently work with most TVs and PCs when you want to elevate your gaming experience.

How can Sonos keep the price down if the features are almost premium? Well, it offers less audio bandwidth because it uses optical audio instead of HDMI. The latter is available in Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam that’s why they are more expensive. It only features Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, and Stereo PCM. They are already good enough but not Dolby Atmos level. There is no microphone so you can’t “talk” to Google or Alexa.

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Razer Leviathan V2 is one powerful subwoofer and PC soundbar

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Razer seems to be venturing into more consumer electronics these days. It sells mouse, keyboards, phones, and other computer peripherals. It has also released headsets and speakers, with the most notable, the Leviathan Soundbar, getting a follow-up. The new Razer Leviathan V2 is ready to illuminate your sound. The new soundbar is ideal for gaming, especially with its multi-drivers.

Designer: Razer

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Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar 4

The Razer Leviathan V2 features Razer Chroma RGB and THX Spatial Audio. It also comes with low-latency Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless and uninterrupted mobile and PC use. Expect deep bass and clear trebles as made possible by the down-firing subwoofer and two full-range drivers. The all-in-one sound system promises an elevated audio experience with high-fidelity and full-range sound.

The Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar delivers advanced 7.1 surround sound with pinpoint accuracy. This results in a detailed and more realistic soundstage, especially when watching movies, playing games, and listening to music. With Razer Synapse and compatible Razer mobile apps, you can customize the soundbar, RGB lighting, and audio settings to suit your needs and a more personalized experience. The software offers better and more control for your audio-listening experience. This allows you to enjoy the Razer speaker’s full potential by simply enabling the 360° positional audio.

Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar 2

Design-wise, the new Razer soundbar boasts a very compact desktop form factor. It’s small but it can fill a whole room with excellent sound but with a minimal footprint. Furthermore, it can fit right under your monitor as it doesn’t take much space. It even has detachable rubber feet so you can adjust the angle or height.

Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar

Razer’s new Leviathan V2 Soundbar connects with most PCs via the USB Audio Input. In addition, it works with a Nintendo Switch and smartphones over Bluetooth connectivity. It features 18 lighting zones, dynamic in-game lighting effects, and numerous patterns for full RGB customization.

Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar 3

Razer is definitely a tech brand to monitor because it’s been offering the public exciting products and services. The company shows its passion for technology and design, as evident in the Razer Singapore headquarters. There is the Razer Sneki Snek x Caruma Sneakers plus the Razer all-in-one modular gaming desk.

We remember the Razer Kiyo Pro HD webcam as ideal for content creation, work-from-home, and streaming. The Razer Zephyr Face Mask delighted us with RGB lighting, while the Razer Stainless Steel reusable straw made sustainability sexy. Finally, the Razer Gaming Glasses were introduced with blue light blocking properties and built-in earphones.

Razer Leviathan V2 Soundbar 4

Click Here to Buy Now

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LG continues to deliver sustainability innovations like these eco-minded soundbars

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LG 2022 Soundbar Sustainable Design

LG has always been known to make excellent products. Not every released gadget or appliance sell by the millions, but the South Korean tech company continues to deliver value for the customers. It is living its promise to a shared responsibility to provide minimal impact to the planet by introducing “greener” efforts.

Still following the “Life’s Good when it’s green” motto, LG Electronics has shared additional attempts for a more sustainable future. LG explains how the soundbar lifecycle is made greener. A lot of consumers have become more conscious when it comes to shopping. Some people support brands that deliver sustainability in several ways, from product development to packaging and customer service.

Designer: LG Electronics

LG 2022 Soundbar ENERGY STAR Certification

LG has been introducing more environmentally responsible executions. The latest lineup that perfectly shows the brand’s efforts is the line of soundbars, as every development stage is greener. LG says that the product lifecycle of soundbars is more environment-friendly. It starts with choosing the materials, as most are recyclable or have been reused, to actual production that emits less carbon footprint. The soundbars are also designed to use as little power as possible and are packed in eco-friendly boxes.

LG 2022 Soundbar ENERGY STAR

The fabric of the new LG soundbars is made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s called Polyester Jersey, which is the same material commonly used for athletic apparel. Those soundbars released last year came with a durable casing. As per LG, it uses about 1.5 million 500mm PET bottles each year to develop the said fabric. You call this repurposing, as old products are being repurposed and given a new lease in life. LG will continue to do this as it commits to becoming more sustainable than ever.

The products themselves are also green and environment-friendly. Energy efficiency is the name of the game, and it is demonstrated by the ENERGY STAR certification of LG soundbars. The models that will be released this 2022 will be power-efficient, so expect to see the Energy Star logo on more future products from LG.

LG Soundbars Eco-minded Design

Another proof that LG is serious with sustainability is that the LG 2021 soundbars got the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Product Champion Award. It is a significant award because it only recognizes brands that demonstrate social, economic, and environmental impact according to the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge requirements by the EPA.

Products from last year are already sustainable enough, but the new 2022 LG Soundbar lineup will be better. The soundbars will offer top-notch quality audio services and materials passing the Global Recycled Standard (GRS. Sustainable innovations are not just trends, they are the future, and LG Electronics is at the helm. The company has pledged to protect the environment, and we can witness more of that in future product releases like soundbars, ovens, washing machines, TVs, and other consumer electronics.

LG 2022 Soundbar Packaging

LG 2022 Soundbar ENERGY STAR Certification Eco Product

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Bang & Olufsen’s design language influences this sound bar concept to achieve a midcentury modern look

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Using the design language of Bang & Olufsen, Andrey Dalakishvili conceptualized a midcentury modern soundbar that’s defined by a parametric wave that courses through its center.

When on the hunt for household appliances, it’s important that they match the rest of the home’s style. If you’re going for a more Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist look, then appliances that embrace simplicity and clean lines are the way to go.

Alternatively, if you tend towards more of an Art Deco look, then maximalist appliances painted with highly saturated colors would make more sense. Interpreting midcentury modern design through the design language of Bang & Olufsen, Andrey Dalakishvili, founder of Work People Agency, conceptualized a soundbar.

Midcentury modernism is hard to define because the movement finds its groove by merging together two opposing styles—touches of organic material are thrown together with synthetic elements, and the boundary between outdoor and indoor spaces is usually blurred.

Rendered in Grasshopper 3D, Dalakishvili remained close to midcentury modernism by combining a dynamic centerpiece with a clean, geometric basin. “During the development,” Dalakishvili explains, “the goal was to achieve a strict style, but not devoid of emotionality. A soundbar can fit perfectly into a laconic interior, and if necessary, become an extravagant art object.”

Defined by the visual scheme of parametric waves, Dalakishvili wanted to simulate the look of ripples on water caused by sound vibrations. Following this concept, the wave seems to start where the remote is located. Magnets and ribbed fasteners rise with the inclined base to form the crest of a wave and a snug fastener for the remote to rest when not in use. On the opposite end of the soundbar, a control panel and volume slide can be found where the ripples flatten.

Designer: Andrey Dalakishvili x Working People Agency

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LG Sound View speaker concept gives gamers an audiovisual treat

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The home entertainment industry seems to fluctuate between putting emphasis on video and then audio, depending on the trends. Of course, the two are different sides of the same coin, especially when it comes to video games. A lot of focus has been put on monitors and TVs that make game visuals pop, but this soundbar concept prompted by LG Electronics and the Korea Design Membership Plus is a reminder that sound and light both play a critical role in creating an immersive experience.

Designers: Jinseon Lee, Seungchan Ahn, Subin Park

Soundbars have become trendy these days, designed to complement extremely thin TVs that need to offload their audio to external speakers. Most of these are also designed with minimalist aesthetics that blend into the background, making their presence heard but rarely seen. The Sound View throws most of these conventions out the window to give people’s eyes something new to feast on while playing a game or watching a video.

The Sound View basically includes a visualizer that matches its lighting to the beat of the audio being played through the speakers. Unlike a conventional visualizer, however, the Sound View can adapt its colors to the video that’s being played on a connected TV or monitor. In other words, the colors that you’ll see on Sound View’s face will be in sync with the visuals of the game or video while also taking into account the usual acoustic metrics like volume or pitch.

This creates a new and unique experience that conveys audio in a visual way. It also does so in a way that doesn’t distract from the main visual focus of the experience by matching its colors to that of the TV. That said, the concept also leaves room for the user to customize the visuals to their liking, even if it will clash with the game’s colors.

At the same time, the LG Sound View is also like your typical soundbar, utilizing a mix of steel and fabric materials to give it both structural integrity and an organic appeal. It also has large embossed buttons at the top to make it easy to operate the speaker using only your sense of touch to differentiate each control. Of course, you can presumably also control it from a smartphone app, which is also where you get to pick the color scheme you want to use.

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