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Single-box 5.1 Surround? Soundmatters Slimstage40

They say it will work seamlessly. Time and customers will tell

Sep 6, 2007 08:45 GMT  ·  By
8 drivers, 170W, 45Hz bass, surround sound, one box: Soundmatters Slimstage40.
   8 drivers, 170W, 45Hz bass, surround sound, one box: Soundmatters Slimstage40.

One of the latest trends in home audio is the surround sound coming from less than the classic 6-channel arrays, namely the single-box systems, often called "sound-bars". This kind of audio tech comes in as a quite expectable follow-up of the latest technology in flat panel TVs: design follows design, we could say; as the TVs have dramatically changed shape and went from the massive objects residing on strong tables to thin and light panels you can hang on your wall, loudspeakers changing shape and enhancing their acoustic principles were a natural consequence.

Companies like Soundmatters have grown specialized in designing and experimenting with the alternative ways to obtain the surround system sonic performance, involving both psychoacoustics and physics for their gear. The new thing from Soundmatters is called the Slimstage40 and is indeed slim, 3.4" deep only, fitting any on-wall TV.

The engineers at Soundmatters claim that the Slimstage40 can reproduce pin-point surround without the need to bounce sound off the walls; we're talking a most serious 8-driver array that sports a 45Hz bottom-end that it normally means enough bass so you won't need an additional subwoofer to complement your sonic experience. These drivers' summed power reaches 170W -a rating to fill in pretty much any decent-size living room with a substantial and rich sound.

What's really cool to the Soundmatters Slimstage40 is that it can decode Dolby Digital and DTS signal from either analog or digital sources and can even re-model the sound coming from stereo inputs so that it simulates the wide span of real surround audio. This loudspeaker comes with included wall bracket and adjustable feet for shelf-loading and sports either black or silver finishes to fit your TV.

Perfect for your living room if you're trying to avoid crowding loudspeakers and all-directions running wires, the Soundmatters Slimstage40 is due November 2007 at a MSRP of $899, street price most likely lower.

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