http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/ Engadget HD Comments for ZVOX 425 and 550 soundbars review http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/
Inquiring minds want to know...]]>Nov 18th 2008 2:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 18th 2008 3:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 18th 2008 4:16PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 18th 2008 4:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/
Anyone know?]]>Nov 18th 2008 4:32PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/ZVOX must not have performed a market survey prior to the initial concept phase of this product launch. Doing so would have provided them with a clear view of what features have been implemented and adopted buy consumers with product offerings from Yamaha and even Sony with their HT-CT100 and RHT-S10 that offer HDMI switching, Dolby Digital and DTS Encoders, and even accept up 7.1 PCM decoded audio via Blu-ray players. ]]>Nov 18th 2008 11:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/We use an analog, phase-manipulation design (we call it PhaseCue) for virtual surround sound because we prefer it to the digital alternatives. It provides a wide, deep, three-dimensional sound field without sacrificing musical accuracy or vocal clarity. In our experience, creating virtual surround in the digital domain almost always generates some less-than-natural results – for example, rain that sounds like white noise or female vocalists that take on a twangy sound.
We also find our customers prefer using the analog output of a TV because in many cases it allows them to use the TV remote to control the volume of the ZVOX. And we find that there is no audible difference between using an analog input vs. a digital input.
As for switching, we’ve found that most people would much rather use their TV to do switching, rather than using the sound system. It’s simpler, more intuitive and requires the use of fewer remote controls. And we’d rather spend dollars on quality speaker drivers and wood cabinets than on switching systems most people won’t use.
]]>Nov 19th 2008 1:50PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 19th 2008 1:16AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 19th 2008 11:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/offering a discount on during this Holiday season.]]>Nov 23rd 2008 2:31PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 2nd 2008 6:08PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Nov 24th 2008 11:46AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 4th 2008 10:40AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 5th 2008 4:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 12th 2008 1:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 12th 2008 1:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Dec 15th 2008 1:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/The room I tested the 425 in is about the same size as yours, maybe a little bigger since it opens into the kitchen -- I think it will fill your room with sound, provided you're not after ear-splitting levels. It has two inputs, so you will be able to feed it stereo from both your DVR and DVD player. As for wanting "the surround sound experience," you'll get a good stereo image that sounds like it's floating out in your room. It's not as "surround-y" as discrete multichannel speakers (that require wire and boxes), but it's better than what you'll get out of your TV alone. You'll have to decide for yourself if the soundstage presented by the 425 (or any soundbar) fits your needs. ]]>Dec 16th 2008 12:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/
I don't have room for a surround sound receiver component and I don't want to spend a lot of money paying someone to run wires behind the sheet-rock, not even sure they can without a lot of work.

So I am looking for something that will be an upgrade in TV sound to help fill up the room, doesn't have a receiver or separate bass module, and will fit in the 3&1/2" I've got left. Not really concerned about surround sound...I am building a media room in the basement and will blow it out down there. Just looking for a sound upgrade that works in my configuration and really delivers quality sound.

Based on what I have read, the 550 sounds like just what I am looking for!

I think ZVOX should market the 550 for the above the mantle or double mantle configurations. Every house in my subdivision has a double mantle of some sort, either just a recessed spot for a TV or a true double mantle like mine, and all of them could probably use this device to boost the sound quality. ]]>Dec 30th 2008 1:05AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Jan 10th 2009 1:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/11/18/zvox-425-and-550-soundbars-review/Feb 12th 2009 5:22PM