New model sized to match 50-inch flat panel TVs features improved performance
Today Polk Audio announced a second SurroundBar model to join the original SurroundBar introduced in 2005. The two SurroundBars offer “Surround Sound from a Single Speaker” thanks to Polk’s patented SDA Surround technology. When connected to any multi-channel receiver, the new SurroundBar50 and the original SurroundBar, deliver an immersive surround sound experience from a single, slim, front mounted speaker without the need for rear speakers.
The new SurroundBar50 is 51-inches wide, sized to match the width of 50-inch Plasma and LCD TVs. In addition to using SDA Surround technology on the surround channels as in the original SurroundBar, the SurroundBar50 adds SDA Surround image enhancing technology on the front Left & Right channels to further enhance the surround experience as well as produce a huge stereo soundfield from a two-channel source. New drivers and crossover design along with a larger enclosure produce far better bass performance than the original SurroundBar. Many consumers will find the SurroundBar50’s bass to be sufficient for smaller rooms, eliminating the need for a companion subwoofer. Those consumers who want a higher impact home theater experience in mid to larger sized rooms will want to use the SurroundBar50 with Polk’s compact yet powerful PSW111 powered subwoofer introduced earlier in 2007.
The SurroundBar50 offers an enveloping surround sound experience to anyone who wants better sound and an enveloping surround experience from their TV but does not want to install rear mounted speakers. The Polk Audio SurroundBar delivers surround sound from a single, multi-driver loudspeaker located under (or over) the TV screen using Polk’s patented “SDA Surround” technology which traces its roots to the legendary Polk SDA (Stereo Dimensional Array) loudspeaker systems of the late 1980’s. Based on fundamental research into the way in which our ears process sound and perceive the direction of sounds, SDA Surround technology uses a patented combination of signal processing and acoustical geometry that complements the spacing between your ears to produce surround sound without the need for rear mounted speakers. Since the SurroundBar50 works directly with the hearing mechanism and requires no special room characteristics to bounce sound off of walls, it can deliver a room-filling surround experience in nearly any location in almost any type of room, even outdoors.
The SurroundBar50 is composed of a single 51″; wide, 4.5″; high by 5.1″; deep extruded Aluminum enclosure housing nine mid/bass drivers with Neodymium magnets, three dome tweeters, and a four-PC board crossover with over 60 components. The product may be wall mounted above or below the TV with the supplied bracket. It can be used on a shelf or on top of a TV with its supplied shelf cradles. Both the cradles and wall bracket allow the speaker to aim up or down. The product is available in either Titanium or Black anodized finish. 
“I wanted to be able to integrate all the latest entertainment technology into the new house we are building but I didn’t want to let the technology start running our lives in the process” said Polk Audio Co-founder Matthew Polk. “In our case, the problem was surround sound. With half a dozen separate home theater systems in various rooms around the house it was simply not practical to give each system a full complement of five, six or seven speakers. In some cases it was not even possible to install rear speakers, but we still wanted to have the benefit of a great surround sound experience in each of these locations. Discussions with architects, electronic systems contractors, retailers and home owners have revealed that many other people are also looking for a solution to this exact same problem. These experiences inspired me to develop the SurroundBar.”
The SurroundBar50 may be used with any surround sound receiver and hook-up is a snap. Connect all 5 primary channels the SurroundBar via a supplied 15 foot multi-channel speaker cable consisting of five pair of color coded wires in a sheathed bundle. The five sets of binding post inputs on the back of the SurroundBar50 are color coded and clearly marked for simple, straightforward connection.
The SurroundBar50 will be available in October 2007 with an MSRP of $1099.95; see it at CEDIA Expo booth 830 in the Colorado Convention Center, September 6 – 9, 2007.
About Polk Audio
Polk Audio is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of high performance audio products and the largest audio brand of Directed Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ, DEIX). Founded in 1972 by three Johns Hopkins University graduates, Polk Audio holds over 50 patents for advances in loudspeaker design and technology. Polk’s products include loudspeakers and electronic components for home, auto and marine applications, the first satellite radio home component tuner, the world’s first audiophile-grade active IP-addressable loudspeaker, the first THX Ultra2 Certified in-ceiling loudspeaker, and I-Sonic–the first entertainment system to include HD radio, XM Connect & Play capability and a DVD player. Polk products are available through authorized specialist consumer electronics retailers worldwide. For more information and the location of a Polk retailer or distributor in your area visit the www.polkaudio.com or call us at 1-800-377-7655 (USA and Canada). Outside of North America call +1 (410) 358-3600.
