Under-the-TV Speaker Does Double Duty as Sound Bar or Wireless Loudspeaker
Sonos announced their latest speaker for the home called PLAYBASE. This $700 versatile speaker is designed to be placed under a TV so it can double as a sound bar or wireless music speaker. It also works seamlessly with the Sonos app, and the company’s companion wireless subwoofer, and surround speakers for a home theater experience without wires. This products marks Sonos’ first entry into the soundbase category and follows the 4-year old PLAYBAR sound bar.
PLAYBASE stands 2-1/4 inches high (58mm) and packs in 10 custom-designed drivers with dedicated amplifiers — six mid-range, three tweeters, and one woofer. Each are powered by software to precisely control the sound coming from each transducer. The company says this configuration provides a sound stage much wider than the speaker itself.
To further improve both aesthetics and acoustics the front grill includes more than 43,000 holes to make it acoustically transparent. The company says PLAYBASE was built from the ground-up with unique manufacturing processes and materials to meet the level of quality Sonos stands by, including a complex insert molding process and a custom-designed glass-filled polycarbonate exterior to keep vibration to a minimum and withstand the weight of a TV for years to come.
Designed for TVs that aren’t wall-mounted, PLAYBASE is easy to control and set-up using just two cords (optical and power). It expands to other rooms when wirelessly connected to your Sonos home sound system, and is equal parts TV speaker and music speaker, with access to more than 80 music services. Later this year, like every other Sonos speaker, you’ll soon be able to control PLAYBASE using your voice and any Amazon Alexa enabled device.
Sonos also includes its proprietary Trueplay feature which adjusts the sound of PLAYBASE to the acoustics of the room. In addition, Dialogue Enhancement and Night Mode allow for enhanced vocal clarity or toned down bass for loud action scenes. All options are configured via the Sonos smartphone app.
Price and Availability
The Sonos PLAYBASE will be available April 4, 2017 in black or white for $699 at Amazon or direct from sonos.com.
