SpeakerCraft announced a redesigned, upgraded CS3+ sound bar along with the smaller CS1 and the larger CS5. Each of these products are designed to fit directly under a flat-panel TV set, providing a powerful sonic upgrade for movies, music and TV.
All of the new SpeakerCraft TV Speakers incorporate two new user-friendly features: a larger remote and a front-panel display that makes it much easier to monitor operating functions. The new TV Speakers can learn IR remote commands from any TV remote, so the TV’s remote can control the TV Speaker’s volume, mute and power functions. For system integrators, SpeakerCraft also provides a full set of discrete command codes, making the TV Speakers compatible with third-party home automation systems.
Like the original CS3, all of the new sound bars feature Bluetooth wireless for easy connectivity with smartphones, tablets and computers. This capability is now augmented with a top-mounted USB connector for charging portable devices. In addition, all models feature a sub-woofer output.
“All of them use drivers designed specifically for this line. We’ve also added Dolby Digital decoding to the top two models and bumped up the power,” said Core Brands’ Keith Marshall.
SpeakerCraft’s top-of-the-line CS5 TV Speaker adds numerous features that elevate it to true state-of-the-art performance. It incorporates a full center channel with two 3-inch midrange drivers and a 1-inch tweeter; two rear-firing 0.75-inch tweeters for added ambience; a down-firing 6.5-inch woofer with an 8-inch passive radiator for powerful deep bass; Dolby Digital 3.1 decoding; and DTS Volume technology for automatic volume leveling. The CS5 adds a top-mounted 3.5mm audio input for quick, easy connection of non-Bluetooth devices and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The speakers are driven by 130 watts of total amplification power. The 30-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 160 pounds.
Besides all the extra features mentioned earlier, the new SpeakerCraft CS3+ improves on the original by increasing total system power from 80 to 100 watts, and by replacing the original dual down-firing 5.25-inch woofers with a single, long-throw 6.5-inch woofer. It also adds Dolby Digital 2.1 decoding for full compatibility with TVs that lack PCM digital output. The 28-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 160 pounds.
SpeakerCraft designed the CS1 specifically for use with smaller TVs. Despite the CS1’s compact form factor, it packs in real two-way speakers with 3-inch midrange drivers and 0.5-inch tweeters plus a 5.25-inch down-firing subwoofer. The internal amplifiers are rated at 80 watts total power – same as the original, larger CS3. The 17-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 100 pounds.
Price and Availability
- SpeakerCraft CS1 will cost $449 (available Q1 2014)
- SpeakerCraft CS3+ will cost $649 (available Q2 2014)
- SpeakerCraft CS5 will cost $849 (available Q2 2014)
