Pioneer announces its first soundbar since 1998 at CE Week 2013-- the SP-SB23W Speaker Bar, a composite wood number packing x6 independently amplified speakers and an 8-channel active digital crossover network.
Designed by speaker engineer Andrew Jones, the Sound Bar promises "excellent full-range sound from a small, simple solution audio package" complete with an RF moulded curved wood enclosure able to withstand "flexing" to produce better audio at high volumes.
It features six individual drivers, four 3-inch woofers and two 1-inch soft dome tweeters in an arrangement Pioneer claims produces a wide dispersion pattern. The woofers feature a vented pole piece improving bass response, while a custom "wave guide" enclosure holds the tweeters for increased output sensitivity and controlled high-frequency dispersion.
Each amplifier powering the independent drivers produces up to 28W (1kHz 1% THD @ 4 Ohm) of power.
The soundbar is wireless (via Bluetooth) and features Dolby Digital Decoding with 3 sound modes for music, movies and dialogue. Wired connection come through optical cable.
The package also includes a matching wireless subwoofer (features a 6.5-inch driver and 50W amp) and wall mount. It should be available by Q4 2013.
