New Products

Soundbar, soundase, and headphone manufacturer Zvox Audio has added a new model to its family of AccuVoice TV speakers. The AV157 ($299) is a compact soundbar with SuperVoice dialogue clarifying technology, a new feature that “uses Zvox’s patented hearing aid algorithms to make dialogue more clear,” and also comes with SuperVoice tech that further enhances dialogue by reducing background noise in TV programs.

TV maker TCL today announced that its 5-Series Roku models for 2020 are now available, and that pre-orders are being taken for the new 6-Series Roku sets it expects to ship later this month.

A predictable effect of the pandemic on the A/V world has been a slowdown in shipments of new gear shown at CES that typically would have arrived by spring or early summer. One example: NAD’s M33 Masters BluOS Streaming DAC/Amp, which we had reported on at CES 2020. NAD’s eagerly awaited new $4,999 streaming amp was originally supposed to ship in March/April but is now scheduled to arrive in North America in late August. Better late than never!

The latest soundbar to emerge from Polk Audio is the $499 MagniFi 2, a 2.1 model featuring a six-driver array (four 1-inch by 3-inch full-range drivers, two 0.75-inch tweeters) and an 8-inch ported wireless subwoofer. It also features Chromecast built-in and Bluetooth for audio streaming. But what’s most notable about the MagniFi 2—aside from its affordable price—is the inclusion of the company’s patented Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology, along with a new 3D Audio Mode that works with SDA tech to “create even more convincing immersive surround and height effects,” according to the company.

We previously reported on Vizio’s 2020 TV plans during the last CES, where the TV maker displayed its full line of new products, including OLED models. The company is now starting to ship those sets and has released detailed info on pricing.

The JBL HDI Series speaker line that we first reported on at CEDIA Expo 2019 is now available. The new speakers feature the company's patented 2410H-2 compression driver compression driver technology and High Definition Imaging waveguide and are available in a trio of striking finishes including painted high-gloss black, satin walnut wood veneer, and satin gray oak wood veneer.