It’s easy to forget that Sony started with just a simple music player, the walkman. Now 50 years later the electronics powerhouse has announced its 2013 home-audio line.
Sony announced the new the “STR-DN1040 Audio/Video Receiver” and the “HT-CT660 Soundbar” both of which will be available to consumers starting in June 2013. During the announcement, Sony stated that both the STR-DN1040 receiver ($599), and the HT-CT660 soundbar ($399) will become available online and retail.
“Our rich audio legacy leads consumers to expect continued innovation and performance from Sony audio products,” said Neal Manowitz, director of Sony Electronics’ Home Audio group. “The newest AV receiver in our line has the simplest, most user-friendly interface, which when combined with a world first and only AVR feature set of built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, raises the bar with respect to usability, and does so with knockout sound performance. Likewise, the new soundbar extends the Sony line and brings theater-like, high-definition sound to any room in the house, with Bluetooth ease and convenience.”
The STR-DN1040 AV Receiver will offer 7.2 Channel 1155 Watts (165 W x 7) of power and ten HD inputs (8 HDMI in), housed in a newly redesigned chassis. “Just like a musical instrument, this AV receiver is specially tuned to bring out the very best sonic performance,” said Aaron Levine, product marketing manager of Sony Electronics’ Home Audio group. “There is a sonic performance reason for every part, every material, and every assembly technique put into this receiver.”
The receiver will feature Sony’s “High Definition Digital Cinema Sound” (HD DCS) which will add “auditory depth for dramatic cinematic sound that faithfully reproduces the movie theater experience”. The receiver will also feature Dolby TrueHD, Pro Logic IIz and dts® HD enhanced audio codecs1. The video signals will have the ability to be converted up to 4K Ultra HD HDMI and offer easy connectivity for HD and 4K Ultra HD devices, supporting both new and legacy connectivity.
The AV receiver is the only one of its kind to offer built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay. Being Wi-Fi enabled means the STR-DN1040 receiver can access streaming media sources, and has integrated applications for Sony Entertainment Network’s Music Unlimited, Pandora, Slacker, vTuner, while also being able to stream music from DLNA enabled PCs. The built-in AirPlay and Bluetooth, will allow the receiver to wirelessly receive music from phones, tablets and computers. Users can also operate the receiver with the free Media Remote app available for both iOS and Android phones.
Also available in June is the STR-DN840 AV receiver, a 7.2 channel, 1050 Watt2 juggernaut with the same connectivity convenience of built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay. With six HDMI inputs, 4K pass-through, Sound Optimizer and more, the STR-DN840 is aggressively priced at just $449.
The HT-CT660 Soundbar is a 330 Watt system offering a 2-way, 4-driver mica reinforced speaker system. The soundbar ships with a wireless subwoofer, contains three HDMI inputs that will easily work with gaming consoles, Blu-ray Disc players and cable or satellite boxes. The soundbar will also feature Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Master Audio modes.
Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround 3D technology will synchronize sounds “to match the motion and depth of images on screen so viewers enjoy a fully immersive, simulated 3D surround experience without the bother and clutter of surround sound speakers” according to the release sent out this morning.
Connecting the HT-CT660 soundbar with mobile devices such as phones and tablets to stream music is as simple as one touch of any Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth enabled device. And with Bluetooth standby mode, you can start streaming and enjoying music without having to turn on any additional components.
As for Sony’s Home Theater lineup, the BDV-N8100W and BDV-N7100W are Sony’s “home theaters in a box.” Both products feature 1000W, 5.1 channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Full HD 1080p playback, with built-in Wi-Fi to stream Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, the Sony Entertainment Network and more. The devices will also feature a wireless rear surround sound speakers. Also built into the two systems are NFC and Bluetooth. The BDV-N8100W system also features 3-way, 47-inch floor standing speakers. Priced at $699 and $599 respectfully, the BDV-N8100W and BDV-7100W home theaters in a box are available now at Sony stores and online at http://store.sony.com, as well as electronics retailers nationwide.
Sony’s “Mini Systems” will be available May 27, 2013. “Music is the soundtrack of our lives, and for generations Sony has delivered innovative, fun devices for sharing music as a part of most every social occasion,” said Andrew Sivori, vice president product marketing, Sony Electronics’ Home Entertainment & Sound division. “Our newest audio products not only deliver explosive sound, but do so with easy connectivity and built-in lights ready to start the celebration at any time.”
The RDH-GTK37iP portable sound system is a 420 Watt mega-boombox “party on-the-go” states Sony. Using Near-Field Communications (NFC) enabled mobile devices, consumers will have the chance to stream music directly to the sound system. Devices without NFC capabilities can still connect through the system’s built-in Bluetooth. A front USB input can connect an MP3 players or flash drives, or use the integrated docking system for iPod and iPhone devices.
Music is powered through a 2-way bass reflex speaker system with dual subwoofers, delivering 420 Watts total RMS power. The device has an MSRP of $349. The LBT-GPX55 and LBT-GPX77 mini systems offer 1600 and 1800 Watts respectively,and both offer 3-way speaker systems and a single disc CD player. Both devices also offer dual front USB inputs for use with MP3 players and flash drives and also include Bluetooth audio streaming with simple NFC OneTouch pairing. Both products feature EQ and DJ effects controls, running on the Sony Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE). These devices start at $499 for the LBT-GPX55.
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