A teaser video reveals the launch window for the upcoming speaker collaboration between furniture maker Ikea and wireless audio specialist Sonos-- the SYMFONISK speaker line is set for an August 2019 release.
Announces way back in December 2017, the SYMFONISK range promises to integrate with both Sonos wireless speakers and Ikea Home Smart devices, such as the Trådfri range of lights, dimmers and switchers. The two companies further detailed the collaboration on June 2018, with the presentation of a prototype unit complete with brackets for mounting beneath an Ikea cabinet or use as a shelf.
The soundbars carry a pair of Meridian audio-enhancing technologies, namely Bass & Space (improves the soundstage for "rich, uncompromising sound and strong bass") and Image Elevation (boosts the sense of immersion for the listener) to deliver powerful surround sound. Meanwhile Upmix technology upmixes 2-channel audio to distinct channels without generating distortion while maintaining tonal balance.
The Alva TT is styled after the Edge hifi separate range from the British company, if with the addition of a a Bluetooth transmitter for the beaming of LP audio to compatible headphones or speakers. Designed and built in-house, it carries a direct drive design with a built-in phono stage, single piece tonearm and a high output moving coil cartridge.
The 200 Pre has an adjustable 12-140Hz high-pass crossover and offers inputs for just about any source, including phono MM/MC, x2 line inputs, theatre bypass for L, R and 2 subs, digital USB, coax and optical. The front panel has an aux line level input with an automatic 12dB gain increase to improve sound quality for portable devices. The DAC is a Burr-Brown number found in the recently discontinued Halo P5 preamp.
First announced at Google I/O 2018 before a showing at CES 2019, the JBL Link Bar doubles as an Android TV box and features a built-in Chromecast, providing an array of media sources for customers. A Privacy Switch feature allows one to disable the microphones in case they do not need the virtual assistant, and they can also use Google Assistant while the TV is off.
