Appropriating channels aside, I actually really like the look of this HL-B54S soundbar from LG. On top of its 4.1 surround sound, it incorporates a slot-loading Blu-ray player, Wi-Fi for BD-Live access and streaming clips from YouTube, and an iPod dock built-in. It plays back all the lossless audio codecs, connects to your TV via HDMI 1.3, supports DLNA for accessing your content on your network, and has USB slots that support playback of DiVX and MKV files.

The unit does look to be quite deep though, which might mean it’ll stick out a bit far under your TV, but if you need the convenience of an all-in-one unit, don’t have a Blu-ray player and can’t wire up your house with proper 5.1 audio, I reckon this could be worth checking out. $1499 is even a pretty good price…

[LG]

For $369, you get dual audio inputs, a 3.5mm jack for MP3s and a touch panel on the front for controls. It probably doesn’t compete with the high end soundbars from Yamaha in terms of performance, but for $369, what do you expect? It does look nice though…

[Sharp]

The soundbar costs $2,999, which is about the same cost as a mid-range surround sound setup. But considering you don’t have to punch holes in the walls to make it work, it could be quite the enticing buy for your home theatre setup.

The low end soundbar market has quickly become commoditised, but Samsung’s latest HT-WS1 is, at minimum, a contender.

Expelling 260W over 2.1 channels that can simulate surround sound, the system is only 2.6-inches deep and appears wide enough to distinguish right and left channels, plus it includes a wireless subwoofer to avoid any cord runs in your simple speaker setup. The HT-WS1 will be available this April for $US350. And if you can stand the lack of HDMI input (optical only for 5.1 decoding), it might be worth investigating further. [Samsung]

It also only uses 0.6W during standby mode, which is nice and green for your energy bills. And once again: $299! That’s so damn cheap! you could buy three of them with K-Rudd’s stimulus money!

[Sharp]

There’s no word on when we’ll see this in Australia, but it won’t be cheap – it’s got an RRP of $US2,200, which will probably equate to about $5K when it does launch here.

[B&W via CNet AU]

The 2.1 setup doesn’t say how many individual drivers create the simulated surround (Yamaha’s sound bars use up to 42, which are calibrated automatically via a plug-in microphone), but it’s rated at 300W. It’ll also handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding.

But the audio component is not what’s exciting here. What perked up the most ears here at Samsung’s press conference is the built-in inputs: a profile 2.0 Blu-ray player, a network connection for streaming Netflix and Pandora via subscription, USB for adding a storage device or an optional 802.11n Wi-Fi dongle, and an iPod dock.

In short, it’s a pretty soundbar package (wall mountable) with everything you’d need for a pretty solid home theatre; just add TV and a cable box. It’s available in the “first half of 2009″ at an as-yet unannounced price.

The Price: $US550

The Verdict: Almost soooo good. While soundbars are ever more popular, in many cases, they fit awkwardly in front of your television. I fit a 40″ LCD on the ZVOX box comfortably. The ZVOX feels very stable—probably more solid than my entertainment centre. So that part works.

As for the sounds itself—also excellent. I simply don’t have the equipment available to compare it to other $US550 audio systems (and really, there’s no perfect analogue product). But I will say that highs, mids and lows were all crisply represented across a variety of genres. The bass, especially, made me more than happy to forgo an extra standalone subwoofer (which the system supports should you need it). And I easily filled my tiny apartment with sound.

The cabinet does vibrate a bit, though it’s very quite unless you crank the bass up to max. The only reason I’d be wary is that the shaking might damage a TV over time…but my immediate, visceral response is that things are fine.

Where the cabinet falls short to me is its inputs. It supports two sources of stereo RCA plugs. And while it offers some virtual surround tech along with the option to mix the two sources, it’s just not going to work for many (or most) general home theatre purposes without an optical input. Even if the ZVOX only technically plays back 2.1 channel sound, it’s still a vital connectivity option.
Also, while I appreciate the minimal design, the tiny remote coupled with a single LED light on the system to signal power/remote commands, it’s tough to know where your levels are (Is treble maxed? How much louder can I crank this?).

So given the omission of optical inputs and a limited UI, the ZVOX 550 is not quite the universal home theatre product that it could be. But if you want an excellent one-cabinet audio system that can hold your giant LCD, then it may be worth the few inconveniences. [ZVOX]

While only offering 2.1 channel sound, the system does feature 32W of SRS-XT virtual surround, and each of the two speakers can be detached from the bar base and angled/positioned as you see fit.

Compatible with both PCs and Macs, the speakers can connect via USB or 3.5mm jacks, but USB users will benefit from the system’s built-in 3-jack USB hub. Not available until June, the iSP200 will run $US100 if you’re still excited amidst the summer heat.

YAMAHA INTRODUCES THE YSP-3050 DIGITAL SOUND PROJECTOR,

ITS LATEST SINGLE COMPONENT SURROUND SOUND SOLUTION

–New model to its market-leading line offers HDMI, video upconversion, iPod and XM Satellite Radio compatibility, FM tuner and advanced listening settings –

BUENA PARK, Calif.–Yamaha, the innovator in home theatre and digital audio and video reproduction, today unveiled the YSP-3050, the latest in its award-winning line of Digital Sound Projectors which focus audio signals into precisely controlled and directed “beams” that provide true multi-channel surround sound from a single component. The YPS-3050 fits neatly underneath a flat-panel television and gives consumers a space-efficient option to installing multiple speakers throughout a room for immersive audio for watching movies, television and sports programming.

The new YSP-3050 features 21 beam drivers, and two woofers, 23 corresponding digital amplifiers, three Cinema DSP programs (movie, music and sports), analogue to HDMI video upconversion, high definition video upscaling to 1080i/720p and a 1080p (24Hz and 60Hz) compatible HDMI interface with two inputs and one output to facilitate pure digital connections with the latest home theatre components.

The YSP-3050 is XM Satellite Radio ready with XM HD surround sound powered by Neural Surround. The YSP-3050 also offers iPod compatibility via the new optional YDS-11 dock (more information on the YDS-11 below). Once docked, the iPod can be operated (song selection, play, etc.) via the YSP’s remote control and on-screen display. Yamaha’s proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology compensates for the lost detail of audio that is compressed during the “ripping” process, recapturing the essence of the original recording. An integrated FM tuner further broadens the user’s entertainment choices.

The YSP-3050 creates a wide soundstage designed to fill the whole room with convincing surround sound regardless of where listeners are seated. Sound settings include 5-Beam, 3-Beam, 3-Beam + Stereo, 2- channel Stereo, My Beam, 5-Channel Stereo and My Surround modes. My Surround mode delivers surround sound to even the most difficult installation environments where walls may not be present or are covered with unsuitable materials. My Beam mode focuses the sound at a specific listening position, so the listener can hear all program audio clearly, including dialog, without disturbing others in the room.

Yamaha’s proprietary IntelliBeam™ automated system calibration enables users to quickly and easily set up each system for the optimal listening experience and intuitive, multi-language on-screen displays.

The YSP-3050 offers full support for surround sound standards, including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6, as well as CINEMA DSP technology, to create realistic soundscapes in any room. For late night movie and music enjoyment, a Night Listening Enhancer mode allows dialog and quiet passages to be heard clearly, even at low volumes. The TV Equal Volume mode prevents sudden startling bursts of sound from TV programs and commercials. The model also features SRS TruBass technology to provide exceptionally deep and rich bass response.

The YSP-3050 is currently available for a suggested retail price of $1,399.95.