LAS VEGAS (Jan. 9, 2018)—Today at CES, taking place in Las Vegas from Jan. 9-12, Sound United, parent company to leading audio brands Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, HEOS, Definitive Technology, Classé Audio, and Polk BOOM, is showcasing a variety of new, category-changing products. Polk Audio introduced the Command Bar, a performance-tuned sound bar that integrates Alexa’s Voice Services into the heart of the home theater. The simple, natural-to-use product gives new meaning to how today’s tech savvy consumers take command of their living room. Denon presented its flagship AVR-X8500H receiver, the world’s first to drive 13.2 channels for the most immersive home theaters. Marantz introduced the industry’s first 13.2 channel preamplifier, the AV8805, designed to take audio and video processing to new heights with state of the art technology for optimal fidelity.
“CES 2018 will prove to be the year the home theater saw natural Alexa Voice Services integration,” said Kevin Duffy, CEO & president of Sound United. “We’re leading the charge by teaming up with industry leaders to develop an elegant sound bar that meets consumer demand for immersive home audio, beautiful design and expanded connectivity, all accessible via voice. Sound United’s renowned brands, from Polk Audio to Denon and Marantz, are pulling out all the stops in 2018 and enabling integrators, consumers and audio lovers everywhere to finally experience something truly innovative and exciting.”
Polk Audio Transforms the Audio Experience
Polk Audio worked with Amazon to create the Polk Command Bar, an Alexa-enabled voice-controlled sound bar, delivering the power and convenience of Alexa Voice Services in a home theater solution that produces loud, rich sound ideal for movies, music and wireless music streaming.
The Polk Command Bar features integrated far-field microphones atop the sound bar to easily control master volume, mute, bass, sound modes, and source selection with voice commands through the Polk Connect Skill. With ease of usability, the Polk Command Bar boasts a dedicated HDMI port designed to fit Amazon Fire TV devices and other HDMI streaming devices with wide form factors. It also supports a full set of smart home skills to control lights, locks, and HVAC in addition a variety of Amazon Alexa-supported music services, including Amazon Music™, and can even read books from Audible. Support for additional music services will be announced later in 2018.
Additionally, the sound bar is compatible with popular 4K HDTVs with dual HDMI inputs and supports 4K HDR, Polk Voice Adjust™, Dolby and DTS surround formats and Polk Smart Remote Technology, which boasts built-in support for popular IR TV remotes from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio when connected via optical. It is also compatible with most CEC-enabled TV remotes.
Denon Delivers Groundbreaking 13.2 Channel Receiver
Denon welcomes the Denon AVR-X8500H, the industry’s first true 13.2 channel receiver. A flagship audio solution, the AVR-X8500H provides unparalleled sound quality and audio performance. With Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro 3D surround decoding, the AVR-X8500H features 13 channels of built-in amplification to enable premium object based surround sound. A salute to Denon’s 100 plus year legacy, the AVR-X8500H is one of the most technologically advanced and capable AV receivers ever introduced.
The 13.2 channel receiver incorporates custom-made DHCT (Denon High Current Transistors)—discrete monolithic amplifiers rated at 150 watts per channel (@8 ohms, 20 – 20 kHz, THD 0.05%, 2 channel driven), enabling premium surround sound from object-oriented formats (including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X); devoid of a need for additional external amplification. With out-of-the-box Auro 3D surround sound decoding, the Denon AVR-X8500H supports up to Auro 13.1 channel, three-layered speaker layout including top and height center channels. Further, the receiver is hand-assembled in small batch form in Denon’s Shirakawa factory in Japan.
Adding to the brand’s legendary AV receiver line, custom installation offerings, and acknowledging the emergence and evolution of the smart home, the AVR-X8500H brings the future of home theater to present day with Amazon Alexa’s Smart Home Skill for Entertainment Devices, Apple AirPlay™ and whole-house wireless music compatibility.
Marantz Flagship Full 4K Multichannel Pre-Amplifier Packs in 13-Channel Processor
Marantz introduces the brand’s flagship 13-channel AV pre-amplifier, the AV8805, which perfectly handles all high-resolution audio formats, boasts exceptional surround sound quality and features a vast array of connectivity options. With the ability to give installers and consumers the flexibility and performance to bring even the most delicate sounds to life, the Marantz AV8805 processes up to an astounding 13.2 channels. It also hosts Marantz’s unique Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module (HDAM) for all channels independently and full wireless multi-room audio, empowering integrators and users to seamlessly create a whole-home audio experience unlike any other on the market.
For those who accept no less that the ultimate home entertainment experience, Marantz’s AV8805 is a no-compromise, multichannel AV processor and pre-amplifier, designed for use with high-quality external power amplification or active speakers. Blending a futuristic and minimalistic design, the Marantz AV8805 produces superb surround sound quality from the latest 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D decoding. Further, the AV8805 enhances audio quality to ensure all high resolution audio formats and playbacks are fully supported for optimal fidelity. It also boasts 192kHz/32bit D/A converters integrated on all channels to produce the highest resolution for music and movie sound.
Consumers looking for world-class home theater and entertainment experiences will find a Phono MM input, perfect for turntables. With advanced wireless connectivity provided by both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to support its many features, the AV8805 will become a key component of a complete wireless multi-room system. The Marantz AV8805 also features an advanced video section, with full 4K compatibility that's fully compatible with the latest HDMI connectivity and HDCP 2.2 specifications on all eight HDMI inputs.
The Polk Audio Command Bar and the Denon AVR-X8500H will be on display at CES 2018 at Central Hall booth #15036. The Marantz AV8805 will be on display at Suite 29-140 at the Venetian. To schedule an appointment at the booth, please contact: soundunited@havasformula.com.
About Sound United
Sound United is a division of DEI Holdings with an award-winning portfolio of audio brands that deliver industry-leading home theater and personal audio listening experiences for a wide-range of consumers. Each brand provides an expansive array of audio products that includes high-end and custom installation audio, to mid-tier markets that cover loudspeakers, sound bars, AV receivers, wireless multi-room music systems, Bluetooth® speakers, amplifiers, turntables and headphones.
Dedicated to artfully reproducing audio for listeners and enthusiasts around the world, Sound United is comprised of Denon®, Marantz®, Polk Audio®, Definitive Technology®, Polk BOOM®, HEOS®, and Boston Acoustics®. And each brand offers a unique approach to bringing home theater and music to life. Whether it’s through the legendary heritage of Denon, the classic sound of Polk Audio, the premium performance of Definitive Technology, the highly-sought-after amplification of Marantz, the action-inspired form factors of Polk BOOM, the wireless home audio solutions of HEOS, or the accessible performance of Boston Acoustics, Sound United is your sound — so listen.
To learn more about Sound United and its brands, visit www.soundunited.com.
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