Paradigm is going to pack some of that quality sound into a slightly smaller package. The company just debuted the Soundtrack System, a new soundbar/speaker combo.
As part of Paradigm's Shift Series, the Soundtrack includes a 6-driver soundbar with a compact, wireless subwoofer. (Paradigm says that a wired option is also included.) The company has yet to release any beauty shots of the product yet. However, judging by what's listed below, it looks pretty typical, designed to complement most of today's super-thin flat panels.
What isn't so typical is what's on the inside. The typical soundbar configuration has drivers that can be pretty close together. The end result can deliver poor stereo separation and a compromised soundstage. Paradigm says they've solved those issues. The 6-driver soundbar has two bass/midrange drivers, two passive radiators and two high-frequency drivers. The 4.5-inch bass midrange drivers and 4.5-inch passive radiators are a mineral-filled polypropylene, boasting a low-mass, high-stiffness cone composition. Those high-frequency drivers include satin-anodized pure-aluminum dome tweeters, while the passive Passive radiators promote extended lower frequencies.
Oh -- and everything is physically separated within the cabinet (left and right), boasting sonic clarity and channel separation.
Other features include Power, Volume and Synching of the subwoofer right on the speaker's on-board user interface, as well as digital optical and analog stereo inputs. The package also includes its own remote or you can tap into the soundbar's IR learning capabilities and use your own controller.
Don't forget the dual-ported subwoofer. To round out the setup, this sub has an 8-inch composite cone driver with a 1.5-inch high-temperature aluminum-wire voice coil. It also has oversized ports with the driver arranged in a perpendicular array, for an even, articulate response. Other features include a Class-D amp to deliver 100 watts RMS Sustained (300 watts Dynamic Peak) power and DSP signal processing.
Also, because it's such a compact package, it's easy to set up. No seriously. It has the soundbar and the subwoofer. No receiver or scary setup process is needed -- unless you want to wall-mount it. That can sometimes be scary, depending on how handy you are.
"When it comes to value-oriented all-in-one audio solutions, the Soundtrack is a winner," said Mark Aling, Paradigm's senior director of marketing. "It offers a high level of performance in the most placement-friendly format we've ever created. One of the most exciting aspects is the built-in receiver. Whether it's your primary sound system or a second system, you're going to experience sound with superb stereo separation and more dynamic range than anything else in this price range. It's an ideal solution for people who want a great-sounding system without any requirement for additional electronics."
According to Paradigm, the soundbar measures 5-by-36-by-2.25 inches, with the subwoofer coming in at 13.75-by-18.5-by-5 inches. The Soundtrack System is expected to ship sometime this fall in a gloss black finish, with an MSRP of $799.
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