Big Picture Big Sound

ZVox Audio has been making small but powerful single box speaker systems for a few years now, and getting many favorable reviews along the way. At the Home Entertainment Expo in New York last week, ZVOX was showing off their new "WOWSA" system (Wide-range On-Wall Surround Audio) - their most powerful model yet.

Like their earlier models 315, mini and 325, the new WOWSA (which is also known as model 425) features built-in amplification and PhaseCue™ processing to simulate surround sound without rear speakers. But unlike earlier models, which were intended to be placed under a cable box, under a small TV or in an equipment rack, the model 425 is just 5 inches deep - shallow enough to be mounted on a wall or to sit discreetly in front of a flat panel HDTV.


We first saw the WOWSA at one of the CES satellite shows in January, but this time it was actually making sound (most of the time) and it did sound impressive for its size. ZVOX President Tom Hannaher was on-hand, proudly showing off his pre-production prototype which he says can go all the way down to 35 Hz with just two 4-inch side-firing woofers.

The reason I said "most of the time" above is that, at the initial press conference, after an impressive introduction during which Tom estimated that 90 percent of TVs are now sold "naked" (with no speakers) and 40 percent of people don't bother to connect rear speakers, Tom revealed - "in perhaps the most embarrassing moment of my professional life" - that the demo wouldn't be happening. Something, somewhere deep in the heart of that impressively large black rectangle came undone. Fortunately, just a few short hours later (after most of the press had given up), the proto-WOWSA was back in action, delivering the audio goods.

The WOWSA is expected to be in production in "mid to late Summer" in black and silver finishes for a price of $599.

On the Web: www.zvoxaudio.com


Features and benefits of the ZVOX 425 (from the manufacturer)

• Three 3.25" full-range monaural speakers - driven by their own dedicated amplifier - deliver rich, natural vocals with stunning clarity and realism.
  
• Two 3.25" full-range speakers work with the ZVOX-exclusive PhaseCue™ system to create a very wide stereo soundstage for music - you'll swear you're listening to speakers 10 feet apart from each other. The PhaseCue system also generates remarkable, three-dimensional virtual surround sound effects with movie soundtracks.
  
• All five 3.25" full-range drivers use Neodymium magnets and ferrofluid to create very high sound pressure levels from compact speakers.
  
• Two long-excursion 4" powered subwoofers reproduce accurate low frequencies down to 35 Hz. These woofers generate outstanding bass response -- but because they are side-firing, they do not cause serious wall vibrations.
  
• Unlike some virtual surround systems, the 425 reproduces music very accurately -- with no "digital weirdness." Female vocalists sound warm, rich and natural. Symphonic music sounds big and airy and awesome. Movie soundtracks are delivered with startling realism. And all sound is reproduced with a sense of distortion-free ease.
  
• The 425 is compact - only 37"w x 7"h x 5"d.
  
• The 425 is simple to install. It uses only one connecting cable to hook up to the audio outputs or headphone jack of a TV. With its convenient front-panel input, you can also use it with iPods, PCs, satellite radios, portable CD players, game consoles - anything with a headphone jack.
  
• The 425 is simple to use. Once connected to a TV, it can usually be controlled using the TV's remote. Its auto-on/auto-off circuit comes on when you turn on your TV. The "owner's manual" is one sheet of paper.
  
• The 425 uses the ZVOX Infinite Compliance system - which connects the outer two speakers with an acoustic tube. This system helps create big sound from a slim cabinet.
  
• The 425 is bi-amplified, using a specially designed Class D amplifier that includes electronic contouring for superb frequency response.
  
• The system is magnetically shielded so it can be used near a TV or monitor.
  
• The 425 uses an MDF (medium density fiberboard) wood cabinet - instead of plastic. MDF is the preferred construction material for high-performance speakers.
  
• A credit card-sized remote controls volume, PhaseCue virtual surround, power on and mute.
  
• Auto-on/auto-off circuit senses sound from source (TV, iPod, PC) and turns on the 425 two seconds later. Three minutes after it has received no signal, it automatically puts the amplifier into standby mode.
  
• Simple, single-cord connecting system uses RCA stereo jacks on rear panel.
  
• Two connecting cords are included: one with a stereo mini jack, one with RCA jacks.
  
• The 425 will be available in two different grille colors: black and silver.
  
• The ZVOX 425 is backed by a one year limited parts and labor warranty.