The Cadence CSB-F3 and CSB-R2 are two of the best soundbars produced by this company and if you are considering buying one of them, you should know what they have in common and which one is better than the other. Right from the get-go, the CSB-F3 is a three channel unit and the CSB-R2 is a two channel system, which makes the latter a lot cheaper. However, the differences don’t stop here.

Design
Both of the systems come in black and they don’t have a complicated design. The material used for their construction is aluminum. The CSB-F3 is the larger of these two, measuring 43 inches in width, while the CSB-R2 is only 26 inches wide. Other than that, these soundbars look pretty much the same: a basic grille covers the drivers, the rear of the unit is curved and the whole unit looks solid and well built. The CSB-F3 also comes with two tweeters which are placed externally on each side of the soundbar.

Setting up the Cadence CSB-F3 and CSB-R2
Like with any other system of this kind, you will find the wall mounting brackets in the package and you just have to choose between installing the system beneath your TV set or simply placing it on a shelf or cabinet. In the case of the CSB-F3, the manufacturer has also included a tabletop mount which will make the unit look in its place even if you don’t use the wall mounting bracket. No matter what you choose, you should make sure that your TV is not too large in comparison to the width of your sound system. The cable that will go in your TV set is 25 feet long, so you don’t have to worry about the distance between these two units.

Sound quality
If you take off the grille of any of these soundbars you will find two 5.25 inch woofers and a 1 inch tweeter. The CSB-F3 also has two external tweeters, but the main difference that you will notice between these models is that the F3 is a little stronger. Other than that, everything will feel and sound exactly the same. The good part is that the audio quality is impressive. You won’t get disappointed no matter if you’re listening to music, watching a movie or simply surfing through the channels. Every program will appear to be more vivid and the clear sounds will make an impression on your year drum. Unfortunately, you will notice that both of these systems are not surround units. The soundstage is often too narrow, but if you make some adjustments, you will eventually find a middle ground between a larger soundstage and higher sound quality.

Pros and Cons
Both of these soundbars come at a great price and they have a few things to offer: high quality sound and reliability. The CSB-F3 brings in a few extra tweeters and the tabletop mount and this is certainly a plus. However, this system is also the more expensive one and if you already plan on mounting it on your wall, you might want to go for the CSB-R2.

Unfortunately, both of the units are missing something: a subwoofer. You will be 100% happy with the Cadence CSB-F3 and CSB-R2 only if you have a very small room. In any other case, a strong subwoofer is highly recommended.

Conclusion
Considering the fact that the Cadence CSB-F3 and CSB-R2 are two of the cheaper soundbars around, they make a great job at immersing their audience in a very realistic sound experience. If you have to choose between one of these two models, you should simply pick the one that fits better with your TV set. Other than size, most of the differences between these models are unnoticeable and both of these soundbars will put a smile on your face once you turn them on.

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The Mythos SSA-42 is a five-channel soundbar that looks perfectly under any 42-inch flat screen TV. This unit has a little bit of everything: you will notice surround sound thanks to the unique Spatial Array technology, you can connect a subwoofer and you can place it in large rooms without diminishing the sound quality. This unit doesn’t rely on bouncing sound off the walls, which is definitely a plus.

Design
The system comes in two colors: gloss black and aluminum. You can place it on the wall thanks to the bracket that is included in the package or you can simply put it on a shelf and it will still look great. The Mythos SSA-42 is very well built and it will always give you the impression that dropping it on a concrete floor won’t leave a mark. This impression may have something to do with the aircraft grade extruded aluminum enclosure.

Setting up the Mythos SSA-42
Before you decide to order this unit, make sure that it has enough room on your wall or shelf. It is 40 inches wide and 4 and a quarter inches deep and high. This means that you can simply place it on any flat surface and it has no chance of falling off. The unit is 20 pounds heavy, which makes it small enough for any shelf. Keep in mind that you will have to connect the SSA-42 to an amplifier which can offer anywhere between 20 and 175 watts of power.

Setting up the system might be difficult for a beginner, but this problem can be solved by reading the instruction manual of the soundbar. You will have to buy an amplifier for this system to work and getting a subwoofer is optional, but recommended. Connecting these three pieces of equipment together can be tricky.

Sound quality
Buying all that extra equipment might be a drag, but luckily, the Mythos SSA-42 redeems itself once you turn it on. The audio tones are clear and powerful and they will satisfy the needs of even the strictest listener. The Balanced Dual Surround System technology will keep the frequency response in check and it will also lower the sound distortion. Many soundbar manufacturers avoid using tweeters because they tend to interfere with other sound waves, but the Mythos SSA-42 uses a design that keeps the tones on the right wavelength.

If you don’t plan on buying a subwoofer, you will still enjoy using the Mythos SSA-42, especially if you place it in a small room. The sound will always be vivid and you will enjoy surround like effects when watching movies. If you have a medium or large room, adding a subwoofer is highly recommended. A simple woofer can really improve the performance of this soundbar not only for movies, but also for listening to music or simply watching TV.

Pros and Cons
The price tag can be considered a bargain in the case of the Mythos SSA-42. It will enhance your movie viewing experience dramatically and the system will work great with any amplifier or subwoofer. The surround sound capabilities of this unit are exceptional and the overall audio quality is top notch. Plus, you will get a 5 year warranty and a wall mounting bracket.

Unfortunately, a separate amplifier and subwoofer is an extra cost that could have been avoided.

Conclusion
The Mythos SSA-42 is one of the better soundbars if you take a look at the overall sound quality and surround capabilities. Those who are willing to spend extra on an amplifier and subwoofer won’t be disappointed by this unit no matter the size of the room they place it in.

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The Panorama is Bowers and Wilkins’ (B&W) first high-grade soundbar, with convenient designs and superb build quality.

Design
Basically, uses will agree that this submarine-shaped chassis is different from the others out there in the market. The Panorama is designed for wall mounting underneath a flatscreen TV, and boasts a 5.1 surround sound experience.

The soundbar has a 1” dome tweeter, six 3” mid/bass drivers and two 3.5” woofers. It sports 6 channels of digital amplifier. For such a compact design, it weighs 31lbs and measures 43” x 7.5” x 5.25”. The mirror-black stainless steel finish makes this another B&W stylish design model. The Panorama may fit nicely with any 42” to 47” flatscreen tv, but its curved ends allow it to match perfectly with any bigger panels.

There is no video input in this system. Users are paying the high price to get a fully concentrated quality in audio performance. While it does not support video input, it does support TV to one of the analog inputs, and perhaps a Blu-Ray player or set-top box to one of the digital inputs.

Inside, the Panorama has nine drivers to deliver a 5.1 channel surround experience. The center speaker is the most important with two 3” cone midrange drivers flanking its sole tweeter. A pair of 3.5” ported woofers handles all the bass, followed by four additional 3” drivers for the front left, right and surround channels. The last four drivers are placed around the Panorama’s curving ends to allow sounds direction towards the room’s side walls and reflects back to the listener.

There is a small, central panel that features a display to show volume level, selected input and surround mode information, together with a row of four buttons to control basic functions.

Setting up the B&W Panorama
This is probably one of the easiest sound bars to set up. There is no video circuitry, hence the system is ready to play the moment it connects to the source. It is designed to either sit on a table or wall mounted with its own bracket. A switch in the menu recalibrates the speaker for each position. Purchase comes with a pebble-shaped remote control and it is this remote control that will turn on the menu for recalibration. There is no on-screen menu, but the Panorama display panel is large enough to be seen.

Audio signals are handled with the Panorama’s three digital and two analog inputs. The user’s tv has to act as a switcher since there is no video connection. Users simply need to run an audio output from the tv to one of the Panorama’s inputs and it automatically handles the audio for whichever source that is active. The multiple inputs means users can connect to an iPod or CD player without having to turn on the TV to listen to music. This is a simple set up that users can and will appreciate.

For basic operation, users only need to select the correct input and choose between three available surround modes. There are also additional menu options that leads further refine setup to improve performance. Users may let the system know the position of the soundbar as opposed to the walls of the room, compensate for off-center placement, adjust tonal balance and even compensate for reflectivity from walls. The bass management settings allow users to configure an optional external subwoofer and tweak its bass response for shelf or wall mounting.

Sound Quality
The good playback for the audio seems like a compensation for its lack of video connections. All six channels are active in surround mode, and sounds are crisp too. The front and center speakers face directly forward, while the rear speakers mounted on the curve of the speaker use the side and back walls to bounce soundwaves.

Without rear speakers, Panorama does not really deliver a true 5.1 channel surround sound experience. However, it does disperse the audio to create a tangible sense of spatial depth. The sound reproductions are clear and the separation is impressive. While most other sound bars may make some action packed movies sound muddled and compressed when there are too many objects at the same time, Panorama is able to keep the sounds of these objects clear and distinctively different from each other. Dialog enhancement is available but not often necessary. Dialogs are clear and there is no real need to use Panorama’s dialog enhancing voice mode. The voices, effects and music are clearly differentiated within the mix and projects well into the room. Basic tone adjustments can also be done to suit the space with hard or soft furnishings. These adjustments do make quite a difference.

The diminutive subwoofers are excellent. There is no necessity for an additional subwoofer, and bass volume is quite impressive. Overall, the sound is generally well balanced without the need for any additional bass enhancement. The system is able to provide bass that is usually available only with a quality separate subwoofer. Although it does not match the performance of a real surround speaker system, the overall effect was immersive and engaging.

The stereo mode cuts out all but the front left and right channels. The result is an impressive 2.1 channel that projects well into the room. The sounds penetrate a wide area. The downside about Panorama is that it cannot handle the latest loss-less surround format such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Support is only provided for legacy 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS, Blu-Ray and DVD player’s downmixed stereo PCM output.

Panorama works better for movies than for music. Switching to stereo mode directs most of the sound to the outer left and right drivers, resulting in a big soundfield with good stereo separation. Yet, the system does not deliver the same high-frequency extension without the center channel’s dedicated tweeter.

Pros and Cons
Setup is simple and the design is a real winner. The system pretty much matches with any flatscreen tv and monitors available in the market, and delivers quality sounds that will make audiophiles happy.

An honoree award was granted to KEF for an innovative sound bar design. The KHT8005 is a high-end sophisticated unit with Uni-Q technology to allow users enjoy the same involving, evenly dispersed and disarmingly natural 3D sound wherever they are. KEF is also UK’s No 1 for the past 5 years.

Design
KEF KHT8005 is designed specifically to complement larger flat HDTV screens of 42” and above. It can be mounted above or below the tv, while the design is familiar enough for most flat screen HDTVs with its black finishing. This sound bar incorporates the center speaker with both the left and right speakers within one two-way closed box. There are rear satellites which can be positioned horizontally or vertically. The acoustically inert cast aluminum enclosure finished in gloss black eliminates any internal waves that might cause muddiness to the outstanding sonic clarity.

The front and satellite units are both two-way closed box with high gloss black finish. This top UK brand for the past 5 years designed the soundbar main unit at 4.7” x 37.8” x 3.1” weighing at only 4.6lbs, with the satellites measuring 7.7” x 3.1” x 2.4” for only 1.1lbs.

The KUBE-2 subwoofer gives reasonable weight to the performance and it consists of a 200mm long-throw LF cone and matching passive radiator to drive this 200W Class-D amp. This KUBE-2 subwoofer measures at 13.2” x 13.0” x 13.0” and weighs 26.5lbs. It is has a black with gloss upper surface finish.

Setting up the KEF KHT8005
Soundbar setting up are easy. Purchase comes with a wall-mount bracket and table stand so that users may choose which way to mount it. Even the satellite speakers can be wall mounted or sitting on a flat surface.

The 12 page user manual has minimal words and maximum illustrations. The detailed drawings do help most users with the installation, and there is an AV Speaker Configuration Settings guide on page 11. Clearly it states that the satellite loudspeakers must be considered “small” in the bass management menu on the AV amplifier/receiver. It also reminds users that the bass output must be sent to the subwoofer specifically. There is no telling why this is not set as a fixed configuration that users cannot modify.

Sound Quality
KEF KHT8005 features true Uni-Q 5.1surround sound from four high definition speakers. One main unit, two satellite speakers and a subwoofer means that this system is basically five speakers packed together as compact as possible. The KUBE-2 subwoofer ensures that bass come heavy and gives users a certain assurance that there won’t be a lack of it.

KEF has done well employing the Uni-Q into the system, as this Uni-Q technology has gained a certain following due to its superior performance since the late 80s. It provides audiophile quality sound. Dialog is clear, and sufficient bass leads to an almost perfect 5.1 surround sound experience.

However, users must remember to configure the settings based on the manual. When the configurations do not follow, performance dropped and sounds get muffled.

Pros and Cons
The user manual is a useful guide for installation with all the illustrations. While the hardware setup is easy, there is no telling why this system needs much manual software configuration. KEF knows clearly that failure to configure this system in a certain way will reduce the sonic quality and potentially cause damage to the satellite loudspeakers. The satellite speakers are to be set at “small” because high level, low frequency signals are sent to these small speakers. KEF knows this, but does not make it a fixed default. Instead, it puts a reminder to users in the manual.

Conclusion
The KEF KHT8005 does not come cheap. There is a little bit more work than regular sound bars for setup because purchase comes with two satellite speakers, an uncommon feature for sound bars. Plus, some configurations that should be fixed has been set in a way that allows users to configure it manually, which could cause potential damage to the satellite speakers. Yet, KEF would have gained a following with the Uni-Q technology that wins hands down against most other technology in the market.

Orbitsound T12

The Orbitsound T12 does not claim to be able to deliver real 5.1 sound. Yet, it is not a conventional stereo. The elegant, black soundbar delivers true spatial stereo sound, and positions itself as a soundbar that delivers true spatial stereo sound, regardless of the positioning. It does not claim any sophistication but the airSOUND technology it employs does give some good value to this system.

Design

The outlook carries a relatively modern design that will match with most flatscreen tv and monitors out there in the market today. This is also one of the smallest soundbar there is in the market and can be easily wall-mounted underneath a flatscreen tv or monitor. It measures only 530mm x 13mm x 100mm. The subwoofer is tall, measuring 230mm x 23mm x 450mm, and best located near the screen, one of the reasons being that the thin speaker wire provided is relatively short.

There is no HDMI input on this soundbar that was shortlisted by Macworld for the Best Consumer Audio Product of 2009. There is also no surround sound processor nor video up-scalers. The only input is a single pair of analogue line-level connections to run the tv, and a stereo minijack for hooking up another portable device. In short, this system is one that is far behind other soundbars in the market that has gone as far as reading Blu-Ray movies and streaming YouTube downloads.

However, there is an iPod connection, changing this speaker into a mini hi-fi to a certain extent, and users may feel slightly better knowing that there is full control via the remote.

Setting up the Orbitsound T12

It is easy to set up the Orbitsound T12 unit, as wires are direct and there are nothing fancy on the input and output panel to confuse users. Purchase comes with a thin and short connecting wire which makes it logical to place the main unit and the subwoofer close to each other.

There is an on/off button but almost everything else can be controlled via the remote.

Sound Quality

Orbitsound T12 is not a conventional stereo, even if it does not claim to give users a real 5.1 surround sound experience. Its proprietary “airSOUND” technology reproduces the main signal (mono) and spatial (the ‘difference’ signal, between the left and right channels). The airSOUND technology creates a more spatial stereo sound instead of attempting to create surround sound. For controls, there is a switch on the back of the bar that offers three settings: off, normal and wide.

Orbitsound does not offer any HDMI connections to this system because they said that it presented no benefits since the airSOUND processing and amplification is analogue. It is true, and rightful that Orbitsound concentrates on the development of airSOUND to give the stereo sources more depth and a wider field. The treble details were good, and made TV dialogs a little more intelligible. The additional subwoofer is a big advantage for a flatscreen tv as they usually lack of a decent bass.

The unit’s front-firing drivers produce the main signals and the spatial information emanates from the side-firing transducers in reverse-polarity to one another. As they combine in front of the soundbar, they produce a single point stereo soundfield.

However, when the airSOUND is turned off, music sounds muffled. Sound becomes messy when the “wide” option is turned on, with vocals and instruments tripping over and against each other. That leaves the “normal” option where the soundbar performs its best.

For audiophiles, however, the subwoofers may still be slightly insufficient. Audiophiles may compliment that there is no harshness to the treble tones, but there is also no ringing clearness either. It is only when the tunes are switched with a decent amount of bass that it creates a little hint of effect. Hence, for audiophiles, the subwoofers do not help much to impress users with the technology.

Pros and Cons

Perhaps the most interesting feature that sells this product is the iPod/iPhone dock, and it charges automatically once an iPod is placed on it. It gives a different dimension with the airSOUND technology, creating a more spatial stereo sound, but then again Orbitsound T12 never attempted to present itself as a projector of real 5.1 surround sound experience.

Conclusion

While it may not be a consideration if users are looking for a surround sound experience, the unit is an interesting add for users who would like to enjoy some spatial stereo sound. There is not much complain about the airSOUND technology and users should take the best advantage of the airSOUND rather than turn it off. Turning it off will not show off the best of the system and in fact it could be a lot worse than expected. Also, this may be a system that can be highly considered if a user would like to use it with the iPod / iPhone.

Canton sure is not going to lose out in the innovations of sound bars. The Canton CD90SB is a sleek, 40” wide sound bar speaker that is tailor-made for flatscreen tv and monitors. This good looking speaker is a three-channel speaker and does not claim to have surround sound capabilities, yet it is one of the best speakers that delivers good sounds for music, clear dialogs and sufficient bass tones.

Design
It measures 39.9” (W) x 3.5” (H) x 4” (D), and is available in either silver or black brushed aluminium with matching perforated metal grills. Unlike most systems, CD90SB is not self-powered, hence an AV receiver is required. It contains a left, center and right speakers in a row beneath the chassis of perforated metal grille. It can be wall mounted with the brackets included with the purchase. Alternatively, users may also choose to mount it on shelf with the small rubber pads, also included with purchase of this system.

The Canton CD90SB contains three speakers, internally isolated from each other. Each speaker is a two-way design: the left and right speakers each use a 0.5” aluminium dome tweeter and a 3” aluminium woofer. Meanwhile, the center channel features two 3” aluminium woofers and a single 0.5” tweeter. The back of the speaker is fitted with three pairs of metal spring connectors that accept bare wire ends, or wires terminated with pins or spades.

Setting up the Canton CD90 SB
The Canton CD90SB is designed with 42” monitors in mind. Setting up the Canton CD90SB is quite manual, and users are advised to treat the speaker as a “large” speaker during configuration with a subwoofer.

The most interesting fact about this German system is that it is one of the few sound bar systems that allows a full upgrade to bona fide surround sound, by adding Canton’s compact CD10 satellite speakers for a complete surround sound home theatre system. Users can have the option of upgrading to 5.1, 6.1 and even up to 7.1 surround sound system.

A difficult thing about the setting up is that the recessed spring connectors do not work with banana plugs and can be difficult to work with.

Sound quality
The need for an AV receiver may be the reason why Germany’s Canton CD90SB sounds so much better than most systems available. It can be used without a subwoofer, and projects good sounds even for music. As it does not claim any surround sound capabilities, the unique three-channel system does not project even a hint of room-filling surround experience for users. Even though this speaker system is not a full-range speaker, it provides adequate bass without the need for a subwoofer.

The CD90SB’s sound is basically stereo, although movie dialog is heard over the center channel speaker. The sound is confined to the 40-inch width of the speaker, and the three two-way speakers allow dialogs to sound perfectly clear and natural. Users are advised to keep the volume moderate because a small system tuned to a loud volume will sound harsh. Meanwhile, this system still offers the scale and power of sound that few single-speaker systems can match.
Meanwhile, users who opt to have an additional subwoofer may expect the subwoofer to free up the systems dynamic range to a certain extent. While the bass with the original system is sufficient, adding a subwoofer will actually enhance it to the extent of getting near to, but not exactly the same as, a typical 5.1-channel Canton package.

Pros and Cons
The CD90SB truly offers the best sound quality for a 3.1 system. It can be used without a subwoofer and still produce reasonably good bass tones. Dialog is clear and natural, and is one of the few that can be upgraded to 5.1, 6.1 or even 7.1 channels.
Connection-wise, the recessed spring connectors do not work with banana plugs and can be difficult to work with. Users still need an additional AV receiver. Meanwhile, as it is definitely a 3.1 channel speaker, there is not even a hint of room-filling surround. An average user may actually opt to buy a 5.1 channel surround system sound bar instead.

Conclusion
The CD90SB is one of the best sound bars based on quality of sound produced. It may claim to be a surround sound system with its three-speaker system, yet it is capable of producing good bass sound which may lack in some more sophisticated speaker systems. It can also be considered a “TV speaker”.

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