Arcam has announced its new Solo soundbar ($1,500) and accompanying subwoofer ($800), which will be available in the U.S. in January. The soundbar includes six drivers (four 4-inch midbass drivers and two 1-inch tweeters) and 100 watts of amplification, while the subwoofer combines a 10-inch woofer and 300-watt amplifier. The Solo bar sports four HDMI inputs that support 4K video pass-through, as well as optical/digital audio ins, a 3.5mm analog in, and a single HDMI output with ARC. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding are onboard, and Bluetooth with aptX is also built-in. The subwoofer supports a wired or wireless connection to the Solo bar.
From Arcam
A decade ago, Arcam's Solo Music and Movie redefined the style and performance of compact Hi-Fi & Movie systems, bringing Arcam's legendary sound quality into 'non Hi-Fi' homes. The new Solo bar and sub deliver TV, music, and movie sound at a quality level previously only possible from large separate components. Unsurprisingly, the Arcam Solo incorporates technology and components from Arcam's high-end AVR range.
By the Bullet
• Audiophile / Videophile / Musical Soundbar
• A high-quality stereo music system
• One of the best Bluetooth streaming speakers
• High-end audio/video circuitry and components used throughout
• Matching optional 300-watt wired/wireless subwoofer
• HD audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, et al.
• 4 x HDMI Inputs with 4K video passthrough and CEC
• 1 x HDMI Out/return with ARC
• Coax and Optical Digital Inputs
• 3.5mm analog input
• Bluetooth input with aptX streaming technology
• Private Listening Bluetooth streaming to Bluetooth headphones
• Integrated auto setup and EQ with included microphone
• Low resonance aluminium enclosure
• Stylish minimalist design for all environments
• Free Solo iOS & Android control app available
Built by Arcam - Not Your Usual Sound Bar
The Solo bar and Solo sub offer unrivalled performance and class-leading sound. Extremely rigid materials and high-quality construction methods have been incorporated to prevent and dispel resonance, which can colour and distort the sound. The Solo bar offers decoding of all current HD audio formats to ensure that absolutely no sonic detail is lost.
Featuring six high-quality drive units and 100 watts of 'Real-Power' amplification in a stylish, damped, low-resonance aluminium enclosure, the Solo bar delivers very high-quality, room-filling sound.
Bass, mid-range, and high-frequency drivers flank the clear central display. The bass and mid-range receive 40w, and the high-frequency tweeter gets 10w. The tweeters are angled out by five degrees to create a greater dispersion into the room.
Connect a complete system to Solo bar
Four CEC-enabled 4K pass-through HDMI, coax, optical, and 3.5mm line inputs allow for flexible system building without being over complex. Connect the TV screen, Blu-ray players, Sky Box, Apple TV, X-Box, PS4, and much more. Stream music from iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, Android, Windows phones and tablets, and more. HDMI Out/return with ARC makes for easy setup with modern screens.
Feeling Blue or just private?
Music can be streamed to the bar via apt-X Bluetooth from phones, tablets, and computers. For late-night listening, users can stream audio from the bar to any Bluetooth headphones.
Decode Reality
Onboard decoding of all current HD audio formats ensures that absolutely no sonic detail is lost. Processing is minimal. There is a movie mode and a concert mode that use some mild spatial effects on the Texas Instruments DSP. The coefficients are set to avoid the usual headache-inducing sound many bars deliver. Default mode is stereo.
Lie back and enjoy
The bar is supplied with a remote control and a microphone for auto setup/eq. The front panel dot-matrix display handles all system functions and displays metadata.
A free Solo iOS & Android control app is available.
Never a throwaway product - built for years of use
The combination of class-leading design & build quality, with the advanced feature set, allows for a long and useful product life. In a throwaway world, Arcam is globally renowned for long-term service and support.
More Bass Please
The Solo bar has remarkable bass on its own, but in larger rooms, users can add the optional, complementary Solo sub. A sophisticated device, the Solo sub adds a substantial foundation to the sound and enhances the low-frequency experience of music and movies.
The Solo sub features a 300-watt amplifier and a downward-firing 10" woofer. It can be connected wirelessly or wired to the Solo bar. With exceptionally flexible crossover controls, the Solo sub also can be used in association with more complex AV systems--for example, Arcam's class-leading AVR450 & AVR750 AV receivers.
Buy Now
The Solo bar & sub will be available in the USA in Q1 2015 for $1,500 and $800, respectively.
Additional Resources
• Arcam Debuts the "UN-Wireless" rDock-uni Docking Station at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Arcam irDAC Digital-to-Analog Converter Reviewed at HomeTheaterReview.com.
