Core Brands Launches Expanded SpeakerCraft Under TV Speaker Line at 2013 CEDIA Expo

DENVER, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At the CEDIA Expo, Core Brands' SpeakerCraft will build on the overwhelming success of its CS3 TV Speaker by introducing a redesigned, upgraded CS3+ and two new models, the smaller CS1 and the larger CS5. All of these products are designed to fit directly under a flat-panel TV set, providing a powerful sonic upgrade for movies, music and TV. And all three include features that will make these products much more practical for custom installers and their customers.

All of the new SpeakerCraft TV Speakers incorporate two new user-friendly features: a larger remote and a front-panel display that makes it much easier to monitor operating functions. The new TV Speakers can learn IR remote commands from any TV remote, so the TV's remote can control the TV Speaker's volume, mute and power functions. For system integrators, SpeakerCraft also provides a full set of discrete command codes, making the TV Speakers compatible with third-party home automation systems.

Like the original CS3, all of the new TV Speakers feature Bluetooth^® wireless for easy connectivity with smartphones, tablets and computers. This capability is now augmented with a top-mounted USB connector for charging portable devices. In addition, all models feature a sub-woofer output.

"Excited as we are about all the features we've added to the new TV Speakers, we're just as stoked about the sound," Core Brands' Keith Marshall said. "A lot of reviewers picked the original CS3 as the best new soundbar-type product last year, but the new models take it a step further. All of them use drivers designed specifically for this line. We've also added Dolby Digital decoding to the top two models and bumped up the power. So, not only are the TV Speakers the easiest way to upgrade TV sound, it is our belief that they're the best way."

SpeakerCraft's top-of-the-line CS5 TV Speaker adds numerous features that elevate it to true state-of-the-art performance. It incorporates a full center channel with two 3-inch midrange drivers and a 1-inch tweeter; two rear-firing 0.75-inch tweeters for added ambience; a down-firing 6.5-inch woofer with an 8-inch passive radiator for powerful deep bass; Dolby^® Digital 3.1 decoding; and DTS Volume technology for automatic volume leveling. The CS5 adds a top-mounted 3.5mm audio input for quick, easy connection of non-Bluetooth devices and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The speakers are driven by 130 watts of total amplification power. The 30-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 160 pounds. MSRP is $849 and delivery is slated for Q2 2014.

Besides all the extra features mentioned earlier, the new SpeakerCraft CS3 improves on the original by increasing total system power from 80 to 100 watts, and by replacing the original dual down-firing 5.25-inch woofers with a single, long-throw 6.5-inch woofer. It also adds Dolby^® Digital 2.1 decoding for full compatibility with TVs that lack PCM digital output. The 28-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 160 pounds. MSRP is $649 and delivery is Q2 2014.

SpeakerCraft designed the CS1 specifically for use with smaller TVs. Despite the CS1's compact form factor, it packs in real two-way speakers with 3-inch midrange drivers and 0.5-inch tweeters plus a 5.25-inch down-firing subwoofer. The internal amplifiers are rated at 80 watts total power – same as the original, larger CS3. The 17-inch-wide unit supports TVs weighing up to 100 pounds. MSRP is $449 with Q1 2014 delivery.

"We think system integrators and their customers are going to flip over the new TV speakers," Marshall said. "They have all the features you need to work totally transparently with the rest of the system, whether you're talking a 37-inch budget LCD TV or a 71-inch 4K model connected to a complete home automation system. And considering that the sound in the CS3+ and the CS5 is even better than the original CS3, we think these units will be very well-received in the industry."

To experience the new CS Series and all of the SpeakerCraft products visit the Core Brands booth at CEDIA Expo booth# 1120.

For more information and images, please visit the SpeakerCraft CEDIA EXPO 2013 press kit: http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/kit/SpeakerCraftCEDIA2013

About SpeakerCraft^®
SpeakerCraft has built an internationally-recognized brand of architectural loudspeakers and electronics. The company is a leader in the residential custom-installation industry and attributes this to its dedicated customer service and technical support that ensure smooth and trouble-free backing for the installing-dealer community.

SpeakerCraft is part of Core Brands^®, a Nortek company. Core Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of twelve iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes the ATON^®, BlueBOLT^®, ELAN^®, Emphasys^®, Furman^®, Korus^®, Niles^®, Panamax^®, Proficient^®, Sunfire^® and Xantech^® brands.

Nortek, Inc., (NASDAQ: NTK) is a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. Please visit www.nortekinc.com for more information.

Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Dolby® is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

SOURCE SpeakerCraft