Audio Video News

Orlando-based startup K.I.S.S. AV has launched a $125,000 Kickstarter campaign to fund a patented 2.1-channel on-wall TV speaker system said to “fill any room with 3D sound, from any audio source, with no special electronics or multi-channel audio content required.”

The magic behind the X4 system is the Sonic Vortex technology developed by company founder Jim Murray: “The cabinet design boasts a sound super highway, literally a series of stacked sections and enclosures that move air at a high rate of speed, giving you some incredible rich bass and exceptional clarity previously impossible with small speaker.” A brief overview and 3D rendering of the system provided in this video.

With five weeks to go, the campaign has six backers who have pledged just over $1,000. If fully funded, the X4 system is estimated to ship in October. Full price is $399 but an early bird pre-order price of $229 is being offered.

The X4 system comprises a pair of wall-mountable two-way speakers, each 3 inches thick with a 0.75-inch aluminum tweeter and 4-inch mica IMPP driver, and the 06 wireless subwoofer, a cylindrical design featuring a 100-watt amplifier with an adjustable crossover, controls for phase and volume, and a 6.5-inch driver. The subwoofer operates over the 5.8 GHz band to “insure optimal bass performance” and is rated down to 26 Hz (–3 dB).

Highlights include a remote control, support for Bluetooth 4.0 aptX and Hi Res audio streaming, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a 24-bit/96kHz DAC; the main speakers are powered by a 60-watt Class D amplifier.

Noting that soundbars have come to dominate home entertainment in recent years due to their simplicity, Murray believes his system provides a richer experience: “The immersive and visceral impact offered by dedicated left and right speakers plus a subwoofer, remains unmatched.”

For more information, visit kickstarter.com.