Everything's high definition now - from TVs to women's make-up (no kidding). HDTVs have been around for a decade, and now manufacturers are pushing high-def sound big time, too. We've always been fans of true 5.1-speaker surround sound systems, but they're expensive and a hassle to install. That's why most people (over 60 percent, according to surveys) use built-in television speakers alone for shows and movies. A good middle ground are "sound bars," which are basically thin, narrow rectangles that fit neatly under flat-panel HDTVs. Pioneered by Yamaha, this single component has built-in amps, speakers and DSP circuitry to create a 5.1-system feel without the need to run wires everywhere, or break the bank. Top flat-panel seller Vizio is now branching out with its first sound bar. Is it high-definition sound? Let's settle in and find out.



Link: Digitaltrends