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T12 Soundbar
The T12 soundbar makes movies
and music sound great
Brings cinema-quality sound to your living room without the clutter of conventional systems
Just $399.99 
Acclaimed British audio technology brand Orbitsound announces its new T12 v2 soundbar, a unique sound system that brings cinema quality sound to flatscreen TVs without the need for multiple speakers. Now even easier to install, the T12 v2 also has improved video output capability and still features the stunning audio quality and stylish design Orbitsound is known for.
The stylish T12 v2 stands apart from other sound systems thanks to Orbitsound’s revolutionary spatial stereo technology where, unlike ordinary stereo, you don’t need to stand in the ‘sweet spot’ to get the full effect. That’s because, thanks to a mixture of unique patents and the application of heavyweight scientific principles to the positioning of speakers within the unit, Orbitsound products produce realistic stereo sound with depth and clarity wherever the system is positioned. Bringing remarkable sound quality to your music and turning your blockbuster action DVDs into a truly cinematic sonic experience, the T12 will redefine the way you hear music or films at home.
But the T12 v2 is not just for watching films or listening to your favourite tunes. With a great winter of sport ahead of us, including Six Nations Rugby and the Champions League kicking off –you’ll want to be at the heart of the action. Luckily for you, Orbitsound’s new T12 v2 soundbar - designed to mount above or below your flatscreen TV - provides such staggeringly realistic audio quality that you’ll feel like you’re there in the stands.
There’s another great reason for choosing the T12: on multichannel systems, you can significantly cut your energy consumption. That’s because unlike traditional stereo – which uses two identical power amplifier systems – Orbitsound products use a single loudspeaker alongside two smaller ‘spatial’ loudspeakers. These not only provide better sound quality, but are a more energy efficient way to get great sound. Going green has never sounded so good before. On top of that, the black lacquer finish and elegant design mean that the system doesn’t just sound great, but looks fantastic too.
‘The home cinema market has exploded in recent years,’ explains Ted Fletcher, founder of Orbitsound and creator of its unique spatial sound technology. ‘And, for movie fans, the sound of the film is as crucial as the picture. It doesn’t matter what you’re listening to, whether it’s a rock album or a blockbuster action movie; the T12 soundbar will give you a stunning, realistic stereo sound to rival the most expensive home entertainment systems. And, unlike ordinary stereo systems, you don’t have to position it – or you – in a particular place to get the best results.’
The updated T12 features additional digital inputs to take audio directly from the latest digital TVs, while an improved sub feeder cable not only improves performance but makes this system easier to install. An improved remote control unit covers a greater range, and has a better feel, too. Like the original, it includes an iPod dock (now compatible with the iPhone), while the remote controls all iPod playback and menu functions as well as volume, source and tone. The T12 also features a 3.5mm stereo jack, and inputs for the latest digital TVs, CD, MP3/MP4, laptop and desktop computers and games consoles.
Just $399.99
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The updated T12 features additional digital inputs to take audio directly from the latest digital TVs, while an improved sub feeder cable not only improves performance but makes this system easier to install. An improved remote control unit covers a greater range, and has a better feel, too. Like the original, it includes an iPod dock (now compatible with the iPhone), while the remote controls all iPod playback and menu functions as well as volume, source and tone. The T12 also features a 3.5mm stereo jack, and inputs for the latest digital TVs, CD, MP3/MP4, laptop and desktop computers and games console
Technical Specification & Facilities:
- Controls, rotary digital volume control (on rear of soundbar), sequential input selection by pressing volume control. All functions available on remote control plus full control of iPod/iPhone.
- Frequency range +/- 3dB [Hz] 40 – 16K
- Spatial level (slide switch) Off, normal, wide
- Maximum SPL [dB] 96dBA
- Amp. power [Watts at 0.1% dist.] 40 + 20 + 20 RMS
- Crossover frequencies [Hz] 160/5,000
- Drivers (sound bar) 2 x 1” m/c, 4 x 2.5 “ + 2 x 2” full-range (spatial)
- Subwoofer Tuned reflex with 1 x 6” woofer
- Connection input(s) Stereo line level -10dBu, digital co-ax and optical.
- 3.5mm jack and RCA.
- Coax & optical digital inputs on RCA and optical.
- Ipod or iPhone (input, charging and video output)
- Connection outputs 2 X RCA composite video
- Dimensions (H x W x D) [mm] 100 x 605 x 110 (main) 460 x 230 x 230 (sub)
- Power consumption Standby, 2.3 watts. Idle, 5.6 watts
- Weight [kg/lb] 8/18
Package contents: T12 soundbar, subwoofer, inline AC power supply, 1 metre fibre-optic connecting cable, phono (RCA) and 3.5mm connection cables, subwoofer connection cable, iPod adaptors, remote control, handbook.
Just $399.99
31 July 2010
Five reasons why we love…Orbitsound T12 v2 soundbar
1 It whacks out a booming sound that enhances no end what you can get from your telly.
2 You can stick your iPod into it too.
3 The updated model has inputs to take audio directly from the latest digital TVs, plus computers and games consoles.
4 You don’t need to stand in the “sweet spot” to get the full effect.
5 An eight-year old could set it up.
From Hugo Jobling
14 July 2010
Traditional stereo speakers setups have one shortcoming above all others: to hear the left and right channels in the correct balance you have to sit in a rather particular position, or sweet spot. Stray too far left or right and the spatiality is lost. Not so with the Orbitsound T12 v2 Soundbar; using a nifty technology it dubs 'spatial stereo' the Orbitsound T12 v2 radiates stereo sound the full stereo effect of which is experienced no matter where you place yourself in relation to it.
The Orbitsound T12 v2 soundbar uses a technology called airSOUND, developed by a rather brilliant chap called Ted Fletcher. In very simple terms it works as such: a single loudspeaker produces the 'main' sound of the system, while a pair of speakers (in the same enclosure) directs the 'spatial' sound out to the left and right. You can think of it as the 'main' signal being the sum of the left and right channels, while the 'spatial' signal is the difference. When the two converge at the listener, you get the same stereo effect as you would sitting in a 'normal' stereo system's sweet spot.
Because the signal for both channels is emanating from the same point - the T12 v2 soundbar in this case - the signal path for both the 'main' and 'spatial' outputs is the same even if you move about. This is unlike two-speaker set-ups where moving towards one speaker will bias the audio balance in that direction, distorting the stereo balance.
Technical tomfoolery aside, what's important is that the system works. The Orbitsound T12 v2 really does produce a stereo output that remains stereo whether you position yourself directing in front of the system or off in a corner of a room - it's almost eerie.
Moreover, aside from the benefit of being able to pick out the 'stereo' of the T12 v2 easily, there's spatiality to the output that you really don't expect from what is, after all, a relatively compact system. We'd argue that the feeling of 'space' this soundbar creates is better than many 'virtual 5.1-channel surround' alternatives. That shouldn't be surprising, really - the Orbitsound T12 v2 isn’t using tricks to make you think you're listening to surround sound; it's delivering actual stereo.
The rear of the soundbar is home to its connections and controls. There are both a coaxial and an optical digital input, alongside both phono line-level and 3.5mm aux stereo inputs and the system's subwoofer connects via nasty spring-clips. The presence of video-out is puzzling until you notice that there's an iPod dock up-top. This works with the entire current raft of iPod touches, iPod nanos, iPod classics, and iPhones - including the iPhone 4. Usefully, the bundled remote will control any docked device.
The Orbitsound T12 v2 has a switch varying the spatial setting between 'Off', 'Normal' and 'Wide.' While the latter option does indeed increase the stereo width, and the foremost removes it, we're not fans of either. The 'Wide' setting sounds artificial and forced and the 'Off' setting sounds flat and lifeless. Besides, removing the spatial stereo from the T12 v2 rather misses the point.
While trailing a piece of wire between the soundbar itself and the subwoofer isn't too much of a concern, we can't help but think that this system is just crying out for a wireless connection between the two parts. Bearing in mind that the low frequencies supplied by the sub are about as direction-independent as the stereo from the soundbar, there's really no need to restrict the placement of either.
The Orbitsound T12 v2 is equally at home playing music, or used in conjunction with a TV. Unsurprisingly the soundbar did a much better job of audio reproduction than the built-in speakers of the Panasonic TV we tested against. The Orbitsound T12 v2 sounded clearer and had superior bass response, thanks to the subwoofer. A separate volume control for the sub would have been welcome, though, as it can sound a bit boomy at times.
The sense of space the soundbar creates gives a good level of immersion when watching films. It's not as encompassing as a quality 5.1-channel surround sound setup, but it's not trying to be. It is we think, a more immersive and enjoyable effect than virtual surround sound. And arguably, it's less distracting and fatiguing to listen to sound coming from the direction you're looking, which lets you concentrate more on the picture.
It's with music that the Orbitsound T12 v2 really excels, though. With an iPod plugged into the system's dock - or any other source connected for that matter - the special stereo tech really shows its prowess. Again, that the subwoofer isn’t always entirely cohesive is an occasional problem, but the high- and mid-range performance of the soundbar is sunblime.
The Orbitsound T12 v2 does a great job of resolving detail in tracks played through it. Vocals in particular come across well-defined, standing out from the rest of the mix, but without sounding detached. There's a great sense of placement in the instrumentation, too. You can really get a sense of where in the mix that guitar, or those drums, or these violins were placed during production.
You'll get the same effect when sitting in the sweet spot of any stereo speaker set-up of course, or when wearing a high-end pair of headphones, but the beauty of the Orbitsound T12 v2 is that its spatial stereo tech works irrespective of where you are in relation to the system.
Letting the side down is the remote control. While the buttons are logically laid out, they're installed in cheap and nasty plastic that feels horrible in the hand. And while it does its job, there's no denying that for a lot of potential buyers, the subwoofer will prove inconveniently large. If Orbitsound can produce an all-in-one system similar in size to just the soundbar part of this unit, it'll really be onto a winner.
Verdict 
The Orbitsound T12 v2 soundbar produces an almost eerily immersive stereo output that's truly a pleasure to listen to. While we have a few niggling criticisms, they're not with the system's performance.
Just $399.99
