Polk Audio today introduced its $599 I-Sonic entertainment system, a stereo system that includes built-in AM and FM radio, digital HD Radio tuner, a DVD/CD player and XM satellite radio. The company says four-speaker I-Sonic and Power Port technologies produce sound quality good enough to serve as a home's primary home entertainment system.
The I-Sonic, which measures 14.5" x 9.75" x 4.75," is the first product of its type to incorporate a DVD player, according to the company. When connected to a TV or monitor, it is a complete, compact, high performance audio and video entertainment system. The single disc DVD player plays DVD video discs, CDs, picture CDs, video CDs, MP3 CDs and many other formats. It features S-Video and composite video outputs to facilitate connections to video displays.
Two sets of auxiliary inputs allow hook up of any stereo audio device such as an iPod or other portable MP3 player. The I-Sonic is also a full function dual-alarm clock radio that can use the radio or DVD/CD player as the alarm. It also features a headphone jack, 30 radio presets and a wireless remote control.
HD Radio is digital radio technology that offers clear reception with CD-quality sound from FM stations and the richness of FM- analog stereo sound quality from AM stations. A variety of data services that range from text-based information -- artist name, weather alerts, school closings, traffic alerts, etc. -- can be scrolled across the receiver display.
The I-Sonic entertainment system becomes an XM Satellite Radio receiver with the addition of a $49 XM Connect & Play Antenna.
"We are excited to be among the first to deliver an HD Radio product," said Polk Audio Chairman and co-founder Matthew Polk. "We believe consumers will embrace HD Radio's superior sound quality, new content choices through multicasting and rich data services. HD Radio combined with satellite radio ushers in a new Golden Age for radio broadcasting. We're also thrilled to bring to market a truly high performance home entertainment solution to serve consumers for whom traditional audio systems are too costly, large and hard to use.
The I-Sonic will be available in September, according to Polk Audio.
