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Zvox cranks up two new affordable sound bases

Unveiled at CES 2015, the SoundBase 450 and 350 feature Bluetooth and built-in subwoofers and both come in under $300.

Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
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The Soundbase 450 replaces the similar Z-Base 420. Sarah Tew

Zvox has announced two new sound bases under $300 -- the SoundBase 450 (replacing the Z-Base 420 ) and SoundBase 350 -- both of which feature Bluetooth and a built-in subwoofer.

The $299 SoundBase 450 will fit up to 60-inch TVs while the $249 SoundBase 350 will support up to 46-inch televisions. Like all of Zvox's speakers, they're made from MDF rather than plastic.

The 350 features three 2-inch speakers across the front, while the 450 includes five. The onboard 5.25-inch subwoofer on each can reach as low as 45Hz, Zvox promises.

Both incorporate the company's proprietary PhaseCue virtual surround system and aptX Bluetooth connectivity, which offers better streaming sound quality from newer phones. Versions of the company's excellent sound modes are also on-board, and especially benefit the hearing-impaired: AccuVoice Vocal Enhancement and Output Leveling.

Other connections include an optical digital input, a coaxial digital input and two analog audio inputs.

While most sound bars and bases don't have any kind of meaningful display, the Zvoxs include a four-digit readout, which should help you master the many features.

The SoundBase 450 and 350 will go on sale in the US in early February, with availability and pricing for other regions yet to be announced. The US prices convert to £190 or AU$370 for the SoundBase450 and £160 or AU$310 for the SoundBase 350, although expect final prices to vary considerably.