Pioneer to launch its first soundbars at IFA 2013

There's big news from Pioneer at IFA, where the company will launch its first range of TV soundbars. There are three models in the line-up: the SBX-N300 (£170); SBX-N500 (£250); and the flagship SBX-N700 (above, £350).

MORE: IFA 2013 preview

All three models are equipped with DLNA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth for wireless streaming from compatible devices to the soundbar. The 'N500 and 'N700 get the added bonus of Miracast, which uses Wi-Fi Direct technology to mirror the content of your mobile device on a TV screen through the HDMI output of the soundbar.

Pioneer has also added its Sound Retriever technology to the range to improve audio quality. In addition, the SBX-N700 and SBX-N500 can act as a Bluetooth transmitter (as well as receiver) to connect to other enabled devices such as Bluetooth speakers.

The two cheaper models have integrated twin subwoofers, while the SBX-N700 comes with a separate wireless subwoofer.

Inputs on the SBX-300 (above) are two optical, one coaxial and one analogue. The SBX-N700 and SBX-N500 get HDMI, two optical inputs, a stereo mini-jack and USB. All three soundbars can be controleed using the Pioneer ControlApp for iOS or an Android app.

By Andy Clough

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.