Available this fall for $199, the Sony CECH-ZVS1 is a new Surround Sound Bar with a built in subwoofer , designed “to enjoy immersive audio on the PlayStation®3 system, including upcoming games supporting PlayStation®Move motion controllers, Blu-ray movies, as well as stereoscopic 3D content”. The idea is to give anybody, while also targeting PS3 owners, the capability to enjoy better sound while watching movies and playing games with a stylish and simple setup. For the price, this is especially of great appeal to the younger generation (again, those who own a PS3 and their own place and setup) but don’t have the room or money for a full blown surround sound setup. I have to say, I’m looking to get a Sony 52″ EX700 for my bedroom and this might not be a bad solution, pending the quality of the sound vs the EX700 speakers. Can’t wait until fall to find out.

Hit the jump for the official press release.

 Sony Computer Entertainment Announces Surround Sound System for the PlayStation(R)3 System, Hitting Worldwide Market in Fall 2010

Rich Surround Sound Environment Delivered in All-in-one Speaker, Offering a Whole New PlayStation(R) Experience to the Living Room

TOKYO, June 15 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release a subwoofer built-in, all-in-one Surround Sound System for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system in fall 2010 in Japan, North America, Europe/PAL territories, and Asian countries/regions at a recommended retail price of 19,800 yen (including tax), US$199, and euro 199 respectively. Users will be able to enjoy immersive audio on the PlayStation®3 system, including upcoming games supporting PlayStation®Move motion controllers, Blu-ray movies, as well as stereoscopic 3D content by simply placing the speaker in front of the television and connecting it to the PS3 system with the optical digital cable.
The Surround Sound System utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound that generates rich realistic surround sound over one front speaker. Delivering a dynamic sound environment with audio virtually coming from all directions, the Surround Sound System will immerse users into a cinema-like experience in the living room, making them feel like they are actually in the game or movie itself. Bringing in SCE’s expertise in both entertainment and technology acquired from developing games, four sound fields of the speaker system have been designed with the help of SCE’s expert game sound designers, to optimize the cinematic experience of all forms of entertainment.

The Surround Sound System comes with two audio inputs − an optical audio input for connecting high-end entertainment systems including PS3, and an analog audio input for connecting portable devices like the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system to enjoy listening to music in the living room. The form factor of the system features a sleek and casual design that matches perfectly with the PS3 system, and delivers dynamic sound without the physical space required by a traditional home theater system.

Through the introduction of new peripherals, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment that is only possible on PlayStation.

Product Outline

Surround Sound System for PlayStation®3

Product name – Surround Sound System

Product code – CECH-ZVS1

Release date – Fall 2010

Recommended retail price – 19,800 yen (including tax), US$199, euro 199

Power Output and Total Harmonic Distortion: – (FTC) for the U.S. model

L + R: With 6 ohms loads, both channels driven, from 200-20000 Hz ; rated 5 watts per channel minimum RMS power, with no more than 1 % total harmonic distortion from 250 milliwatts to rated output.

Amplifier section
U.S. models: Power Output (reference)
L / R: 10 W (per channel at 6 ohms, 1 kHz)
Subwoofer: 15 W + 15 W (at 8 ohms, 100 Hz)

Speakers
Front speaker unit:
Speaker system: Full range, Bass reflex, Speaker units: 50 mm × 90 mm (2 in × 3 5/8 in), Rated impedance: 6 ohms

Subwoofer unit:
Speaker system: Subwoofer system, passive radiator type, Speaker units: 65 mm × 2 (subwoofer) 65 mm × 4 (passive radiator), Rated impedance: 8 ohms

Inputs – Analog × 1, Digital (Optical) × 1

Supported formats – Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC, Linear PCM (2 ch)*

Sound fields
DYNAMIC: This mode provides a wide range of tones with low/high frequencies and dynamic sounds.
STEREO: This mode is suitable for any sound quality, optimized for video games implementing 2 ch stereo sound. (Multiple channels are down-mixed.)
VIVID: This mode provides a wide sound range and enhances the surround sound channels.
STD (standard): This mode reproduces the sound track with the kind of dynamic range that the recording engineer intended.

Other effects/functions
NIGHT MODE: This function allows you to enjoy sound effects and hear the dialog clearly even at low volume levels.
DIALOG MODE: This function allows you to hear in-game speech and narration with greater clarity.

Auto Standby (A.STBY): The surround sound system enters standby mode automatically when there is no audio output for 30 minutes.

Power requirements – 18 V DC (2.6 A) (100 V – 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz using the supplied AC power cord)

Mass
Main unit: (approx.) 2.4 kg, AC adaptor: (approx.) 240 g

Dimensions
Main unit: (approx.) 720 mm × 85 mm × 87 mm, AC adaptor: (approx.) 121 mm × 53 mm × 33 mm (w × h × d)

Included
• Remote control × 1
• Optical digital cable (2.5 m) × 1
• AC adaptor × 1
• AC power cord × 1