Samsung Unveils New Speaker Docks, Home Theater Systems

CES doesn't kick off until next week, but Samsung is already getting the announcements started with its new home theater products. The company just unveiled several new speaker docks and sound systems, ranging from 7.1-channel home theaters in boxes to vacuum tube iPod docks.

For home theater systems, Samsung is releasing the HT-E6730W and HT-E5500 Blu-ray home theater systems and the HW-E550 sound bar. The HT-E6730W is the first Samsung home theater system that uses a digital amplifier and a vacuum tube, which many audiophiles prefer. The system comes with two tower stereo speakers, a center channel speaker, two satellite speakers, and a subwoofer, the latter two of which are wireless. It puts out a peak 1,330 watts, a powerful level for a home theater kit.

The HT-E5500W isn't quite as powerful as the HT-E6730W, with just 5.1 channels and no vacuum tube amplifier, but it features a Blu-ray player that can handle 3D content and uses Samsung's BD Wise Plus and 3D sound features, which Samsung says can adjust the picture automatically and match the audio track to 3D content.

The HW-E550 is a unique soundbar that can be used in two different setups. It can sit under an HDTV and work like a regular soundbar, or it can be physically split into two vertical standing speakers. This is a feature we haven't seen in any soundbar before.

Besides the home theater products, Samsung announced two new audio docks that support Apple and Samsung Galaxy S devices. The DA-E750 uses a vacuum tube and a digital amplifier, like the HT-E6730W, and supports Airplay for Apple devices, AllShare for Samsung Galaxy devices, and Bluetooth for any other smartphone. The DA-E670 doesn't have a vacuum tube or Bluetooth, but it supports Airplay and Allshare.

Samsung hasn't yet announced pricing or availability for any of the new products.