Philips Unveils the World’s First Soundbar with Detachable Speakers for a True 5.1 Surround Sound Experience at CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Philips announces the release of the world’s first Soundbar with detachable speakers, the Philips Fidelio Soundbars HTL9100. The Philips Fidelio Soundbar is the first to feature detachable wireless side speakers that when removed, the Soundbar automatically changes from virtual Surround Sound to 5.1 channel Surround Sound on Demand. Also the first Soundbar in the Philips Fidelio range, the HTL9100 features a wireless subwoofer with the stylish high-end design consumers have come to love and expect from the Fidelio line.

“This revolutionary Soundbar addresses one of the last reservations consumers had about Soundbars, which is not being able to have 5.1 Surround when you needed it”

“This revolutionary Soundbar addresses one of the last reservations consumers had about Soundbars, which is not being able to have 5.1 Surround when you needed it,” said Todd Richardson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for P&F, exclusive licensee for Philips consumer televisions and home theaters in North America. “By developing a design that offers detachable speakers, Philips has created a beautifully sleek space saving Soundbar and a hi-end home theater system all in one. We know that space can be a premium in the home and this Soundbar offers true freedom in placement, as both the detachable speakers and the subwoofer are wireless. It delivers the space saving design many consumers need without compromising on the sound experience consumers have come to expect from Philips Fidelio.”

Award-Winning Wireless Sound

The Philips Fidelio HTL9100 truly achieves a first with its award winning design. Similar to traditional Soundbars, this new offering uses advanced technology to offer virtual surround sound when the speakers are attached to the main unit and used as a Soundbar for every day use. When consumers want to watch a movie or a program enhanced by 5.1 sound, they simply detach the speakers from the sides and place them in the rear of the room to enjoy true surround sound. The speakers operated via Philips proprietary wireless audio technology so there are no wires, leaving consumers free to place them wherever they like. By using proprietary wireless audio technology, the transmission is uncompressed and the frequency the surround speakers operate at is different than that of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means no network interference. When fully charged the detachable surround sound speakers offer up to 10 hours of stellar sound and automatically recharge when connected to the main unit. The Fidelio Soundbar features technology that automatically offers 5.1 channel Surround on Demand when the speakers are detached so all the consumer has to do is sit back and enjoy the show. A 2013 CEA Innovation Award winner, the HTL9100 offers a wireless subwoofer allowing it to be placed anywhere in the room.

The Philips Fidelio Soundbar includes an intelligent Orientation Sensor that enables it to recognize if the unit is lying horizontally on a shelf or TV cabinet or if it has been mounted on a wall. Using smart equalization, it automatically adjusts to deliver the best sound performance in either position.

For added convenience, the Fidelio Soundbar includes a second HDMI port that allows users to easily link your media system or games console. For music playback it connects wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device, so the only wires needed are for power and a link to the TV, ensuring the design stays as striking as possible. The sleek jet-black design is an elegant shape reminiscent of a plane’s wing and features high-end finishings that are certain to make it a focal point of any room. The HTL9100 will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $799.99.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 121,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About P&F

P&F is a subsidiary of the Funai Electric Co., LTD, Inc. and is the exclusive licensee for Philips consumer televisions and home theater and Philips Hospitality in North America. P&F also is the exclusive distributor in North America for Philips lifestyle entertainment including, home and portable audio, headphones, portable DVD and accessories. Funai Electric Co., Ltd., established in 1961, is headquartered in Osaka, Japan and is listed in the Tokyo Securities Exchange First Section (6839). In addition to the consumer electronic product brands sold by FUNAI Corporation and the products sold by other FUNAI sales and marketing companies in Asia, Europe, and South America, Funai Electric Company, Ltd. is a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier for appliance, consumer electronics, computer, and computer peripheral companies on a global basis.

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