LADYDRAGON.COM - Spherex

Thursday June 17, 2004

The NEW Xbox. 5.1 Surround Sound System, manufactured under license by Spherex Inc., Lands at E3

Today Spherex Inc. of Toronto, Canada officially launched its new, state-of-the-art home audio system, Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System, to thousands of visitors at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

The immersive Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System features 5 identical pod-shaped satellite speakers and an 8" subwoofer with six channels and 300 Watts (RMS) of digital amplification. The high-quality components, combined with the system’s sleek design, create an all-encompassing audio center that sets a new standard of excellence in sound realism for home gaming, movies and music playback.

"Our focus is to provide consumers with high-end home audio products at affordable prices," explained Spherex Inc. President Alex Romanov. "At just $499.00 U.S, this system delivers the pinnacle of sound quality and design." Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System delivers Spherex Optimized surround sound through cutting-edge technology from a number of industry leaders – Mirage-exclusive OMNIPOLAR. technology combined with Apogee Technology’s Direct Digital Amplification (DDX®), MaxxBass® from Waves and Texas Instruments Aureus. Digital Signal Processing. Developed in conjunction with leading game developers and approved by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System sets the reference standard for video game audio.

"We are very excited with what Spherex’s new sound system brings to the value and experience of Xbox," stated Bill Nielsen, Director of US Subsidiary Marketing, Xbox.

"Gamers will be able to exceptionally heighten their interactivity because Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System permits them to become completely immersed in the virtual world of the video game."

The system also features one of the most comprehensive warrantees in the audio category with a global 10-Year Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System Protection Service Plan. Administered by W3 Solutions (W3), the Protection Program will provide consumers with a toll-free help line and service/repair centers world-wide. The Program is fully insured by an A (Excellent) Rated Federally Licensed Insurance Company.

The Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System will be available to consumers second quarter 2004, on-line at www.spherexinc.com and at leading consumer electronics and gaming retailers.

Spherex Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Audio Products International Corp. (API). Founded in 1972 and privately owned, API is one of the largest loudspeaker manufacturers in the world. API brands include Mirage, Energy and Athena Technologies loudspeakers. Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System offers an exciting, immersive audio experience for gaming, movies and music playback. It exemplifies Spherex’s dedication to superior sound quality and affordable pricing.

Xbox is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tag line, "it’s good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Xbox® 5.1 Surround Sound System

FACT SHEET

What is Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System?

• The Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System, manufactured under license by Spherex Inc, is the benchmark of excellence and produces the ultimate level of sound realism in gaming, movies and music playback.

• A SPHEREX OPTIMIZED, 360-degree immersive sound experience.

• A complete surround sound system - 5 identical satellite speakers, speaker cables, DIN cable and an 8" subwoofer with six channels and 300 Watts (RMS) of digital amplification.

• Five independent audio inputs – 3 digital, 1 analog, 1 USB 1.1 device port.

• Exceptional compatibility with various source formats including gaming consoles, DVD and CD players, satellite TV, compressed audio (MP3/WMA) and personal computers.

• Superior sound quality available at a fraction of the price ($499 USD) of more expensive home theatre options.

How is Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System different from other systems?

• The SPHEREX OPTIMIZED surround sound experience employs the best in audio technology components, fine-tuned for truly immersive sound.

• Mirage-exclusive OMNIPOLAR™ technology creates a realistic ratio of 30 per cent direct to 70 per cent reflected sound in a 360-degree dispersion pattern, allowing for trouble-free speaker placement.

• Apogee Technology’s Direct Digital Amplification, or DDX, essentially eliminates signal distortion by maintaining a digital connection from source to speaker.

• MaxxBass® from Waves, acoustically extends the lower end of the bass frequency response to deliver a deeper, richer, more natural bass on each of the five satellite speakers and the subwoofer.

• Aureus™ Digital Signal Processor from Texas Instruments decodes Dolby Digital, PLII and DTS audio standards with lots of headroom left over for other functions.

• Unprecedented value backed by a 10-year limited warranty with W3 Solutions.

• A ‘Best of Breed’ experience, the technology was developed with assistance from top audio engineers at API and Microsoft Game Studios.

• Over one year of computer simulations and optimizations on every major component in the system to produce the best level of performance possible.

• Approved by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), it sets the ‘reference standard’ for video game audio.

• Immerse Yourself - Gaming, Movies and Music Playback.

When is Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System available?

• Available soon online and wherever Xbox is sold.

• Check out the Spherex Inc. web site for more information. www.spherexinc.com

Who is Spherex Inc.?

Spherex Inc.™ is an innovative Canadian company committed to providing a unique approach to high-end audio at affordable prices. Based in Toronto, Spherex is a wholly owned subsidiary of Audio Products International Corp. (API). Producing quality audio products since 1972 and privately owned, API is one of the largest loudspeaker manufacturers in the world. Other API brands include Mirage, Energy and Athena Technologies loudspeakers.

For over 30 years, API has been a leader in speaker innovation, playing a lead role in the National Research Council (NRC) study to determine the sound characteristics an average listener considers when choosing a speaker. The results indicated the majority (97%) of listeners tested selected speakers with a realistic soundstage extending beyond the speakers and room boundaries. Two of API’s award-winning audio engineers, Ian Paisley and Andrew Welker, based Mirage’s OMNIPOLAR™ technology on this pioneering psycho-acoustic research.

API’s cutting-edge approach to research and development anticipated the demand for digital and immersive audio, propelling Spherex into the limelight of the home theatre industry. Unlike its competitors, Spherex focuses on providing immersive, affordable and high-quality audio for gaming, movies and music playback.

The Xbox® 5.1 Surround Sound System, manufactured under license by Spherex Inc., is the first offering by Spherex. An all-encompassing audio center for home entertainment, Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System is backed by a ten-year global warranty with W3 Solutions.

Like all other API products, innovation is Spherex’s major selling point in the lucrative home theatre and gaming industries. Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System is SPHEREX OPTIMIZED and employs the best in audio technology components, fine-tuned for truly immersive sound. It sets the benchmark for excellence and produces the ultimate level of sound realism in gaming, movies and music playback.

The Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System exhibits SPHEREX OPTIMIZED surround sound through cutting-edge technology from a number of industry leaders – Mirage-exclusive OMNIPOLAR technology combined with Apogee’s Direct Digital Amplification (DDX), and MaxxBass® from Waves and Texas Instruments Aureus™ Digital Signal Processor.

Developed in conjunction with leading game developers and approved by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System sets the reference standard for video game audio.

Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System is the most exhilarating challenge undertaken by Spherex and API. Supported by cutting-edge technology, it offers an exciting, immersive audio experience for gaming, movies and music playback. It exemplifies Spherex’s dedication to innovation, superior sound quality and affordable pricing – producing audio products.

Spherex Inc.™ - "Built for today… Ready for tomorrow."

Click here to read the White Paper

Click here to read the FAB Sheet

Click here to view the trailer