Polk Audio and Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business have formed a new collaboration that will position Polk as a strategic premium audio solution partner for Xbox 360.
Nearly 70 million consoles have been sold worldwide, and a recent Strategy Analytics study shows that 65 percent of U.S.-based Xbox users under the age of 25 rely on it as their go-to device for online TV show and movie streaming. (“Multiscreen Connected TV: Assessing Device Usage and Ownership,” November 2011.)
“The Xbox 360 offers an immersive experience with a host of streaming services like Netflix, HBO GO, and MLB.TV, and unparalleled interactive features like voice control and cross-platform search, so in looking for a Premium Audio Solutions partner, we wanted a company with an equally innovative approach to sound,” said Branden Powell, director of strategic alliances for Xbox Accessories Team. “We chose Polk not only for that, but also for their leadership position in the speaker market, as well as their superior engineering capabilities.”
The first product from Polk to be licensed for Xbox 360 will be the new SurroundBar 5000 Instant Home Theater, a compact, easy-to-setup, easy-to-operate sound bar. Measuring 31 inches wide and 2-inches inches deep, with a 6-inch inch wireless subwoofer, the SurroundBar 5000 is an ideal match for the Xbox 360 and a mid-sized flat panel display, with over fifty times the power of most built-in TV speakers, according to the company. In addition, the SurroundBar 5000 is the first Polk Audio SurroundBar to include Bluetooth for easy streaming of digital audio content from any smartphone or tablet.
“We believe Xbox 360 offers the most versatile home entertainment experience for every member of the family,” said Kevin Duffy, president of Polk parent company DEI Holdings, Inc. “Whether you use it primarily for streaming, gaming, or watching DVD’s with the kids, Xbox 360 together with Polk’s superior sound will provide a feast for the eyes and ears. And this is just the start; we’re working together with the Xbox Third Party Accessories Team to develop new, groundbreaking gaming and streaming sound solutions for 2013 and beyond.”
