Single speaker surround solution - 5 channels from one superb speaker
$799.00 each
The Perfectly Simple Surround Solution
If you want all the thrills of five channel surround sound without the need for separate rear speakers, Definitive Technology has the
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solution: the Solo Surround Array SSA-42 loudspeaker. The SSA-42 incorporates Spatial Array™, a unique patented technology that optimizes the spatial presentation of five channels to create the illusion that you are surrounded by five separate high performance speakers. Enjoying a superb sounding audiophile-grade surround experience has never been more convenient. Simply connect an SSA-42 to any multi-channel receiver and powered subwoofer to enjoy enveloping surround sound without the bother of running long wires and finding places for rear speakers. SSA Surround technology uses subtle but complex directional cues to completely free the sound from the box and convince your ear/brain listening mechanism that you are surrounded by great sounding Definitive loudspeakers. Since Spatial Array technology does not depend on bouncing sound off walls, it works in virtually any room and set-up configuration. The SSA-42 uses Spatial Array technology on the front left and right speakers as well as the surround channels, so that you get big three-dimensional imaging from both stereo and multi-channel sources.
Superior Definitive Technology
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First and foremost, a single speaker surround solution needs to have excellent audio fidelity and clarity to deliver a truly satisfying listening experience. It is here that Definitive's SSA-42 truly distinguishes itself. The front Left, Right and Center channel drivers utilize Definitive's exclusive and patent-pending Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) technology. Speaker cones usually have one support point at the circumference of the cone (called the surround) but BDSS drivers have two support points or surrounds. This design suppresses cone resonance and promotes a longer, more linear cone motion for higher output, lower distortion and more accurate frequency response. You'll enjoy perfectly natural and lifelike timbre with crystalline clarity on voices, musical instruments and movie sound effects, even at high-volume levels.
A Sweeter Tweeter
Definitive's tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, which has been heat-treated to relax the crystal structure and then coated with a ceramic to produce extended highs that reveal nuance and shimmer without a trace of edginess. In order to keep the enclosure from being longer than popular sized video displays, Definitive engineers positioned the front channel tweeters in front of the drivers. While this is a commonly used space-saving technique, a tweeter placed in front of the driver usually interferes with the driver's sound waves. Using computer and physical modeling, Definitive engineers developed unique tweeter-housing geometry and venting that eliminates interference effects for the kind of audiophile-grade clarity, precision and accuracy that has made Definitive the number one choice of high-end loudspeaker buyers.
Superior Definitive Aluminum Enclosure
Like the entire Mythos Series, the SSA models are fabricated from aircraft-grade extruded aluminum styled to perfectly match today's flat panel plasma and LCD TVs. Choose either gloss Black or brushed Aluminum finishes that have been hand-polished to a beautiful pearlescent sheen. The SSAs can be shelf or wall mounted with supplied hardware. Internal baffles and braces inside the enclosure eliminate interference effects between drivers and channels for true audiophile purity and maximum channel separation.
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A Component Approach
SSAs are true component loudspeakers and must be used with a 5.1 or 7.1 channel receiver. Some one or two speaker surround solutions are self contained systems with source (DVD player) and amplifiers built in. That may be convenient but that approach severely limit sound quality, functionality, upgradability and connectivity to other components. Component systems give you the best flexibility, performance and allow the greatest degree of audio/video system integration and freedom from obsolescence. Self contained systems have limited digital inputs, limited video switching, low power, no HD radio, no satellite radio, limited features and a host of other limitations. With the SSA approach, you will be able to use the electronics that best meet your unique needs and still provide the benefits of single speaker surround. We designed the SSA-42 for quality-conscious people who want the flexibility and performance of a component system but cannot or are unwilling to accommodate discrete rear channel speakers.
Driver Complement | |
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| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 3 |
| Diameter | 3/4" (1.91cm) |
| Type | Pure Aluminum Dome |
| Array | Coincident with BDSS Midrange Drivers |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 3 |
| Diameter | 3 1/4" (8.26cm) |
| Type | BDSS Midrange Driver |
| Tweeter/Mid Array | |
| Type | Solo Surround Array |
| Full Range | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 3 1/4" (8.26cm) |
| Type | BDSS Midrange Driver |
| Surrounds | |
| Quantity | 4 |
| Diameter | 3" (7.62cm) |
| Type | High Definition Bass/Midrange Driver |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Audio Inputs | |
| Speaker Level | Binding Posts (5 Pair) |
| Maximum Sensitivity | |
| 1 watt @ 1 Meter | 89 dB |
| Total Frequency Response | |
| Overall | 60 Hz - 30 kHz |
| Nominal Impedance | |
| Compatible with | 8 ohm |
| Crossover | |
| A/V Receiver Crossover Setting | Small (140 Hz) |
| Power Handling | 20 - 175 watts per channel |
Installation | |
|---|---|
| Placement | |
| Horizontal Orientation | On Wall or On Shelf |
| Product Weight | |
| Out of Box | 22 lbs |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 4 1/4" (10.79cm) |
| Width | 40" (101.60cm) |
| Depth | 4 1/4" (10.79cm) |
| Depth with Bracket | 4 1/2" (11.43cm) |
| Cabinet Type | |
| Speaker Enclosure | Aircraft Grade Extruded Aluminum |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Accessories | |
| Included Accessories | Steel Wall Bracket; Horizontal Level Adapter (2); Horizontal Leveler Foot (2); Bumpers (2); Wall Mounting Template |
| Carton Size | |
| Height | 9" (22.86cm) |
| Width | 7 1/2" (19.05cm) |
| Depth | 43" (109.22cm) |
| Shipping Weight | |
| One per Carton | 24 lbs |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Drivers and Cabinet | |
| Parts and Labor | 5 |
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mythos SSA-42 | SuperCube 4000 | ||
| Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 1 | ||
| $799.00 each | $799.00 each | ||
| System Total: $1,598.00 | |||
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mythos SSA-42 | SuperCube 2000 | ||
| Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 1 | ||
| $799.00 each | $599.00 each | ||
| System Total: $1,398.00 | |||
| Fronts (L&R) | Center | Surrounds | Subwoofer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mythos SSA-42 | ProSub 800 | ||
| Quantity: 1 | Quantity: 1 | ||
| $799.00 each | $399.00 each | ||
| System Total: $1,198.00 | |||
Learn about speaker cone resonance, why it hurts sound quality and one technique for reducing it.
2 reviews with an average of 4.5
"power and grace at the same time"
Simply amazing, this could be the abstract of my review.
It has nothing to do with all the other chunky soundbars on the market, it is pure emotion coming out from a stylish cabinet that will perfectly fit beneath your TV.
Obviously, it cannot be compared with a separate set of 5.1 speakers, but the feeling of involvement it can produce is by far the best approximation of surround listening I've ever heard.
It also sounds great with stereo music, creating a wider soundstage than its physical dimensions, with an astonishing separation of all instruments and an accurate reproduction of voices: coupled with the excellent ProSub 800, the system grant a smooth transition, covering practically all the audible frequencies with power and grace at the same time.
I use it as my second installation in my living room (I have a dedicated HT room in my attic) and it accomplishes its job perfectly: I will highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a speaker system which can easily combine aesthetics and performance.
Finally, just a remark: there's not so much space for the cables once it is mounted on the provided bracket, making it impossible to use any kind of spade or banana and it's such a pity for a product otherwise quite perfect.
I like the speakers' appearance and sound is decent for the speakers of that size. That is a good solution if you don't want to congest your room with a bunch of speakers. But I can't understand why the genius sound engineers could not design a simple wall mount. It is ugly and inconvenient, so I needed to enhance its design after I scratched a wall and back side of the speakers.