ZVOX Audio Z-Base 550HSD

The Z-Base 550HSD is only 28 ” wide by 14.5 ” deep by 3 3/8 ” high (cabinet is 2.75" but stands on 5/8" high plinth base.) Everything is inside this compact cabinet – speakers, amplifier, virtual surround circuitry and powered subwoofer.

The 550HSD requires only one connecting cord. Hook it up to the analog or digital audio output jacks on your TV – or the TV’s headphone jack – and you’re virtually done. You can place the 550HSD directly beneath most 26" - 50" flat panel TVs*, or on a shelf beneath the TV. * TV base should not exceed 27" in width or 13" in depth. TV should not exceed 90 pounds in weight. Safety instructions in Z-Base 550HSD Operating Instructions and in TV's Operating Instructions should be closely examined and followed.

If your TV has audio output jacks that can be set to “variable” (check your on-screen menu under “Audio” to see if you have this option), you can use your TV’s remote to control the 550HSD ’s sound. If not, use our supplied remote control. Our auto-on/auto-off circuit will turn the unit on about one second after you turn on your TV. Approximately three minutes after you turn off the TV, the ZVOX will go into “idle” mode. Volume, mute, PhaseCue (virtual surround), subwoofer level and treble are all controlled via our credit-card-sized remote. It couldn’t be simpler.

The 550HSD uses ZVOX’s proprietary PhaseCue virtual surround system to give you rich, three-dimensional sound with movies or music. With music, PhaseCue creates a very wide soundstage – it literally sounds like you are listening to speakers eight feet apart from each other. When listening to a good movie, the soundtrack will envelope you – putting you in the middle of the action. While no virtual surround system – including ours – will give you the surround effects of a good 5.1 system, the ZVOX 550HSD does a remarkable job. Sound & Vision magazine says our PhaseCue system “mixes different combinations of the left- and right-channel signals in and out of phase and sends them to the various drivers to create an impressive spread of sound, far larger than the box itself…remarkably ingenious.”

Most audio systems in our price category use very cheap speakers in plastic cabinets. But at ZVOX we’re “old school” about things like this. We use nothing but high quality speaker drivers, carefully designed by ZVOX engineers and manufactured to our specification. The 550HSD uses specially treated long-excursion main drivers. All speaker magnets are powerful Neodymium models that are magnetically shielded. The cabinet is MDF (medium density fiberboard), the same material uses in most high-end loudspeakers.

In the past three years, we know of no other audio systems that have received as many rave reviews as ZVOX. Here’s a short list of review excerpts for the Z-Base 550HSD single-cabinet surround sound system:

“The Perfect Setup.” - EngadgetHD.com

“Tonally accurate sound and an astounding lack of modern technological trickery…a purist's speaker.” - Hartford Courant

“Falls into the audiophile category...had me wondering how a sound system at this price point could sound this good.” - Big Picture. Big Sound.

"We were surprised by the quality and sheer power of the audio. You can put your TV on top of it and – poof – you’re done. No fuss. No muss. A great choice." - Boston Globe

"A reasonably-priced, all-in-one unit that makes you feel like a Rothschild with your own in-home movie theater." - Boston Globe

"The Z-Base 550HSD is a gigantic step up from the speakers built into TVs… like a slam-dunk win for the Z-Base 550HSD." - CNET

"Provided an amazingly wide sound stage… Z-Base 550HSD always allowed the music to sound like music… I did find myself amazed by the sound quality and wide sound stage created by this system…No question this was the easiest set up of any review EVER!" - Audioholics

• Dimensions; 28 ”w x 14.5 ”d x 3 3/8 ”h
• Weight: 20 pounds. With box and packing: 23 pounds.
• Amplifier: The 550HSD uses a 60 watt amplifier.
• Inputs: One analog audio input: dual RCA jacks. Two digital audio inputs: one optical digital and one coaxial digital
• Frequency range: 45 Hz – 20 kHz.
• Virtual surround sound: The 550HSD uses ZVOX’s proprietary PhaseCue virtual surround sound system. PhaseCue, as its name implies, manipulates the phase of the separate channels to “fool the ear” into believing that sound is coming from a variety of sources throughout the room. The benefits of PhaseCue vary greatly based on program material. Live music and well-recorded modern movie soundtracks will deliver rich, three-dimensional sound – pulling the sound out from the speakers and into the room, literally surrounding the listener. Unlike many digital virtual surround systems, PhaseCue does not create any “digital weirdness” – rain the sounds like white noise, female singers that sound like they’re standing in a giant tin can. Note: All virtual surround systems – including the PhaseCue system – are limited in their effects when compared to a good 5.1 system. And sitcoms, news broadcasts and soundtracks from older movies often have very little in the way of three-dimensional sound. That being said, PhaseCue is capable of generating a wonderful and engaging virtual surround experience.
• The 550HSD is bi-amplified, using a specially designed amplifier that includes electronic contouring for superb frequency response.
• The 550HSD ’s 5.25" subwoofer uses a high-mass long-throw design in a ported enclosure.
• The 550HSD ’s five 2 " main speaker drivers use ferrofluid and neodymium magnets to create remarkably loud, remarkably clear sound.
• The system is magnetically shielded so it can be used near a TV or monitor.
• Unlike most systems in its category, the 550HSD uses an MDF (medium density fiberboard) wood cabinet - instead of plastic. MDF is the preferred construction material for high-performance speaker systems.
• The 550HSD uses the ZVOX Infinite Compliance system - which connects the outer two main speakers with an acoustic tube. This system helps create big sound from a small cabinet.
• A subwoofer output jack on the rear allows owners to connect a separate powered subwoofer (optional).
• Auto-on/auto-off circuit senses sound from source (TV, iPod, PC) and turns on the 550HSD two seconds later. Approximately three minutes after it has received no signal, it automatically shuts the unit off.
• Simple, single-cord connecting system uses dual RCA jacks or single optical or coaxial digital jacks on rear panel.
• A 2-meter analog RCA-RCA connecting cord is included.
• The ZVOX 550HSD is backed by a one year limited parts and labor warranty. For services issues, email info@zvoxaudio.com.

• One stereo RCA to stereo RCA connecting cable
• One credit-card sized remote control with power on/off, volume up/down, "mute", phasecue up/down, subwoofer up/down and treble up/down
• Power cord
• One-sheet safety instructions and operations manual