We didn't think that the soundbar market would one-up B&W's $2,200
Panorama model, but
Leon speakers just couldn't leave well enough alone. For all the people who go to the expense of buying a flatscreen more than 100-inches big and yet can't be bothered to pick up some discrete multichannel speakers, Leon has added the OS (over-sized) soundbar to its
Horizon lineup. Give Leon 3-5 days and $6,500 and it'll build your OS custom so it fits your display -- up to 120-inches wide -- in an LCR, L/R or center-only configuration. Leon says that the last install required a crane to lift the soundbar through an apartment window. We guess if you've already got a crane to get your display into the abode, you might as well make use of it for the speakers, too; but we'd recommend you skip the crane and put the $6,500 towards a nice set of speakers for real surround sound.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Canadian Bacon @ Feb 5th 2009 11:44AM
And Leon's getting laaaarger!!!
eric @ Feb 5th 2009 2:07PM
Finally, someone is tapping into the huge market of soundbars for 120 inch televisions! Man I was waiting for this day.
Nick @ Feb 6th 2009 9:07AM
Well, I work for Leon Speakers, and we've already done 10+ of these in the past year, so while it may be hard to imagine, there actually is a pretty big (and growing) market for these.
S4Rs @ Feb 5th 2009 12:31PM
Anyone who pairs a 100+ inch display with a soundbar should be robbed. Steal the TV and smash the soundbar to leave a message.
They are ok if used in a bedroom, but otherwise, they are like those bose 3 2 1 systems. Crappy.
jason @ Feb 5th 2009 4:30PM
well said! if u have the $$$ to buy a panel that big u have the $$ to have a nice system either 5.1 or 7.1 maybe toss in some MONITOR AUDIO speakers or ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY or maybe even some DEF TECHS.
Andy @ Feb 5th 2009 2:24PM
Bose? You don't know what you're talking about. Bose makes overpriced crap.
S4Rs @ Feb 5th 2009 2:31PM
yea. thats what I said. thanks for reading.....and breathing.
Nick @ Feb 6th 2009 9:10AM
Full disclosure: I work for Leon Speakers...I'd be willing to bet you've never heard one of these, unless you're one of the 10+ people in the world that own one, but it sounds like you aren't. I urge you to resist making a judgment about this before you've heard it; seems a fair request regarding speakers. This is not your average plastic chinese soundbar.
S4Rs @ Feb 6th 2009 9:29AM
I am sure that Leon speakers are amazing. But the concept of implementing 5.1 surround in one enclosure is one that will never come close to the the real thing. If the idea is to reflect the sound around the room, there are to many variables involved.
And the "Soundbar" was never meant to be anything more than a marketing ploy to sell "fake 5.1" in a compact encloser so that you dont have to string wires around your room, and for some reason women love that idea.
if you have a very small room its still an attractive idea. But if your stinking rich and you buy one of these for your 120 inch tv then your probably the Leon CEO.
Send one to Steve Kim for review. If he gives it a thumbs up, then I will eat my words.
Watch The Dark Knight - A full 5.1 system vs Leon's giant center channel.
Nick @ Feb 6th 2009 4:06PM
Well, since you didn't read the article or anything about Leon before proclaiming that they suck, I'd point out that we don't make fake 5.1 surround bars. These are left, center, right only because we agree with you that "5.1" surround bars sound like garbage. Second, we're a very small company; nobody here, including the CEO, can afford one of these nor would any of us have use for it since we certainly couldn't afford a TV that size. Last, if Steve Kim wants to review it, he'll have to shell out $6500 just like anybody else, as these are all custom built and unless you share a pair of ears with him, I suggest you take a listen for yourself to see what YOU think.
S4Rs @ Feb 6th 2009 4:30PM
I do not think that Leon sucks. Its all custom built stuff and that really cool. And they use high end speakers.
Back to the post, if I could afford a 120 inch plasma TV it would be in a room covered in McIntosh 11.4 surround, with one of those THX doors for good measure. Because thats how I roll. Thats all I was saying. You would too. You work for speaker company, your an audiophile too.
m @ Feb 6th 2009 6:49AM
i think soundbar's look stylish XD. true, real 5.1 systems sound better, but take up alot more floorspace.