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Polk’s first appearance at E3 brings sound bar and headphones made for Xbox One

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Polk N1 sound bar largePolk audio launched in 1972, right around the same time the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, was introduced. However, that coincidence never served to bring about a snuggly relationship with the gaming crowd. That changed today as Polk Audio announced three new products at E3, two of which have been designed specifically for the new Xbox One

First up is the N1 sound bar, a product which Polk says was designed specifically to handle the complex blend of music, special effects, dialog and and ambient details found in video games while being just as capable of delivering the music, movie and TV content the Xbox One aims to deliver. For games, users will have audio pre-set options, including FPS and Racer modes, while music and cinema modes handle everything else. The N1 will be available this fall in black on black or vanilla with contrasting wood accents. 

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For a more private and intimate listening experience, Polk is delivering the 4 Shot headphones for the Xbox One and the much less-interestingly named 133T for the Xbox 360. From what we can tell, the headphones are 133tessentially the same, with key features tweaked to work best with the two differing consoles. Both come with a near-field microphone for game chat and calls and utilize control cables for use with mobile devices. The headphones will be available in white, blue and black. 

Prices were not announced, but E3 attendees can preview the new gear at Polk’s booth (#4016) in the West Hall starting tomorrow. 

Caleb Denison
Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched expertise in AV and…
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