Sherwood has announced their first soundbars and three new home theater in a box systems. All of the systems are designed for the value-oriented buyer without giving up on features. The new soundbars for instance include iPod docks and FM radio receivers, giving them tremendous flexibility.
Sherwood SB-422li & SB-3721 Soundbars

TURNITON, TRINNOV The R-972’s biggest claim to fame is its use of the Trinnov Optimizer, a room-correcting audio processor and equalizer usually found in professional hardware that uses an included four-microphone acoustic probe to tweak audio according to your rooms’s layout. If that isn’t enough, a USB connection lets you delve into the Optimizer yourself and set new target EQ curves. And if that’s not enough, maybe you do need a $13,000 equalizer.

WATCH AND LISTEN Besides the beefy audio processor, the R-972 has several handy video features. Both analog and digital sources connected can be upscaled to 1080p thanks to a Silicon Optix Reon processor, and its 69-bit Deep Color support lets you push the color gamut with compatible sources and displays.

Sherwood America is shipping its first Blu-ray player — the BDP-5003.

The Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) BDP-5003, introduced at CEDIA Expo 2008, supports 1080p playback at 60 Hz or 24 Hz, as well as lossless audio from both Dolby and DTS through its HDMI output.

Bringing a much-needed solution for HDTV viewers seeking compatible A/V receivers, Sherwood America has introduced three new receivers with HDMI 1.3 switching capabilities: the Newcastle R-872, R-772, and R-672.

The Newcastle R-872 and R-772 incorporate advanced performance features including HDMI 1.3, video scaling to 1080p, lossless audio decoding and more. Features incorporated in these models like the RF remote control, automatic use of the rear-center surround amps to power Zone 2 and the lockable installer memory were all designed to address problems common to custom installation.

Both the R-872 and R-772 are rated at 100 watts per channel for each of their 7 channels and both share a host of common features including: HDMI 1.3 switching; lossless audio decoding; AM/FM tuners with 30 presets; XM radio ready; automatic set-up with supplied microphone; Newcastle’s SNAPTM Room EQ; input renaming; A/V Synch Delay; digital/analog input polling; independent audio and video outputs for Zone 2; RS-232 port for bi- directional control and more.

The R-672, Newcastle's entry level signle-zone receiver, has built-in switching for two HDMI 1.3 sources plus two wide-band component video inputs. Other capabilities include AM/FM with 30 presets, rear panel inputs for 2 video sources and 2 audio sources and 4 digital audio inputs. In recognition of the importance of portable audio, the R-672 has a front panel A/V convenience (input) pack and another audio input suitable for an MP-3 player. The R-672 is also XM ready.  

Sherwood America has introduced the improved version of its award-winning 2.1 surround sound system. The new VR-672 starts with an elegantly styled curved DVD console inspired by the work of Eero Saarinen, the designer of Dulles Airport and the St. Louis Arch. To ease system set-up, the 672 console transcodes both of its rear-panel video inputs to component video or to 720p and 1080i via its HDMI out- put. The front speaker is a hand rubbed black lacquer SpeakerBar 38” wide x 5” high x 4” deep with 2 spe- cially designed 4” full range drivers. Unusual in a system of this class is the 8”, 150W subwoofer which is trimmed in black lacquer. The sub and front speakers were designed by Dr. Poh Sur Hsu of Hsu Research. Dr. Hsu has a PhD in engineering from MIT but is better known for his state of the art subwoofers. In addition to the pair of rear panel video inputs, analog audio inputs and digital audio inputs, the VR-672 has a front panel stereo input for an MP-3 player and a USB host input to play files from a USB thumb drive.

The Sherwood VR-670 Virtual Home Theater System, which offers natural and realistic surround sound effects using only two speakers, is currently featured on Buy.com's Buy.TV. (Look for "Sherwood VR-670 Home Theater" under the "Electronics" heading.) Sherwood vice president Jeffrey Hipps sat down with Buy.TV host Melissa and provides a comprehensive look at the product's features, including its 10-minute installation and remarkable virtual surround sound technology.

Cine Now!, an online publication for home theater enthusiasts, interviewed Sherwood vice president Jeffrey Hipps at September's CEDIA show. He provided a fascinating look at the features of the Sherwood Newcastle R-771 A/V Receiver, a product which provides a low-cost, custom installable solution to the most challenging home theater settings. Watch the interview here.

In their July/August 2006 issue, The Sensible Sound takes an in-depth look at the Newcastle A-965 amplifier, discussing the component's engineering in detail. The verdict? "If you want about the most horsepower that you can get out of one AC outlet in a 7-channel AV configuration, this 80-pound monster should fit the bill and remain state-of-the-art for many years to come." Download the review here to see for yourself.

In their Winter, 2006 Buyer's Guide, the magazine called the A-965 "a formidable piece of equipment," making note of the amplifier's seven, 100-watt channels. The P-965 earned similar praise, winning plaudits for its ability "to play back the highest-quality audio and video sources available today," its 24-bit/192 kHz DACs, and its "excellent sound quality for film and good sound quality for two-channel music."