Fluance’s sleek and slim AB40 Soundbase packs a home theater system into a single box

By Kris Wouk Published February 17, 2017

So you just bought a new TV, and the picture is great, but the sound is terrible. You don’t want a bunch of gear clutter, so what do you do? You could buy a soundbar, but even those usually include a subwoofer to handle the low end. Fluance’s new AB40 High-Performance Soundbase, on the other hand, packs everything you need into a single unit.

The beauty of a soundbase is that you can place your TV on top of it, meaning a soundbase often takes up even less space than a soundbar would. For the AB40, Fluance chose a MDF wood cabinet design, and the subdued all-black color scheme should mean that it fits in well with your TV, no matter what brand or model you happen to own. The cabinet is designed to allow airflow in and around the drivers, so you shouldn’t need to worry about the weight of your TV altering the sound, and with a maximum weight allowance of 150 pounds, most TVs shouldn’t have a problem sitting on top.

Recommended Videos

Inside, Fluance has packed a total of six drivers powered by an integrated class D amplifier offering 60 watts per channel of continuous power across two channels. The AB40 features dual 1-inch silk dome tweeters, backed by four 3-inch aluminum drivers, two of which are placed on the sides of the cabinet and angled outward for a wider perceived soundfield. Despite the lack of a subwoofer, Fluance says the AB40 can dish up frequencies as low as 30Hz.

This comes as part of Fluance’s 3D Sound, which the company says boosts bass using psychoacoustics to calculate harmonics relative to the sound being played, which can virtually reproduce the lows. We have yet to hear this model for ourselves, but given our experience with other Fluance products and the company’s accumulated years of audio expertise, the idea sounds promising.

To connect to your TV, the AB40 features both an optical digital audio input, and a standard 3.5mm stereo auxiliary input. Bluetooth with aptX is also available, letting you play music from your mobile devices or computer through the AB40 without needing to worry about plugging a cable in.

The Fluance AB40 High-Performance Soundbase is available now and retails for $250. For more information on the AB40 or to find out how you can get your hands on one, see the company’s website.

A version of this post first appeared on our “brother site” Digital Trends.

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Culture

The best shows to binge on Peacock in March

Lots of NBC hits are on Peacock now — here are the best shows to watch

Gabriel Macht wearing a light gray suit

JoeThere are definitely too many streaming services. Thanks to Netflix's revolution, every broadcast network and parent company decided that they had to get in on the streaming wars. Peacock TV is NBC Universal's streaming service, and although it may not seem like the most attractive option, there are actually a number of great Peacock movies and shows available on the service that are hard to find anywhere else.
Some of those popular shows are Peacock streaming originals, although there are plenty that initially aired on NBC or elsewhere and have found their way to Peacock thanks in part to the complicated nature of TV rights. Regardless, though, Peacock speaks to the impressive legacy of NBC Television. Growing up, I watched many of these shows as part of my regular nighttime routine. Now, thankfully, they're available at our fingertips anytime. Looking for more streaming options? We also have your guide to the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, and the best shows on Paramount+.

Suits (2011)

Culture

March favorites: The best shows to watch on Starz

From Outlander to Party Down, these are the best shows you can stream on Starz

Outlanders

Since its inception, Starz has proven it can hang with larger competitors like Max. Although it's now making television in an incredibly crowded landscape, Starz has managed to regularly launch shows that make an impact, and it speaks to the enduring quality of these shows that they've also stood the test of time.
Because the streaming service is relatively niche, it can be hard to feel like it's worth the investment. I know from personal experience that, once you take the plunge and check out a few series on Starz, though, you'll realize just how deep the well of great stuff is. Any one of these shows would justify the price of a subscription.

Party Down (2009)

Culture

Discover the best Disney+ movies to watch this March

If you're a Disney+ member, stream these movies this month

Princess Bride

Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company's properties, both original and acquired, combine to produce content that transcends age demographics. Disney has built a brand that's beloved by children, and those children eventually age into adults who introduce their kids to the films they loved when they were young. Disney's animation alone has made it iconic, but in recent years, the company has also acquired some of the biggest pieces of intellectual property there are. And with Disney Plus available on any device, you can watch all these movies whenever you want.

Between its acquisitions of both Marvel and Star Wars, there's a good chance that Disney is shepherding whatever you love to screens, both large and small. When it launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. If, like me, you've ever felt a twinge of nostalgia for the Disney movies you loved as a kid, they're all there. Just as importantly, though, you can find movies that will resonate with you today in ways they didn't as a kid. Whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it on Disney+.