Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Silver)

by Definitive Technology

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 40 x 4.1 inches ; 24 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001A6F0IA
• Item model number: VELA
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,666 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #64 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Speakers > Soundbar Speakers

Product Description

Color: Silver

From the Manufacturer

Mythos SSA-42: Your Single-Speaker Surround Solution

If you want all the thrills of five channel surround sound without the need for separate rear speakers, Definitive Technology has the solution: the Solo Surround Array Series loudspeakers. The SSA models incorporate Spatial Array™, a unique patented technology that optimizes the spatial presentation of five channels to create the illusion that you are surrounded by five separate high performance speakers. Enjoying a superb sounding audiophile-grade surround experience has never been more convenient. Simply connect an SSA to any multi-channel receiver and powered subwoofer to enjoy enveloping surround sound without the bother of running long wires and finding places for rear speakers.

SSA Surround technology uses subtle but complex directional cues to completely free the sound from the box and convince your ear/brain listening mechanism that you are surrounded by great sounding Definitive loudspeakers. Since SSA Surround does not depend on bouncing sound off walls, it works in virtually any room and set-up configuration.

The SSA-42 uses SSA technology on the surround channel speakers and the front left and right speakers as well, so that you get big three-dimensional imaging from both multi-channel and stereo sources.

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Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: (speaker only, not including bracket) 46-1/4" W x 4-1/4" D x 5-3/8" H
• Driver Complement:
• – Three 4-1/2" (11.4 cm) BDSS High-output drivers with coincident array 1" (25 mm) ferro-magnetic fluid damped pure aluminum dome tweeter.
• – Two 4-1/2" (11.4 cm) BDSS High-output full-range drivers.
• – Four 3-1/4" (8.3 cm) full-range high-output surround drivers with butyl rubber surrounds.
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 30 kHz
• Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Rec. Assoc. Amplification: 20 – 200 Watts/channel
• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Weight: 31 lbs. (14.06 kG)
• Finish: gloss Black or brushed Aluminum

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Choosing Definitive Technology Speakers for Your Home

Definitive Technology offers many quality speakers that are just right for your home. Which speaker, or set of speakers, you choose depends on how much you are willing to spend and which features you prioritize in a home theater environment. All of Definitive Technology's speakers are audiophile-engineered, designer-styled loudspeakers intended for musical reproduction and home theater systems of the highest quality. Thousands of man-hours of critical listening and engineering utilizing the most advanced computer loudspeaker development programs available--along with fundamental research at the world's most advanced loudspeaker research facility--have combined to create unmatched instruments for the reproduction of music or movies in your home.

	The ProSub 800 Subwoofer Speaker produces true state-of-the-art bass performance thanks to such features as a built-in, high-power, high-current amplifier, sophisticated electronic crossovers, and a high-definition 8-inch woofer with a polymer cone coupled to a single 8-inch infrasonic radiator. All of Definitive's ProSub powered subwoofers incorporate the company's patented, digitally coupled Infinite Power Source amplifiers--300 watts RMS in the case of the ProSub 800--with high-current direct coupled power supplies and discrete MOSFET output devices helping ensure perfect high-definition resolution and reproduction. The sub's construction quality is also topnotch, with only the highest-quality components used, including mil-spec glass epoxy circuit boards and precision resistors and capacitors. The powerful high-definition drivers, meanwhile, were specifically engineered by Definitive to deliver rock-solid low-distortion bass that reaches down to the lowest subsonic frequencies, with an outstanding quality of superior transient response unequaled in the world. Add in a continuously adjustable low-pass filter control--which allows you to choose a roll-off from 40 to 150 Hz for the high end of the subwoofer--and you have an ideal subwoofer to blend into your ProCinema system.
	The ProSub 1000 Subwoofer Speaker produces true state-of-the-art bass performance thanks to such features as a built-in, high-power, high-current amplifier, sophisticated electronic crossovers, and a high-definition 10-inch woofer with a polymer cone coupled to a single 10-inch infrasonic radiator. All of Definitive's ProSub powered subwoofers incorporate the company's patented, digitally coupled Infinite Power Source amplifiers--300 watts RMS in the case of the ProSub 1000--with high-current direct coupled power supplies and discrete MOSFET output devices helping ensure perfect high-definition resolution and reproduction. The sub's construction quality is also topnotch, with only the highest-quality components used, including mil-spec glass epoxy circuit boards and precision resistors and capacitors. The powerful high-definition drivers, meanwhile, were specifically engineered by Definitive to deliver rock-solid low-distortion bass that reaches down to the lowest subsonic frequencies, with an outstanding quality of superior transient response unequaled in the world. Add in a continuously adjustable low-pass filter control--which allows you to choose a roll-off from 40 to 150 Hz for the high end of the subwoofer--and you have an ideal subwoofer to blend into your ProCinema system.
	SuperCube II Subwoofer: Definitive's SuperCubes are a new breed of powered subwoofers which utilize unique technology and components in order to achieve state-of-the-art performance from remarkably small boxes. Remember, it is important to understand when you are evaluating the SuperCubes that you cannot simply compare them to conventional subwoofers based on driver size. Because of their unique technology, the SuperCubes deliver far superior performance to conventional subwoofers which utilize drivers of 50% - 80% larger diameter. Equipped with one 8-inch long-throw polymer subwoofer coupled to two 8-inch pressure-driven infrasonic bass radiators.
	Mythos Solo Sound Array (SSA-42) Speaker: If you want all the thrills of five channel surround sound without the need for separate rear speakers, Definitive Technology has the solution: the Solo Surround Array Series loudspeakers. The SSA models incorporate Spatial Array™, a unique patented technology that optimizes the spatial presentation of five channels to create the illusion that you are surrounded by five separate high performance speakers. Enjoying a superb sounding audiophile-grade surround experience has never been more convenient. Simply connect an SSA to any multi-channel receiver and powered subwoofer to enjoy enveloping surround sound without the bother of running long wires and finding places for rear speakers. The SSA-42 uses SSA technology on the surround channel speakers and the front left and right speakers as well, so that you get big three-dimensional imaging from both multi-channel and stereo sources.
	Mythos Solo Sound Array (SSA-50) Speaker: If you want all the thrills of five channel surround sound without the need for separate rear speakers, Definitive Technology has the solution: the Solo Surround Array Series loudspeakers. The SSA models incorporate Spatial Array™, a unique patented technology that optimizes the spatial presentation of five channels to create the illusion that you are surrounded by five separate high performance speakers. Enjoying a superb sounding audiophile-grade surround experience has never been more convenient. Simply connect an SSA to any multi-channel receiver and powered subwoofer to enjoy enveloping surround sound without the bother of running long wires and finding places for rear speakers. The SSA-50 uses SSA technology on the surround channel speakers and the front left and right speakers as well, so that you get big three-dimensional imaging from both multi-channel and stereo sources.

Product Description

The Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42: the perfectly simple virtual surround solution--no walls required. If you want all the thrills of five channel surround sound without the need for separate rear speakers, Definitive Technology has the solution: the Solo Surround Array SSA-42 loudspeaker. The SSA-42 incorporates Spatial Array, a unique patented technology that optimizes the spatial presentation of five channels to create the illusion that you are surrounded by five separate high performance speakers. Enjoying a superb sounding audiophile-grade surround experience has never been more convenient. Simply connect an SSA-42 to any multi-channel receiver and powered subwoofer to enjoy enveloping surround sound without the bother of running long wires and finding places for rear speakers. SSA Surround technology uses subtle but complex directional cues to completely free the sound from the box and convince your ear/brain listening mechanism that you are surrounded by great sounding Definitive loudspeakers. Since Spatial Array technology does not depend on bouncing sound off walls, it works in virtually any room and set-up configuration. The SSA-42 uses Spatial Array technology on the front left and right speakers as well as the surround channels, so that you get big three-dimensional imaging from both stereo and multi-channel sources.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great speaker although placement is an afterthought., December 2, 2009

By 

A. Kravitz (Erie, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Silver) (Electronics)

I wanted a wall mountable sound bar for my bedroom to replace some fairly cheapo speakers that I got to go with my old Onkyo 605. This speaker sounds fantastic and I would definitely buy it if sound is what you are about.

However... the wall mount bracket is one of the worst pieces of engineering I have seen in my life. Not only that, but there is no piece for the sound bar to sit on if you choose to set it on a desk. Instead you have to use the wall mount bracket with some included screws to raise the back and tilt it appropriately, clever.. if the bracket wasn't so awful. What is wrong with the bracket.. where to start?

1. There is really no avoiding using the bracket, whether wall mounting or desk mounting.

2. The area to run your speaker cables is more narrow than the 5 sets of banana plug posts blocking running thick wires very easily and meaning you need to remove the bracket to mess with your cabling.

3. The bracket fits so snug to the back of the speaker you cannot use banana plugs in the posts while using the bracket, who makes a required part for an expensive speaker that blocks the use of banana plugs!!

4. The bracket when screwed to the wall fits so snugly that you are required to cut a hole in your wall to run wires or you need to space it from the wall manually. You cannot run the wires without running them through the bracket.

5. The bracket does not come with screws to mount it to your wall, nor any way to space it from a wall to run wire through the wiring harness.

6. The bracket opening to slide your screws in is extremely snug and the speaker weighs 30 pounds. Try lining that up by yourself.. it ain't easy.

Basically it seems Definitive spent 100% of their time designing the acoustics of the speaker, then handed it to an intern to design the required bracket and threw it in a box without review.

If you plan to wall mount this product, do yourself a favor and buy a 1/4in piece of wood the same size as the bracket, cut a U shape into it for running wire and run your screws through the wood into your wall studs.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected, May 24, 2009

By 

D. Mikan "dcminatl" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Black) (Electronics)

Do to some issues with wiring I could not install a traditional surround sound system in my family room. I was highly skeptical of the soundbar for two reasons. 1) one wall was mostly glass, the other open to the foyer. 2) the space in my bookshelf only allowed for the 42 inch and not the 50 inch soundbar. All I can say is WOW!!! My family room is 16 x 18 with the above mentioned challenges and the DT rocks. Combined with a Denon 3808ci receiver and the DT 800 sub it gives a very impressive sound quality. The biggest issues I have so far are on some movies it can be hard to hear the voices, and the system is at its best when you crank it up. Not the best situation late at night when the Mrs. is trying to sleep up stairs.

Although you cannot match a good traditional 5.1 system with a soundbar the DT is at the top of the class of this technology. You get what you pay for and the DT shines.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SSA-42, May 19, 2010

By 

Edward C. Faulkner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Speaker (Single, Black) (Electronics)

Solid construction, very appealing design, I am still tweaking the receiver settings to optimize sound. The sound is a little dull with standard Denon equalizer configuration.

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