What technical core did early soundbar players strive to perfect using digital signal processing?
Answer
Getting width and depth from a single cabinet to mimic separate speakers
The crucial technical innovation in the early soundbar development was not just about the physical speaker drivers but heavily relied on Digital Signal Processing (DSP). This processing power allowed engineers to use psychoacoustic techniques to manipulate the audio signal, creating the convincing illusion of sound coming from wider or deeper locations than the single, physically narrow enclosure allowed. Mastering this ability to simulate the spatial separation of a multi-speaker setup from one bar was the core engineering challenge faced by pioneers like ZVOX.

#Videos
The Birth of the Soundbar (1998 - 2019) - YouTube
History of sound bar: Home Theater Geeks 169 - YouTube
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