Overview: The Definitive Technology Mythos Solo Surround
Array 42 (SSA-42) is a unique multichannel loudspeaker that provides a 5-channel
surround sound experience from just one speaker. The
Definitive Technology SSA-42 is the perfect surround audio solution when you are
unable or unwilling to wire and place rear channel speakers in your room, but
still want a home theater experience. The SSA-42 uses Definitive Technology's
best drivers and tweeters for audiophile-grade sound quality so you can enjoy
enveloping surround sound from a single speaker. The Mythos Solo Surround
Array 42 features five discrete channels to connect to your 5.1-channel Dolby
Digital receiver, so you don't need to run wire to five separate speakers. The
Mythos SSA-4 can be wall- or shelf-mounted using the supplied hardware.
Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options
Driver Technology
Spatial Array: The
Definitive Technology Mythos 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. Spatial Array Surround technology uses subtle, but complex directional
cues to completely free the sound from the speaker enclosure and convince your
ear/brain listening mechanism that you are surrounded multiple speakers. 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.
BDSS Driver Technology: The Front left, Front right, and Center channel drivers
of the SSA-42 utilize Definitive's exclusive and patent-pending Balanced Dual
Surround System (BDSS) technology. Speaker cones usually have one support point
at the circumference of the cone (called the surround), but BDSS drivers have
two support points or surrounds. This design suppresses cone resonance and
promotes a longer, more linear cone motion for higher output, lower distortion
and more accurate frequency response. As a result you will enjoy perfectly
natural and lifelike timbre with crystalline clarity on voices, musical
instruments ,and movie sound effects, even at high-volume levels.
Pure Aluminum Dome Tweeter: The
Definitive Technology SSA-42's tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, which has been
heat-treated to relax the crystal structure and then coated with a ceramic to
produce extended highs. In order to keep the enclosure from being longer than
popular sized video displays, Definitive engineers positioned the front channel
tweeters in front of the drivers. While this is a commonly used space-saving
technique, a tweeter placed in front of the driver usually interferes with the
driver's sound waves. Using computer and physical modeling, Definitive engineers
developed unique tweeter-housing geometry and venting that eliminates
interference effects for audiophile-grade clarity, precision, and accuracy.
Drivers: The Definitive Technology Solo Surround Array 42 features
three 3-1/4" BDSS drivers with axially-aligned 3/4" pure aluminum dome tweeters;
two 3-1/4" BDSS high-output full-range drivers, and four 3" full-range
high-output surround drivers.
Break-In Period: The Mythos SSA-42 will sound good right out
of the box; however, an extended break-in period of 20-40 hours or more of
playing is required to reach full performance capability. The break-in period
allows the suspensions to work in and results in full bass, a more open
midrange, and smoother high frequency reproduction.
Enclosure Design
Extruded Aluminum Enclosure: The SSA-42's enclosure is fabricated from
aircraft-grade, hand-polished gloss black extruded aluminum, styled to perfectly
match today's flat panel plasma and LCD TVs. Internal
baffles and braces inside the enclosure eliminate interference effects between
drivers and channels for true audiophile purity and maximum channel separation.
Connections
5-Way Binding Posts: The SSA-42 is equipped with 5 pairs
(Front left, Front right, Center, Rear right, Rear left) of gold-plated, 5-way
binding posts to attach your 5.1-channel home theater receiver's speaker wire.
Mounting Options
Placement: The Mythos Solo Surround Array 42 is designed for
horizontal use only. The 5-channel loudspeaker can be positioned below or above
your flat-panel television. The SSA-42 matches perfectly with 42-inch and larger
flat-panel televisions.
Mounting: The Definitive Technology SSA-42 comes with
easy-to-install mounting hardware that allow it to mount on the wall above or
below your television. The Mythos SSA-42 comes with a wall mount bracket that
allows direct mounting to a wall. The SSA-42 can also be mounted directly to
select flat-panel TV swing out arm-style wall mounts, so that the speaker angle
changes with the TV angle. It also includes hardware that allows you to place
the speaker on the TV, on a shelf , or on a table-top (surface must be at least
5-inches deep).
Angle Adjustment: The Mythos Solo Surround Array 42 comes
with two brackets and two feet which screw into the speaker's wall-mount bracket
to stabilize the speaker and allows you to adjust the vertical angle when the
system is placed on a flat horizontal surface. When you set the speaker down,
the speaker will lean back and rest on these feet. By varying how far you screw
in-and-out the feet, you can adjust the vertical angle of the speaker. It is
recommended that you aim the center-speaker so that it aims directly towards the
height of the listeners' ears.
