Definitive Technology looked at the diminishing thickness of today’s televisions and saw a great chance to develop a better on-wall speaker.

According to the company’s Paul DiComo, most of the competing thin on-wall speakers rely on some kind of planar technology which can come with audio quality compromises. At CES in Las Vegas last week, Definitive was showing its own solution to the problem in the form of the Mythos XTR-50 on-wall LCR speakers.

While only 1.5 inches deep, the XTR-50 includes two active drivers and four passive drivers. To conserve space, the neodymium magnets of the active drivers actually extend into the rear panel of the speaker enclosure.

Definitive pressure-coupled the XTDD drivers to four dome low-bass radiators. An aluminum tweeter in the center of the speaker is the same tweeter used in the floorstanding Mythos ST SuperTower. 

The speaker comes with its own mounting hardware for vertical or horizontal mounting, or it can be placed on a stand with the included smoked glass base. Even when matched to a flat panel thinner than 1.5 inches, the speaker’s contour and tapered edge make for a sleek appearance. The XTR-50s are 27 inches long and 6 inches wide, appropriate for flat panel TVs 46- to 55-inches.

They carry an MSRP of $699 and are expected to be available in April. DiComo noted that additional sizes, including a bar-style speaker using the same technology may be developed in the future.

Grant Clauser - Technology and Web Editor, Electronic House

Grant Clauser has been covering home electronics for more than 10 years with editorial roles in several consumer and trade magazines. He's done ISF-level damage to hundreds of reviewed products and has had audio training from Home Acoustics Alliance and Sencore. He's also the author of the book The Trouble with Rivers. Follow him on Twitter @geclauser.