The Paradigm Soundplay approaches the soundbar as more than a space-saving television speaker. It is a powered audio system with six drivers, Dolby Digital and DTS processing, high-resolution music support, bidirectional Bluetooth, room correction, and provision for an external subwoofer. Just as importantly, its physical design addresses the practical details that often determine whether a soundbar integrates neatly into a living space. It can sit on furniture or mount directly to a wall, its connections are recessed, and cable routing is designed to keep wiring out of view. The result is a product intended for listeners who want substantial system functionality without filling the room with separate speakers and electronics.
A self-contained system built around six drivers
Soundplay uses three drivers for each of its two channels, creating a six-driver acoustic arrangement within its 110cm-wide enclosure. Power comes from an Anthem Class D amplifier rated at 135W RMS and 270W dynamic peak. Because amplification and digital processing are integrated, the bar does not require a separate AV receiver or stereo amplifier to operate.
That self-contained architecture is central to the product’s usefulness. It reduces the number of components, power connections, speaker cables, and equipment shelves required around a television. At 10cm high and 17cm deep, Soundplay remains a substantial piece of audio equipment rather than an ultra-compact bar, but its single-enclosure format offers a much simpler installation than a conventional multi-speaker system.
The specified sensitivity is 89dB under room conditions and anechoic measurement. Paradigm also provides a dedicated RCA subwoofer output, allowing owners to supplement the integrated speaker system with a separate powered subwoofer. This makes the design adaptable: it can begin as a standalone soundbar and later become part of a wider-range system without requiring the main unit to be replaced.
Television sound with virtual surround processing
The Soundplay is primarily configured to expand a television’s audio capabilities. Its DSP-based preamplifier supports Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround signals, using the incoming soundtrack to create a virtual surround presentation through the soundbar’s two physical channels. The processing is designed to preserve information assigned to center and rear channels rather than simply discarding those parts of a multichannel mix.
This arrangement addresses one of the main compromises associated with replacing a discrete home-cinema speaker package with a single enclosure. Soundplay does not require physical center or surround speakers, yet it can process established multichannel television and film formats. For rooms where rear speakers and their cables are impractical, that is a meaningful design choice.
Dialogue enhancement is another relevant feature for television use. Instead of requiring owners to increase the overall volume whenever speech becomes difficult to follow, the dedicated processing is intended to improve vocal intelligibility. Several equalizer programs are also available for adapting the system to different tasks, giving users direct control without demanding complex manual adjustment.
Anthem Room Correction adds installation flexibility
One of Soundplay’s more distinctive inclusions is Anthem Room Correction, or ARC. A calibrated microphone is supplied for the room-correction process. ARC is designed to account for the acoustic influence of the listening space, an important consideration because a soundbar may be positioned close to a wall, placed on furniture, or installed in a room chosen for everyday living rather than ideal acoustic behavior.
Room correction is especially pertinent to a product offering both tabletop and wall-mounted operation. Those placements create different relationships between the drivers and nearby surfaces. Providing a measurement-based setup system gives the owner a way to accommodate the actual installation instead of relying solely on fixed factory tuning. The included calibrated microphone also means the necessary measurement hardware is part of the package.
More than a television-only soundbar
Although its form and connections make television sound a priority, Soundplay is also equipped for music playback. It supports high-resolution audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz, giving owners scope to use compatible digital sources without restricting playback to conventional compressed formats.
For compressed audio files, Paradigm includes processing intended to expand their frequency range. This does not change the original file format, but it gives users an additional playback option when listening to material from sources where compression is unavoidable. Together with the available equalizer programs, it supports the Soundplay’s role as a general-purpose living-room music system rather than a device used only for films and broadcasts.
Bluetooth with Qualcomm aptX provides a convenient route from phones, tablets, computers, and other compatible devices. This allows music to be played without connecting another cable to the soundbar, which is useful when several household members want quick access from their own devices.
Bidirectional Bluetooth supports private listening
Soundplay’s Bluetooth implementation works in both directions. It can receive audio wirelessly and operate as a speaker for a phone or another source, but it can also transmit sound to wireless headphones. The second function is less common and particularly practical for late-night television viewing, shared spaces, or any situation in which the owner wants to listen without disturbing others.
This transmission capability effectively adds wireless-headphone support to a connected television, even if the television itself is not suitably equipped. It also keeps headphone listening within the same central audio system, avoiding the need to disconnect the soundbar or add a separate transmitter.
Connections for televisions and supporting components
The connection panel includes two optical S/PDIF inputs, an analog stereo input using RCA connectors, a LAN network port, and an HDMI connection with Audio Return Channel. The range of inputs accommodates televisions and other sources using either digital optical or conventional analog output. HDMI ARC provides a direct path for returning compatible television audio to the Soundplay over HDMI.
An RCA subwoofer output supports system expansion, while two IR connections are listed. Paradigm also provides an IR signal repeater for installations in which the soundbar blocks the television’s infrared receiver. This is a small but thoughtful feature because the bar’s 10cm height may overlap the lower edge of some screens when both are placed on the same piece of furniture.
All switching ports sit inside a dedicated recess, and the enclosure allows cables to be concealed in both tabletop and wall-mounted configurations. That treatment helps the soundbar maintain its restrained appearance after sources, power, and optional accessories are connected.
Installation and everyday control
Soundplay can be positioned on a table or mounted on a wall without requiring a separate specialist bracket. An installation template is included to help with alignment. Its controls change orientation with the product: the physical keys are placed on the rear during tabletop use and become accessible from the top when the bar is wall mounted.
Including controls on the enclosure is useful if the remote is unavailable or if a basic function needs to be changed while standing near the system. A compact remote control is also supplied for routine operation from the listening position. The combination of onboard keys, remote operation, hidden connections, cable management, and IR repeating reflects attention to daily usability rather than specifications alone.
The Soundplay weighs 5.4kg, a figure prospective owners should take into account when choosing furniture or planning wall installation. The supplied mounting template simplifies positioning, but a secure supporting surface remains important for a component of this size and weight.
Conclusion
Paradigm Soundplay is most suitable for someone who wants a single powered enclosure to handle television audio, streamed music, and occasional private headphone listening. Its strongest documented qualities are Anthem Room Correction with a calibrated microphone, Dolby Digital and DTS virtual surround processing, support for audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, bidirectional aptX Bluetooth, and an external subwoofer connection. Flexible tabletop or wall placement, recessed cabling, an IR repeater, and physical controls also make it considerate of real living-room installations. Owners seeking a simple alternative to multiple speakers and a separate receiver are likely to find its combination of integration and expandability particularly relevant, while those specifically wanting physically separate surround channels will naturally be looking for a different system format.
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