Picture-Perfect Sound for Samsung's The Frame TV

While TVs have come a long way from the big, boxy sets of the past, there is still a lot to be desired aesthetically. The modern flat-screen TVs that can be found in most American homes today are remarkably thin, with a picture quality that far surpasses their predecessors, but when the display is off, homeowners are left with a lot of wall real estate devoted to a glossy black screen that detracts from the surrounding décor in the room.

Aiming to design a product that would solve this problem and create a greater balance between form and function, Samsung introduced The Frame TV in 2017. “TV When It’s On. Art When It’s Off,” The Frame is a TV encased by a simple frame that transforms into a work of art when it is switched to “Art Mode,” a feature that offers over 1,000 pieces of art by prestigious artists, galleries and museums worldwide.

With its strong design appeal and moderate price tag, The Frame quickly gained popularity with consumers, but A/V integrators were presented with the challenge of incorporating high-end audio — all while maintaining the unassuming aesthetic that makes the TV so appealing to end-users in the first place.

It’s certainly no secret that built-in TV speakers leave a lot to be desired, and while a soundbar is the most common way to upgrade TV audio, off-the-shelf models can be an interior design eyesore — especially when paired with a product like the The Frame, that was intentionally designed to look as little like a technology product as possible.

After fielding many requests from our dealers asking for design-friendly solutions for providing better quality sound to The Frame TV, we created a suite of designer soundbars that complement it perfectly.

FrameBar
A discreet, high-performance soundbar designed exclusively to pair with The Frame, FrameBar mounts below the display and comes in multiple models and color choices that match the width and finish of the TV. Modeled after our top-selling Horizon Ultra-Thin soundbar, FrameBar measures less than 3 inches deep and mounts flush to the wall to maintain the lowest profile possible. It is available in four finishes: White, Black, Brown and Beige, to closely match finishes offered by Samsung, and it features a flat moulding design with an exposed cabinet edge on the front of the soundbar. While FrameBar comes standard with a black fabric grille cloth, there is the option to upgrade to our collection of designer grille fabrics to give the installation an even more customized look and match the surrounding décor in the home.

Horizon Denza
Without looking like a traditional soundbar, Horizon Denza is a stylish audio companion for The Frame TV. Inspired by mid-century modern design, Denza is a soundbar and floating shelf in one that transforms the soundbar into a contemporary home furnishing. It features two channels of reference-grade audio with additional central storage space to house small form-factor A/V components like the Sonos Amp®. Handcrafted from Baltic Birch, Denza mounts flush to the wall and is available in two sizes and Black and White standard finishes, with custom finishes also available to ensure a perfect design match in any space.

Ente Soundbar
While it’s often the goal for soundbars to blend in with the TV, the Ente Soundbar was intentionally designed to keep the audio on display. A long way from your standard black soundbar, Ente has a unique aesthetic that features a handcrafted Baltic Birch cabinet with exposed, raw edges and a stylized wooden-slat center grille that conceals a built-in Sonos Amp. For certain installations with The Frame where it isn’t as desirable to hide the audio away, the Ente soundbar can provide both sound and style.

A version of this article first appeared in Connected Design magazine.