I quote (from PSNEurope - a.k.a ProSoundNews Europe) ... http://www.psneurope.com/sky-soundbox-devialet-partnership/?utm_source=Adestra&u...  

Sky has entered into a new partnership with audio specialist Devialet to launch the Sky Soundbox – a new system designed to “transform the TV sound experience”.
According to Sky, the Soundbox is built to deliver optimised, immersive audio, driven by Devialet’s audio technology, which was developed for Expert Pro amplifier and Phantom wireless speaker. The new partnership marks the first time Devialet has partnered with another brand.

Combining six woofers and three full-range speakers into a single "compact device", the Sky Soundbox ‘uses the walls in the home to reflect ambient sound around the room’, resulting in spatial surround sound, without the need for a subwoofer or extra speakers.

Stephen van Rooyen, CEO, Sky UK and Ireland, commented: “Sound is a vital part of visual storytelling – whether you’re watching the season finale of your favourite drama, or an epic Premier League clash. That’s why we’ve partnered with audio industry leaders Devialet to launch Sky Soundbox and take the TV experience to the next level for our customers. Great TV deserves great audio – we believe Sky Soundbox is the Ultra HD of home audio.”

Quentin Sannié, chief executive, Devialet, added: “Sound is the future of television. We are very proud to be partnering with Sky, to help them to unleash the full emotional impact of their content, through powerful, immersive, fully integrated sound. This first partnership illustrates our ability to pursue Devialet’s vision to enable revolutionary experiences through audio, and bring them to the widest number of people through partnerships with like-minded companies who are looking to challenge the status quo.”

Sky Soundbox is compatible with Sky Q, Sky+ and standalone TVs. When paired with Sky Q, customers can access Sky Q Sound – exclusive sound modes designed by Devialet to automatically refine the audio for a range of Sky sports and TV shows.

Furthermore, Sky Soundbox will also be able to choose from the following audio modes:
Dialogue Enhance mode: ensuring speech is clear and defined
Late Night mode: decreasing bass and further enhancing quiet whispers
Kids mode: giving parents control over the maximum volume levels to protect vulnerable ears.

Sky Soundbox will be available this autumn - priced at £799.

In what world do these people live? The average viewer just wants to see and hear programmes clearly. why on earth should anyone want such an amazingly expensive box of tricks to just, as Chris West says, give us enhanced crap?
Just a couple of thoughts on the continuing  audio problems besettting the Beeb, why isn't there employed a sound equivalent of the picture 'colourist' credited on so many shows, and also why hasn't a group of experienced ex-sound people formed a company to just take over the audio side of production for who-ever nowadays makes programmes in or out of house?

Sounds like yet another attempt to make money with the latest gadget!

Top Tip-For anyone wanting to reasonably guarantee the sound of a flat tv with ridiculous tinny sounding speakers-Might I recommend the Sony Bravia range which has a totally totally acceptable output quality for most living room listening PLUS a few satisfactory EQ settings to boot.

I did once have a soundbar linked to  a previously owned Samsung--which enhanced the volume beautifully but failed to improve the quality of the audio signal. It was one more thing to switch on each time TV was needed!