It Doesn’t Look Like a Soundbar, But It Packs Dolby Atmos and Two Subwoofers
Most soundbars are designed to disappear beneath a television. They are usually long, rectangular, and covered in black fabric or metal grilles. But a new American audio company believes home cinema equipment should be designed to complement the living room rather than look like another piece of electronic equipment. Its first product, the Knit Form, takes this idea in a rather unusual direction.
Introduced by Knit Sound Company, the Knit Form is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with a rounded, sculptural design and a knitted fabric exterior. At first glance, it looks more like a decorative piece of furniture or a cushion than a conventional home cinema speaker. However, beneath its unusual appearance is a 5.1.2-channel audio system with 14 channels of Class D amplification and two integrated subwoofers.
With a $999 price tag, the Knit Form also enters the premium soundbar market, where it will face established competitors such as the Sonos Arc Ultra.
Knit Form Takes a Completely Different Approach to Soundbar Design
The most distinctive feature of the Knit Form is undoubtedly its appearance. Instead of following the familiar rectangular design used by almost every major soundbar manufacturer, Knit Sound Company has opted for a rounded shape covered in its proprietary Threadform knitted fabric.
Despite its soft appearance, the enclosure underneath the textile is rigid. The specially developed fabric is acoustically transparent, allowing sound to pass through without interfering with the speakers’ operation. According to the manufacturer, considerable attention was paid to its appearance, colour depth, durability and acoustic properties.
The design also goes beyond simply choosing a different exterior material. The Knit Form has no front-facing logo, while its status lights switch off during viewing. The idea is to make the soundbar feel like a natural part of the living space rather than something that constantly attracts attention.
The product was developed by Knit Sound Company founder and CEO Joel Sietsema, who brings around 20 years of experience in the audio industry, including senior product and brand roles at Sound United, the former parent company of Denon and Marantz.
His goal was to create a soundbar that combines serious home cinema capabilities with an appearance that homeowners would actually want to display in their living rooms.
A 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos System With Two Built-In Subwoofers
Of course, an unusual design alone would not be enough to justify a $999 soundbar. Underneath its knitted exterior, the Knit Form features a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos configuration powered by 14 channels of Class D amplification.
The system also incorporates two built-in subwoofers, eliminating the need to place a separate subwoofer on the floor. This is particularly interesting for people who want a cleaner living room without sacrificing the convenience of a dedicated bass system.
For dialogue reproduction, Knit has included a dedicated centre voice array. Its settings can be adjusted through the company’s optional smartphone application, allowing users to customise dialogue presentation according to their preferences.
The app also provides access to four listening modes and over-the-air software updates.
Connectivity Includes HDMI eARC, AirPlay and Auracast
The Knit Form is designed to work with a television as the main entertainment hub. It connects through HDMI eARC or ARC, allowing audio from television apps and connected devices to be played through the soundbar.
For wireless connectivity, the system supports Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect through a compatible connected television. Auracast is another interesting addition, allowing audio to be broadcast to compatible wireless headphones and hearing aids for private listening.
The soundbar measures 46 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, making it particularly suitable for televisions measuring 55 inches or larger. It can be placed on a TV cabinet or mounted on a wall using an optional mounting bracket.
Knit Form Price and Availability
The Knit Form will be available in five colour options: Cloud White, Slate Black, Pebble, Sandstone and Ember. This selection gives buyers more freedom to match the soundbar with their furniture and interior design.
Its retail price is $999, placing it directly against premium alternatives such as the Sonos Arc Ultra. An optional flush wall-mounting bracket is available separately for $79.
For now, Knit Sound Company plans to sell the Knit Form exclusively in the United States through its own website. Availability in other markets has not yet been confirmed.
The Knit Form is an interesting new addition to the premium soundbar market. Rather than trying to win attention through another conventional black enclosure, Knit Sound Company is betting that some buyers want their home cinema equipment to look just as carefully considered as the rest of their living room. Whether its unusual design and integrated audio system can compete with established premium soundbars remains to be seen, but it certainly offers something different.
