While the bass from the subwoofer can't quite measure up to that of some competitors, the convenience of a basic wireless surround sound-esque set-up and the affordable price tag will more than makes up for this lack for many. Its high-res drivers are crisp and smooth too, perfectly in tune with the latest generation of HD music streaming services from the likes of Amazon, Tidal and Deezer.Ī sleek-looking product with great sound output and an eco-conscious message behind it, the Majority K2 Soundbar comes in the form of a slim speaker and wireless subwoofer, significantly boosting your TV's sound for a budget price. If you want to go full surround, you can also upgrade with Sony’s optional rear speakers. It works a treat, engulfing the listener in various sound effects.Īuditioned with Dolby Atmos soundtracks from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, we were thrilled by its cinematic performance.ĭolby Atmos movies play with exaggerated height and width, while the subwoofer has a welcome kick. This is another Dolby Atmos bar that doesn’t employ up-firing speakers, instead, it boasts Sony’s Vertical Sound Engine to fool our ears into thinking sounds are coming from up high. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, there’s Google Chromecast built-in so it can connect your Google phone or smart-home device Connections include three HDMIs, a 3.5 mm minijack and optical digital audio input. This ultra-slim bar and partnering wireless subwoofer offer Dolby Atmos sound and High-Resolution audio, making it a fine choice for home cinema and Hi-Fi enthusiasts.Ī metre wide, the HT-ZF9 suits 55- to 65-inch screens. If you find the SB300 light on bass, it’s upgradeable with the Bose Bass Module 500 wireless subwoofer and, if you’re really feeling flush, you can even add dedicated Bose rear speakers, creating a fully cinematic 5.1 experience. Should you want multi-room audio, you can easily link the soundbar with other Bose speakers around the home. The Soundbar 300 ships with a tidy remote control, but can also be driven with a matching Bose app. Despite its relatively high price, this isn’t a Dolby Atmos compatible soundbar. There are touch-sensitive buttons up top for power and microphone control.īehind the grille, you’ll find three forward-facing drivers, supported by side-firing cones to each side. Standing just 5.6cm tall, and 67.5cm wide, this compact soundbar sports a subtle matte finish and has a smart aluminium grille that wraps around the sides.Ĭonnections comprise a single HDMI and optical digital audio. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay 2 and Google Assistant, so there's plenty of smart home options.Īs we’ve come to expect from Bose, design and cosmetic finish are high. ![]() This home theatre all-in-one offers voice control courtesy of an eight-microphone array, optimised for both near-field and far-field voice pickup. And that wireless sub adds a huge amount of depth to the mix.Ī great example of a smart home soundbar, the Bose Soundbar 300 is the more compact stablemate to the Bose SB700. This Panasonic is exciting when it needs to be, but can hold a tune, too. Total power output is rated at 505W, which breaks down to 3 x 85w across the front, and 250W driving the sub. However, what really impressed us was the width of Panasonic’s soundstage and the musicality of its presentation. Instead, a 3D Surround effect creates an illusion of height. Unusually for a Dolby Atmos bar, there are no up-firing speakers built-in. Measuring just over a metre wide, the SC-HTB900 bar is best partnered with TVs 55-inches and larger. ![]() The wireless subwoofer sits on a moulded plastic base, so it’ll sound equally good on the carpet as a wooden floor. The SC-HTB900 uses a front-facing left, centre, right driver array, with a pair of woofers and dome tweeter for the left/right stereo channels, plus matching twin woofers to handle the centre channel. Naturally, there’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too. Panasonic sometimes forgets to add style to its substance, but that’s certainly not the case here.Īdding extra confidence is a ‘Tuned by Technics’ badge, which hints that this soundbar can satisfy audiophiles.Ĭonnections include two HDMIs and optical digital audio. The good news is it looks terrific too, with a smart curved grille and touch controls for power, volume and input selection. ![]() If you want Dolby Atmos with deep powerful bass, but don’t have the space or budget for a Sennheiser Ambeo, Panasonic’s SC-HTB900 is our preferred affordable alternative.Ĭompact and versatile, this 3.1 system can be expanded into a fully-fledged surround sound system with optional additional rear speakers, if the whim takes you.
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