Soundbars/Soundbases

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Danny Phillips  |  Dec 23, 2016  |  0 comments

It’s safe to say that Panasonic’s soundbars haven’t exactly set the world alight in terms of performance, but the Japanese behemoth can never be accused of short-changing its customers on features or spec. That’s certainly the case with the range-topping SC-ALL70T, a 3.1-channel affair with a claimed 350W of power under the bonnet. It comes equipped with multiroom functionality, music streaming, a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth and much more, all for £400. On paper it looks like a sweet deal.

Danny Phillips  |  Nov 23, 2016  |  0 comments

The Canton DM55 soundbase replaces the terrific DM50, offering some new features and upgraded audio. It’s the smallest of three models from the German brand, alongside the DM75 and DM100, which are both designed for bigger rooms and TVs.

Richard Stevenson  |  Jul 22, 2016  |  0 comments

Soundbars are big sellers on the high street but they can get a cold shoulder from the home cinema aficionado seeking authentic surround sound. With its premium-priced HW-K950, Samsung has decided to address that very issue and do it in style. Although to call this simply a 'soundbar' doesn't do it justice.

Mark Craven  |  Jul 06, 2016  |  0 comments

Anyone drawing up a mid-range/premium soundbar shortlist will no doubt be intrigued by Yamaha's YSP-1600. Selling for £500, it shares some of the DNA of the brand's higher-end models (the YSP-2500 and YSP-5600) but leaves more cash in the bank for Blu-rays. There are plenty of other prospect at this price, however, so can the soundbar do enough to make it an essential audition?

Mark Craven  |  Mar 23, 2016  |  0 comments

The Sony HT-RT5 soundbar is a bit of an odd one. It's a soundbar accompanied not only by a subwoofer but also two wireless surround speakers. The huge success of soundbars has been based on people's distaste for multiple boxes – those who fell out of love with all-in-one systems. Now the clutter is piling up again. I, for one, couldn't be happier.

Steve May  |  Jan 07, 2016  |  0 comments

Yamaha's YSP-5600SW Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar system has scrambled my mind. It sounds like a fully-fledged home theatre but clearly isn't; it looks like a soundbar but is something altogether more advanced. Could this be the future of home cinema?

Adrian Justins  |  Nov 20, 2015  |  0 comments

All soundbases pretend they're ready for the task of doubling up as a plinth for your flatscreen TV, yet some tend to be quite narrow, making them inelegant – and sometimes impractical – partners for larger-sized screens. The introduction of Canton's lengthy DM100 is therefore a welcome move.

Adrian Justins  |  Sep 03, 2015  |  0 comments

The country that gave us democracy, philosophy and, er, ouzo may be in an economic jam but Greece isn’t finished yet. Native brand Crystal Acoustics has what it hopes is a major contribution to home cinema in the form of WiSound. Developed in conjunction with boffins at the University of Patras, this tech claims to up the ante for audio from a single-box product.

Danny Phillips  |  Aug 22, 2015  |  0 comments

Whether gimmick or game-changer, curved TVs are here to stay – but sadly so is the typically inadequate sound quality. Soundbars provide the solution, but a straight one looks odd in front of a curved TV. That’s why Samsung has conjured up a range of curved 'bars to complement its bendy screens. 

Martin Pipe  |  Jun 23, 2015  |  0 comments

TV manufacturers are thankfully paying more attention to sound these days, particularly in their high-end models. But what if you're happy with your existing telly in all respects bar audio? Here's the Otone SoundBase, a replacement TV speaker system with Bluetooth connectivity.

Danny Phillips  |  May 14, 2015  |  0 comments

Not only is the SRT-1000 Yamaha’s first soundbase, but it’s also the first to promise ‘true’ surround sound, using technology found on the company’s high-end digital sound projectors.

Danny Phillips  |  May 11, 2015  |  0 comments

Roth is a soundbase debutante, and takes to the stage with the impressively-specced Neo 6.2 SoundCore. The name’s a bit of a mouthful but those numbers relate to the number of speaker drivers on board – six full-rangers and two downward-firing subs.

Danny Phillips  |  May 07, 2015  |  0 comments

At 35mm high, Samsung’s first ever soundbase (or ‘SoundStand’ as the Korean corp calls it) is one of the slimmest on the market, allowing it to slip virtually unnoticed under your flatscreen. It also steers clear from the typical design blueprint, opting for a more streamlined look with sleek angles and curves. The brushed top panel flows seamlessly into the angled fascia, which is adorned with a large, legible LED display.

Adrian Justins  |  May 02, 2015  |  0 comments

Calling the sound that comes out of a regular soundbar 'surround sound' is like saying that watching the World Cup on TV is the same as being in the stadium. But, judging from marketing literature, it's a good selling feature.

Danny Phillips  |  Mar 31, 2015  |  0 comments

Canton’s DM 50, reviewed last year, is perhaps best used with TVs around the 48in mark; the step-up DM 75 on test here supports screens up to 60in (or up to 40kg in weight). Bigger screens need a bigger sound and the DM 75’s roomier cabinet should provide the extra oomph you’re looking for.

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