Dolby Atmos - Organizer

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the most powerful yet, is the first with Dolby Atmos audio

5:15 pm | June 24, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: Dolby Atmos | Comments: Off

Google is expanding the Chromebook Plus category with a powerful new model from Lenovo and a host of AI features for all Chromebook Plus laptops. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 features the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chipset. This chip has a Cortex-X925 (3.62GHz), three Cortex-X4 and four Cortex-A720, plus an ARM Immortalis-G295 MC11 GPU. The NPU delivers 50 TOPS of on-device performance – more on AI later. The Kompanio Ultra is the most powerful ARM chip used in a Chromebook yet. The chipset is similar to the Dimensity 9400. Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 As the name suggests, this...

I tested Samsung’s top OLED TV of 2025, and its beautifully bright images and anti-reflection screen makes this year’s OLED TV battle even more interesting

5:00 pm | June 21, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: AI, Dolby Atmos, DTS, TV | Comments: Off

Samsung S95F: Two minute review

The Samsung S95F is the brand’s 2025 flagship OLED TV, delivering a premium set of features with the performance to match, pushing brightness levels for this kind of TV to some new highs.

The Samsung S95F boasts an impressive list of features, including a number of AI-based enhancement tools for picture, such as 4K Upscaling Pro and Real Depth Enhancer, and sound, such as AI Sound and Active Voice Amplifier Pro, as well as an AI assistant for live TV show analysis and recommendations.

Picture quality on the S95F is excellent overall. Delivering staggering brightness levels that produce punchy vibrant colors, as well as rich contrast, black levels and extremely realistic textures, the S95F is a sight to behold even compared to the best OLED TVs.

One thing to note here is that I reviewed the 55-inch version, which uses a new-gen QD-OLED screen, as does the 65-inch and 77-inch version, though the 83-inch size uses the same W-OLED new-gen panel as the LG G5. The benchmark measurements in this review are from the 55-inch model – I have also measured an 83-inch version, and included some information about that in the Picture Quality section, but those tests weren't done in our usual testing areas, and the set was tested pre-release, so may not totally match what you'll buy today, but I've included them for reference.

Its OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen delivers the same impressive reflection-beating performance as its predecessor, the Samsung S95D, but improves on black crush issues I found with the S95D. There is still some black crush present, and motion does require some tweaking to get to your own tastes, but the S95F still delivers picture quality that’s up there with the best TVs.

Built-in sound is punchy, accurate and delivers plenty of solid bass for such a thin TV, while also delivering clear speech and effective virtual surround sound. Atmos effects are still a little lacking and the soundstage can feel narrow at times, but most will be pleased with the S95F’s sound quality. Cinephiles: I’d still recommend one of the best soundbars.

The S95F is a physically stunning TV with a razor-thin, sharp and sleek design that gives it a premium look. Its One Connect Box, its external box for cable management and housing of ports, keeps things neat and tidy: excellent for those looking to wall-mount. Its stand requires a two person installation due to its weighty, metal design but it just makes the S95F feel that much more premium.

Tizen 9.0 is used as the smart TV platform for the S95F and it’s an improvement over previous generations. It’s smooth, mostly stutter-free and has plenty of picture settings, including AI ones, to tweak the picture to your liking. Recommendations are very good and although the home page can look a little cluttered and some settings are buried in menus, it’s definitely an upgrade over previous generations of Tizen.

The S95F is easily among one of the best gaming TVs of 2025. It supports 4K, 165Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming across four HDMI 2.1 ports, as well as boasting an ultra-low 9.5ms input lag time. Its Game Hub offers tons of cloud gaming options for those without a console and delivers razor-sharp performance and picture when gaming.

To get this premium performance, you have to pay a premium price. The S95F is similarly priced to its closest rivals, namely the LG G5, and while the price may be a bit lofty for some at launch, there will no doubt be discounts throughout its life cycle. For now though, it still mostly justifies its high price tag.

Should you buy this or the LG G5, which we also gave five stars to? I think the LG G5 just has the edge in most cases, thanks to its Dolby Vision support and the way it keeps black tones as dark and accurate as possible in more conditions. I think the Samsung is the better choice in really bright rooms where you know reflections are a challenge, or for aesthetes who love the idea of the One Connect box keeping cable clutter out of the way.

Samsung S95F review: Prices & release date

Samsung S95F with canyon on screen — (Image credit: Future)

Release date: May 2025
55-inch: $2,499 / £2,499 / N/A
65-inch: $3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295
77-inch: $4,499 / £4,299 / AU$7,995
83-inch: $6,499 / £6,799 / AU$9,995

The Samsung S95F is the brand’s 2025 flagship OLED TV, sitting above the mid-range Samsung S90F and the entry-level Samsung S85F in its OLED TV lineup. The 55-inch model I tested launched at a price of $2,499 / £2,499, with the popular 65-inch model available for $3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295.

Several weeks on from launch, prices remain largely unchanged, although we've seen a $200 / £200 discount on the 55-inch model and sometimes the 65-inch model. There's sure to be more price drops throughout the year, as is normal for TVs.

Samsung S95F review: Specs

Screen type	QD-OLED
Refresh rate	Up to 165Hz
HDR support	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support	Dolby Atmos
Smart TV	Tizen
HDMI ports	4 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner	ATSC 3.0 (US)

Samsung S95F review: Benchmark results

Samsung S95F review: Features

Glare Free 2.0 matte screen
NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor with AI tools
One Connect box for external connections

Samsung S95F one connect box — (Image credit: Future)

The Samsung S95F uses a QD-OLED panel in its 55, 65 and 77-inch models, but the largest 83-inch model uses the new Primary Tandem RGB, or ‘four-stack’, OLED panel: the same used in the LG G5.

The S95F comes with the OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen: an updated version of the anti-reflection, matte screen found in its predecessor, the Samsung S95D.

It’s equipped with the NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor, which offers AI based enhancements such as Real Depth Enhancer, 4K AI Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro, Color Booster Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro. There are also AI Customization settings for both picture and sound which can be tweaked.

As always, the S95F supports HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, but there is no support for Dolby Vision. It also supports Dolby Atmos enhanced sound format, but there is no support for DTS.

For audio, the S95F comes with a built-in 4.2.2 channel speaker array, totaling 70W of power. It has the Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) system for more accurate sound mapping as well as AI Sound mode with voice enhancement. It also supports Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature, where the TV can be used in tandem with compatible Samsung soundbars as an extra speaker.

The S95F is also a well equipped gaming TV, with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K, 165Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro included), ALLM and HDR10+ gaming. Its Game Hub is a useful portal for housing all things gaming, including cloud based gaming apps from Xbox, Luna, Nvidia GeForce Now and more.

In terms of physical features, the S95F’s most significant addition is the One Connect Box, an external box designed to house all connections such as HDMI and USB, connected to the TV by a single cable that carries power as well as video. For US viewers, the S95F carries an ATSC 3.0 tuner.

The S95F uses Samsung’s Tizen as its smart TV platform and has access to all major streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, as well as UK based apps such as ITVX and BBC iPlayer. Tizen has several hubs to house relevant apps including Home, the aforementioned Game, Ambient and Daily+.

Features score: 5/5

Samsung S95F review: Picture quality

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Samsung S95F in Movie mode with Batman on screen — Movie mode (Image credit: Future)

Choosing the right picture mode for bright conditions can be important depending on the movie. The Batman is a particularly dim movie.

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Samsung S95F in Filmmaker Mode with Active dynamic tone mapping with Batman on screen — Filmmaker Mode with Active Dynamic Tone Mapping (Image credit: Future)

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Samsung S95F in Filmmaker mode with Static Dynamic Tone Mapping on with Batman on screen — Filmmaker Mode with Static Dynamic Tone Mapping (Image credit: Future)

Spectacular color and brightness
Very effective anti-reflection screen
Improved black levels over the S95D

Starting with my measurements of the 55-inch S95F’s performance using out-of-the-box settings, the TV hit 2,132 nits of HDR peak brightness (measured on a 10% HDR white window pattern) in Filmmaker Mode. When I measured a pre-release version of the 83-inch model at a Samsung event, which has a different type of OLED screen (the same as the LG G5), I measured 2,388 nits of peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode on that model, which is a good 10% step up over the smaller option.

The LG G5, for comparison, measured 2,268 nits in HDR peak brightness in Filmmaker Mode, so sits closer to the 83-inch version of the S95F, which makes sense.

The 55-inch S95F achieved 2,135 nits of peak HDR brightness in Standard mode, while the 83-inch version hit 2,102 nits in the same test. The LG G5 hit 1,850 nits in Standard Mode, so the S95F has a clear edge over its rival in that kind of mode.

I also measured the 55-inch S95F’s Movie mode brightness, as I found myself using this mode with some movies in brighter conditions, and it hit 2,109 nits of peak HDR brightness.

As for HDR fullscreen brightness, important for sports, daytime and bright room viewing, the 55-inch S95F clocked 390 nits in Filmmaker Mode (measured on a 100% white HDR window pattern), making it the brightest 55-inch OLED we’ve tested. It beat the previous champion, the LG G5, which clocked in 331 nits in its Filmmaker Mode.

However, the the 83-inch version of the S95F I tested crushed its smaller sibling, achieving 465 nits of fullscreen brightness in Filmmaker Mode – a figure you expect from the best mini-LED TVs.

With SDR fullscreen brightness however, the LG G5 still holds the crown, hitting 327 nits in Filmmaker Mode, whereas the S95F clocked in at 181 nits.

The S95F’s most unusual feature is its OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen, which like its predecessor, the S95D, eliminated mirror-like reflections even with bright overhead lights on in our testing room.

The issue with mirror-like reflections is that they're actually on a different focal plane to the TV, so when your eye catches them, you have to focus away from the rest of the screen. That's why they're so annoying, and are quite fatiguing to deal with. On the S95F they're reduced to just a haze at most.

I found when I tested the S95D that the matte screen caused black crush, particularly in Filmmaker Mode, so you lost detail in the dark areas OLED is supposed to excel in – and thankfully the S95F has improved this. There were still some instances of black crush in dark scenes in movies like The Batman and Nosferatu, but they were minimal in comparison.

I did find when watching dark movies in bright rooms, setting Dynamic Tone Mapping from the default Static to Active in Filmmaker Mode gave it a solid brightness boost without sacrificing black levels or contrast too much, and helped to reduce the black crush.

Samsung S95F with Elphaba from Wicked on screen — The S95F displays spectacular, vivid colors especially with HDR movies such as *Wicked* (Image credit: Future)

Where the S95F really shines with its picture is its colors. Watching a 4K stream of Elemental on Disney Plus, fire characters – as well as Ember’s glass and vase-making – deliver stunning, glistening reds and oranges with a real vivid punch in highlight areas of the screen.

A 4K Blu-ray of Wicked also demonstrated natural but vibrant colors, particularly in the Wizard & I scene where Elphaba stands among pink flowers. I preferred Filmmaker Mode’s accuracy, but those looking for a brighter dose of color can select Movie mode for something that's bold but still realistic.

It’s no surprise the 55-inch S95F delivered such spectacular HDR colors, because when I measured its HDR color gamut coverage, it yielded results of 100% and 89.3% in the DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces. These are not only phenomenal results, but it’s also the first time a TV has hit 100% DCI-P3 in my time testing TVs. I measured the 83-inch S95F at 94.9% of P3 color gamut coverage, however – this is surprisingly low, considering the LG G5 with the same panel achieved 99.6%, so it might be best to take it with a pinch of salt, since I tested it pre-release.

Black levels and contrast are still excellent on the S95F, particularly when viewed in dimmed or pitch black conditions. Watching The Batman, the subway fight and crime scene sequences showed deep black levels with brilliant contrast between dark areas and light areas from light sources such as lamps, torches and flashbulbs. Shadow detail was great as well, with objects on walls still visible even in dark sections.

The S95F was great for black and white movies, as scenes from Oppenheimer showed deep black tones, vibrant white tones and a full range of gray tones with fantastic depth and texture.

Samsung S95F with stopwatch on screen — Textures and details are given a near 3D-like quality on the S95F (Image credit: Future)

Speaking of textures, the S95F showed a near 3D-like quality for every 4K movie I used. Clearly, the Real Depth Enhancer was hard at work, as every facial feature, skin tone and object looked accurate, lifelike and refined. I found the S95F’s upscaling was effective when viewing an HD stream of Fight Club. While not as successful with lower resolution TV shows, textures were definitely still upscaled.

Motion for the S95F was responsive, though I did find that Blur and Judder reduction needed to be set at 5 each, though this may require some adjusting for some. A panning shot of a cliffside in No Time To Die was smooth without the dreaded soap opera effect with these settings. For Sports, I opted for Standard Mode with these settings and found the action smooth without any ghosting of the ball during a stream of a soccer game.

The S95F is an overall fantastic TV, but I put it side-by-side with the LG G5 and while the S95F was better for bright room viewing, I couldn’t help but admire the G5’s richer, inkier black levels. It did make the S95F’s black levels look gray in bright conditions by comparison. The matte screen obviously is a compromise, but thankfully some tweaking of the S95F’s settings mentioned above can narrow the gap. It's even better if you can view in dimmed conditions.

Picture quality score: 5/5

Samsung S95F: Sound quality

Samsung S95F speakers — (Image credit: Future)

4.2.2 channel, 70W speaker array
Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) for accurate mapping
Dolby Atmos, but no DTS support

The Samsung S95F comes equipped with a built-in 4.2.2 channel speaker array, with 70W of total power. It includes AI Sound mode options and supports Dolby Atmos soundtracks. There is no support for DTS soundtracks, however. There are two preset sound modes to choose from: Standard and Amplify.

With the S95F set to the Amplify sound mode, the Batmobile/Penguin chase scene in The Batman produced hefty, impactful bass and rumble from the Batmobile’s engine and explosions. The OTS+ system was effective at mapping effects such as screeching tyres and gunfire and keeping the action on screen and sound tightly connected and controlled.

Throughout Wicked, the S95F’s speakers also delivered clear vocals and speech as well as a very good balance between said vocals and the uplifting and powerful score, which was itself delivered with clarity and precision.

While its built-in sound is very good, I couldn’t help but find the soundstage narrow in places and that its volume needed to be pushed to get the full experience. When pushed too high however, there can be some buzz from the bass. For a proper cinematic experience, one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars remains recommended.

Samsung S95F review: Design

Samsung S95F top perspective — The Samsung S95F is a super-slim and sleek TV (Image credit: Future)

Super slim, modern design
One Connect Box for external connections
Solid, sleek metal base

The S95F is a sight to behold. Razor-thin with a bezel-less screen, the S95F is incredibly sleek and has an appealing modern look. It comes with a weighty, black metal stand and while assembly requires two people, once attached it gives the TV a floating look and feels solid and sturdy.

The S95F comes with the brand’s One Connect Box, which houses the S95F’s many connections, including four HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, an optical port, tuner ports for broadcast TV and an Ethernet port. This box is then connected to the S95F via a single cable and the box itself can be housed on the back of the stand. It’s ideal for those looking to wall-mount their TV with minimal cables.

For remotes, the S95F comes with the SolarCell remote, a small remote with volume control, app shortcuts and the new AI button, for AI assistant shortcuts. The remote can be charged via USB-C or the solar panel on the remote. UK users will also find an older-style remote with numbered buttons in the box as well as the SolarCell remote.

Design score: 5/5

Samsung S95F review: Smart TV & menus

Samsung S95F with home screen on page — Tizen 9.0 is an improvement over previous generations of the Tizen smart TV system (Image credit: Future)

Tizen smart TV platform
Home, Game, Ambient and Daily+ hubs for apps
Good number of picture settings

The S95F uses Samsung’s own Tizen smart TV platform, with this year’s version called Tizen 9.0. It has access to all the major streaming apps, but UK users should note it does not include Freeview Play for broadcast TV, instead using Samsung’s own Samsung TV Plus. UK based streaming apps are still available however.

Tizen 9.0’s home page is split into three sections: For You, which houses AI-tailored content recommendations (which are mostly accurate and effective based on my own experience) Live, for live TV and Apps, for a fuller apps page list. For You is the default and while there is a large banner at the top of the screen, a neat, customizable row of apps sits at the bottom of the screen and is easily accessible.

Aside from the Home page, there are three other main hubs: Game for gaming based applications; Ambient, for an ambient mode in place of standby; and Daily+ for lifestyle and workplace based apps.

Menu and settings navigation is made easier thanks to a quick menu, which I didn’t find as effective as LG’s but is still a welcome addition. Accessing the right menus and settings can be long-winded and navigation can stutter on occasion, but it was a mostly smooth experience.

As well as the usual picture and sound settings, of which there are a good amount for picture customization, there are a number of AI-based tools including AI picture and sound modes. There is an AI assistant as well. A press of the remote’s AI button on a TV show on Samsung TV Plus gave me a summary of the show and recommended similar shows.

Smart TV & menus: 4.5/5

Samsung S95F review: Gaming

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Samsung S95F Game Hub — The Samsung S95F is an exceptional gaming TV, with extensive features and performance Pictured: Game Hub (Image credit: Future)

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Samsung S95F with Battlefield V and game bar on screen — Pictured: Battlefield V with Game Bar (Image credit: Future)

4K, 165Hz, VRR, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming
Ultra-low 9.5ms input lag time
Game Hub for cloud based gaming apps

The S95F is an extremely well featured TV for gaming. It features four HDMI ports that support 4K, 165Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro supported, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming. Samsung’s Game Hub continues to be an excellent portal for everything gaming related including a healthy choice of cloud based gaming apps from the likes of Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now and Luna.

As with Samsung’s TVs, the S95F is no slouch with gaming performance either. An ultra-low 9.5ms input lag time delivers a smooth experience with no hint of screen tear or stutter in performance whatsoever. Playing Battlefield V, intense combat sequences were exciting to play and targeting was easy, snappy and extremely responsive.

The S95F also delivers superb picture quality for gaming, with several levels in Battlefield V given a truly bright, vibrant and dynamic look filled with color and detail. Again Real Depth Enhancer Pro gave the picture a hyper-realistic look with fantastic detail in every object on screen.

Gaming score: 5/5

Samsung S95F review: Value

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Samsung 2025 SolarCell remote — Samsung's SolarCell remote adds a new AI button at the top middle. (Image credit: Future)

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Samsung S95F UK remote — UK users get both the SolarCell and older, button remote (pictured here) in box. (Image credit: Future)

Performance and features justify price
Closely priced with rivals
Still a premium priced TV

Value is a tough area to judge for the Samsung S95F, as it carries most of the features you’d ever need while also delivering high-quality performance, but this all comes at a premium price.

The 55-inch model I tested costs $2,299.99 / £2,299 (roughly AU$3,554) at the time of writing. The S95F’s main rival, the LG G5, 55-inch model costs $2,199.99 / £2,199.99 / AU$3,495 at the time of writing, making the G5 the more tempting of the two. Expect prices to battle throughout the year, reducing over time.

I’d usually recommend the S95F’s step-down sibling – the S90F – as a cheaper alternative, because the 55-inch model there costs $1,799 / £1,899 / AU$3,299. However, there is no guarantee of getting a bright QD-OLED screen over a dimmer mid-tier W-OLED screen, which means I can’t recommend it for certain. At 65 inches, you are guaranteed a QD-OLED panel, though, so at that size the S90F is a great option – here's our full 65-inch Samsung S90F review.

The S95F is a premium priced TV, there’s no getting around it. While there are a number of cheaper options available, it does deliver an undoubtedly premium experience and does strongly justify its price.

Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Samsung S95F OLED TV?

Samsung S95F with Gotham from The Batman on screen — The Samsung S95F showcases superb contrast between light and dark tones, shown here in *The Batman* (Image credit: Future)

Samsung S95F 55-inch
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	The Samsung S95F offers a stacked list of smart and gaming features, along with superb picture quality and solid audio quality. There is still no Dolby Vision HDR support though.	5/5
Picture quality	The S95F delivers a near-complete picture experience, especially when with colors. Black levels may not be as deep as some rivals, but they're rich enough.	5/5
Sound quality	Delivering clear, punchy and accurate sound, most people will be pleased with the S95F's sound. Bass could be better controlled and the soundstage could be wider, however.	4/5
Design	It's unbelievably thin, extremely modern looking and features the useful One Connect Box. the S95F is easily one of the best designed TVs available.	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	Finding the right settings isn't always easy, but Tizen provides a very smooth experience with new AI tools should you want to use them.	4.5/5
Gaming	Ultra-responsive performance and a full list of features, the S95F is an excellent TV for gaming.	5/5
Value	The S95F is a premium priced TV, but offers great features and performance for the money.	4/5

Buy it if...

You want to watch in a bright room
The S95F's OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen eliminates reflections, making it ideal for viewing in bright rooms. View Deal

You want a bright, colorful picture
The S95F's color display is spectacular, especially with HDR sources. Paired with its high brightness, and you get a phenomenal picture experience.View Deal

You want an OLED TV for gaming
The S95F's gaming performance is smooth and responsive, it has a ton of features and its picture is sublime for gaming. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want Dolby Vision HDR
Like all Samsung TVs, the S95F doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR, instead featuring support for HDR10+. View Deal

You're on a budget
As it's a flagship OLED TV, it does come with a premium price tag. Even though it covers a lot of the bases, it will outstretch most budgets: at launch at least. View Deal

You want accurate, out-of-the-box Filmmaker Mode
A small complaint, but some tweaks need to be made to Filmmaker Mode when viewing in bright conditions, which isn't the case with the rival LG G5. View Deal

Also Consider

	Samsung S95F	LG G5	Sony Bravia 8 II	Samsung QN90F
Price (55-inch)	$2,499 / £2,499 (roughly AU$4,199)	$2,499 / £2,399 / AU$4,199	$3,499 / £2,499 / AU$4,195	$1,799.99 / £1,699 (roughly AU$2,788)
Screen type	QD-OLED	OLED	QD-OLED	Neo QLED / mini-LED
Refresh rate	165Hz	144Hz	120Hz	144Hz
HDR support	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG, HDR10+,
Smart TV	Tizen 9.0	webOS 25	Google TV	Tizen
HDMI ports	4x HDMI 2.1	4x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 x HDMI 2.1

LG G5 OLED TV
The S95F's main rival, the LG G5 delivers elite performance with a similar number of features to match. Its black levels are richer in most conditions, but the S95F is still better for viewing in bright rooms thanks to its Glare Free screen. This will come down to personal preference.

Read our full LG G5 reviewView Deal

Sony Bravia 8 II QD-OLED TV
Sony flagship OLED TV for 2025 is currently under review, but from what we've seen so far, its real strength lies in its sound. The S95F has it beat for brightness and gaming features. Watch this space for our full review.

Full review TBCView Deal

Samsung QN90F mini-LED TV
The Samsung QN90F offers higher fullscreen brightness and its own glare free screen, making it a solid TV for sports. Its the mini-LED equivalent of the S90F in Samsung's 2025 lineup, so if you're looking a feature-packed TV but with mini-LED, this is your best option.

Read our full Samsung QN90F reviewView Deal

How I tested the Samsung S95F OLED TV

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Samsung S95F OLED TV with testing equipment attached and man testing brightness — (Image credit: Future)

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Samsung S95F with testing equipment connected and displaying white window test pattern — (Image credit: Future)

Tested over a week
Tested in different lighting conditions in our testing lab
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

Before my critical testing, I first spent time establishing the most accurate picture modes that I would use for both subjective testing and objective measurements. I landed on Filmmaker Mode and sometimes used Movie mode, depending on lighting conditions.

I tested the S95F's using reference scenes from both Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) sources, such as DVD, Blu-ray and broadcast/low-resolution TV, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) sources, such as 4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming.

For 4K Blu-ray, I used a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, our pick for the best 4K Blu-ray player.

I used these sources to analyse the S95F's picture quality, focusing on color, contrast, black levels, textures, upscaling, as well as sound quality and motion for sports and movies.

I also watched the S95F with various different lighting conditions to test the effectiveness of its OLED Glare Free anti-reflection screen.

For objective measurements, I used a Klein K10A colorimeter, Murideo Six G 8K test pattern generator and recorded measurements using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software.

I focused on SDR and HDR brightness measurements, with a focus on peak (10%) and fullscreen (100%) brightness, color and grayscale accuray by taking the average of the Delta-E values (the margin for error between the source pattern signal and what's shown on screen) and HDR color gamut coverage, focusing on DCI-P3 (also called UHDA-P3) and BT.2020 color spaces.

I also analyzed the S95F's gaming performance using an Xbox Series X, and a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester to analyze its input lag in milliseconds.

For more on how we test TVs at TechRadar, check out the link.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I reviewed Marshall’s Dolby Atmos soundbar, and it had me hooked with room-swallowing bass and phenomenal music reproduction

5:00 pm | June 3, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Soundbars Televisions | Tags: Dolby Atmos, DTS, TV | Comments: Off

Marshall Heston 120: two-minute review

The Marshall Heston 120 Dolby Atmos soundbar is a product that aims to make a mark in a world of hulking black boxes. This amp-inspired, meter-long bar is powered by 11 active drivers and looks to offer room-swallowing bass output, a colorful spatial impression, and top-tier music replication. Still, it comes with a price-tag that’s far from small. So, is it worth taking the plunge on the Marshall Heston 120?

Well, if you’re looking for a one-box soundbar (ie, no subwoofer or rear speakers) that’s capable of phenomenal Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance, the answer is almost certainly yes. You get really impressive expansiveness from the Marshall Heston 120, with side-firing drivers providing mind-boggling width and up-firing tweeters presenting lifelike verticality. Would a multi-box alternative whip up an even more fleshed-out cinematic experience? Possibly. But for a standalone soundbar, it’s hard to beat the Heston 120.

Whether you’re watching movies with Dolby Atmos or not, the Marshall Heston 120 delivers truly exceptional performance. You’ll hear crystal-clear speech from the center channel whether you’re in Movie or Voice mode and, most of all, get to experience shockingly shaking bass from the Heston’s dual rear-facing subwoofers. Seriously, the bass rumble alone puts the Marshall Heston 120 right up there with the best soundbars around.

But something that truly sets the Heston 120 apart from a vast sea of competitors is its class-leading performance for music – whether you’re listening to an Atmos or stereo mix. With spotless channel separation, delicious depth, a broad soundstage, and wonderful control right across all frequencies, the Marshall Heston 120 is a musical maestro as well as a movie marvel.

Of course, given its price and one-box status, the Heston 120’s obvious rival is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which is easily one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars that money can buy. The Marshall may not have a voice assistant or quite as much power as the Arc Ultra – but it does have HDMI passthrough (4K at 120Hz, too) and DTS support – a couple of factors that we really missed from the Arc Ultra.

And though the Arc Ultra is a rounded, clean-looking character, I have to say that the Heston 120 is a real work of art. Everything from its gold details, its amp-like aesthetic and its classy knurled metal dials truly screams premium. You should know that you might catch a few reflections on those tactile knobs when watching TV in low-lit spaces, depending on your angle – but still, they make for a unique, attractive addition.

Person pressing sound mode button on the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

The Heston 120 is a standalone soundbar in the truest sense. There are no additional speakers – at least not yet, though the Heston Sub 200 is coming later this year. And you won’t even find a remote here – everything is controlled via the flashy new Marshall app, which lets you flick through four sound modes, calibrate the bar to your room’s shape and size, adjust volume, EQ… you name it. I love the pure simplicity of this – I don't want another remote laying around, personally.

You won’t find a display on the soundbar – everything you need to see is in that app – which may be more of a frustration for some. If you want to know whether the Heston 120 is playing Atmos, you'll need to check the app.

I’ll drill into the finer details below, but if you just want the lowdown, then the Marshall Heston 120 is frankly an exemplary soundbar that fuses Marshall’s musical heritage with top-drawer cinematic sound for the modern era. It’s built to last – Marshall will even sell parts if something goes wrong – it sounds amazing, and… well, just look at it!

Yes it’s expensive and you may well be able to find a strong multi-box option at a similar cost. But if you want to take your movie-watching or music-listening experiences to the next level, all via one expertly crafted hub, the Marshall Heston 120 is my choice.

Marshall Heston 120 on wooden table with Marshall app open on phone — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: price & release date

Priced at $999 / £899 / AU$1,799
Launched on 3 June 2025
Will also be available via select retailers from September 16, 2025

The Marshall Heston 120 released on 3rd June 2025 and is the very first soundbar Marshall has ever brought to market. It is, admittedly pretty pricey, coming in at $999 / £899 / AU$1,799. But even if it’s expensive, there are pricier all-in-one rivals. The Sonos Arc Ultra is £100 more for UK customers (the same in the US), while the Devialet Dione and Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 carry list prices of $2,399 / £1,990 / AU$3,999 and $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$1,795 respectively.

Of course, you can get multi-box soundbar systems for a similar price or less – even the wonderful Samsung HW-Q990D can be found for only a touch more than the Heston across many territories. But this is a true all-in-one option that doesn’t rely on separate speakers for a full-sounding cinematic experience, so they're different propositions in some ways.

Ports on the reverse side of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: Specs

Dimensions	43.3 x 5.7 x 3.0 inches / 1100 x 145 x 76mm
Speaker channels	5.1.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, HDMI IN (passthrough), RCA Stereo, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X	Yes/Yes
Sub included	No
Rear speakers included	No

Marshall Heston 120 review: features

5.1.2 speaker configuration with 11 active drivers
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Feature-filled Marshall companion app replaces a remote

Although the Marshall Heston 120 makes use of a 5.1.2 channel setup, there are, in fact, 11 active drivers powering the soundbar. They all combine to deliver a maximum power output of 150W.

The top of the soundbar houses two midwoofers for lateral sound as well as two up-firing tweeters, with two side drivers also included to reflect sounds off walls for a wider spatial impression. In addition, there are three front-facing drivers for clear dialogue reproduction and dual rear-facing subwoofers that do the heavy-lifting in the low end. You’ll find four passive radiators installed on the reverse side of the soundbar too, which support the Heston’s whopping bass output.

Of course, there are no external speakers that come alongside the main bar itself – this is a true all-in-one offering from Marshall. There will be a separate sub released later in 2025, though, dubbed the Heston Sub 200.

Even still, the Heston 120 can create a wonderfully expansive sound thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X – notably, that latter format is missing on the soundbar’s main rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra. I’ll drill more into the quality of Atmos effects in the ‘Performance’ section, but they’re impressive to say the least.

And whether you’re watching movies with DTS:X or tuning into your favorite Atmos mixes, there are so many ways to harness the power of your Heston 120. There’s an HDMI eARC for easily connecting the soundbar up to your TV, HDMI in for passthrough (and yes, it’s 4K at up to 144Hz), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as RCA – a nod to Marshall’s musical roots.

There’s even Auracast – a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.

Marshall has also integrated a whole host of music services into the Heston 120, ensuring seamless connectivity without long-winded pairing processes. At the moment, these include: Google Cast; Spotify Connect; Internet Radio; Tidal Connect; and Apple AirPlay 2. These can also be bound to preset buttons for easy access. And it’s worth noting that the soundbar supports hi-res files such as ALAC and FLAC, so you can get the best out of those music apps.

You can view all of the integrated services via Marshall’s revamped app, which has a whole bunch of features to sink your teeth into. A few nuggets include a five-band equalizer, AV sync to adjusts audio delay to sync up with video, and Room correction, which plays a range of sounds to optimize your soundbar for the space that you’re using it in.

There’s no remote included with the Heston 120, with the app acting as a full on replacement. It enables you to adjust volume, switch between the different sound modes, cycle through sources and view whether Atmos or DTS:X are in-use or not. Much of this can be done through the soundbar’s physical controls too, but we’ll get onto those later.

Features score: 5/5

Person holding out phone with Marshall app in front of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: performance

Earth-shaking bass output
Great Atmos with impressive width and verticality
Impeccable for music, especially stereo

So the Heston 120 gets the title of Marshall’s first ever soundbar, as the legendary audio brand takes its first step into the world of home cinema entertainment. No pressure then. From marketing alone, it’s clear that Marshall is confident in the Heston 120’s “rumbling” bass, “immersive” Dolby Atmos sound and “natural vocal clarity” – but can it live up to the hype?

Well, before I answer that, let’s go through the Heston 120’s key focal areas and see how it measures up. When I spoke to the audio engineers that worked on the Marshall Heston 120, I was told there were three focal points: Dolby Atmos for movies; Dolby Atmos music; and stereo music.

Let’s go big and start things off with Atmos for movies. I have to say, the Heston 120 performs incredibly well here. I started my testing by watching a 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Nosferatu – you know, the one where Pennywise plays the eponymous role. And even from the Universal Studios fanfare, I knew I was in for a treat, with booming bass filling our TV testing facility.

During a scene where Count Orlok confronts Ellen, the vampire’s haunting voice came through with incredible depth and haunting levels of detail, with each breathy detail and deep inhale coming through cleanly. Quaking sub-bass also rippled through part of the scene, perfectly capturing the picture’s tense, fear-inducing nature. Whether it was that giant sub-bass, frantic dialogue or piercing high-pitched screeches, the Heston was more than up to the task. I watched this film when it was first released and, honestly, the Heston had enough talent to make me feel as if I was back in the cinema.

But when I think about Atmos, I think, first and foremost about expansive, directional sound that really makes me feel part of the action. And I really want to give the Heston 120 some kudos there, because it performed very admirably indeed in that department.

When watching The Boy and the Heron, the soundbar effortlessly tracked elements such as the width of the heron’s flight path or the verticality of an arrow being fired into the sky. Similarly, when tuning into The Batman, the movement of bats flying towards me had me inching back in my seat – and the Heston gave me a genuine sense that they flew over my shoulder too.

Still, if you’re searching for the most complete surround sound on the market, you’re not going to get it from the Marshall Heston 120 – at least not right now. There are no rear speakers included to give you ultimate wraparound sound and, at the point of launch, there’s no separate sub to take low frequency output to yet another level – both things that would be ideal for those with larger living rooms especially. An option like the JBL Bar 1300X, for example, has a main soundbar with a sub and two rears, meaning you get an even more fleshed-out spatial impression.

Still, I’m here to judge the Heston 120 for what it is – not what it could be, and it really did impress me when it comes to Dolby Atmos effects, dialogue clarity and low-end punch. So, it only seems right to next tackle the area of Dolby Atmos music.

This format, I concede won’t be everyone’s favorite way to listen to tunes, but the Heston, as you’d expect, gets the best out of Atmos mixes. When blasting I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby by Barry White, I was astonished by the width of audio emitting from the Heston 120. Guitars sounded as if they were playing from the sides of the room, rather than from the bar itself, with funky drums dancing and keys dancing across the room.

That was paired with a controlled, balanced vocal performance playing from the center and a total lack of harshness or distortion, ensuring a really enjoyable and three-dimensional listening experience.

Despite all of that, I have to tell you that the absolute highlight of my time spent with the Marshall Heston 120, was listening to stereo music. That really isn’t to take away from the incredible Atmos effects – it’s just all too common for soundbars to miss the mark on musicality, but the Heston is truly class-leading.

When listening to Strange Meadow Lark by Dave Brubeck, the channel separation was phenomenal, drums subtly enter the left side, keys work their magic subtly on the right with punchy bass holding it down throughout the track without smothering the mix.

Again, with Affirmation by George Benson, every instrument was given plenty of breathing space. Each element – whether emotive strings, rhythmic percussion or smooth bass – was positioned beautifully. I genuinely sat for hours listening to albums in this format, I really couldn’t get enough.

I preferred stereo music on the Heston 120 over what the amazing Samsung HW-Q800D could offer – a soundbar that I’ve been happily using for almost half a year, so… it may be time for an upgrade.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Person twisting knob on the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: design

Show-stopping amp-like aesthetic
Tactile dial controls with haptic feedback
Though these can catch reflections from TV

So, the Heston 120 has already wowed me with its fantastic feature-set and awesome audio, but there’s one aspect that’s even more appealing. And that is, of course, its gorgeous design, infused with Marshall’s amp-making heritage and finished off with eye-catching gold details.

When I spoke to Marshall at its Stockholm HQ, I was told that the Heston 120 was meant to stand alone in a sea of homogenous black bars. And yep, it definitely does that. Even the golden plate on top of the soundbar oozes class, with three knurled metal knobs positioned alongside well-sized preset and sound mode buttons.

LED lights around the knobs also indicate volume and EQ levels as well as source, which is a nice touch. There’s no display, which some may miss, but as I mentioned earlier, the app houses all the info you’ll need.

Let’s go back to those metal dials, though, because they really are a unique design choice for a soundbar. Firstly, I should emphasize that they’re a joy to use. They’re smooth and pleasing to turn, with haptic feedback included for a more interactive user experience.

But alas… they do bring a problem to the table. When watching movies in a low-lit or dark room, I found that they were illuminated by the TV and caught some reflections. This is nothing too invasive, of course, you’re not going to be blinded by Marshall’s knobs… but it can be a touch distracting.

It’s also worth noting that I had the Heston 120 positioned right under the TV, and the reflectivity will change depending on the gap between the dials at the screen, how far the soundbar is from the TV, and where you're sitting – and if you've wall-mounted them, that will also change things.

Speaking of a wall mount: you’re going to have to purchase that separately. You can grab one on Marshall’s website for $49 / £44 / AU$79 – a fair chunk less than the Sonos Arc Ultra’s mount, notably. I should also mention that the Marshall website is home to a bunch of replacement parts and an authorized repair service, just in case your Heston ever gets damaged.

Before we move on, it has to be said – the Heston is a chunky fella. It’s more than a meter long and weighs in at over 7kg. It will be well-suited under a TV sized 55-inches and up – just make sure your setup has plenty of room, or it may be a tight squeeze.

Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall Heston 120 on top of packaging — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: setup & usability

Super easy to install
Everything you need is in the Marshall app
Huge variety of connectivity options

When it comes to getting setup and ready to go, most modern soundbars are fairly straightforward, and the Marshall Heston 120 is no different. I simply plugged in my power cable and hooked the included HDMI cord from our testing TV into the eARC slot and I was done. Yep, really, that’s all you need to do.

Of course, if you want to truly optimize the Heston 120 for your living space, then it’s well-worth heading over to the Marshall app. One of the first things I did was make use of the Room Correction feature to make sure I was making the most of this stunning soundbar’s sonic talents.

And as we discussed earlier, the app has everything a user will need, from volume controls, source switching, sound mode selection and EQ adjustment. The lack of a remote, if anything, is most welcome for me. I really like the simplicity of an all-in-one digital hub.

One of the big wins the Heston gets over its rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra, is that it has an HDMI passthrough port. That’s incredibly useful if you’ve already used up all of your TV’s HDMI slots and it was one of the main reasons we didn’t rate the Arc Ultra higher than four stars in our review.

And just generally, there really are so many ways to connect the Heston 120. You get all those integrated music services like Spotify and Tidal Connect, plenty of ports, including HDMI, RCA and USB-C, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The only thing that some may miss at the moment is some sort of voice-assistant support. That’s something you will get on the Arc Ultra, but honestly, it’s not a feature I typically make use of on a soundbar.

Setup & usability score: 5/5

Knobs on top of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: value

Comes at quite the cost
But is class-leading in musicality and offers awesome Atmos
You can get strong multi-box options at a similar price

Even though I’ve raved about the Heston 120 so far, it has to be said that it is a pricey piece of kit. At $999 / £899 / AU$1,799, it’s well and truly in the premium tier. It costs the same as its all-in-one rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra – that is if you’re in the US and Australia. The Heston is £100 cheaper for those of us in the UK, though.

Having said that, the Heston 120 is still priced competitively when you consider a rival like the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 comes in at $400 / £500 more. At the same time, though, you could get a highly competent surround sound system for a similar cost. The excellent Samsung HW-Q990D can regularly be found now for just over $1,200 / £1,000 and that comes with dual rear speakers and a separate sub – talk about value!

Again, though, as a single box, the Heston 120 really is up there with the best of the best. I’ve not heard better musicality from any soundbar before and as an all-in-one solution, the levels of bass and expansiveness are seriously impressive. That’s not to mention the fact that this model packs in essentially every feature and connectivity type that you’d hope to see. So yes – it’s pricey – but for good reason.

Value score: 4/5

Side profile of Marshall Heston 120

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Marshall Heston 120?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Tons of connectivity options, Atmos and DTS:X, great companion app.	5/5
Performance	Booming bass output, excellent Atmos effects, best-in-class musicality.	5/5
Design	Stunning looks, handy repairability options, dials can catch reflections.	4.5/5
Setup & usability	Easy setup, app is perfect control hub, tons of connectivity options.	5/5
Value	It’s pricey, but comes with a load of handy features and stellar sound.	4/5

Buy it if…

You want cinematic sound in a standalone soundbar
Marshall has packed 11 active drivers into the Heston 120, which work in harmony to output incredibly clear, delightfully deep and pleasingly expansive audio. If your living space wouldn’t really suit additional speakers or you simply want an all-in-one solution, it doesn’t get much better than this.

You want a true statement piece
Sound-wise, the Marshall Heston 120 is excellent, but its looks are what really sets it apart. With an amp-inspired aesthetic, premium gold details and wraparound speaker grille, it’s hard to find any other soundbar that comes close on beauty points.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best surround-sound experience available
Yes, the Heston 120 conjures an impressive spatial impression given its a one-box offering. But the lack of rear channels or a separate sub mean that some will be left wanting more for the true surround sound experience. If you have a larger room or simply want the additional rumble and multi-dimensional effects, it might be worth considering an option like the Samsung Q990D below. Or if you’ve got the cash, potentially even a Sonos sound system, with the Arc Ultra at the center.

You’re on a budget
The Marshall Heston 120 is probably not the ideal option if you’re on a tighter budget. But don’t worry, there really are a lot of great budget-friendly options out there. I should know – I’ve personally test a large number of models in our guide to the best cheap soundbars. But if you want a personal recommendation, I really do rate the Sony HT-S2000, which has talents way beyond anything I’d expect from a standalone bar with its price-tag.

Marshall Heston 120 review: also consider

	Marshall Heston 120	Sonos Arc Ultra	Samsung HW-Q990D
Price	$999 / £899 / AU$1,799	$999 / £999 / AU$1,799	$1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995
Dimensions	43.3 x 5.7 x 3 inches / 1100 x 145 x 76mm	2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches / 75 x 1178 x 110.6mm	Soundbar: 51.3 x 23.4 x 10.9 inches / 1309 x 595 x 277mm; Subwoofer: 8.6 x 16.2 x 16.1 inches / 220 x 413 x 410mm; Rear speakers: 5 x 7.9 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x 140.4mm
Speaker channels	5.1.2	9.1.4	11.1.4
Connections	1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, RCA Stereo, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3	1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	1x HDMI eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X	Yes/Yes	Yes/No	Yes/Yes
Sub included	No	No	Yes
Rear speakers included	No	No	Yes

Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an outstanding one-box soundbar that is tough to beat when it comes down to pure performance. Thanks to its zealous bass, crystal-clear dialogue and convincing Dolby Atmos effects, we couldn’t get enough of the Arc Ultra during our time testing it. There’s no DTS:X support and the lack of HDMI passthrough is a shame, but if you’re not into the Heston’s amp-inspired design, this might be a better option for you. Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.

Samsung HW-Q990D
Thanks to a wave of price-cuts, you’ll now be able to regularly find 2024’s incredible Samsung Q990D for a similar cost to the Marshall Heston 120. And that’s pretty impressive, given it provides you with a main soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers for mind-blowing surround sound. With full-sounding spatial audio, phenomenal sonic detail and plenty of connectivity options, you simply can’t do better for the cost. Read our full Samsung HW-990D review.

How I tested the Marshall Heston 120

Tested across a week-long period
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Both Dolby Atmos and stereo sound tested

When testing the Marshall Heston 120, I had it hooked up to the fantastic Panasonic MZ1500 TV via HDMI eARC. I also used Tidal Connect over Wi-Fi and Spotify over Bluetooth when tuning into my favorite tracks.

During testing, the soundbar was placed in front of the TV in our TV testing space at Future Labs. I tried viewing and listening to a vast array of content during an intensive testing period. This included a number of movies and TV shows and songs on our TechRadar testing playlist. For reference, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 to view Dolby Atmos-enabled 4K UHD Blu-rays.

On top of that, I made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Voice; and Night. I also dug into additional options on the Marshall app, ensuring each feature functioned as advertised.

I've tested tons of soundbars here at TechRadar – everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to pricier models like the Samsung HW-Q800D. I've also got plenty of experience testing other gear, including the best Bluetooth speakers and best headphones, which helped me to assess the caliber of the Heston 120's musicality.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read more about how we test

I spent six weeks listening to the Samsung Music Frame and it kept missing the beat

5:07 am | March 12, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Apple Music, CES, Dolby Atmos | Comments: Off

Samsung Music Frame: One-minute review

I love the idea of hiding a speaker in plain sight – in fact, I refuse to have bookshelf speakers because I really don’t like how they look on my, well, bookshelf and, despite offering great sound, I’m not too enthused by the design of the best wireless speakers either. Call me fussy, but when Samsung launched the Music Frame, it looked like something that would fit right into my home – playing my tunes and potentially showcasing my photography as well.

I’m impressed by how well built the Samsung Music Frame is, but weighing in at close to five kilos, I’m hesitant to wall mount it. Moreover, as a renter in Sydney, Australia, I’m not allowed to bore a hole in my wall, so I can’t really comment on how well it would perform with sound waves bouncing off a hard surface directly behind it. That said, Samsung thoughtfully provides a dampener in the box precisely for this purpose. It still looks lovely on its stand.

Changing the artwork is easy, but you have to have photos or images that would look good within a 8x8 inch square space – as a nature photographer who typically shoots in a 4:3 aspect ratio, it was hard to find one of my own prints to fit within the Music Frame.

To match its lovely design, Samsung has managed to make a speaker that fills a large room with sound. The Music Frame can get quite loud, much louder than the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi speaker, with strong, expansive sound. And there are plenty of wireless streaming options to choose from, so it doesn’t have to be part of Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem to work as a standalone speaker, but the app is necessary for the initial setup.

What it lacks is detailed and dynamic sound. While it’s just bassy enough for the average listener who isn’t too fussed about the soundstage to enjoy some tunes or pair with a Samsung The Frame TV, it will be a disappointment to anyone who cares about sound quality and wants to use it as a standalone speaker.

Also taking into consideration that the front panel isn’t a digital screen that would display, say, album art or double as a digital photo frame, I am struggling to justify its price.

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside a vase — There's no denying that the Samsung Music Frame has 'presence' (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: price & release date

Made its debut at CES 2024; launched in April 2024
List price: $399.99 / £399 / AU$699

The Samsung Music Frame isn’t brand new – it made its public debut at CES in January 2024, then was released to select markets in April that year. It became a bit more widely available later in 2024 and can be picked up for $399.99 / £399 / AU$699 at full price.

Samsung was offering a discount in some countries when the Music Frame launched and, since then, we have seen offers that make the speaker a little more affordable. For example, I’ve seen the price drop to as low as $150 in the US and AU$499 in Australia.

While you can display printed photos within the Music Frame, compatible acrylic panels can be ordered from select third parties for an additional cost, plus shipping, but note that you may need to keep the rear studs safe or source more to reattach the new artwork panel back into the Frame.

Samsung Music Frame review: specs

Samsung Music Frame review: features

SmartThings app required for setup
Dolby Atmos support with two-channel output
Built-in Q-Symphony support

The Music Frame’s feature set is quite impressive on paper, perhaps exactly what you want from a “lifestyle” product (as Samsung calls it) to widen its appeal. From plenty of wireless streaming options – including AirPlay 2 and Google Cast – to built-in voice assistant support for Alexa but, strangely, not Samsung’s own assistant Bixby, there's a lot going on here.

You can’t get things started without Samsung’s SmartThings app, though, and that requires you to create a Samsung account or use an existing one. Setup from there on in is very simple and I had no issues when using a Samsung phone or an iPhone – just following the onscreen steps will take you about 30 seconds to get going.

You’re also going to need the app to get the best sound setup too. You can play around with the seven-band equalizer in the Standard mode within the app, but if you opt for the Music or Adaptive Sound mode, you only get bass and treble controls.

Image 1 of 2

Screenshots from the SmartThings iOS app for the Samsung Music Frame — You need the SmartThings app for initial setup, whether on Andriod or iOS... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Image 2 of 2

That done, you have the choice to pair the speaker with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.2 or cast via the built-in Chromecast. iPhone or iPad users will immediately see AirPlay as an option when they open the Apple Music app, but you also get Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support, all of which are better than using Bluetooth connectivity due to a slight lag that’s evident when using the SmartThings app as they pass control of streaming to the speaker itself rather than using the phone. Despite this tiny lag, I never experienced any connection dropout during my weeks-long testing, which probably says something about how well Samsung has executed the connectivity options.

There’s Dolby Atmos support too, although it comes with a major caveat: it’s received only via Wi-Fi – there’s no HDMI ARC/eARC port here and the optical input isn’t Atmos compatible – and works with only select Samsung TVs with a two-channel output. That means you can’t use this as a soundbar alternative, but you can set it up as an additional speaker for Samsung The Frame TV or the Samsung QN95D, even as a pair if you have the cash to spare for a second Music Frame.

Samsung Music Frame and a lamp on a table in front of a window — Samsung's Adaptive Sound feature didn't work when there were power-tool noises just outside the window (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Tap-to-Play is also available but, again, it only works with compatible Samsung phones. I had the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 during my testing, which is supposed to be compatible, but no amount of tapping anywhere on the Music Frame triggered the functionality. Another feature Samsung promises is on board is its AI-powered Adaptive Sound technology, which adjusts clarity and volume in real time to any changes in ambient sound and, once again, I didn’t notice any changes when a landscaper outside my window was using a power tool.

What I did enjoy, however, is playing music through both my Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame and the Music Frame for bigger stereo sound. Thanks, AirPlay!

• Features score: 4 / 5

Samsung Music Frame review: sound quality

Loud, room-filling sound
Decently bassy, but lacks the meatiness offered by other brands
Sound lacks detail and nuance

To match the impressive connectivity and streaming options, the Music Frame has a heck of a lot of power, although Samsung doesn’t reveal how much. However, the six drivers with built-in amplification in the Music Frame belt out a lot of volume. The first tune I played on the speaker immediately after setting it up – Gimme All Your Love by Alabama Shakes via Google Cast from the aforementioned Galaxy Z Flip 5 – it was LOUD with the volume set at level 17, enough to make me want to turn it down a notch. The louder it got, though, the muddier the audio sounded.

The rear of the Samsung Music Frame speaker — It looks like there are just two speakers in the rear of the Music Frame, but there are, in fact, six (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Several music streaming apps, like Apple Music and Tidal, don’t have built-in volume controls and I found that, when using the Samsung phone’s controls, each incremental increase or decrease made a significant difference. It was a different experience when using an iPhone 13 Pro’s volume control (streaming via AirPlay 2), where the changes were smoother and more appealing.

Pro Tip

I got the best sound using the Music mode within the SmartThings app, along with the SpaceFit Sound feature turned on.

Out of the box, the Music Frame offers decent bass but, compared to the 2024 Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker and the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame, it can sound airy (or tinny if you prefer) with the high-mid frequencies being the focus. You can adjust this via the bass control or the equalizer in the SmartThings app, but I struggled to find my sweet spot.

The Music mode on the SmartThings app adds warmth to the music, while SpaceFit Sound uses the speaker’s built-in mic to analyze the room and adjust the sound accordingly. It will work wonders for the average listener by improving the vocals on a track, but it might still disappoint if you really care about good overall audio as it lacks detail. For example, Ellie King’s Ain’t Gonna Drown sounds good but not great as it doesn’t deliver the dynamic contrasts in her vocals. JJ Cale’s Magnolia sounds flat, lacking the wistfulness and melancholy I normally associate with it.

I accidentally also found out that there’s some muffling due to the front artwork panel. This happened when I was listening to KD Lang’s After The Gold Rush, and decided on a whim I would try to swap out the artwork while still playing. The track lacked depth but, once the front panel came off, it sounded better.

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker — I like the look of the Samsung Music Frame (right), but prefer the audio quality of the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Listening to Dolby Atmos tracks like M.I.A’s Marigold and Freddie Hubbard’s Weaver of Dreams is immersive, but I’ve experienced better from the Sonos Era 300, although Sonos is known for putting details front and center. This is exacerbated by the fact that, when playing a Dolby Atmos track, its volume level dips significantly – I had to bump up the volume by five levels to get the same effect when listening to other tracks. The best way to enjoy Dolby Atmos here would be to make it part of an existing setup, combining it with a soundbar.

As much as I appreciate its room-filling performance, I expected better overall sound quality from a premium wireless speaker that costs more than several of its competitors.

• Sound quality score: 3 / 5

Front view of the stand of the Samsung Music Frame beside a propped up Galaxy Z Flip 5 phone — The stand for the Samsung Music Frame is demure and not an eyesore (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: design

Beautiful design with thin bezels and hidden controls
Removable frame panel to change artwork, but cost of customization can add up
Can be wall mounted, but the cable might be an eyesore

I might have been disappointed by the sound from the Music Frame, but I really love the design. It’s not as square as it appears, measuring 35cm along the base and stands 36cm high. It’s about 14cm thick and has a heft to it, tipping the scales at over 9lbs / 4.5kg. I’d be hesitant to wall-mount it as Samsung provides just the one screw for it to hang off, but its corners are sharp too. If it gets nudged off its perch for any reason – even if it’s on its stand – it can cause injury to toddlers and pets.

I love that stand, though – it’s easy to slip on but not remove (which is probably a good thing), and it doesn’t stand out, if you get my drift. So all your attention is on the actual Music Frame.

The thin black bezels surrounding the matte acrylic panel makes for a great aesthetic, but if you don’t like the dark border, Samsung will sell you white snap-on panels for an additional cost – although this is only available in select markets.

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The removable art panel of the Samsung Music Frame lying on the speaker — Removing the art panel isn't difficult... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The rear of the removable art panel of the Samsung Music Frame — ..and it doesn't take much effort to change the print inside, if you have one that will fit (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Removing the top panel to change the artwork isn’t difficult, but it requires a little elbow grease and best done by placing the speaker flat on its back. People with slim fingers will find it easy to get a grip on an edge, but I wish Samsung had included a pry tool to help those of us with sausage fingers. The panel is held in place by ball studs that fit into sockets on the black frame, and a removable plastic sheet on its rear allows you to change the artwork. While the panel measures 13x13 inches, only the central 8x8 inch cutout will showcase the artwork. Samsung says you can use 8x10 or 8x8 inch prints, but I suspect that using a print smaller than the actual size of the panel will give it room to slide around inside and look misaligned.

The Music Frame comes with a generic image pre-installed, but you’ll find an extra one in the box. I had hoped to use a print of one of my own photos, but none that I had handy would fit the frame. Samsung has partnered with some third parties to make custom acrylic panels that you can order and get shipped to you but, again, this customization will cost extra and you’ll need to bear the shipping cost too.

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Indicator lights at the bottom of the Samsung Music Frame — You can barely see the indicator lights as they're practically hidden in the gap between the art panel and the frame (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The ports on the rear of the Samsung Music Frame — You can use a SmartThings Dongle (middle port) here, but it needs to be purchased separately (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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The rear of the Samsung Music Frame showing the speakers and the power cable — The visible part of the power cable is a light one, but it does have an adapter and a thicker cable (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I asked Samsung why the front panel wasn’t a digital screen to use as a photo frame or at least display album art of the track being played, and I was told the cost would increase. I’m not entirely sold on this argument, but if we can have smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show 15, it’s doable and would likely broaden the appeal of the Music Frame. The Frame TV already has the ability to display digital wallpapers and I wish Samsung had figured out how to carry that over to the speaker too.

It’s important to note that the Music Frame will need to remain plugged into the mains to work, so you get a thin, kinda translucent cable in the box that will go into a small power brick connected to a thick black power cord. While I’m really not a fan of power bricks, I appreciate that the thin cable isn’t as noticeable as the one of the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame, and the heavy cable and adapter can be tucked away.

The physical controls, in the form of four buttons are hidden away on a rear edge, which makes them hard to see. They’re also extremely sensitive and even the lightest touch can change the volume, switch the mic on or off, or switch sources (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical). Plus, every time you press one, indicator lights that are also tucked away between panel and the frame light up. There is no play/pause option here, so you are left with using the app’s controls for that.

The back of the unit looks like it only has two speakers, but there are six hiding underneath, playing through two channels. Plus there are three ports: the optical input, a USB port for the SmartThings dongle to connect to an existing smart home setup, and the power input.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Side profile of the Samsung Music Frame on a table

The Samsung Music Frame looks lovely no matter where you place it (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Samsung Music Frame review: value

Retails for a price higher than several premium big-brand wireless speakers
You’d expect excellent performance at this price point
Falls short against the competition in both price and performance

With a retail price of $399.99 / £399 / AU$699, the Samsung Music Frame doesn’t come cheap. When discounted, though, it might be worth considering, provided the offer available at the time of purchase undercuts the competition significantly.

That said, if you’re an audiophile or, at the very least, a discerning listener, you might well be disappointed by the lack of detail from the Music Frame. In comparison, the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker with Sonos sound is only $199 / £179 / AU$249 and, while not as loud as its Samsung counterpart, offers a more balanced and dynamic soundstage that’s also bassier.

Even some of the other best wireless speakers that the Music Frame is contending with are cheaper at full price. In our Sonos Era 100 review, for example, we said you’d get sound quality with “lots of clarity and punch” for a list price of $249 / £249 / AU$399.

Perhaps if Samsung had added a digital screen with a SmartThings interface or even just made it into a digital photo frame, it might have been easier to justify the price. If the sound quality and functionality were to be improved, I think the second-generation Music Frame could likely give the likes of Sonos a run for its money.

• Value score: 2.5 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Music Frame?

Buy it if...

You want a wireless speaker for a small space

The Music Frame is a 2-in-1 device – you don’t need an additional picture frame for your memories, and you get a speaker too.

You own a Samsung The Frame TV

Setting it up as an additional speaker for a compatible Samsung TV will make the most of the Music Frame, offering you a more engaging home cinema experience.

Don't buy it if...

You’re an audio purist

If you’re after a speaker with excellent audio, you’ll need to forgo the good looks for a speaker that was made for a more dynamic soundstage.

You’re on a tight budget

It might be hard to recommend the Music Frame at its current retail price, but if you want a good speaker sans the frame, there are plenty of options that cost less.

Samsung Music Frame review: also consider

If you’re looking for alternatives to the Samsung Music Frame, the most similar ‘lifestyle’ or ‘arty’ product would be the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker, which is still available at most Ikea stores around the world. However, if you’re after better wireless speakers, consider the two options listed below.

JBL Authentics 200
If it’s detailed sound you’re after, the JBL Authentics range is where you should be focusing. While there’s an expensive model that would be out of reach for most people, the Authentics 200 balances price, features and sound performance marvelously well. While it costs less than the Music Frame, it does have a rather retro boxy look that may not be to everyone’s liking.

Read our full JBL Authentics 200 review for more details

Sonos Era 100
For a smaller speaker that won’t look too out of place in most homes, consider the Sonos Era 100. It packs quite the mighty punch, though, with detailed sound and boosted bass, not to mention a plethora of sources available too. And it will cost you a lot less than the Samsung Music Frame too.

Read our in-depth Sonos Era 100 review to learn more

How I tested the Samsung Music Frame

Listened to it nearly every day for six weeks in different rooms
Used AirPlay 2 on an Apple iPhone 13 Pro and cast using the SmartThings app on a Samsung Galaxy Flip 5
Predominantly streamed from Apple Music, but also tried Spotify and Tidal

Samsung Music Frame on a table beside some books and a vase — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I’ve had the Samsung Music Frame in my apartment for about six weeks at the time of publication and, in that time, tested the speaker in various rooms, including an open-plan living and dining area. During this time, the Music Frame became my primary speaker, replacing the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame Wi-Fi Speaker. I also had the opportunity to compare the audio with two Bluetooth speakers – the 2024 Beats Pill and the JBL Charge 4.

While I predominantly listen to the blues, I played a wide variety of genres through the Music Frame, mostly via the Apple Music app on an iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. I also briefly streamed via the Spotify and Tidal Android apps.

I tweaked the settings in the SmartThings app – both on iOS and Android – across various genres to see how the audio changed, and even tried various bass and treble adjustments.

While I tried out as many of the features as possible, I didn’t use the built-in Alexa support very much, and there were a few other things I wasn’t able to test due to the lack of additional hardware, namely the SmartThings Dongle and a compatible Samsung TV. And due to restrictions placed on wall-mounting it in my home, I wasn’t able to test how the Music Frame sounds when hung up against a wall. I did, however, prop it up against a wall (without its stand) to emulate wall-mounting as best as possible.

Bose Smart Soundbar: Two minute review

The Bose Smart Soundbar is a great way to elevate your TV experience in the bedroom or other small room. It’s not up to the task of a home theater setup, especially without a subwoofer, but that’s not its purpose. if you’re looking to bring Dolby Atmos sound to a smaller setup, it’s one of the best soundbars you can buy.

The Bose Smart Soundbar’s lack of low-end will frustrate action and superhero movie fans and its narrow soundstage keeps it from truly elevating the audio experience, especially when listening to music. However, it still is one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, with two upward-firing speakers that provide a sense of space and immersion that somewhat offsets that narrow soundstage. In a smaller setup, it almost completely masks it.

Just as important, this soundbar is stacked with features. There’s an A.I. dialogue mode, Alexa and Chromecast support, plus a whole lot more. My favorite feature lets you use specific Bose earbuds as the rear speakers in a surround sound setup for a unique experience. Unfortunately, those are sold separately. And, of course, the Smart Soundbar has the typical Bose markup, so this is not necessarily a great deal, though I wouldn’t call it overpriced either.

If you’re looking to upgrade your TV experience in a smaller space like a bedroom or small apartment, the Bose Smart Soundbar is an ideal option, especially with all the features on hand. Just be willing to shell out some extra cash and be aware of its shortcomings.

Bose Smart soundbar on table with accessories — The Bose Smart Soundbar comes with everything you need to quickly get up and running (earbuds cost extra) (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Price & release date

Price: $499.00 / £499.95 / AU$799.95
First available: September 2024
Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Having been released in September of 2024, the Bose Smart Soundbar is the newest addition to the company’s soundbar lineup. And at $499.00 / £499.95 / AU$799.95, its price tag is about what one would expect from Bose since you’re paying a little bit for the name. You might get more in terms of features or even a subwoofer and surround speakers for that price if you go with models from other companies, but you might be trading off some quality for those extras.

We reported around the time of release that the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can work as rear speakers for this soundbar. And while that is certifiably a very appreciated feature, you won’t get a pair for free when purchasing the soundbar but will have to pay an extra $299 / £299 / AU$449.95 for the earbuds.

The Bose Smart Soundbar and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are available in the US, UK, and Australia.

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Specs

Bose Smart soundbar top surface control buttons — Power and mic control buttons are located on the soundbar's top surface (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Features

Personal Surround Sound (requires optional Bose earbuds)
App is easy to navigate and use
Wi-Fi and Voice assistant support

My favorite feature of the feature-filled Bose Smart Soundbar is Personal Surround Sound, which uses Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers so you can get an actual surround sound experience without needing to use rear speakers. Plus, you can adjust how subtle or strong the effect is in the app as well as boost different settings like center channel level for those with issues hearing dialogue. This feature requires you to purchase Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, however, and they’re not exactly cheap.

I particularly liked this feature for gaming. I used Personal Surround Sound while playing Star Wars: Jedi Survivor and found it created a fairly integrated soundscape for the main character to run around in – half the time I couldn’t tell if what I was hearing was coming from the soundbar or the earbuds.

In a way, Personal Surround Sound is even better than a traditional surround sound system since you don’t have to be locked into a specific seat to hear all the audio elements in the soundtrack at the proper distance. On the other hand, this feature only works for anyone wearing the earbuds – not exactly great for group viewing.

The app, which is easy to navigate and use, has plenty of other features on tap. Of course, there are some basic EQ settings. While there’s no parametric EQ, you can adjust the treble, bass, center channel, and height effect, aka spatial audio. You can even toggle on a Wall EQ setting to adjust for when the soundbar is installed against a wall.

Speaking of spatial audio, this soundbar does support Dolby Atmos, and physically reproduces it via those upward-firing speakers. Some soundbars support Dolby Atmos but don’t have any upward-firing speakers, instead using virtual trickery to give a sense of spaciousness. The difference is noticeable.

Bose TrueSpace also takes advantage of those upward-firing speakers, upscaling sound so that you’re getting a spatial audio experience even when the source isn’t Dolby Atmos encoded. (It’s like listening to mono audio on a stereo set of speakers.) As far as I could hear, it’s the same audio going upwards as out whereas Dolby Atmos audio has specific elements that are designated height effects.

If you’re hard of hearing or just find the modern mixes of movies to be hard to understand, the AI dialogue mode might be the feature for you. It’s supposed to automatically adjust dialogue for clarity’s sake. When testing – I watched the beginning of The Dark Knight for this feature – I found that dialogue was clearer since there was a subtle boost to the midrange where voices typically sit. It wasn’t obnoxious the way some dialog boosting modes are, but it still boosted sounds that sit in a similar frequency range that weren’t voices. It’s not perfectly executed, but still is done well.

Lastly, the Bose Smart Soundbar has Alexa support as well as both Chromecast built-in and AirPlay. With Alexa, you can talk to the soundbar the way you would an Amazon Echo, even asking what the weather is or setting a timer. I did find that I had to articulate the wake word a little more for the soundbar to hear me, but that’s not all that big of a deal.

During testing, I found the built-in Chromecast and AirPlay to work seamlessly, which is something I always worry about as in the past I’ve had connectivity issues with Wi-Fi streaming on some devices.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Bose Smart soundbar upward-firing speakers — The Bose Smart soundbar features two upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos height effects (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Performance

Light on bass
Balanced mids and crisp highs
Somewhat narrow soundstage

The Bose Smart Soundbar sounds about as good as a soundbar can. You have to remember that these types of audio devices exist mostly for convenience’s sake.

With that in mind, let’s discuss its audio limitations. First up is the bass. While I could turn up the bass level in the app, the low-range boost affects the mid-range frequencies. Since there are just some bass ports on the back and no actual subwoofer-specific drivers, not to mention that the drivers are necessarily compact, the lack of a strong bass response is unsurprising.

There was no rumble on hand when I tested it with The Batman, The Dark Knight, and Deadpool & Wolverine (400 Blows doesn’t lend itself to testing soundbars). Whenever there are big fights in these kinds of movies, there’s always a lot of very punchy low-end information. But here, all that information is very muted if not gone. At least, there’s a subwoofer output to correct that by adding an external subwoofer, and Bose also offers wireless subs (and surround speakers) that can be paired with the Smart Soundbar.

The other parts of the frequency range fare better. The mid-range is not quite rich and full, but it is well-balanced. I generally didn’t need the A.I. dialogue mode, for instance, as the dialogue was consistently intelligible. It also helped that I could boost the center channel level in the app to help with that.

The high-end is nice and crisp on the Smart Soundbar. Whether it was the string arrangement in movie scores or even dialogue when I tested it, everything had a nice clarity as opposed to being overly pronounced or even painful to listen to.

This soundbar's soundstage is inherently limited by its form factor. That said, the sound did feel like it has more width than other similarly sized soundbars I’ve tested and used. This was helped quite a bit by the spatial audio capabilities, as everything sounded a little bigger and wider, even though I didn’t hear as much left-to-right movement as I expected.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Bose Smart soundbar rear ports — The Bose Smart Soundbar's main connections are HDMI eARC and optical digital audio, along with a line output for a subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Design

Upward-firing speakers
On-unit controls just for voice assistant
No alphanumeric LED display

Bose is not breaking the mold design-wise with the look or color of the Bose Smart Soundbar. This is a long rectangular, matte black soundbar with a grill that covers the front and wraps around the side to cover the center tweeter and the racetrack transducers on each end. There’s a grill on the top of the unit as well where the two upward-firing transducers are.

Speaking of all those speakers, despite it being technically a 3.0.2 system (the left, right and center speakers along with the two upward-firing ones), the audio decodes at 5.1.4. There are some ports on the back to help with bass but there aren’t any drivers dedicated to the low end.

The on-unit controls are fairly limited as just two buttons are sitting on top of the left side for voice assistant support. There’s a microphone button to turn the internal mic on or off and an Alexa action button to interact with Alexa in a few different ways including stopping the feature.

Most of the physical controls are available through the remote. You have the usual ones like power, mute, and volume controls as well as three source buttons (TV, Bluetooth, App) and a play/pause button. Nothing too crazy. The remote itself is fairly small and light, which is nice, though its small size makes it the kind of remote that’s very easy to lose.

As far as ports go, it has the necessary optical and HDMI ports as well as a subwoofer out, an IR port, and a USB

There’s no front panel alphanumeric LED display – something I always wish I had when it’s missing – just an LED light when the soundbar turns on or is listening when listening to a voice assistant command. While I did miss it, I didn’t miss it all that much.

Design score: 4 / 5

Bose Smart soundbar app screens — The Smart Soundbar's control app gives you access to a wide range of EQ settings (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Setup & usability

HDMI eARC connection to TV
Easy, app-based setup
One-remote use with Roku TVs

Setup of the Bose Smart Soundbar is very straightforward, even if it takes just a little longer from beginning to end. If you just want to get to it and don’t care about all the features, connecting the soundbar to either your TV’s optical or HDMI eARC port is most of the work. Put some AAA batteries into the remote (unfortunately not included) and you’re good to go.

There are a few more steps if you want to get the full experience. After downloading the Bose app, you pair it to the soundbar (and the Ultra Open earbuds if you have them) and then set up Wi-Fi on the soundbar for AirPlay, Chromecast Built-in and Alexa.

The Bose Smart Soundbar is made to pair seamlessly with Roku TVs. Luckily, I have one so I was able to go through the process – just follow the onscreen instructions – which allowed me to use my TV remote for basic functionality. On that note, once Alexa was set up, I was able to manipulate the soundbar just by using the wake word and speaking to it.

Setup & usability score: 5 / 5

Bose Ultra open earbuds on table — Using the Smart Soundbar's Personal Surround Sound feature requires the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (not included) (Image credit: Future)

Bose Smart Soundbar review: Value

Features boost value
Can get more advanced systems for same price
Cheaper standalone soundbars available

If you’re looking at features, the Bose Smart Soundbar has a lot going for it with the Personal Surround Sound feature (which, again, requires a separate purchase), A.I. dialogue mode, and app support.

For a similar price, however, you can get a 5.1-channel system like the maxed-out version of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, which also gives you a subwoofer and rear speakers for true surround sound. As nice as Bose’s personalized surround sound feature is, only one person can use the earbuds at a time. Amazon’s system is lacking features and doesn’t have voice assistant support – not even Alexa. Its audio quality is not quite as crisp, nor does it have the upward-firing speakers of the Bose soundbar. Of course, if you’re on a budget, you can skip the subwoofer and rear speakers and just get the standalone Amazon Soundbar Plus soundbar for $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400).

Another option is to spend $349 / £299 (originally $499 / £449 / AU$695) to get the Sony HT-S2000, a 3.1-channel standalone soundbar that includes virtual spatial audio and good bass response. It costs a little less for something that gets you 80% of the way there. But again, you’re giving up a lot as it doesn’t have voice assistant support, the personalized surround sound that’s unique to this Bose soundbar, or one of the many other features on hand.

Value score: 4 / 5

Bose Smart soundbar in box on floor with earbuds — The Bose Smart Soundbar and Ultra Open Earbuds (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Bose Smart Soundbar?

Buy it if...

You need all the features
The Bose Smart Soundbar is about as feature-filled as it gets, from Alexa and Chromecast built-in to a personal surround sound feature accessible if you have a pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

You’re looking for great sound in a single soundbar
This soundbar has the typical Bose audio quality one expects. While a bit light in the bass, it has good clarity and dynamics.

You want true Dolby Atmos
Thanks to the inclusion of two upward-firing speakers, this soundbar offers a real spatial audio experience. On top of that, it can upscale non-Dolby Atmos tracks into faux spatial audio.

Don't buy it if...

You want a full surround sound system
While you can use the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for a great surround sound experience, it’s just for one person. If you want a full surround sound experience, especially with guests, look elsewhere.

You’re on a budget
For a single soundbar, you’re paying quite a premium here. There are decent soundbars, albeit with less features and lower-quality sound, at a fraction of the price.View Deal

Bose Smart Soundbar: Also consider

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system costs about the same as the Bose Smart Soundbar. And while it’s not nearly as feature-packed, it does come with a subwoofer and surround speakers for a more immersive experience (discounting the Bose’s personal surround sound feature).

Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review

Sony HT-S2000
While its Dolby Atmos is virtual, this soundbar still punches above its weight thanks to its impressive sound. There’s no voice assistant support or Wi-Fi streaming, but its price has dropped a bit from when it was released.

Read our full Sony HT-S2000 review

Hisense AX5125H
Hisense's soundbar system offers 5.1.2 channels in a compact package with wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. It also has an alphanumeric front panel LED display and costs less than Bose's soundbar.

Read our full Hisense AX5125H review

How I tested the Bose Smart Soundbar

Bose Smart soundbar on TV stand — The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)

I used the Bose Smart Soundbar for a couple of weeks
Tested with TV, movies, games, and music

I used the Bose Smart Soundbar regularly for a couple of weeks. I watched movies, shows, gamed and listened to music with it. I tested all the various features, especially the Personal Surround Sound feature to see what it could do.

After having tested the Bose Smart Soundbar, it still surprises me all that this soundbar has to offer. It’s that feature-packed. This is an ideal soundbar for someone with a smaller, not-quite home theater setup, but who still wants a premium experience, and not just because of the name.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

First reviewed: February 2025
Read more about how we test

I tested the Hisense U9N mini-LED TV for weeks, and the dazzling, refined picture and powerful Dolby Atmos sound make it a winner

10:11 pm | February 13, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Sony Bravia, TV | Comments: Off

Hisense U9N: Two-minute review

The Hisense U9N arrived on the scene after the rollout of the Hisense U8N, a mid-range mini-LED TV offering exceptional performance and value for money. And while the step-up U9N series is arguably eclipsed by the U8N when it comes to value, it nonetheless offers a noticeable upgrade in picture and sound quality and has a more premium design.

Availability of the Hisense U9N is limited to the US market, where, befitting a premium TV, it is sold in 75-inch ($1,999.99) and 85-inch ($2,999.99) screen sizes. Those prices are a considerable saving on the initial release prices and are notably less than premium mini-LED TV offerings from Samsung and Sony. For this review, I tested the 75-inch U9N.

The U9N’s specs include a mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 local dimming zones (in the 85-inch model) and a Hi-View Engine X chipset borrowed from the company’s limited edition ULED X series TVs. Along with providing AI-driven picture enhancements, this carries support for the Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG high dynamic range formats.

Picture quality on the U9N is stunning. Images are bright, and have exceptional detail and contrast. Colors pop without looking garish, and it has notably better motion handling than other Hisense TVs I’ve tested. But what really sets it apart from the U8N and also lets it compete in the premium mini-LED TV arena is its precise, refined local dimming, which creates deep, uniform-looking blacks with fine gradations of shadow detail. Also, its picture doesn’t lose contrast and color richness when viewed from off-center seats – an important factor for watching with groups.

Sound quality is another U9N strong point. A built-in 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system delivers robust sound with clear positioning of dialogue and effects, along with a decent bass kick. Audio performance is helped by the TV’s design, which positions the left and right speakers in an angled aluminum bezel so they can emit sound directly at the viewer, while the top surface contains upward-firing speakers for Atmos height effects.

As with other Hisense TVs in the US, Google TV is used as a smart TV interface and it’s a flexible and relatively uncluttered platform with a compelling Ambient mode for displaying artwork and photos. Hands-free voice commands are supported, and there’s also a built-in mic on the remote if you don’t want the TV to be set in 'always-listening' mode.

Gaming features on the U9N include dual HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. Input lag is slightly high compared to the best gaming TVs, but that’s not something more casual gamers will notice.

The Hisense U9N ultimately adds up to a great value. It does cost quite a bit more than the step-down Hisense U8N, but if you do have the money to spend, the upgrades it offers are worth it.

Hisense U9N review: Price and release date

Hisense U9N TV showing colorful landscape image onscreen — The Hisense U9N is one of the brightest TVs we've yet tested (Image credit: Future)

Release date: April 2024
75-inch: $2,999
85-inch: $3,999

The Hisense U9N is sold in 75- and 85-inch screen sizes, with availability limited to the US market. As a 2024 model, prices for both sizes have dropped since the TVs first shipped, with the 75-inch version now widely available for $1,999.99 and the 85-inch for $2,999,99.

In Hisense’s TV lineup, the U9N series slots in between the mid-range U8N series and the limited-release ULED X series, the latter of which it borrows several features from.

Hisense U9N review: Specs

Hisense U9N review: Benchmark results

Hisense U9N review: Features

Hisense U9N TV rear panel ports — The U9N has two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support; additional HDMI ports support eARC. (Image credit: Future)

Mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 zones
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR
Two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 144Hz support

The Hisense U9N features a mini-LED backlight with up to 5,300 local dimming zones (in the 85-inch model). It uses the same Hi-View Engine X chipset found in the company’s limited-edition ULED X series TVs, which features AI-driven scene detection and real-time image enhancement. High dynamic range support includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, and there’s an ultra-wide viewing angle feature to ensure consistent picture quality when watching from off-center seats.

The 75-inch U9N I tested features a 4.1.2-channel built-in speaker system powered by 76W of amplification that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with IMAX Enhanced. The U9N’s thicker-than-average aluminum bezel houses front-firing left and right speakers and there are upwards-firing Atmos height speakers located at the top.

Hisense TVs use the Google TV smart TV interface, and the U9N series also features a built-in mic for hands-free voice control. (Works with Alexa is also supported.) Gaming features include 4K 144Hz support for PC gaming, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The U9N’s inputs include two HDMI 2.1 ports, and there’s also an ATSC 3.0 tuner for receiving Next-Gen TV broadcasts.

Features Score: 4.5/5

Hisense U9N review: Picture quality

Exceptional brightness, refined local dimming
Rich color reproduction
Impressive motion handling

The Hisense U9N’s high brightness levels easily exceed other premium mini-LED TVs such as the Samsung QN90D and Sony Bravia 9. I measured HDR brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern in Filmmaker Mode at 2,694 nits, while a full-screen HDR white pattern measured 590 nits in the same mode. Those numbers indicate that the U9N can display the full level of highlight detail in most movies and TV shows with HDR without having to resort to tone mapping, and programs like sports will also look good when viewed in bright rooms.

Hisense says the U9N has an anti-reflection screen coating, though I did note some screen glare when viewing with my room’s overhead lights on. One strong picture-quality positive for daytime sports viewing is the U9N’s ultra-wide viewing angle feature, which ensures that pictures had uniform contrast and color saturation even when viewing from far off-center seats – as you might have to do when watching with a crowd of people.

The U9N’s color gamut coverage was also exceptional, measuring 98.9% for UHD-P3 and 81.5% for BT.2020 in Filmmaker Mode. Those results best other premium mini-LED TVs we’ve tested, and rival what you get with the best OLED TVs. Grayscale accuracy in the same mode was less impressive, averaging 3.5 (we normally look for a result under 3), though color accuracy averaged out to an exceptional 1.1.

With its extraordinarily bright picture, the U9N looked fantastic when viewing sports. Watching the Eagles trounce the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the respective green and red hues of the players’ uniforms popped from the screen, and highlights like stadium lights gleaming off helmets gave the image a strong sense of realism and depth. The U9N also did a great job of upscaling the HD picture, making it look near 4K-like.

Darker content such as the Apple TV Plus show Severance also shone on the U9N’s expansive 75-inch screen. Season 2 Episode 4 takes place in a frozen rural landscape, and the U9N rendered details in the wintry scenes with a high level of subtlety. Severance frequently uses monochrome color schemes – blue, especially – for sets and costumes, and the U9N displayed these vividly while also leaving skin tones looking completely natural.

Other scenes from the same Severance episode demonstrated the U9N’s precise local dimming. As the MDR team camps outdoors on a corporate retreat, there are several scenes with campfires being lit and torches wielded at night. On the U9N, these fires blazed against a black background with minimal blooming effects. Even when I checked the blooming torture test clips on the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray test disc, I could see only just the faintest signs of backlight blooming.

When I did a hands-on test of a pre-production U9N back in early 2024, I was disappointed with its motion handling. But Hisense clearly made progress on that front with the production version of the U9N, which has no such issue. When I watched a reference scene from Bond film No Time to Die where 007 walks across a craggy mountain cemetery, the picture looked impressively solid, even with no motion processing applied. The U9N's solid motion handling also yielded benefits for sports, which looked fluid yet fully natural.

Picture quality score: 5/5

Hisense U9N review: Sound quality

Hisense U9N TV detail of side and top speakers — A thick aluminum bezel houses front-facing and upward-firing speakers. (Image credit: Future)

4.1.2-channel, 76W speaker system
Auto Acoustic Tuning feature
Good height, width with Atmos soundtracks

The U9N features a 4.1.2-channel speaker system powered by 76W. Front left and right drivers are built into the sides of the TV’s substantial aluminum bezel and upwards-firing drivers are located on the screen’s top. Around the back, a pair of built-in bass drivers handle subwoofer duty.

An array of audio adjustments are provided beyond the U9N’s basic sound presets. The Advanced Settings menu has an Auto Acoustic Tuning feature that lets you optimize the TV’s sound output based on measurements taken of your viewing environment using the mic in the remote control. There’s also a multi-band equalizer adjustment, wall-mount compensation, and a subwoofer level adjustment.

The U9N displayed consistently clear dialogue and volume levels could be set fairly high without hearing any distortion. Watching the recent sequel Twisters, in an early scene where the students seed a tornado, only to get caught up in the ensuing turmoil, the sound of wind and loose objects – like vehicles and bodies – blowing around exceeded the screen area and had a good sense of width and height. Shouted dialogue in this sequence also came across clearly, and there was even a decent level of bass thump.

We usually recommend adding one of the best soundbars to any TV, but the U9N could easily stand on its own as long as you’re not overly fussy about home theater sound.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Hisense U9N review: Design

Hisense U9N TV detail of support feet on TV stand — The U9N's widely spaced support feet require an equally wide TV stand. (Image credit: Future)

Widely spaced support feet
Premium design with angled bezel
Full-sized, backlit remote control

Unlike other premium (or premium-aspiring) TVs I’ve recently tested, the Hisense U9N opts for widely spaced support feet instead of a pedestal-type base. These barely cleared my 59-inch-wide TV stand, with just a 0.5-inch of space on each side, so make sure you first measure your own stand. The feet provide sturdy support for the TV, though I wished there was a variable height option to clear more space for a soundbar, if you choose one.

The U9N’s bezel is angled on the sides to accommodate the TV’s front-firing speakers. This gives the TV a more premium look than other Hisense TVs, which have a more basic design. Rear panel connections include four HDMI ports (two of which are HDMI 2.1), an optical digital audio output, 3.5mm analog audio input and output jacks, and a pair of USB-A inputs.

Hisense’s full-sized remote control has curved edges and a more solid feel than most other TV remotes. The keypad is backlit and there are buttons to directly access the TV’s quick menu and broadcast channels guide, along with streaming services including Netflix and Disney Plus. A centrally located mic button lets you selectively access Google voice commands when you’ve disabled the TV’s built-in mic.

Design score: 4.5/5

Hisense U9N review: Smart TV and menus

Hisense U9N TV Google TV interface onscreen — The U9N's Google TV smart interface. (Image credit: Future)

Google TV with Ambient mode
Live TV program grid
Extensive picture adjustments and quick menu

Hisense uses Google TV as the smart interface for all of its TVs in the US. This provides an editable row of apps at the bottom of the home screen, along with a row of suggested content directly above. The suggestions that appear here are based on both your viewing history and Google search history – an arrangement you sign up for when entering your Google account in the TV’s user profile. My only serious issue with Google TV is that you need to create a Google account to download apps from the Google store, and not everyone will necessarily want to participate in the ever-growing Google-verse.

Scrolling down the home screen reveals a range of suggested content categories, while tabs at the top of the screen let you access a Live program guide with both Google Freeplay free TV channels and broadcast channels received by the U9N’s ATSC 3.0 tuner.

A Screensaver option in the TV’s main menu enables you to configure Ambient mode, which kicks in when the TV is on standby. Selections here include an art gallery with Google-curated images, custom-generated AI art, and photos from your personal Google Photos account. You can also add weather and time widgets, which will show up as an overlay on any images in Ambient mode.

Hisense provides extensive picture adjustments in the U9N’s setup menu, with options to have the TV automatically detect content with Filmmaker Mode and IMAX Mode tags, optimize picture settings based on the scene, and upscale standard dynamic range (SDR) programs to high dynamic range (HDR).

A quick menu (called up by pressing the Menu button on the remote) lets you easily switch picture and sound presets, as well as directly access both picture and sound adjustment menus.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U9N review: Gaming

Hisense U9N TV showing Game menu onscreen — A Game menu allows for easy gaming-related picture and sound adjustments (Image credit: Future)

Two HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision gaming
15.2ms input lag

The U9N’s dual HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. We typically ding TVs in reviews for providing only two, rather than four, HDMI 2.1 ports, but an additional HDMI port on the U9N supports HDMI eARC, allowing for both PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming consoles and an external soundbar to be connected all at once, so we can accept it here.

A Game Bar menu (accessible via the quick menu) provides a range of stats and game-related picture and sound adjustments, including genre-specific presets, when the TV is in Game mode.

At 15.2ms, the U9N’s input lag in Game mode is on the high side compared to the best gaming TVs, though I didn’t notice any issues during casual gaming with an Xbox Series X.

Gaming score: 4/5

Hisense U9N review: Value

Hisense U9N TV remote control held in hand — Hisense's full-sized, backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

Priced lower than premium mini-LED competition
Cheaper Hisense U8N series is also excellent
Still, a great overall value

At around $2,000, the 75-inch Hisense U9N is priced lower than its closest mini-LED competition when it comes to picture and sound quality. You can buy the Samsung QN90D in a 75-inch screen size for around $2,400, while the Sony Bravia 9 will cost you around $3,500. Taken in that company, the U9N is an exceptional value.

The main thing that chips away at the U9N’s value is the also-excellent Hisense U8N (around $1,299 for the 75-inch screen size), which has an even brighter picture than the U9N plus similar gaming features and performance. You get a more refined local dimming with the U9N, however, along with better P3 color space coverage and superior off-axis picture performance. The U9N’s 4.1.2-channel speakers also deliver more powerful and immersive sound than the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel speakers.

All things considered, the Hisense U9N still stands out as a great value, and one well worth considering even at a $700 premium over the Hisense U8N.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U9N?

Hisense U9N TV rear panel subwoofer drivers — Dual bass drivers on the TV's rear convey the ".1" subwoofer channel in Atmos soundtracks. (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want to watch in bright rooms
The U9N’s high brightness and excellent off-axis picture picture quality make it a perfect choice for viewing sports in bright rooms and with large groups.

…and also want a great TV for movies
The U9N’s refined local dimming and versatile handling of programs with high dynamic range makes it great for viewing movies and TV shows in HDR.

You want great built-in sound
A 4.1.2-channel, 76W speaker system with front- and upward-firing drivers lets the U9N project loud, clean and immersive sound with good bass.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best gaming TV
The U9N has better-than-average gaming features and good gaming performance, but other TVs best it when it comes to measured input lag as well as offering extras like cloud gaming.

You’re on a budget
While the U9N is easy to recommend, Hisense’s U8N also delivers great overall performance and a mostly similar feature set at a much lower price.

Panasonic Z95A review: Also consider...

Samsung QN90D
Samsung’s flagship mini-LED TV costs more than the U9N and doesn’t support the Dolby Vision HDR format. Its picture quality is equally good, however, and it also has a sleeker design and better gaming features, as we found in our Samsung QN90D review.

Sony Bravia 9
Sony’s flagship TV is about as premium as mini-LED gets, and we appreciated its bright yet refined picture and powerful sound in our Sony Bravia 9 review. But, it’s considerably more expensive than the U9N and lacks the Hisense’s HDR10+ support.

Hisense U8N
The step-down series from the U9N in Hisense’s TV lineup, the U8N has a nearly as good picture along with impressive sound quality. It’s also an exceptional value as we said in our Hisense U8N review.

How I tested the Hisense U9N

Hisense U9N TV being measured for brightness by reviewer — Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)

Tested over the course of two weeks
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I tested the Hisense U9N, I first spent a few weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments. I next selected the most accurate preset (Filmmaker Mode, in this case) and measured grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I made measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space was also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the U9N can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources.

I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy after I'd assessed its out-of-the-box performance. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, and 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Hulu, and other services.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar for more information.

First reviewed: February 2025
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I spent a month testing the 11.4.6-channel Nakamichi Dragon, and it’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar on steroids

7:00 pm | February 1, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Soundbars Televisions | Tags: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS, TV | Comments: Off

Nakamichi Dragon: Two minute review

The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that pushes the outer limits of what a soundbar is capable of. It’s more akin to an AV receiver in its design, features, and execution. Using it, I was frequently reminded of AV receivers by everything from the system’s heavily buttoned remote control to its extensive, detailed setup menu. The Dragon is not aimed at someone interested in simple plug-and-play sound (though it does provide basic setup options and is easy to get up and running) but rather users who like to dig in and painstakingly tweak settings.

At $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750), the Nakamichi Dragon costs double what you’ll pay even for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market such as the Samsung HW-Q990D. That’s quite a lot to pay for a soundbar system, and it takes you into an AV receiver and separate speakers package price territory. But an important Dragon advantage is that it’s a wireless system, though one with the high channel count you’d get from a receiver-based home theater audio rig.

The Dragon isn’t as feature-packed as expected given its relatively lofty price. There’s processing onboard for Dolby Atmos and the Pro version of DTS:X, and there are four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC) that support 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through. The system comes with a full-scale remote control that provides quick access to a wide array of audio adjustments and it has Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless music streaming. There’s no AirPlay or Chromecast support for streaming over Wi-Fi, and the system’s control app is primarily used for system setup.

Automatic setup and room EQ features, either the more basic ones you get in premium soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra, or advanced ones such as Audyssey or Dirac Live in AV receivers, are also nowhere to be found. Basic setup of the Dragon soundbar system is surprisingly easy, however.

The Dragon system’s sound does its name justice. It can go incredibly loud and the dual subwoofers, each with two 8-inch opposing drivers, provide deep-reaching and very full-sounding bass. Having two subwoofers also helps to even out bass performance, which compensates to a degree for the lack of room EQ processing. (Two subs are provided with the system configuration I tested, but it supports up to four subs.)

With six up-firing Atmos height drivers between the soundbar and the surround speakers, which also provide both side and rear surround channel driver arrays, the level of immersion provided by the Dragon system surpasses any other soundbar system I’ve heard. Not all is perfect with the Dragon’s sound, however: it can come across as aggressive and treble-forward with some content, favoring clarity and presence over subtlety. But if your main thing is action movies or gaming, there’s not too much here to complain about.

At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon system’s soundbar is fairly huge – it just about fit my TV stand, which is designed to support TVs up to 75 inches. The soundbar’s stainless steel enclosure is superior to the plastic ones you get on budget models, and the system’s design strikes a nice balance between function and style. A large front panel LED display can be customized to show the names of sources (Blu-ray, Xbox, etc.) and it can also provide visual feedback beyond basic source and volume settings when you hit the Info button on the remote control.

Paying $3,000 for a soundbar system might sound a bit outrageous, but the Nakamichi Dragon is no ordinary soundbar system. It delivers a level of performance that’s more like what you get from a traditional AV receiver-based home theater system from a big honkin' soundbar with wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. If that all sounds appealing to you, you’ll find the Dragon to be a good value.

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar seen from above with Apple TV 4K menu on TV screen — At 58.1 inches wide, the Dragon requires a substantial TV stand for support (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Price & release date

Released in October 2023
$2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750)

The Nakamichi Dragon soundbar system with two dual-opposing eight-inch subwoofers is listed at $3,999.99, but sells for $2,999.99. It is available in the US on Amazon, and can be purchased and shipped internationally through B&H Photo Video.

Along with the base configuration reviewed here, the Dragon can also be purchased in configurations with two 12-inch subwoofers ($4,199) or four 12-inch subwoofers ($7,199). Dragon pricing is high compared to other premium soundbar systems such as the Samsung HW-Q990D and LG S95TR, both of which have a lower overall channel count and lower rated power.

Nakamichi Dragon review: Specs

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar detail shot of tweeter with subwoofer in background — The Dragon soundbar and surround speakers use matching 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeters. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Features

11.4.6-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through
Bluetooth aptX HD wireless streaming

The Nakamichi Dragon combines a sizeable 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4-inch main soundbar unit (1476 x 112 x 196mm) featuring a stainless steel enclosure with two wireless subwoofers and wireless rear surround speakers. The soundbar provides processing for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Pro and features four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through along with optical digital audio and 3.5mm aux inputs and outputs. There’s no onboard Wi-Fi for streaming, but the Dragon soundbar does support Bluetooth aptX HD for streaming music.

The soundbar’s speaker array consists of three 1.5-inch “Air Motion” folded ribbon-type tweeters, each flanked by a pair of 3-inch mid-range drivers for the left, center, and right channels. Two pairs of 3-inch height speakers are arrayed on the soundbar’s top surface, with the pairs angled at 10 and 20 degrees, respectively, to evenly distribute Atmos height effects from the front toward the back of the room. Along with these, 3-inch drivers are located on the soundbar’s side panels for an enhanced surround sound effect.

Nakamichi’s tall, tower-like dual-opposing wireless subwoofers each house a pair of eight-inch drivers inside a ported cabinet. The system’s Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers each contain side and rear surround speaker arrays consisting of a 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeter and three-inch mid-bass driver, with a three-inch height speaker mounted on top. A PerfectHeight adjustment on the Omni-Motion Reference’s top surface lets you rotate the height speaker up 180 degrees to optimize height effects for your specific room layout and installation.

Unlike other premium soundbars on the market from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sonos, the Dragon has no automated setup or room EQ features. The system’s dual subwoofer configuration does help to evenly distribute bass in your room and compensate for room modes, however, and the extensive sound level and delay adjustments allow for a precise manual setup.

Features score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon subwoofer in corner of room — The Dragon's dual subwoofers are fairly tall, but can be tucked unobtrusively into the corners of a room. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Performance

Powerful, immersive sound
Deep, impactful bass
Overly aggressive sound with some content

The Dragon system sounded good out of the box but strongly benefitted from a manual calibration in the Advanced Sound Setup menu. Once that was done, I cracked open a new 4K Blu-ray disc of the recent Twisters remake that I had bought specifically for this test.

On the Dragon system, the sound of violent tornadoes ripping through space in the Twisters soundtrack was potently rendered, providing an almost unnerving sense of being directly inside the path of destruction. Vehicles propelled through the air and crashing to earth had a powerful impact, so much so that I found myself dialing back the bass adjustment – conveniently located right next to the volume button on the system’s remote control.

On Top Gun: Maverick, another movie that I regularly use to test soundbars, the sounds of jets in the first training scene early in the movie had a strong trajectory as they swooped from the front to the back of the room, and there was impressive verticality to the sound as they crisscrossed overhead. The drums and bass in The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again that plays in this scene came through with equal power, with Roger Daltrey’s yawps soaring along with the jets on the soundtrack.

Dolby Atmos music streamed from Apple Music on my Apple TV 4K sounded equally vivid and exciting on the system, especially tracks like Kraftwerk’s Nummern / Computerwelt. This track sounded almost endlessly wide and immersive, showcasing the benefits of six separate height speakers for delivering Atmos mixes. The low-end on this track was powerful and deep but also well-integrated with the rest of the mix, the system’s dual subwoofers working together to energize my room with bass.

With more subtle-sounding fare – Severance season 2 on Apple TV Plus, for instance – dialogue was very clear, and that was the case with most shows and movies I watched. As part of my initial setup, I selected the system’s Movie (Movie 1) sound preset (Music, Game, and Night modes are also available) and also dialed back the treble to the minimum setting. That’s because the Dragon system, while it has a considerable roar, can sound aggressive and even a bit harsh with some content.

I’ve listened with multiple speakers that use the same Air Motion-type tweeter that’s found in Nakamichi’s system and those generally had a much more laid-back quality to the treble. This tells me that the Dragon was voiced to have a bold, even in-your-face sound that befits its name.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon rear input ports — The Dragon soundbar's rear input ports include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 w/ eARC) (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Design

Large soundbar and subwoofers
Soundbar height may block the TV image
Solid overall build quality

At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon’s design is anything but subtle. This is a big soundbar, and its 4.4-inch height means the top edge will definitely obscure the screen bottom of some TVs. At 32 pounds (14.5kg), it’s also a heavy one – not surprising given its stainless steel enclosure. Nakamichi sells optional floor stands for the Dragon, which will allow it to be used with wall-mounted TVs and projectors.

Aside from being massive, the Dragon soundbar has an appealing design, with top panel controls that light up when touched, angled front corners, and exposed Air Motion tweeters poking through the metal mesh front. The same design chops carry over to the Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers, which also get optional stands. Nakamichi’s wireless subwoofers have a plainer, more utilitarian look, but their tall form factor lets them tuck fairly unobtrusively into the corners of a room.

The Dragon soundbar’s front-panel alphanumeric LED display is a feature I fully expect to see in a soundbar at this price. While it’s welcome, I would have liked an option to dim the display or to shut it off entirely with the remote when viewing, which is a feature you get on some AV receivers.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon surround speaker against wood panel wall background — The Dragon surround speakers have matching tweeter-woofer arrays on either side to deliver rear and side surround channel, and there's an upward-firing driver on top for Atmos height channels. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Setup & usability

Easy wireless speaker setup
Extensive manual sound adjustments
Alphanumeric front panel LED display

The basic setup of the Dragon system was incredibly easy. After positioning the soundbar on my TV stand, where it occupied nearly the stand’s full width with an inch to spare on each side, I located the subwoofers in the front corners of my room and the surround speakers at either side of my sofa. After plugging all speakers in, they made an automatic wireless connection to the soundbar, with a blue LED indicating that the system was up and running.

After connecting my sources to the soundbar’s HDMI inputs, and my TV to the HDMI eARC port, I renamed the inputs in the setup menu so they would show up on the front panel display as “Blu-ray disc player, Xbox One X console, and Apple TV 4K.” I next made a Bluetooth link to my phone for music streaming by pressing the Bluetooth button on the remote control, which put the Dragon into wireless pairing mode.

So much for the easy part – the next part of the setup was much more laborious. Nakamichi gives you an easy out by providing Small, Medium, and Large room options. (Guidance on which option is best for your particular room is provided in the detailed and well-organized PDF owner’s manual.) Sound with the Small option selected – the closest match for my room – was good out of the box, but for my test, I wanted to go through the full manual setup to see what difference it would make.

Pulling out my tape measure and trusty old Radio Shack SPL meter, I manually entered the listening distance for each channel and also ran the pink noise output to adjust the sound level. With 11.2.6 total channels for the Dragon system I tested, we’re talking a lot of speakers to adjust! The effort was completely worth it, though, since sound clarity and bass evenness received an immediate boost.

Nakamichi’s remote control is large, has an aluminum faceplate, and is packed with buttons to access a wide range of fine adjustments for things like individual speaker channel levels, including height and subwoofer channels. There’s also a Dragon control app that gives you many of the same adjustments. The only thing I didn’t like about the remote is that the keypad doesn’t have the same backlighting feature typically found in AV receiver remote controls offering the same level of granular adjustments.

Another gripe I had with the Dragon was the setup menu, which requires you to jump out of any program you’re watching to make adjustments other than the ones with dedicated keypad controls on the remote. My annoyance with this was mainly during my initial setup and early use, however. Once I had dialed in my preferred settings for movies/TV and music, those adjustments could be stored in the two available Favorite Settings buttons on the remote for easy recall.

Setup & usability score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon remote control on black background — The Dragon's full featured remote provides instant access to many adjustments for tweaking the system's sound on the fly. (Image credit: Future)

Nakamichi Dragon review: Value

Unique value proposition
Other premium soundbars available for much less
Approaching AV receiver-based system price range

The Nakamichi Dragon occupies a unique space in the home theater audio world, combining many of the functions of an AV receiver in a high channel-count soundbar plus wireless surround speakers and subwoofers package. At $3,000, you’re getting a lot for your money here, and there’s really nothing out there that parallels it.

While not as elaborate or high-impact as the Dragon, other premium soundbar systems can provide a similarly satisfying and immersive home theater audio experience. For around $1,500, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D, an 11.1.4-channel system that also has multiple HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough. And for under $1,000, there’s the LG S95TR, a 9.1.5-channel system. Both of these soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and they offer unique audio processing features designed to work with Samsung and LG TVs.

Another option is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad (around $2,200). This 4.1.4-channel wireless speaker system offers audio processing features designed specifically to work with Sony TVs, but it can also be used with any TV or projector setup. It’s a more compact and elegant alternative to soundbar-based systems, and with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping at work, it doesn’t skimp out on audio immersion.

Finally, the Dragon’s $3,000 price is a threshold where you should also consider an AV receiver-based system. You can buy a 9.2-channel receiver such as the Onkyo TX-RZ50 for as little as $999, and then the sky is the limit when it comes to which speakers you add to your setup. The advantage to this option is that receivers offer extensive switching and control options, and they also provide automatic setup and room correction processing solutions such as Audyssey and Dirac Live. But going the AV receiver route means running wires – lots of them – plus a more complicated setup.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

Nakamichi Dragon top panel controls shown from above — The Dragon soundbar's top-panel control buttons (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Nakamichi Dragon?

Buy it if...

You want a wireless home theater audio system
With an 11.4.6 channel count and dynamic overall audio performance, the Dragon comes closer to a traditional home theater speaker system than other premium soundbars.

You want a soundbar without typical soundbar limitations
The Dragon’s six upfiring height speakers mean it doesn’t skimp on Atmos immersion, and its dual subwoofers deliver deeper and more powerful bass than you get with typical soundbar systems.

Don't buy it if...

You want a simple, no-fuss setup
While the Dragon system’s various components easily make a wireless connection, optimizing its sound for your particular space can be time-consuming.

You listen to music as much as watch movies
The Dragon system’s sound is a good match for electronic music and action movies, bringing everything to vivid, dynamic life, but it can also sound aggressive and in-your-face with some content.

Nakamichi Dragon review: Also consider

Sonos Arc Ultra
The new flagship soundbar from Sonos is an all-in-one 9.1.4-channel unit, and it can be supplemented with the company’s wireless speakers and subwoofer for an even higher level of Atmos immersion. It has no HDMI inputs beyond an HDMI eARC connection for a TV, however, and also no DTS support. Here's our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.

LG S95TR
LG’s 9.1.5-channel soundbar system also has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and it provides impressive surround sound immersion at a considerably lower price than the Dragon. Bonus points if you own an LG TV, which provides features to enhance the S95TR’s performance and usability. Here's our full LG S95TR review.

Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung’s flagship soundbar system tops out at 11.1.4 channels, which is the closest you’ll get to the Dragon when it comes to Atmos (and DTS:X) immersion. It’s also half the price, supports AirPlay and Chromecast, and has similar HDMI 2.1 connectivity and gaming support as the Dragon. Here's our full Samsung HW-Q990D review.

How I tested the Nakamichi Dragon

Nakamichi Dragon system with TV showing green landscape — The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)

Tested for over a month
Served as my main system at home
4K Blu-ray discs, TV streaming apps, and Apple Music used as sources

The Nakamichi Dragon arrives in a shipping container about the size of a coffin, so expect to enlist help when lifting it into your home. Once unboxed, I set it up in my near-3,000 cubic foot home theater room and connected TV, Apple TV 4K, Xbox Series X, and 4K Blu-ray sources via HDMI. For music testing, I listened to Dolby Atmos music streamed on the Apple Music app by the Apple TV 4K.

I listened with the system for over a month, using it as my main system for casual TV watching, movies, and music. I performed an in-depth audio calibration, measuring the distance between all speaker channels and my listening seat, and then inputting that data in the Dragon’s setup menus. This also involved adjusting the sound level for each channel with pink noise generated by the soundbar that was measured with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter.

I have 20-plus years of experience reviewing home theater speaker systems and components, including soundbar systems. Prior to testing the Dragon, I used Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers as my main home theater audio system, and before that an AV receiver-based 5.1.4-channel speaker system, so I have a good understanding of where the Nakamichi Dragon sits among its wireless and wired speaker competition.

First reviewed: January 2025
Read more about how we test

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: awesome wireless headphones in almost every way

7:00 pm | December 30, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: Dolby Atmos, EQ | Comments: Off

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Two-minute review

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 are a fantastic pair of wireless headphones. Using the same drivers as the company’s studio-oriented DT 700 Pro X and DT 900 Pro X, the sound quality will make you feel like you’ve taken a blanket off your music, especially if you’re upgrading from a cheaper, lesser model. And they’re as feature-filled as any other model at this price point.

I believe that, since their release this year, they belong in the conversation for the best wireless headphones. They do fall slightly short of the active noise cancellation (ANC) you find with the likes of Bose and Sony flagships. But, they still fare very well. And again, they sound fantastic. On top of that, the battery life is very, very good.

There are a couple aspects that hold the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 from being perfect. For instance, the ear pads are tough to remove – an issue if you’re worried about potential wear and tear. And, the main way to control audio on the headphones is a touchpad on the right ear. It’s innovative, but slow to respond and comes with a bit of a learning curve. Since I generally use my phone or computer for adjusting things like volume and forwarding / rewinding, it’s not a dealbreaker. Still, it’s annoying.

At the end of the day, however, the pros vastly outweigh the cons.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 on a gray table — (Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Price and release date

Announced September 9 2024, available from November 2024
Costs $399.99 / £359.00 (about AU$640)

No doubt about it, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 are among the more premium options out there when it comes to wireless headphones. They go for $399.99 / £359.00 (about AU$640), which is more than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and their price of £380 / $399 / AU$649. Both are fantastic sounding headphones. Of course, the Aventho 300 fold up and have faster Bluetooth connectivity, but the WH-1000XM5 have class-leading ANC.

There are even more expensive options out there such as the $899 / £599-priced Dali IO-8 or the $549 / £549 / AU$899-priced Apple AirPods Max where you’re paying for the name or premium materials as much as anything else. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, therefore, are well-priced for what they are and offer good value, but are not a steal.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Features

Very useable EQ and presets
Plenty of accessibility in the app
Has multipoint connectivity and lossless codecs

As far as features go, the only thing missing from the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 is some kind of personalised, augmented sound profile. That said, there is more than enough flexibility available in the app to adjust the EQ. Not only are there six different presets to choose from, including “neutral” interestingly (more on why that’s necessary for some later), but there’s also a five-band graphic EQ with the ability to boost or cut up to six dB where you can save your preferred EQ curve.

Speaking of the app, there’s much more on tap, including playing around with different levels of ANC and ambient mode as well as turning Dolby Atmos and head tracking on. The ANC and ambient modes have five levels of sensitivity and work pretty well, either blocking out sound or letting you hear your surroundings. They’re not quite class-leading, but unless your neighbours or colleagues are especially raucous, you’ll probably be happy with them.

In the app, you can also turn on/off a voice assistant as well as adjust what the internal voice prompt announces. For example, I like hearing the battery level when I turn on the headphones, but I don’t want to hear which codec is being used during the first few seconds of the first song I listen to.

The app also allows toggling things like auto shutdown, sidetone, and LED brightness. There’s even a touch guide to show how to use the touchpad on the side of the headphones.

Though you won’t see it in the app, multipoint connectivity is available. It’s also worth noting that there’s AAC and aptX lossless (and adaptive) support.

Features score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Design

Aesthetically pleasing if a bit bulky
Touchpad has a learning curve and has inconsistent sensitivity
Has a very long battery life

The chunky design of the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 is aesthetically pleasing while still looking very similar to the majority of over-ear headphones out there. Available in Black and Nordic Grey (reviewed here), the whole thing from the earcups to the head band and all the plush materials are the same color with the exception of the metal (presumably aluminum) yoke and the model name emblazoned on the left earcup – silver on the Nordic Grey model and Nordic Grey on the Black model.

The ergonomics are solid as the ear cups are angled to sit more naturally on the side of the face, though the amount the headband can extend seems like it might not be enough for big heads. The ear pads and headband are covered in a faux leather that’s not the most breathable, but is comfortable enough. I can definitely wear these for a while without feeling fatigued, but they’re not the cream of the crop when it comes to comfort. On top of that, the clamping force is a bit strong, so if you’re sensitive to that, you might need to stretch them out just a bit.

The controls consist of a power button that also pairs via Bluetooth, a button to cycle through ANC, ANC off, and transparency mode, and the touch pad I’ve mentioned which covers the entire flat portion of the right ear cup. This capacitive area allows an assortment of controls from volume control, skipping through songs, answering calls, and the like via tapping and gesturing in the appropriate directions. It’s a good idea, but takes a bit to learn. More importantly, the sensitivity seems inconsistent, so sometimes I have to gesture more than once to get the headphones to react to what I want to do. This is probably the area where these headphones could use the most fine tuning for successive models.

At least the battery life is long, as you can get 50 hours with ANC on – and ANC has a tendency to drain the battery. After about 10 hours of listening, I had 80% battery life left without charging back up. Considering they charge via USB-C, 10 minutes of charging gets about five hours of play.

Design score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Sound quality

Seemingly neutral but has prominent bass and slightly hyped high-end
Decently wide soundstage
Dolby Atmos and head tracking work well

If you don’t feel like reading the next 200ish words, just know that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 sound really good. Since these headphones share the same Stellar.45 drivers that the company introduced in its studio-focused DT 700 Pro X and DT 900 Pro X headphones, the frequency range leans towards a very clean, high-headroom experience that on first listen almost sounds neutral the way a pair of headphones meant for the studio sounds.

After spending a little time listening to all sorts of genres from Rock to Hip Hop and Folk, the nuances become a little more obvious. First of all, even though the sound comes across as clean and even, it’s actually quite bass heavy (note that the frequency range goes as low as 5Hz), especially nearing the sub-bass region. Any Rock or Alternative tracks I listen to become very bass prominent even though the genres are generally more mid-focused.

Of course, it’s a testament to the quality of the drivers that you get such prominent bass while still hearing everything else clearly.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 app, three screengrabs — (Image credit: Future)

The high-end is also a little hyped, which adds a bit to the clarity. But, it’s not so prominent to be in-your-face or painful. In the EQ modes I mentioned earlier, the neutral setting actually boosts the mid-range just a tad while bringing the low-end down quite a bit and the high-end a dB or two.

The soundstage is just as stellar. It feels wide enough to make me feel like I’m sitting on stage with the musicians. Far off elements are well-placed so that I get a really immersive sense of space. Now, they’re not the widest sounding headphones ever, but they sit at a sweet spot between intimate and concert hall.

Since there’s Dolby Atmos support, I should mention that it’s a nice touch. However, it is a virtual spatial audio so everything just sounds like there’s just a bit more reverb. While more dimensional, it doesn’t really add much to the experience unless watching a movie or show. I feel the same way about the headtracking that can be enabled. It works well if that matters to you.

Sound quality: 5/5

Three Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 screengrabs — (Image credit: Beyerdynamic)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Value

Pricing is about what one would expect for flagship wireless headphones
Paying for consistency
Comes with a hard shell and softshell case

As a value proposition, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 are good but not great. As previously mentioned, they're not that much more than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and are comparable in a lot of ways, with some aspects being slightly better and others slightly worse. You can spend much more for models that aren’t really any better. But you can spend much less and still get very good-sounding headphones.

However, Beyerdynamic headphones are consistently great, so you’re paying for that to a degree the way you do with Apple when it comes to phones or laptops. At least, you get a nice hard shell case and drawstring bag out of the deal.

Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300?

Buy them if…

You want excellent, polished sound quality
Not only do the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 sound great, but they sound polished like they’re meant for the studio. Somehow, they still have a large bass response.

You want something a little different but just as good
If you want to get something a little different than everyone else without sacrificing quality, these headphones have it all from sound quality to feature set.

Don’t buy them if…

You’re looking for a best-value buy
While they’re priced appropriately, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 are not cheap. So, if you’re looking to get the bang for your buck, there are other options to consider.

You want easy controls
Though the capacitive touchpad on the right earcup is a good idea, it could be executed just a little bit better (it’s not bad, just inconsistent).

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Also consider

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 don’t have the best ANC and lose the proprietary spatial audio. However, they’re great value and not just because they’re a bit cheaper. Since they come at a lower price point, they focus on what matters most – and that’s excellent sound quality. Also, the battery life is excellent
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review

Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are still considered one of the best, if not the best, over-ear wireless headphones. The sound quality is excellent, the app is easy to use, and, most importantly, the ANC and ambient features are still virtually unparalleled. Only thing is they’re minimally better than their lower-priced and still available predecessor.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

How I tested the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300

Tested over two weeks
Tested with different music as well as video streaming
Tested every feature meticulously

I spent a few weeks using the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 as my daily headphones. While using them, I listened to all sorts of genres from electronic and hip-hop to rock and acoustic music to compare the frequency range and soundstage. I also tested them with streaming video and used the various settings such as ANC, ambient mode, and EQ.

After testing, it seems that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 are best suited for those wanting a mostly neutral audiophile-like experience in a set of wireless headphones without sacrificing on features.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

First reviewed in December 2024

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: awesome wireless headphones in almost every way

7:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: Dolby Atmos, EQ | Comments: Off

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Two-minute review

At the end of the day, however, the pros vastly outweigh the cons.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Price and release date

Announced September 9 2024, available from November 2024
Costs $399.99 / £359.00 (about AU$640)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Features

Very useable EQ and presets
Plenty of accessibility in the app
Has multipoint connectivity and lossless codecs

The app also allows toggling things like auto shutdown, sidetone, and LED brightness. There’s even a touch guide to show how to use the touchpad on the side of the headphones.

Though you won’t see it in the app, multipoint connectivity is available. It’s also worth noting that there’s AAC and aptX lossless (and adaptive) support.

Features score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Design

Aesthetically pleasing if a bit bulky
Touchpad has a learning curve and has inconsistent sensitivity
Has a very long battery life

Design score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Sound quality

Seemingly neutral but has prominent bass and slightly hyped high-end
Decently wide soundstage
Dolby Atmos and head tracking work well

Of course, it’s a testament to the quality of the drivers that you get such prominent bass while still hearing everything else clearly.

Sound quality: 5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Value

Pricing is about what one would expect for flagship wireless headphones
Paying for consistency
Comes with a hard shell and softshell case

Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

You want easy controls
Though the capacitive touchpad on the right earcup is a good idea, it could be executed just a little bit better (it’s not bad, just inconsistent).

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review: Also consider

How I tested the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300

Tested over two weeks
Tested with different music as well as video streaming
Tested every feature meticulously

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

First reviewed in December 2024

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie Player review: 4K Blu-ray video and audio quality minus the discs

3:00 pm | December 8, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Televisions | Tags: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS, Harry Potter | Comments: Off

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V: One-minute review

The Kaleidescape Strato V is the latest Movie Player from Kaleidescape, and it represents a definite shift for the company. Kaleidescape is synonymous with a premium movie experience at home, offering a proprietary ecosystem based around its own hardware and servers. While no one questions the quality of Kaleidescape’s products, the price of admission has been steep and the lack of Dolby Vision support has been a glaring omission given the brand’s pursuit of high-end video and audio performance.

The new Kaleidescape Strato V addresses both of these issues by offering Dolby Vision support and lowering the cost of entry. To achieve this, the Strato V integrates a 960GB solid-state hard drive, and while that means it can only store around ten 4K movies downloaded from the company’s Movie Store at any one time, at least it combines the movie player and movie server into a single, more affordable device that's an excellent alternative to the best 4k Blu-ray players.

With Kaleidescape, you can immediately access a huge library of films, TV shows, and concert videos, with new titles often available months before any disc release. The picture and sound quality are exceptional, with stunning 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision images and full lossless audio that includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – something you don’t get from the best streaming services, which only provide compressed soundtracks. The result is a performance that’s at least equal to a disc but without taking up all your shelf space. So if you want convenience without any compromise look no further than the Strato V.

Kaleidescape Strato V on glass table — The new Strato V combines a movie player with built-in 960GB SSD storage – enough to hold 10 movies at a time (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Price & release

Price: $3,995 / £5,379
Release date: September 2024

The Kaleidescape Strato V is available now through registered dealers and online sellers like Best Buy in the US and retails for $3,995 / £5,379. While this certainly isn’t cheap it’s definitely more affordable than the alternative of buying the Kaleidescape Strato C Movie Player. The latter costs about the same but doesn’t support Dolby Vision and requires you to buy one of Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime servers, which are very pricey. Of course, if you want to expand the storage of the Strato V you can add a Terra Prime server, although the extra cost does rather defeat the whole point of buying one.

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Specs

Kaleidescape Strato V rear panel ports — The Strato V uses wired Ethernet for a network connection; it has no Wi-Fi option (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Design

Great build quality
Kaleidescape remote app
Control over Ethernet

The Kaleidescape Strato V certainly looks like a premium product with a sleek, stylish and very well-made cabinet that uses a combination of a 3mm-thick black anodised aluminium chassis combined with a 3mm-thick black glass front with an illuminated Kaleidescape logo. The unit is silent in operation and includes a 960GB solid-state drive, along with a powerful system-on-chip (SoC).

The unit is only 20cm wide, which might disappoint those who like their AV equipment full width, but there’s an optional faceplate for mounting in an equipment rack. There’s also a dual faceplate for use with a compact Terra Prime server, along with a wall bracket for mounting behind a TV.

The connectivity is at the rear, with a gold-plated HDMI 2.1 output, a coaxial digital audio output using a gold-plated RCA phono connector, and an optical digital output. There’s also a gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port, an IR input, a service port, and a 12V input for the included power adapter brick. There is no Wi-Fi connectivity, so you will need a wired Ethernet connection for downloading movies, accessing the web interface, updating firmware and using the control app.

The included remote is small and simple but gets the job done. There’s no backlight, which can be annoying in a pitch-black home cinema, but given Kaleidescape’s target market, chances are you’ll be using a third-party control system over Ethernet like Crestron, AMX, Savant or Control4. There’s also the Kaleidescape app (iOS or Android) which makes an effective controller, providing an alternative to the remote with its handy swipe function and access to the Kaleidescape Movie Store.

Design score: 5/5

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie store interface — The Kaleidescape Movie Store features new releases that aren't yet available on VOD services (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Features

Scalable storage options
Highest quality video
Fully lossless audio

The Kaleidescape Strato V’s primary function is as a high-end movie player that offers the best video and audio compared to any device on the market. To achieve this it supports every resolution up to 4K (3840 x 2160), and frame rates up to 60p. It also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range, plus lossless audio up to and including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Crucially, it isn’t limited to certain file sizes as with a 4K disc, nor is it restricted to lower bit rates like streaming services – supporting file sizes of over 100GB and speeds up to 100Mbps. As a result, when you buy or rent movies, TV shows or concerts from the Kaleidescape Movie Store you’re guaranteed the best picture and sound possible from a home entertainment product.

The Strato V is primarily designed to operate as a standalone unit, which is why it has a built-in solid-state hard drive. The downside is that the number of movies you can store at any one time is limited to around 10, and if you want to watch something else you have to download it. Once you purchase a title from the Kaleidescape Movie Store it remains accessible in your collection for download, even if it isn’t stored locally on the Strato V.

If you would rather store your entire collection on a drive for instant access you can connect to one of Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime servers. While doing so is obviously more expensive, and the built-in SSD is no longer available, the process is simple and won’t affect the Strato V’s performance in any way. It’s great to have the option to scale up the storage, even if you never actually need to.

Features score: 5/5

Kaleidescape Strato V web setup interface — A Strato V setup menu page (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Setup

Web-based interface
Selectable aspect ratios
Cataloging your discs

The Kaleidescape Strato V is incredibly easy to set up, and all you need to do is plug in the power brick, attach an Ethernet cable and connect to your display, or in my case an AV processor. Kaleidescape even includes a THX Certified HDMI cable, which is a nice touch. Once powered up, just follow the onscreen instructions and you’ll be up and running in no time.

The initial options allow you to set up the Strato V as a standalone player, configure it as a new system with a Terra movie server, or add it as a new zone to an existing Kaleidescape system. When set up as a standalone player it operates independently, only playing movies stored locally on its internal drive, and can’t be grouped with other Strato V units for additional storage.

After I selected standalone mode, the activation page appeared. You then either enter your email address if you already have a Kaleidescape account or create a new one. Once you’ve entered your email address you’ll receive a confirmation email to activate the player. You’ll obviously need to add your credit card details as well for making purchases from the Kaleidescape Movie Store.

The web-based interface offers access to all of the Strato V’s setup options and is my preferred choice for the initial installation, although once completed the remote is fine for accessing your movies on the player (Ready to Play), and navigating the Kaleidescape Movie Store and general settings.

In terms of the initial settings you can leave most at their defaults because the Strato V will read the EDID from your display, receiver or processor and optimise accordingly. The one area you may need to adjust manually is the aspect ratio, especially if like me you use a 2.35:1 projector screen. This feature works brilliantly, not only formatting the screens and menus for the wider aspect ratio, but also automatically rescaling 1.85:1 content within the ‘Scope ratio screen.

The main reason for buying a Strato V is access to the Kaleidescape Movie Store, and here your experience will really depend on on where you live. In the US the choice is huge and new films are added months before they’re released on disc, whereas elsewhere the choice isn’t as impressive, and films take longer to be added. I appreciate that studio agreements will differ from territory to territory, but given the store is the main feature it’s a bit frustrating if you live outside the States.

One final feature that Kaleidescape offers is the option to catalog your physical Blu-ray and DVD collections into a digital format. You’ll need to connect an external disc drive via USB, but once connected, the Strato V enters Recognition Mode. Insert a disc into the drive, and the Strato begins cataloging it. The process only takes a few seconds, and you can then see the title in the Store under Digital Offers – sometimes with a discount for the digital version.

Kaleidescape Strato V playback of Top Gun: Maverick — The Strato V provides detailed info on video and audio formats during playback (Image credit: Future)

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Performance

Well-designed and intuitive interface
Exceptional picture and sound quality
Excellent upscaling of lower resolutions

The Kaleidescape Strato V is a rock-solid media player thanks to its intuitive user interface, and is also very responsive in operation. The Ready to Play page has titles from the Store along the top, a second layer showing the unwatched titles currently on the internal drive, followed by a layer of paused movies, then the played movies, and finally any movies you’ve marked as favourites.

Unlike the Strato C, the Strato V doesn’t show you all the films you’ve bought on the home page, only those on the internal drive. If you want to see the complete collection you’ll need to go to your account on the Movie Store, but this keeps things neat and tidy. The system automatically deletes the oldest played content to free up space, unless you mark a title as a favourite.

When you click on a title you get information about it, along with options to play, pause or choose a specific scene. When something is playing you can also press the up button on the remote and see additional information such as audio options and subtitles. The entire process is completely seamless, and I never had any issues with playing, pausing or stopping movies. It’s also worth pointing out that the Strato V runs completely silent and cool in operation.

The process of buying titles from the Movie Store couldn’t be easier, and you can access it via the Kaleidescape website, through the player’s interface or even using the app. There are thousands of titles available for purchase or rental, many of which haven’t even been released on 4K disc yet.

I found deleting existing films off the internal drive and downloading new ones onto it to be straightforward. If you decide to rent rather than purchase a title, it will remain on your system for 30 days, and once you begin watching it there’s a 48-hour window. If you like the film and decide to buy it within the 30-day rental period, half the rental price is credited towards the purchase.

The speed of download will depend on your internet connection – if you’re lucky enough to have gigabit speeds you can download movies in around 10 to 15 minutes. Unfortunately, I live in the countryside and only have speeds of 50Mbps, so it took about two hours to download a movie.

When you buy a title it might offer 4K Dolby Vision and 4K HDR10 versions, but even if your display doesn’t support Dolby Vision you still download the former. The Strato V will automatically output whatever your display is capable of handling, while the 4K HDR10 version is only intended for the Strato C because that player doesn’t support Dolby Vision at all.

Kaleidescape’s use of larger file sizes and higher bit rates results in stunning images that are at least as good as the equivalent 4K Ultra HD disc, if not better. I watched a number titles, including Top Gun: Maverick, Dune Part 2, and Furiosa, and the picture quality is simply stunning. The 4K images are sharp and detailed, the HDR10 or Dolby Vision is delivered precisely, and the overall presentation is free of any compression artefacts or other issues.

While you can obviously watch movies on streamers, or via VOD services like iTunes and Prime Video, Kaleidescape offers a quantum leap in quality. In fact, the larger file sizes mean it can even surpass 4K Blu-rays at times. A good example is Once Upon a Time in the West, which is a three-hour movie that gets crammed onto a 66GB 4K Blu-ray disc. Kaleidescape’s file is significantly larger, providing more space and a higher bit rate, which results in a better-defined image when directly comparing this film on both formats.

The audio is equally impressive, with full lossless support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. While streaming services may offer Atmos, it is usually delivered via lossy Dolby Digital Plus, but with Kaleidescape you’re enjoying the same full lossless experience you get with Blu-rays. Hans Zimmer Live in Prague sounds amazing in Atmos, while Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban benefits from a DTS:X soundtrack that really brings the wizarding world to life. The scene where the dementors search the Hogwarts Express is doubly scary thanks to the genuine scale and really deep bass.

While I expected the 4K images to look superb, I was equally impressed by the quality of the Strato V’s upscaling. When watching lower-resolution content the picture is clean and well-defined, with no obvious scaling artefacts. The same is true when the player automatically re-scales 1.85:1 content within the 2.35:1 aspect ratio – the process is seamless and the results are free of any scaling artefacts.

Performance score: 5/5

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Value

It’s a significant investment
There’s no direct competitor

The idea of value for money is always relative, and there’s no denying the Kaleidescape Strato V represents a significant investment. However, once purchased the ability to buy new movies months before they arrive on 4K disc in quality that’s at least as good, if not better, and without taking up shelf space is very appealing. This is especially true if you live in the United States, where the Movie Store library is genuinely impressive.

If on the other hand you’re the kind of person who prefers owning physical media, just to be on the safe side, and you don’t mind waiting for the disc to come out, then you could simply buy a media player and storage, rip your own discs and create a custom server for significantly less. The beauty of Kaleidescape’s unique ecosystem is that they do everything for you, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your favourite movies.

Value score: 5/5

KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V review: Should I buy it?

Buy it if…

You want the best video and audio quality:
The larger file sizes offered by Kaleidescape, along with bit rates up to 100Mbps, ensure that 4K and HDR10/Dolby Vision performance is the best of any device on the market.

You want a slick and intuitive user interface: The Strato V’s intuitive user interface and high-powered processing ensure that downloading and watching content is a seamless, responsive and enjoyable experience.

You want early access to the latest movies: In the US in particular the Movie Store offers films months before they are released on UHD disc, and there are even 4K titles available that aren’t currently on physical media.View Deal

Don't buy it if…

You want to collect physical media: Kaleidescape’s system is based on a download model with titles accessed from an online account and stored on built-in drives. If you prefer physically owning content, discs are still your best bet.

You want to rip your disc collection: The cataloguing feature aside, the Strato V is designed to access Kaleidescape’s Movie Store and download content. if you want to rip discs you’re better off buying a media player and storage.

You want a streaming service: This is not a subscription streaming service like Netflix. Instead, you buy titles as very large files that, depending on your internet, can take a long time to download, but the picture and sound quality is significantly better.View Deal

How I tested the KALEIDESCAPE STRATO V

Reviewed in a dedicated home cinema
Video evaluated using 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Audio evaluated using Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

I tested the Kaleidescape Strato V in my reference home cinema where the video is handled by a JVC DLA-NZ900 projector, and the audio is configured in a 9.4.6-channel configuration using a Trinnov Altitude16 AV processor and 16-channel power amplifier.

I extensively tested 4K and HDR10 video, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X lossless spatial audio in the home cinema, although for completeness I also used an LG G4 OLED TV in my living room to test the Kaleidescape Strato V’s Dolby Vision capabilities.

Kaleidescape was kind enough to include a number of films pre-loaded, as well as more in the account, along with a credit for additional purchases and rentals. This provided me with an opportunity to test every aspect of the store and overall ecosystem.

First reviewed: December 2024
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