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Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: a competent performer struggling to be heard in a crowded market

3:32 am | October 1, 2024

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8: One-minute review

When Sony announced its 2024 AV lineup, it wasn’t just its TVs that received a more straightforward naming system, but its soundbars too. This year, the potentially tricky-to-remember model numbers have been replaced with a much simpler Bravia branding. The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 replaces the HT-A5000 as the company’s mid-range model – sitting below the Theater Bar 9 and the Bravia Theater Quad four-speaker audio system – and arrives with the aim to be one of best soundbars.

As with the HT-A5000, this latest model is a standalone Dolby Atmos soundbar. There are no wireless rear speakers included, nor is there a wireless subwoofer, but these can be added as optional extras if you wish to create an even more immersive surround sound experience. Despite the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 cramming 11 speakers into its slimline body to create a “bubble of sound” in Sony’s words, we would recommend true movie buffs consider adding at least a subwoofer to handle the low-end.

The Bar 8 is smaller than its predecessor – by some 30% – and is low in height, meaning it slots effortlessly in front of a TV. Connectivity is good rather than great with just two HDMI ports, one of which is eARC to connect to your TV. Thankfully, however, the other HDMI input is the 2.1 standard and it supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough, meaning you can confidently connect external devices including games consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. Elsewhere there is Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for streaming music.

While some may expect more from a soundbar that costs $999 / £999 / AU$1,499, where connections or additional rear speakers are concerned there’s no denying the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 does an excellent job of boosting the sound of your TV. Although as for true Dolby Atmos it does fall a little short of the competition. The company’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping tech does work in creating phantom speakers, but we found during our testing that the soundfield was more of a half-dome as opposed to a full-dome covering an entire room.

We also found that the Bravia Bar 8 performed at its best in small to medium-sized rooms, as it seemed to lack the power to fill a larger open space. Adding the optional rear speakers and/or a subwoofer will undoubtedly help (we didn’t have them for this review), but the total cost of such a package adds up to far more than tried and tested complete Dolby Atmos soundbar packages, despite the Bravia Bar 8 receiving what seem to be permanent price cuts globally (as of September 2024, it's typical street price is generally around $849.99 / £799 / AU$1,249).

So while it might not be the outright best option for your main TV viewing room, the Sony Bravia Bar 8 can certainly find a spot in a bedroom or smaller TV room. The only question you’ll need to ask yourself is if you’d rather opt for the Sonos Arc. It doesn’t cost that much more than the Sony, handles music better and has the added potential benefit multiroom functionality.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Price and release date

Launched in July 2024
List price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,499
Has received price cuts since launch

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 was announced in April 2024 and went on sale in July 2024 in the US, UK and Australia for $999 / £999 / AU$1,499. That puts it right in the firing line of the Sonos Arc, which also goes without a wireless subwoofer or rear speakers included.

It’s less than the MSRP of the Samsung HW-Q990D – our current favorite Dolby Atmos soundbar on our list of the best soundbars – although recent price drops against Samsung's soundbar make it approximately the same price as the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 in most regions.

Samsung’s flagship bar comes with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers included, although the rears do require constant power. Sony’s selection of optional rear speakers run off rechargeable batteries and so could prove to be a more appealing option for anyone short on power outlets in their room.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Specs

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Features

5.0.2 speaker channels
Phantom speakers for extra 'virtual' channels
HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz support

Top-down view of the Sony logo on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

As you’ll find with soundbars from the likes of LG and Samsung, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 can connect to a Sony TV from 2021 or newer and use it as a center channel via Bravia Acoustic Center Sync. It would have been nice for this to have worked via HDMI – whereby the soundbar should be able to detect it’s connected to a Sony TV – but you have to connect them together using the included cable. If you don’t own a Sony TV, but your TV has an S-Center speaker input, you can take advantage of this feature via the same 3.5mm cable wired connection (the 3.5mm port on the rear of the Bravia Bar 8 can only be used for this feature and can’t be used as an input from external devices).

There are only two HDMI ports on the Bravia Bar 8, and with one needed to connect to a TV via eARC, there is just one spare for external devices. Fortunately, this input does support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough and gamers will appreciate that it supports auto low latency mode (ALLM) and variable refresh rate (VRR). Having just one spare HDMI input shouldn’t alienate too many users, but the previous HT-A5000 had two spare, so it’s peculiar as to why Sony has dropped one this time around.

Setting up the Bravia Bar 8 is incredibly easy. Simply connect it to your TV via the aforementioned HDMI port, open up the Bravia Connect app on your iOS or Android device and connect it to your network. Once done, you’ll want to run a calibration to ensure the soundbar is optimized for your specific room. It’s a process that only takes around 20 seconds and sees the soundbar emitting various tones to determine the acoustics of your room to optimize the sound output based on your usual seating position.

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Rear view of the HDMI, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos logos on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Picture of the remote control supplied with the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Picture of the remote control supplied with the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar, being held in a hand — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There’s no option to manually adjust speaker channel settings as you can with other soundbars such as the Samsung HW-Q990D, but you can choose from three height modes – lower, default and higher – and three different sound field settings. The default option here is Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, but you also have the option of DTS Neural:X or Dolby Speaker Visualizer. You can also turn the sound field mode off entirely if you wish (I’ll discuss the effects of this further down in the performance section). And, when rear speakers are connected, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 can deliver an IMAX Enhanced certified audio presentation.

There aren’t any sound modes along the lines of ‘Movie’ or ‘Music’, which is an interesting omission, and there’s also very little mention of AI being used. The only AI-related feature of the Theater Bar 8 is to detect human voices and make them clearer via “AI sound separation”.

If you want to play music through the Bar 8, you can do so via HDMI, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect or AirPlay 2. Hi-Res audio is supported from compatible sources along with Sony’s LDAC wireless codec. You can also stream songs mixed in Sony’s own 360 Reality Audio via Amazon Music Unlimited.

Features score: 3.5/5

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Performance

Powerful with genuine height
Bass handling would benefit from a dedicated subwoofer

With 11 speakers inside the bar, including two up-firing and two new side-firing drivers, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is certainly capable of delivering powerful, expansive sound into your room. But expansive doesn’t necessarily mean enveloping, as I found it to produce more of a half-dome of sound rather than a complete bubble to include sounds coming from behind my viewing position.

I began my testing in a smaller room of the house, with the soundbar connected to the Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV and a scene from The Incredibles streaming on Disney Plus – the part where the children are in the jungle escaping from Syndrome’s henchmen. There was obvious height and width to the sound, with the flying saucer-like vehicles shooting across the screen and up above the listening position when they went off screen.

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Wide view of the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 in front of the 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV — The Bravia Theater Bar 8 nestles perfectly in front Sony's own 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED TV. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar with feet attached and sitting over the feet of the Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV — Optional feet can be attached to the Bravia Bar 8, so that it slides over the feet of 2024 Sony Bravia TVs. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

For the majority of my testing, I had the height sound setting set to ‘higher’ as it provided the most immersive experience. I toggled between ‘default’ and ‘lower’ settings but found both to have a negative impact on the movie I was watching. I wasn’t personally able to find a scenario where either of these settings would be useful when watching a film.

Sony says the Bravia Bar 8 is capable of bouncing sound off the ceiling to create phantom speakers behind the listening position, but I wasn’t able to distinguish these during my testing. Dedicated rear speakers would no doubt alleviate this, as they’ll be on hand to actually deliver sound from behind the viewing position.

Dialogue was notably impressive, however, coming through crystal clear even when the volume was turned up. I also found the Voice Mode – activated within the Bravia Connect app or on the supplied remote control – did indeed give dialogue a boost without sacrificing too much of the rest of the soundtrack. And as for the Bravia Bar 8’s bass handling during the same scene in The Incredibles, I was pleasantly surprised by the depths it could go to, especially given the absence of a wireless subwoofer.

But, those same opinions didn’t translate over to the chase scene in The Batman – I loaded up a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on a PlayStation 5 and was left a little disappointed. The engine growl from the Batmobile was lacking impact and the chase as a whole lacked excitement. The bass output from the Theater Bar 8 is good, but it was apparent it had a limit to its capabilities. A subwoofer would help here as it would take away much of the low-end duties from the soundbar, leaving it to focus on other tasks.

A positive to come from this sequence, however, was that bullets fired at the Batmobile’s windows did pierce through the presentation, which is something I’ve found other soundbars such as the Sonos Arc can falter on.

View of HDMI connections on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 — There are just two HDMI 2.1 connections on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar, one of which is reserved for an eARC connection. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I also streamed music to the Bravia Bar 8 via AirPlay from my iPhone using Amazon Music Unlimited. I loaded up a few tracks that had been mixed in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, but that were also available in Ultra HD – Amazon’s version of Hi-Res – so I could switch between the two.

Put simply, songs streamed in the latter format sounded much better. Miley Cyrus’ Flowers, for example, was delivered with extremely good vocal clarity and decent low-end bass when streaming in the Ultra HD format. Having the soundbar’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping soundfield selected also added some extra expanse to the performance, resulting in something that was perfectly enjoyable and listenable. However, switching it to the default setting did yield a more natural-sounding performance.

It wasn’t such good news when moving over to the 360 Reality Audio version of the same song. Bass was essentially eradicated and the overall performance sounded tinny and not too dissimilar to a very cheap Bluetooth speaker. I tried to fix it by turning off the soundfield setting, but it didn’t make a huge amount of difference, other than removing any notion of height from the song.

Performance score: 3.5/5

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Design

Premium build with cloth wrapping
Suits 55-inch to 75-inch TVs
A front display would be nice

Sony’s website claims the Bravia Theater Bar 8 outputs sound in a 5.0.2-channel configuration – the same as the Sonos Arc – but we’ve also been told directly from Sony’s product managers that this isn’t so definitive. This is because the sound output will be different for every room, as Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology calibrates the output on a room-by-room basis. Plus, it makes use of phantom speakers with the intention of creating a bubble of sound.

The Bravia Theater Bar 8 is pretty attractive by soundbar standards. It measures 1100 x 64 x 113 mm, making it slightly shorter than a 55-inch TV (which roughly measures 1200mm). I had it setup in front of a 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED and a 77-inch LG G4 OLED TV (top image) during my testing and in both instances it looked perfectly fine, meaning it would be well-suited to be placed in front of a 75-inch TV, too. Coincidentally, 55-, 65- and 75-inch are the three sizes the Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV is available in and, to further highlight how both 8-series TV and soundbar are ideal partners, Sony includes a set of feet in the box with the soundbar to raise it slightly so that it can slide over your TV’s feet if your TV bench isn’t deep enough to accommodate both.

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A picture of the optional feet for the Sony logo on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8

Sony supplies optional feet and screws to attach to the bottom of the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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The optional feet attached to the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

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Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar with feet attached and sitting in front of the LG G4 OLED TV — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

If you want to add rear speakers to the Bravia 8, you have a choice of the SA-RS3S or SA-RS5, although only the latter pair features dedicated up-firing speakers. As for subwoofers, you can pair the Bravia Bar 8 with either the 200W SA-SW3 or 300W SA-SW5.

The entire soundbar is covered in a cloth fabric which means when you’re watching TV the soundbar’s top panel won’t reflect the screen above it.

Close-up image of the front LED indicator on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar. — A small LED is the only indicator for power and input. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

One feature I would have liked to see is a proper front panel display for information such as current input or even volume level. There are two small LEDs on the front right of the Bar 8, one to indicate when you’re adjusting the volume and one to indicate the current source. An HDMI device shines white, for example, while Bluetooth is expectedly blue. For more information relating to volume level and source input, you need to open up the Bravia Connect app.

Design score: 4/5

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Setup & usability

Quick sound calibration
Bravia Connect app and remote for easy control
HDMI eARC connection to TV

Screenshots taken from the Bravia Connect app when connected to a Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Setting up the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a relatively straightforward affair. All you need to do is connect an HDMI cable from the soundbar to your TV (Sony supplies one in the box), wait for it to register and you’re away. You’ll need to turn to the Sony Bravia Connect app for iOS and Android to get it connected to your home Wi-Fi network and to carry out the speedy sound optimization calibration.

A remote control is supplied too, for those moments when you don’t want or need to use the app. There is a central button for volume control (you can’t press and hold to turn the volume up and down), along with a dedicated button to adjust the bass level, turn the soundfield mode on or off (but not toggle through them), and toggle voice mode and night mode. The Bar 8 does work via HDMI-CEC, allowing you to adjust the volume using your TV’s remote control.

Setup & usability score: 4.5/5

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Value

Premium price
Similarly-priced competitors include rear speakers and subwoofer
Not a class leader

While it launched at $999 / £999 / AU$1,499, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 appears to have received a regular discount in all territories, seeing its price drop to $849.99 / £799 / AU$1,249. In the US at the time of writing, it can be picked up with a further discount of $150. At its MSRP, the Bravia Bar 8 was immediately pitted against the Sonos Arc, which we consider to be one of the best standalone Dolby Atmos soundbars and which does outperform the Sony.

Now it appears to have received a price cut, it’s a more appealing option and somewhat helps stomach the extra cost for a wireless subwoofer and/or wireless rear speakers, should you want to add them. Considering its performance isn’t quite at the level we were expecting, it’s not the obvious choice for anyone looking to create a Dolby Atmos experience at home.

Our current pick for the outright best Dolby Atmos soundbar is the Samsung HW-Q990D, which can regularly be found for much less than its launch price in all territories. If you have one of Sony’s 2024 Bravia TVs, then the Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a natural pairing, but for anyone else, the Samsung soundbar still gets our vote.

Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8?

Buy it if...

You want a simple solution for a smaller room
The Bravia Bar 8 will struggle to fill a large space, but if you want boosted TV sound in a smaller room or bedroom, it's worth an audition.

You want a full-range soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos
The Bravia Bar 8 can indeed deliver a expansive soundstage with good object placement, and it has the option of additional hardware to create a complete system.

Don't buy it if...

You want an authentic Dolby Atmos experience
Without the rear speakers or subwoofer included, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 can't deliver a true Dolby Atmos experience, despite its best efforts through calibration techniques.

You own Sonos speakers
This may sound strange, but if you already own Sonos speakers such as the Era 100 or Era 300, you're better off getting the Sonos Arc. It has the same speaker configuration as the Sony, but can be paired with speakers to create a full home theater. Plus, it handles music more confidently.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Also consider

Sonos Arc
It’s been mentioned throughout this review for good reason. The Sonos Arc doesn’t cost much more than the Sony Bar 8, yet delivers a more authentic and immersive audio performance. It’s much better with music and has the obvious additional benefit of being able to be added into a larger multiroom system.

Read our full Sonos Arc review

Samsung HW-Q990D
You may need to pay a little extra to pick up Samsung’s latest Dolby Atmos soundbar, but it is absolutely worth it. Wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer are included in the box to deliver a sensational home cinema experience. It also has an extra HDMI 2.1 input, making it better for owners of multiple playback devices or games consoles.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990D review

How I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8

Connected to the Sony Bravia 8 and LG G4
Tested with a variety of sources
All soundfield modes tested

I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 over a period of two weeks. I connected it to a Sony Bravia 8 TV in a small room to test its sound output and any same brand exclusive features. I also moved it to a much larger room and connected it to an LG G4.

The majority of testing was conducted with the highest soundfield setting enabled, although I did toggle between the other options to analyze the sound output.

I played content from streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs to test the Bravia Theater Bar 8's ability to handle Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and analyzed not only its spatial sound performance, but also bass, trebles and vocal clarity.

I also streamed music via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to test music playback. I played hi-res audio, Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio tracks via Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: September 2024

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review: a must-have premium Xbox controller

6:00 pm | August 28, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: One-minute review

Whether you play on Xbox or PC (or both), the new Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller is a must-own if you’re looking for a seriously premium gamepad. The brand’s penchant for top-notch build quality is here, but that was also true of its predecessor, the Wolverine V2 Pro. However, it’s what makes the V3 Pro tick under the hood that truly sets it apart from the best Xbox controllers and best PC controllers currently on the market.

The V3 Pro brings countless improvements over the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro that came before it. Hall effect thumbsticks are fast becoming the industry standard thanks to their drift-eliminating nature, and you’re absolutely getting them here. You can also expect satisfyingly tactile micro switch buttons and a clicky floating d-pad allowing for near-immediate actuation.

But it doesn’t stop there, as Razer has implemented some of its proprietary tech from other products into the V3 Pro to enhance it further. The controller features six remappable buttons (four on the rear and two more up by the bumpers) which make use of Razer gaming mouse technology; the same components the brand uses for those satisfying mouse clicks is brought over to the V3 Pro. Like other aspects of the controller, this allows them to feel tactile and ultra-responsive.

What you’re getting overall, then, with the V3 Pro, is a seriously high-end controller that is awash with advanced features. It goes a long way to justify its lofty price tag that puts it in the ballpark of the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the DualSense Edge. But I reckon Razer’s effort provides a comfortably better experience than both.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Price and availability

$199.99 / £199.99
Available to purchase from Razer’s website
Cheaper ‘Tournament Edition’ arriving sometime in 2024

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro comes in at $199.99 / £199.99 and is available to purchase directly from Razer’s website right now (as of August 28, 2024). It’s a price tag that’ll put it outside of many buyer’s budgets, but its quality in almost every aspect makes it well worth the investment.

A cheaper model, known as the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition, will also be available. At $99.99 / £99.99, it’s much more affordable, but it’s also pared back in terms of overall build quality. Plus, you’re limited to a wired-only connection here. Otherwise, its feature set remains identical (aside from the RGB-powered Razer logo) to that of the V3 Pro. Razer is targeting a ‘Q3 2024’ release window for the V3 Tournament Edition.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Specs

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Design and features

Sublime build quality
Standard Xbox button and stick layout
All-black aesthetic is a touch bland

There’s plenty to rave about with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but its aesthetics may leave something to be desired if you’re an enjoyer of eye-catching gamepad designs. Its all-black design is a touch on the bland side, though the white accents on the face buttons are a welcome addition. The RGB Razer logo in the center of the controller, similarly, is a nice if understated touch.

This doesn’t mean the V3 Pro is lacking in form. It has a pleasing, rounded design that rests comfortably in the hands. That’s helped by its textured grips and wide, contoured triggers for your index fingers to neatly sit in. Otherwise, it’s your standard Xbox Wireless Controller layout complete with asymmetrical thumbsticks, central Home button, and Menu and Share buttons on either side of the Razer logo in the middle.

The V3 Pro features Hall-sensing thumbsticks which help to eliminate the risk of stick drift and increase the overall longevity of the gamepad. It’s a must for premium controllers and it’s great to see Hall effect sticks becoming the industry standard now, at least among third-party pads.

Yet it speaks volumes for the controller that its thumbsticks aren’t even the most impressive design aspect here. That would be the mechanical circular d-pad. Making use of a floating design, hovering a few millimeters above the pad itself, this feels wonderfully tactile and fun to rock around with your thumb. This also extends to the micro switch face buttons which feel similarly clicky and responsive.

The additional remappable buttons are also a fantastic addition. These were present on the V2 Pro, but the layout of the four rear buttons has been changed (they’re now horizontal and paddle-like in design) to more easily rest under your middle and ring fingers on each hand. You’ve also got a couple more remappable buttons up top nestled in between the bumpers for a total of six customizable buttons in total.

Rounding out the feature set are trigger locks that convert them from an analog to an instantaneous digital press, as well as a 3.5mm port for wired gaming headsets at the base of the controller. Finally, box contents include a carry case for the controller, two replaceable stick caps (one concave, the other convex), a 2.4GHz USB dongle, and a 10ft (3m) USB Type-C cable for wired play. The result is a controller that offers an extremely strong premium design and feature set overall.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Performance

Lightning-quick actuation thanks to micro switch modules
Drift-resistant Hall effect sticks
Razer mouse click remappable buttons

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is one of the most responsive controllers I’ve ever tested here at TechRadar Gaming. The immediate actuation provided by the mechanical face buttons, circular d-pad, bumpers, and remappable buttons is divine. This naturally makes the controller incredibly satisfying to use across any genre and makes it an ideal choice for esports and competitive players.

And that is the crowd Razer is primarily gunning for with the V3 Pro. Going back to those remappable buttons, what’s especially notable here is that they implement tech that Razer uses in its gaming mice. This leads to an exceptionally satisfying click register and one that makes for an immediate actuation..

Responsiveness is clearly the prime directive for the V3 Pro, then, and it’s an incredibly accomplished controller in this regard. I typically like to map secondary button inputs onto these remappable modules if available, and the fact the V3 Pro has six of them is a delight. In terms of use cases, I’ve liked binding inputs to them in Tekken 8 for quick access to throws and Rage Arts. Guilty Gear Strive also works very well here, especially being able to bind its dash command to one of those upper buttons.

You can customize these remappable buttons (as well as all standard buttons on the controller) via the Razer Controller app available on both Xbox and PC. Here, you can also expect a litany of customizable features like stick sensitivity and vibration strength. It’s a fairly simple app overall, but serves its purpose well.

If you regularly play some of the best fighting games, the V3 Pro is absolutely a worthwhile controller for you. The circular d-pad is especially fantastic here, making trickier directional inputs all the easier thanks to the smoother travel between individual directions. That said, the overall incredible responsiveness of the controller also makes it ideal for multiplayer shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

As a bonus, if you’re playing on PC via a wired connection, you’ll get a 1,000Hz polling rate. That’s quadruple the 250Hz readout you’ll get playing on console or via the wireless connection. What this means, in essence, is that your inputs can be registered at a quicker rate, and something akin to using a gaming mouse on PC. This won’t matter to the casual player, but for folks seriously invested in online, competitive, or esports scenes, it could make all the difference in your matches.

As for battery life, I managed to get roughly 12-13 hours from the V3 Pro on a full charge. While not quite class-leading, this is still very solid and should get you through a day of gaming. You can ensure you’re never caught short by charging the controller overnight via a USB Type-C connection.

Should I buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You want exceptional gaming performance
The V3 Pro’s lightning-fast actuation across its modules makes for one of the most responsive gamepads on the market.

You want a satisfying controller experience
Tactile micro switch face buttons, d-pad, and remappable buttons allow for a brilliantly tactile play experience. The V3 Pro is one of the nicest-feeling controllers for Xbox and PC as a result.

You’re after all the pro features
Customizable from top to bottom, complete with Hall effect sticks, trigger locks and responsive connectivity both wireless and wired, the V3 Pro simply does it all.

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for a PS5 controller
Unlike the V2 Pro, the V3 Pro currently doesn’t have a PlayStation version available, though one may be released somewhere down the line.

You’re after something more aesthetically pleasing
The V3 Pro’s all-black look is fairly bland and there are no alternative colorways. If you’d prefer something jazzier, consider one of the limited edition Xbox Wireless Controllers or the excellent GameSir Kaleid with its lavish RGB profile.

You’re not particularly competitive
While the V3 Pro is an excellent controller for any game, it’s clearly geared towards competitive and esports play. If you don’t require these higher-end features for multiplayer, consider trying out a cheaper option - some of which we’ve highlighted below.

Also consider...

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is easily one of the best Xbox controllers (and best PC controllers) on the market right now. But if it’s not quite your thing, here are a couple of alternatives to consider.

GameSir Kaleid
A budget option that hits some of the same notes, the GameSir Kaleid is a superb wallet-friendly gamepad that packs Hall effect sticks and triggers and a gorgeous translucent aesthetic complete with RGB lighting. While certainly not as premium as the V3 Pro, it’s a real workhorse controller that we readily recommend to Xbox and PC players.

Read more in our full GameSir Kaleid review.

Xbox Wireless Controller
The go-to gamepad for many, the Xbox Wireless Controller is impressively versatile and long-lasting. Its affordability and plug-and-play nature still make it one of the best around and it’s easy to recommend as an alternative if you’re just after a no-frills, no-fuss controller for Xbox or PC.

Read more in our full Xbox Wireless Controller review.

How I tested the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

Tested over two weeks almost every day
Compared against the standard Nitro Deck
Played in handheld, and on TV and a gaming monitor via the HDMI adapter

I tested the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro over the course of a couple of weeks across Xbox Series X and PC with both wired and wireless connections. Given its position as a highly responsive, competitive-minded gamepad, I primarily tested it with a range of online multiplayer titles including Tekken 8, Guilty Gear Strive, Fortnite, Fall Guys, F1 24, and Street Fighter 6. That said, I found it to provide a brilliant play experience for all kinds of games - even single-player-focused titles like Elden Ring, Zenless Zone Zero, Cyberpunk 2077, and Fields of Mistria.

I compared the V3 Pro to my go-to PC controller, which is the much-cheaper GameSir T4 Kaleid. With its Hall effect sticks and micro switch buttons, it’s become a favorite of mine. And perhaps unsurprisingly, the V3 Pro feels like an exceptionally premium version of GameSir’s controller, albeit with even more high-end features laden on top like those sublime Razer mouse click-powered remappable buttons.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

Zvox AV157 review: a small, single-purpose soundbar

9:04 pm | August 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

Zvox AV157 Soundbar: Two-minute review

The Zvox AV157 soundbar is a tough little sucker to review. That’s because it has one main purpose and doesn’t do much else compared to other soundbars, though it does that one thing well.

If you’re in the market for one of the best soundbars to enhance your TV viewing, the Zvox AV157 soundbar is not the one. However, if you need something to simply accentuate voices in your favorite shows or movies because they seem to get buried in the mix, then the Zvox AV157 is for you. People who are experiencing hearing loss will appreciate this small soundbar the most.

Similar to the Soundfun Mirai I recently reviewed, I found the Zvox AV157’s price a bit off-putting given that it's mostly a one-trick pony. But if you can’t hear what the heck Robert Pattinson is saying in Tenet, you’ll probably be willing to spend for it, though you could get a good mid-range soundbar such as the Sony HT-S2000 for not too much more money.

The Zvox AV157’s design is about as unobtrusive as it gets. It’s a small, black rectangular unit measuring just 17 x 3.3 x 2.9 inches with a front grille that indicates volume, input (indicated by the puzzling “In1d” and “In2A”) and Accuvoice and PhaseCue virtual surround (aka virtual surround sound) levels using an orange alphanumeric LED display.

Port-wise, the Zvox AV157 is very basic, offering just 3.5mm analog and optical digital audio inputs and a subwoofer/headphone output. It would have been nice for Zvox to also include an HDMI port with ARC capability since optical connections can be finicky.

For instance, I’ve had issues where I had to turn on a TV and connected speakers or soundbar in a particular order when using an optical connection. Considering this soundbar is aimed at older people who might find it difficult to troubleshoot connection issues, including an HDMI port would have been a good idea.

The Zvox has three 3-inch full-range drivers being fed 24 watts from a Class-D amplifier under the hood, so it will get loud enough for most people in a small to medium-sized room. Since this is a smaller unit, I wouldn’t recommend it for larger rooms, even if you need the dialogue-boosting capability.

I appreciate the AV157’s remote control, which is straightforward with large buttons that don’t require a hard press to register changes. Its size is substantial enough that you shouldn’t have issues losing it, at least not more than any other remote.

Zvox AV157 on TV stand — The Zvox AV157's alphanumeric LED display provides visual feedback to remote commands. (Image credit: Future)

As far as the soundbar’s performance goes, different people are going to feel differently about it. Again, that 24 watts offers more than enough power for smaller setups. And it provides an upgrade to normal budget flat-panel TVs that typically sport small, downward-firing speakers (a big reason why modern TVs sound worse than ones from a few decades ago) even without any special boosting or surround sound mode activated.

Since the AV157 is small, there’s not much in the way of bass and the high-end is nothing special. You have six levels at your fingertips when using the AccuVoice dialogue boosting feature, with each one pushing up the mid-range where voices sit, while six levels of SuperVoice tech simultaneously minimize background sounds.

The Zvox AV157 does a good job doing what it advertises. However, the more accentuated that mid-range gets, the more unnatural the audio sounds. In fact, voices end up sounding boxy. In a way, it’s kind of like a hearing aid in that they don’t make things sound better, just more audible.

Another Zvox feature, “PhaseCue virtual surround,” uses processing to, as its name suggests, deliver virtual surround sound. It has three levels and, like most virtual surround sound, it makes the sound just a bit more spacious. Still, it might be something you appreciate, since it gives a bit of depth to the AV157’s very mid-range-forward sound. An additional feature, Output Leveling, is used to modulate overall volume levels so TV commercials don't sound blaringly loud, for example.

If you have issues hearing dialogue, the AV157 can improve your TV viewing experience. Keep in mind, though, that TV speakers generally are subpar, so, if you wish you could hear dialogue a little bit clearer (and don’t have serious problems with your hearing), just upgrading to any decent soundbar will help.

Zvox AV157 remote control — The Zvox AV157's remote contains a full set of control buttons. (Image credit: Future)

Zvox AV157 Soundbar review: Price and release date

Price: $249 / £159 / AU$458
Released May 2020

The Zvox AV157 is on the pricey side for a diminutive soundbar, listing for $249 / £159 / AU$458. Just like the Soundfun Mirai ($299) which fills a similar need, I find the price a bit much for a soundbar that mainly boosts the frequencies where dialogue resides. But at least the Zvox also comes with virtual spatial audio to spice things up. It also can frequently be found on sale for less than $249.

Of course, there are cheaper soundbars out there that have a dialogue mode or the ability to boost mid-range frequencies such as the Roku Streambar, which costs $130 / £130. The Streambar has a whole host of extra functionality including the built-in Roku platform and HDMI ARC support, but not the Zvox’s precision voice boosting, which is something people who are hard of hearing will appreciate.

Should I buy the Zvox AV157 soundbar?

Buy it if...

You want something easy to use
Navigating its features is easy thanks to a remote with big buttons and clear labeling. You won’t have issues adjusting the various features to your liking.

You want something compact
The Zvox AV157 is petite. If you’re tight on space, you won’t have to worry about fitting it into your setup.

Don't buy it if...

You want natural-sounding dialogue
While its dialogue-boosting feature works well, it doesn’t retain the natural timbre of your media’s audio. If you’re even something of an audiophile (even with some hearing loss), you’ll have trouble enjoying the sound.

You need an HDMI port
It’s unfortunate that there’s no HDMI port, especially since optical connections can be finicky to deal with.

Zvox AV157 Soundbar review: Also consider

How I tested the Zvox AV157 Soundbar

I used the Zvox AV157 Soundbar for a week
Tested with both TV and movies

I used the Zvox AV157 Soundbar regularly for a week, viewing TV, movies, and Youtube videos. I compared it to just my TV’s speakers to see what kind of improvement it offers and found that, as I’ve stated in the review, it’s good at what it’s designed for. If you’re hard of hearing, this is a good but slightly pricey option. I

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 August 2024

Read more about how we test

Ultimea Nova S50 review: this ultra-cheap, ultra-compact Dolby Atmos soundbar brings big sound

2:17 pm | July 10, 2024

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

The Ultimea Nova S50 is pitched as a budget soundbar that can offer 'cinematic' audio from the comfort of your own home. Although this ultra-slim soundbar and subwoofer combo undoubtedly packs plenty of power for its small size, and it can definitely beat the scale of sound you get from mid-range or budget TV speakers, the sound quality on offer won’t blow you away. Considering the soundbar’s very modest price, though, it may still be worth buying.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Ultimea Nova S50 is that it claims to support Dolby Atmos content, implying that you will be able to experience three-dimensional, immersive sound. Let’s be realistic: given that this soundbar is available for less than $100 / £150, you’re not going to expect it to supply top-drawer expansive audio. Even with that in mind, I really couldn’t get much of a sense for the layered, positional audio you’d hope to experience from Dolby Atmos or similar technology, in part because the Ultimea Nova S50 doesn’t have upfiring or side-firing speakers – a staple of ‘true’ Dolby Atmos. But although the Nova S50’s digital processing isn’t able to emulate the sense of sitting right in the center of the mix for true Atmos feels, you’ll certainly sense more depth and dynamic range than you’d typically get from your TV’s modest drivers alone – remember, you’re receiving audio from both the soundbar and an included subwoofer with the S50.

It’s important to note that the Nova S50 has three different EQ presets – Movie, Game, and Music – and I switched between each according to the activity I engaged in. Of course, Movie mode has to cover a broad swathe of things out of those three options, so I tried watching a UEFA Euro 2024 match in it, and despite instantly being hit with powerful volume levels, I felt that crowd noise was pretty lacking in clarity and expansiveness. Furthermore, commentary wasn’t very defined in the overall mix, though it was certainly passable.

Movie mode was not grating or offensive quality-wise, and was more atmospheric than my 55-inch mid-range TV’s audio – it’s just that it failed to offer striking spatial or 'cinematic sound' – an aspect which the best soundbars typically excel in. For example, when I took a step up by testing the $399 / £299 (about AU$600) Sony HT-S2000 in comparison, I was struck by its ability to more effectively disperse sound across the width of my room.

Ultimea Nova S50 soundbar on a wooden surface in front of a TV — (Image credit: Future)

Watching an episode of Cowboy Bebop on Netflix, things were largely similar. When one character stepped through a corridor area, the echo of footsteps sounded more natural and realistic than it did with TV audio, but I didn’t get the depth you’d expect from more expensive Dolby Atmos speakers. Another thing I realized when watching the show was that Movie mode was pretty noisy; with the volume set to only 3 or 4 I was getting more than enough loudness. Even with volume set to 1, the soundbar wasn’t exactly quiet, and I would’ve preferred a sound level between 0 and 1 for playing videos, movies, or shows in the background in my apartment.

Onto the second EQ preset: Game. As a pretty keen gamer, this was one of the more important modes for me. Happily, here the volume levels were far less imposing than they were in Movie mode – as a result, I felt comfortable knowing that my neighbors could get some beauty sleep if I wanted to play during unsociable hours.

When playing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance on the PlayStation 5, the Nova S50 was responsive throughout action-packed segments and I was never troubled by latency. The subwoofer produced more powerful, fuller bass frequencies than my TV’s speakers, which complimented the game’s ambient atmosphere pretty well. However, it did sound a little muddy – something I also sensed when playing EA Sports FC 24, with commentary lacking clarity when crowd noise ramped up.

If you want a soundbar that can offer high-quality audio when listening to music, this isn’t it, unfortunately. When using the Music EQ preset, I found that the Nova S50 produced a pretty condensed sound, in which individual sonic elements were sometimes lost in a confused mix. For instance, when I played Young Blood by The Naked and Famous via Bluetooth, the line between guitars in the lower-mid frequency range and the bass was bloated, resulting in a bit of a congested, compressed-sounding output. In addition, the cymbal beat that runs through much of the track lacked definition, and more generally, the treble clarity felt impacted.

I don’t think the Nova S50 necessarily has to deliver premium musical output for the price you pay, and if you’re not too picky on sound, it may even do the job for you. All three modes confirmed that the Nova S50 won’t wow you for sound quality, but it is a competent enough performer for the money, adding a splash of ambience and depth to the home-theater experience.

Ultimea Nova S50 subwoofer on a wooden surface against a pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Features-wise, the Nova S50 doesn’t set out to do anything game-changing. Other than the three EQ modes, it also has something called BassMax, which can be used to either crank up the bass or turn it down a bit. I found that the latter option was pretty handy in enabling extra clarity for vocals in the mid-range or treble, or if I didn’t want to disturb others in my building with booming low frequency sounds. I very rarely felt the need to turn BassMax up for more low end power, and when I did, it functioned well, though as expected, did come across as quite overbearing.

The Nova S50 has Bluetooth compatibility, meaning that you can connect your other devices remotely to play music or podcasts. However, there are a lot of other ways to connect your soundbar to your TV or other devices, including digital optical, aux-in, USB, and of course HDMI eARC.

It’s pleasing too, that no matter what connectivity option you’re using, setup is very straightforward. After unboxing the Nova S50, all I had to do was connect an AC adapter to the subwoofer, and then use a (mercifully very long) audio cable to link that to the soundbar itself, which was wired to my TV via HDMI eARC. The Nova S50 also includes a wall-mounting kit that’s easy to install thanks to clear setup instructions.

Ultimea Nova S50 soundbar with remote control balanced on top — (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to usability, the Nova S50 performs well too. It comes with a remote (without AAA batteries included), which is pretty responsive and has clear, well-sized button controls. There are individual buttons to switch between the three EQ presets, turn BassMax levels up or down, and switch between connectivity options. The remote is well-sized and has a pretty clean design too.

Using HDMI eARC, I was also able to use my standard TV remote to adjust the soundbar’s volume levels, but beware – you’ll still need to use the included controller to switch between EQ presets and adjust BassMax levels. More generally the Nova S50 is a decent-looking product, with both the soundbar itself and the subwoofer being pretty compact. Both are enclosed in relatively cheap-looking (and feeling) plastic, but for the price you pay, this is to be expected.

All in all, what you see is what you get with the Ultimea Nova S50. Yes, it has a very low price, and in turn, you’re not going to experience game-changing audio quality or hear Dolby Atmos in its full-fledged glory. What you do get, though, is a pretty powerful mini soundbar and subwoofer that will offer adequate sound with plenty of connectivity options to boot.

If the lack of expansive audio doesn’t bother you too much, the Nova S50 could be a solid choice, but if you want stronger room-filling sound without having to break the bank, it may be worth checking out alternatives in the budget section of our best Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers guide instead.

Ultimea Nova S50 review: Price and release date

Currently priced at $99.00 / £139.99 (about AU$150)
Launched on July 25, 2023

Yes, you’re reading that correctly, you can pick up the Nova S50 for less than $100. That’s much cheaper than the vast majority of budget soundbars out there, and the inclusion of a subwoofer makes the cost even more impressive. It’s worth noting that the product’s original list price was $219.99 / £219.99 (about AU$330), but it’s not being sold for anywhere near this much across the vast majority of online retailers.

Ultimea Nova S50 review: Specs

Reverse side of the Ultimea Nova S50 showing the various connectivity ports — (Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Ultimea Nova S50?

Buy it if...

You’re a little low on space
If you’re not working with a lot of room for audio equipment then fear not – the Ultimea Nova S50 has you covered. The soundbar itself is particularly diminutive at just 15.7 x 1.5 x 3.0 inches / 400 x 38 x 76mm and even the subwoofer can be easily tucked away in smaller rooms.

You want an easy-to-use plug-and-play soundbar
It doesn’t get much more straightforward than the Nova S50 when it comes to setup and usability. It will likely only take a total of about five minutes to get the soundbar and subwoofer out of the box and plugged in. The remote is also simple and easy to navigate, and there’s a simple wall-mounting kit that you can use if you’d like.

Don't buy it if...

You’re in the market for strong audio quality
The Nova S50 doesn’t sound very impressive in any of its three EQ modes. If you want to be wowed by beautiful treble, rich mids and controlled bass, you’ll need to look elsewhere. As a result, it’s not an ideal option if you’re mainly going to use this to play music with muddied audio causing sonic details to get lost.

You want the true Dolby Atmos experience
The Nova S50 doesn’t have upfiring speakers and its digital processing doesn’t give much of an impression of additional height or expansiveness. If you want ‘true’ Atmos, you’ll be best served by a soundbar with upfiring speakers, but there are budget options without this that can produce great results too, such as the Sony HT-S2000, which has dropped to as low as £299 in the UK, though is more like $399 in the US.

Ultimea Nova S50: Also consider

Roku Streambar
The Roku Streambar will provide a step up from standalone TV audio without setting you back too far financially. There’s no subwoofer included, which might be better for you if you have very limited space – but you can purchase a Roku Wireless subwoofer to pair with it if you’d prefer. The soundbar has Roku streaming built in too, enabling you to watch your favorite TV shows and movies in 4K quality. Read our full Roku Streambar review.

Yamaha SR-C30A
At a glance, you may think the Yamaha SR-C30A is far too expensive to be pitted against the Ultimea Nova S50. And although its list price is considerably higher, the soundbar often holds a far lower price tag in the UK and Australia, coming in at less than £200 / AU$300 with certain online retailers. This is an impressive budget soundbar which comes with a wireless subwoofer and boasts strong full-range audio. It doesn’t have Dolby Atmos support and it’s larger than the Ultimea and Roku alternatives, but if you’re working with more space, it's worth checking out. Read our full Yamaha SR-C30A review for more.

Ultimea Nova S50 review: How I tested

Tested over the course of a week
Connected to my Hisense U7K TV at home
Predominantly used the HDMI eARC connectivity option

I tested the Ultimea Nova S50 at home across the span of a week. I used the HDMI eARC connectivity option to connect the soundbar and subwoofer to my Hisense U7K TV.

In order to judge audio across the three main presets, I watched a variety of TV shows, videos and movies across streaming services, including Netflix and YouTube, among others. I also played multiple video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles, and I listened to music from the TechRadar testing playlist on Spotify when connecting my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 to the Nova S50 via Bluetooth.

First reviewed: July 2024
Read more about how we test

Nitro Deck+ review: a slick upgrade, but not a transformative one

3:00 pm | June 30, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

Peripherals manufacturer CRKD is back with the Nitro Deck+, an upgraded version of its fantastic Nitro Deck handheld Switch dock/controller. While said upgrades here essentially boil down to a handful of quality-of-life improvements, these changes make the Nitro Deck+ unequivocally the best product the manufacturer has put out so far. But it’s not necessarily the one that offers the best value for money.

The Nitro Deck+ features a slick translucent shell not unlike the Crystal Collection limited edition variants of the original model. It offers six remappable buttons as opposed to the original’s four, comes packaged with an HDMI adapter that allows you to play on the TV and an improved kickstand that feels notably less stiff and fiddly.

Performance remains excellent across the board, with class-leading Hall Effect thumbsticks that effectively eliminate the risk of drift. The face buttons, extra remappable buttons, and bumpers all still feel snappy, responsive, and tactile - though the mushy triggers of the original Nitro Deck sadly remain here. It, unfortunately, hasn’t lost any weight off of the original model either, meaning that one of its few real drawbacks - the overall bulkiness - hasn’t been improved upon.

Price is also a bit of a sticking point, costing notably more than standard edition Nitro Decks while coming in at the same price as its many special editions. On top of this, the bundle that includes the HDMI adapter costs slightly more on top. As a result, it’s tough to recommend the upgrade to existing Nitro Deck owners when the overall improvements are slight.

That being said, the Nitro Deck+ is still easily one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers and one you should consider if you haven’t already purchased the original Nitro Deck. It also helps that customization via the CRKD Ctrl app is excellent, allowing users to fine-tune the feel of the controller and its various modules to a high degree.

Nitro Deck Plus — (Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

$69.99 / £69.99 list price
$79.99 / £79.99 for the controller bundled with a HDMI adapter
Considerably more than the standard Nitro Deck ($49.99 / £49.99)

If you’re looking to purchase the Nitro Deck+, it’s available to buy right now from CRKD’s website for $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$99). At this price, you’re getting the peripheral itself as well as a lovely microfiber string bag that I feel is a cut above most carry cases thanks to its luscious build quality and adjustable strap.

At $79.99 / £79.99, you can nab a bundle that includes the Nitro Deck+, carry case, and a USB-C to HDMI adapter that’ll transfer the Switch’s output to your TV, allowing you to play on a larger display while your console is still docked in the Deck.

The Nitro Deck+ is a good deal pricier than the standard Nitro Deck model ($49.99 / £49.99) and the same price as most of its limited edition bundles ($69.99 / £69.99). You’re also looking at $10 / £10 more than that for the inclusion of that HDMI adapter. Unless you really like the idea of playing on your TV with the Nitro Deck+, we’d recommend opting for the version without the adapter to save yourself some cash.

Specs

Design and features

Exceptional build quality
Like a suit of armor for your Switch
Fairly bulky with Switch docked

The Nitro Deck+ brings a number of improvements to the table in terms of build quality and aspects of its design. Like the base model, it feels sturdy in the hands while you’ve got the Switch tablet docked in. And while we’re happy its superb build quality carries over to this new model, there hasn’t really been any effort to shed some of the device’s size and weight. If you’re heading out and about, expect that half-a-kilo weight (including the Switch) to feel quite bulky during lengthier play sessions. Thankfully, the included carry case, made from lovely microfiber material, does alleviate this with its high-quality design and over-the-shoulder strap for ease of portability.

There have been some excellent improvements over the base model, mind. The new metallic thumbsticks feel fantastic, backed up once again by Hall sensors that help to greatly reduce the risk of stick drift. We also noted that the rear remappable buttons feel a good deal more tactile here, and the addition of two more on either side of the Nitro Deck+ is welcome if you want to customize your button layout to a higher degree.

On the back of the Nitro Deck+, you’ve still got an adjustable kickstand and an eject slider used for undocking the Switch tablet. These both feel far sturdier here; on the original Nitro Deck, the kickstand was quite fiddly and often refused to click back into its resting position. That’s no longer the case with the Deck+, making it excellent for setting up on your desk for YouTube viewing or for playing touch-based games.

Performance

Improvements to sticks and remappable buttons
Fantastic mobile app-based software
USB-C to HDMI connectivity is more suited to playing on a monitor

The Nitro Deck+ remains a fantastic option for handheld play, thanks to improvements to its various modules as mentioned above. While face buttons, D-pad, bumpers, and triggers are all comparable to the original model, those upgraded thumbsticks and remappable buttons make portable play feel more responsive and tactile than ever.

We found the Nitro Deck+ to be a fantastic controller for the recently-launched Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble. Its tiltable obstacle courses often require pinpoint precision with the analog stick, and the Deck is more than up to the task here thanks to ultra-responsive sticks and Hall-sensing technology.

One thing worth noting is that the analog stick layout has been swapped around on the Nitro Deck+. The sticks here are symmetrical, as opposed to the asymmetrical layout found on the base Nitro Deck. This did take some getting used to, being so familiar with that original design, and there’s certainly some awkwardness involved in having to move your thumb downwards to access the face buttons. But after a period of adjustment, it felt no worse to play the best Nintendo Switch games here.

Now let’s talk about the Nitro Deck+’s HDMI compatibility. The USB-C to HDMI adapter allows you to play games on your telly while your console is docked in the Nitro Deck+. It’s perfectly responsive, and we didn’t note any kind of intrusive input latency playing games this way. However, we feel it’s an incredibly niche way to play your Switch games and somewhat defeats the purpose of the Nitro Deck’s incredible portability factor.

Furthermore, the cable is extremely short, meaning you’ll likely have to play sitting quite close to your TV. That being said, it is a solid option if you have a monitor and gaming desk setup, and this feels like the intended way of using that HDMI adapter given the shorter distance required.

Lastly, the accompanying CRKD Ctrl app - available for both Android and iOS - is an extremely robust app that lets you perform firmware updates for your Nitro Deck+, as well as customize pretty much every aspect of your controller’s performance. That includes stick dead zones, remapping those ancillary buttons (as well as all standard buttons, bumpers, and triggers should you desire or need), vibration strength, and trigger sensitivity. It’s one of the most intricate pieces of software we’ve seen for a Nintendo Switch controller and is perfect for players who really like to tailor their play experience to their specific preferences.

Should I buy the Nitro Deck+?

Buy it if...

You want the best handheld play experience on Switch
With superb customization and luxurious build quality, the Nitro Deck+ is essential for players who prefer going handheld with their Switch console.

You enjoy customizing your experience to a granular degree
The CRKD Ctrl app is fantastic for tailoring a personal play experience. With it, you can adjust your stick’s dead zones, trigger sensitivity, rumble strength, and more.

Don't buy it if...

You already own a Nitro Deck
The $69.99 / £69.99 asking price for the Nitro Deck+ is pretty steep when the experience is quite comparable to the base model outside of some slight upgrades.

Also consider...

If the Nitro Deck+ isn’t quite what you’re looking for, we recommend checking out the following Nintendo Switch controllers. We recommend these in confidence if, say, you’re after something cheaper or would simply prefer a more traditionally-designed gamepad.

Nitro Deck
The standard Nitro Deck tops our best Nintendo Switch accessories list for a reason; it’s simply the finest portable experience you can have with the console at its price point. It’s very similar to the Nitro Deck+ minus a few improvements. We’d consider checking out this base model if the Nitro Deck+ is a little beyond your price range.

Read more in our full Nitro Deck review.

8BitDo Ultimate
One of the very best third-party Nintendo Switch controllers, it packs phenomenal value for money by coming with its own charging dock, 2.4GHz dongle as well as PC and SteamOS support if you prefer to play on Steam Deck.

Read more in our full 8BitDo Ultimate review.

How I tested the Nitro Deck+

Tested over two weeks almost every day
Compared against the standard Nitro Deck
Played in handheld, and on TV and a gaming monitor via the HDMI adapter

I tested the Nitro Deck+ over the course of about a week and a half with several Nintendo Switch games including Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Splatoon 3, and Endless Ocean Luminous. I felt that these games are all well-suited to the Nitro Deck+’s improvements including those lovely metallic Hall effect sticks, gyro support, and a wealth of remappable buttons.

I made sure to test the device across all supported formats, including handheld as well as play on TV and a monitor via the USB-C to HDMI adapter. While I maintain that there’s niche appeal to the latter methods, playing on a gaming monitor with the Nitro Deck+ was a fantastic and responsive experience that’s well-suited to Switch games’ relatively lower resolutions.

First reviewed June 2024

Hisense U7N review: a budget mini-LED 4K TV that out-performs its price

5:46 pm | June 28, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: Dolby Vision, HDMI, Star Wars, TV | Comments: Off

Hisense U7N review: Two minute review

The Hisense U7N is a budget to mid-range mini-LED TV that delivers much for your money. It covers all the bases and performs well for gaming and movies, making it a versatile TV choice.

Picture quality on the Hisense U7N is generally good with whatever is thrown its way. Colors are vivid and punchy, black levels and contrast are rich and details and textures are as refined as on more premium TVs. Motion handling can be a little inconsistent, but fast-paced sources such as sport are generally well-handled. There is backlight blooming and you’ll have to do some tweaking to get the most accurate picture, but the U7N is still an overall great performer, even if it doesn’t beat the best TVs.

the U7N's sound quality isn’t the most impressive, with a limited soundstage and surround effects that are extremely difficult to hear despite Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. But, the U7N provides clear dialogue and meaty bass, along with directional sound that closely follows the picture on the screen. Its performance may be good enough for some, but one of the best soundbars is recommended.

The U7N is well-equipped for gaming, with features including 4K 120Hz, 144Hz support for PC gaming, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. Performance is impressive, with smooth gameplay and crisp graphics. The only drawback is the TV’s two HDMI 2.1 ports as opposed to the four we typically expect from the best gaming TVs.

The Hisense U7N’s design and VIDAA smart TV platform (Google TV in the US) are on the plain side, but both are serviceable and functional. There are plenty of picture settings to experiment with – a good thing because the U7N requires adjustment for best performance. It also features the live TV streaming service Freely, which is a breath of fresh air for UK viewers.

It may not be the ultimate TV, but the U7N is the epitome of a high-value TV – more so in the US and Australia since UK prices are higher. Compared to rivals, the U7N's smart and gaming features and picture performance make it a bargain.

Hisense U7N with late sunset on screen — The Hisense U7N great contrast makes dusk and night scenes look good (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Prices & release date

Release date: April 2024
55-inch price: $799 / £1,299 / AU$1,599
65-inch price: $999 / £1,599 / AU$2,299
75-inch price: $1,499 / £1,899 / AU$2,999
85-inch price: $2,030 / £2,799 / AU$3,999

The Hisense U7N is the mid-range model in its mini-LED TV lineup, sitting above the U6N and below the U8N, flagship U9N and massive UX (sized at 98- and 100-inch) models. It comes in 55, 65, 75 and 85-inch sizes, though it’s worth noting the 85-inch model is not available in the UK.

We’re already seeing huge discounts on the U7N only a couple of months after release, particularly in the US where you can buy the 65-inch model (the size we tested) for $799. Whether this discount is permanent is unclear, but it’s likely the U7N will receive big discounts around Black Friday.

Hisense U7N review: Specs

Hisense U7N review: Benchmark results

Hisense U7N with butterfly on screen — The Hisense U7N's bold colors make it look more premium than its price would indicate (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Features

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range support
144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision gaming
VIDAA/Google TV smart TV platform

The U7N uses what Hisense calls ‘Mini-LED PRO’, which is mini-LED tech combined with full-array local dimming. It supports the Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range formats and is IMAX Enhanced certified.

For gaming, the U7N has two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz (with up to 144Hz refresh rate), VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia GSync, ALLM, and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. It also features Hisense’s Game Bar, which can adjust gaming settings such as Dark Detail.

The U7N has a 2.1-channel speaker array and supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtrack formats. It features several different preset sound modes including Standard and Movie plus an Enhanced (ACR) mode that uses viewing data (with permission) to enhance sound based on your viewing habits.

Two different smart TV platforms are used for the Hisense U7N: Google TV in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA platform in the UK. Both have access to all the major apps including Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. In the UK, the U7N hosts Freely, a live TV streaming service backed by BBC, ITV and Channels 4 and 5, which enables live TV viewing without an aerial or satellite dish. Freely is also where UK viewers can find BBC iPlayer, ITVX and other UK-based catch-up services. In the US, the U7N features an ATSC 3.0 tuner for broadcast TV.

The U7N’s design is on the basic side, with a black, plastic central stand attached to two metal feet on the 65-inch model I tested. Materials-wise, it has a silver-toned metal frame with a trim, but slightly deep bezel. It also has a slim, black remote that can be charged using its front solar panel or USB-C port.

Features score: 4.5/5

Hisense U7N with lake and sunset on screen — The Hisense U7N has refined textures and detail (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Picture quality

Bold, colorful picture
Well-defined details and textures
Picture requires adjustment

Starting off with measurements, the U7N in its default Standard and Filmmaker Mode settings yielded peak brightness results of 807 nits and 1074 nits, respectively, on a 10% HDR white window test pattern. Those numbers are lower than what we’ve measured from more premium mini-LEDs such as the Sony Bravia 9, which hit 2,280 nits peak HDR brightness in Standard mode.

I did find that some adjustments improved brightness – setting Local Dimming to High and turning off Dynamic Contrast, for instance. With those settings, the U7N measured 1,256 nits in Standard mode.

This was a common theme with the U7N – some picture settings needed to be adjusted to improve its performance. Before conducting my subjective tests, I found setting Local Dimming to High added more detail and contrast, and turning off Super Resolution removed the U7N’s oversharpened look, which it even displayed in Filmmaker Mode.

After cycling through different picture presets, I established that Filmmaker Mode was the most accurate, but the brighter Standard mode better suited some TV shows and movies.

When watching broadcast TV, lower-resolution TV shows had fuzzy textures. HD pictures, on the other hand, looked good, with solid color and detail. One thing to note for UK viewers, lower-resolution TV shows streamed through Freely actually improved picture quality over broadcast TV, giving them a similar look to HD.

Moving onto 4K, I first streamed Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Dolby Vision on Disney Plus. This activated the set's Dolby Vision picture modes, including Dolby Vision IQ. Colors were bold but natural, with the throne room fight scene featuring vivid, though not oversaturated reds. HDR highlights including lasers from blasters and other lightsabers also had a dazzling sheen.

The Hisense U7N’s strong color performance was confirmed by my measurements of its UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage, which was 95.5% and 75.4% respectively – both excellent results for a budget mini-LED TV. Color accuracy measurements 1.75, another fantastic result.

I next watched the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray’s demo footage section. The U7N looked very good across the board, showing dynamic and vibrant colors in bright landscapes and animal shots, and excellent black depth when full black backgrounds were displayed. Contrast was also excellent in a shot of bright white city lights against a night sky. Details and textures looked accurate and refined, although they were not as good as what I’d seen on more premium mini-LED sets such as the Sony X95L.

Hisense U7N with city aerial shot at night — The Hisense U7N has very good contrast (Image credit: Future)

I next watched The Batman (also in Dolby Vision), a disc I find to be a great test for black levels and shadow detail. The U7N demonstrated good backlight control, with only minimal blooming in a scene where Batman walks down a dim hallway illuminated by bright lamps.

Black levels and contrast were rich with brilliant shadow detail in the opening crime scene investigation, though there was some black crush before I set Local Dimming to High. After that, facial features and objects such as Batman’s intricate suit looked true-to-life and realistic.

For motion testing, I used a combination of movies on 4K Blu-ray and sports. Beginning with an HD stream of a soccer game, the U7N did a credible job, though setting the motion preset to Standard or Smooth allowed the match to flow better and greatly reduced motion blur.

Watching Top Gun: Maverick’s opening Darkstar testing sequence and training mission, the U7N did a decent job handling the fast panning camera sequences and weaving jets, though there was occasional judder. Also, viewing the race in Ready Player One, the U7N did a good job handling the chaotic action and free-flowing camera, again with only minimal judder.

While I was impressed with the U7N’s picture, I noted contrast fade and more obvious backlight blooming when viewing off-axis. Also, while some of its preset modes, such as Filmmaker, are good, others require a lot more tweaking. Frustratingly, the Dolby Vision IQ preset sets motion smoothing to the overly aggressive Standard setting, making adjustments necessary.

The Hisense U7N isn’t going to beat the likes of the OLED-rivalling Sony Bravia 9 anytime soon, but for what you pay, the picture punches above its weight.

Picture quality score: 4/5

Hisense U7N with La La Land on screen — The Hisense U7N's sound quality was credible, but limited with movies such as *La La Land* (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Sound quality

Clear dialogue
Good directional sound
Lacking soundstage and virtual surround

With a 2.1-channel speaker array totaling 40W of power, the Hisense U7N can’t rival the best TVs for sound such as the Panasonic MZ2000 or Sony A80L. It does deliver in some areas, such as dialogue and directional sound, but is lacking in others. If you're looking for great audio with the U7N, I’d consider adding one of the best soundbars.

Watching the batmobile chase scene from The Batman, the U7N demonstrated clear speech even during moments of loud explosions and crunching metal with its Theater preset sound mode active. Directional sounds were also captured well by the U7N, with each sound effect connected to the action on screen, and it had somewhat weighty bass. Dolby Atmos effects in this scene such as thrashing rain were barely audible over the other sounds, however, and the soundstage was limited, with everything very much contained to the screen itself.

Moving to La La Land, it was a similar story. The horn-heavy jazz score was well handled and never distorted even at higher volumes. Vocals came through nice and clear and warmer instruments such as double bass and drums sat nicely in the mix. However, the limited soundstage didn’t allow instruments to breathe.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Hisense U7N stand — The Hisense U7N's stand (65-inch pictured) is easy to assemble (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Design

Trim bezel
Easy to assemble stand
Solar-powered remote control

The Hisense U7N has a plain but solid design. Its rear panel is made of a thick but cheaper feeling plastic, though a solid silver frame gives it a more premium look.

The U7N’s bezel is trim enough and allows the picture to take up the majority of the screen, though it’s not as trim as you’d find on more premium TVs. Its two reassuringly weighty metal feet connect to a plastic stand by simply slotting into place. This is one of the easier stand assemblies I’ve seen. It does feel a little cheap – not surprising given the U7N’s budget price.

Hisense’s supplied remote for the U7N feels more premium than expected. It features a solar panel on the front and a USB-C charging point on the bottom, eliminating the need for batteries. Although the solar panel is a welcome addition, it gives the remote a bottom-heavy feel.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U7N with VIDAA home screen — Hisense uses VIDAA as its smart TV platform in the UK (home menu pictured) (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Smart TV & menus

Google TV (US), VIDAA (UK & Australia)
Good selection of picture settings
Sometimes stuttering performance

The U7N’s smart TV platform varies depending on the region. Since I’m based in the UK, I will be discussing Hisense’s own smart TV platform, VIDAA. For US readers, the Hisense U7N uses Google TV, which is also featured on the Hisense U8K and Sony Bravia 9 if you’d like to read up about it.

The VIDAA home menu is filled with recommendations from various apps; it’s a little cluttered, and this can affect scrolling speed on the home menu. Stuttering occurred at multiple points while navigating VIDAA, which lacked the smooth feel of other smart TV platforms such as LG’s web OS, Samsung’s Tizen and Google TV.

I appreciated VIDAA’s settings and menu layouts. It was very easy to find settings I was looking for and I was pleasantly surprised by how many picture adjustments were available. These turned out to be necessary, as simple changes to local dimming, motion smoothing, super-resolution, dynamic contrast and other settings transformed the U7N’s picture completely.

VIDAA provides access to all major streaming apps including Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video. Hisense TVs also host Freely, a live TV streaming service that lets viewers watch a range of live TV shows without any need to connect to an aerial or satellite dish and provides access to UK-based streaming apps including BBC iPlayer, ITVX and more.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U7N with Battlefield V on screen — Similar to TVs from LG, Samsung and Panasonic, the Hisense U7N features a Game Bar for gaming settings (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Gaming

4K 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rate support
13.1ms input lag
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

The U7N has plenty of gaming features on offer , including a 4K 120Hz (even up to 144Hz) refresh rate, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia GSync, and ALLM. This list of features lets the U7N easily compete with the best gaming TVs. Hisense’s Game Bar also allows for settings such as Dark Detail and FPS Viewing to be tweaked during gaming.

Unlike other TVs that feature dedicated Game picture modes, the U7N’s Game Mode works in tandem with its main picture preset settings, providing freedom to customize the picture during gameplay. Annoyingly, it leaves motion smoothing settings switched on, so it’s important to turn those off during gaming.

the U7N's gaming performance was very good. Playing Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, motion was smooth, with quick camera cuts to switch between targets and landscape panning shots all feeling seamless and free-flowing with no judder or stutter. The U7N also did a great job with Battlefield, displaying plenty of intricate details on objects such as weapons and landscapes and showing the same rich contrast and bold colors as with movies.

The U7N’s measured input lag was 13.1ms. A result below 15ms is what gamers generally look for, so this will be fine for the majority of users.

Unfortunately, the U7N only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, with the other two HDMI 2.0 ports capped at 60Hz with no gaming features supported.

Gaming score: 4.5/5

Hisense U7N remote — The Hisense U7N's supplied remote is sleek and eco-friendly, but a little bottom-heavy (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U7N review: Value

Excellent value (in the US)
Cheaper than many rivals
Crowded mini-LED TV market

Although the U7N generally represents good value, it is a significantly better value in the US. The 65-inch model I tested dropped as low as $799 since launch, which for a TV with this many features and this picture quality level is simply phenomenal. Rival sets such as the Samsung QN85D are priced at $1,699 for a 65-inch model, while premium mini-LED options such as the Sony Bravia 9 cost $2,999 for the same screen size.

In the UK, the margin is somewhat narrowed, though the U7N is still priced cheaper than many of its rivals. The 65-inch U7N currently sits at £1,599, while the Samsung QN85D is priced at £2,099 and OLED options like the LG B4 are priced at £1,699 in a 65-inch size. So even though the U7N is still cheaper and provides plenty of features, you’re not quite getting the same bang for your buck as in the US.

But wherever you are, it is hard to argue just how many bases the Hisense U7N covers at the price it does, with its great overall picture quality, stacks of gaming features and good smart TV platform. With the money you save with the U7N, you can add a Dolby Atmos soundbar, such as the brilliant Hisense AX5125H.

Value score: 4.5/5

Hisense U7N with La La Land 4K Blu-ray home menu on screen — The Hisense U7N accurately displays bold, bright colors such as those in the *La La Land* logo (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Hisense U7N?

Buy it if...

You want great picture quality
The U7N delivers dynamic pictures for both movies and gaming that look more premium than the price you pay.

You want a TV for gaming
4K 120Hz, 144Hz, VRR, and Dolby Vision gaming are just some of the features the U7N offers that make it ideal for PS5 and Xbox Series X

You want real value from your TV
The U7N offers similar features and performance to rival sets from Samsung and Sony but has a lower price tag.

Don't buy it if...

You don't want to adjust picture settings
To get the best out of the U7N, setup is required, and that involves digging into the nitty gritty of its picture settings.

You want the perfect picture
Like a lot of mini-LED TVs, the U7N suffers from backlight blooming. To avoid this, you'll have to fork out more for premium mini-LED or OLED TV.

You need the best built-in sound
It may be adequate for most, but the U7N's sound feels limited and contained. Want better TV sound? Look to Sony.

Also consider...

Samsung QN85D
The Samsung QN85D is arguably the U7N's closest competitor, offering similar features and performance. Pictures appear more natural and Tizen is a better smart TV platform, but you'll be paying a lot more and the gap is tough to justify. We are currently testing this TV and will have a full review live soon.

Hisense U6N
The step-down model from the U7N, the U6N doesn't offer the same level of features or picture performance. It is cheaper than the U7N, however, and the performance it gives for the price is admirable. We are currently testing this TV and will have a full review live soon.

Samsung QN90D
The Samsung QN90D is a more premium mini-LED option when compared to the U7N. Although it's pricier, you'll no doubt be getting better picture performance, especially for daytime sports viewing. There isn't much between them in terms of gaming features, so it does come down to picture vs price.

Read our Samsung QN90D hands-on review

Hisense U7N with testing equipment including Calman — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Hisense U7N

Tested in varying lighting conditions
Measurements taken using Calman calibration software
Tested using both SDR and HDR sources

My first step in testing the U7N was casual viewing to establish the most accurate out-of-the-box picture preset using a variety of sources such as broadcast TV and DVD, 4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming.

I then used several reference scenes from various movies, TV shows and sports streams to judge the U7N on picture criteria including contrast, color, black levels, motion handling and upscaling. I also tested it built-in sound quality for speech, bass, virtual surround sound processing and directional sound.

To test the U7N's gaming performance, I used an Xbox Series X console, primarily playing Battlefield V.

Moving onto objective testing, I analyzed the U7N's SDR and HDR brightness, HDR color gamut coverage (both UHDA-P3 and BT.2020) and grayscale and color accuracy. For this, I used a test pattern generator and colorimeter, recording the results with Portrait Displays' Calman calibration software.

I also measured the U7N's input lag in milliseconds using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input lag tester while the U7N was in Game mode.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out our guide on how we test TVs at TechRadar.

First reviewed: June 2024
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Hisense AX5125H review: impressive Dolby Atmos performance in an affordable soundbar system

9:00 pm | June 22, 2024

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

Hisense AX5125H review: Two minute review

The Hisense AX5125H is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar system comprising four units – a soundbar, a subwoofer and two satellite speakers.

Compared to the best soundbars, the Hisense AX5125H has somewhat basic features, with only Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming as opposed to the Wi-Fi streaming you’ll find on the similarly priced Sonos Beam and Bose Smart Soundbar 600. However, unlike those soundbars, the AX5125H provides a ‘real’ surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility out of the box as opposed to requiring optional speakers at an additional cost.

The AX5125H takes a no-frills approach, and it shows. But for a budget soundbar, the AX5125H’s sound is impressive, providing plenty of punch, clarity and immersion. Dolby Atmos and surround effects are accurately reproduced, speech is crystal clear and bass is weighty yet controlled. Even streamed music sounds good despite being limited to Bluetooth quality. For an affordable system, the Hisense AX5125H rivals some of the cheaper examples of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

Its main bar may be a little on the wider side, but the AX5125H’s sub and rear speakers have a compact design – ideal for those looking to minimize the impact of external boxes. Its materials and build quality aren’t the most premium, but both are better than expected thanks to stylish metal grilles and a reassuringly solid feel. The provided remote feels every bit cheap, however.

The Hisense AX5125H's simple plug-and-play approach makes setup a breeze. Those who like a good app for control and settings adjustments will be disappointed as one isn’t available, leaving all control to the provided remote. But for those looking for simplicity, the AX5125H provides.

For a 5.1.2-channel speaker array with nine speakers across four units, including two up-firing drivers for Atmos, the AX5125H is an incredible value at under $350 / £350 / AU$450. Those looking for a soundbar with all the bells and whistles may want to look elsewhere, But, if you’re after a soundbar that’s going to add plenty of oomph to your TV plus real surround immersion on a budget, look no further than the AX5125H.

Hisense AX5125H main soundbar connected to Hisense U6N — The Hisense AX5125H's main soundbar provides excellent speech clarity (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Price & release date

Release date: 2023
Price at release: $449 / £499 / AU$599
Price at time of writing: $299 / £349 / AU$449

The Hisense AX5125H is a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar system that comes with a main soundbar, subwoofer and two satellite speakers. Upon its release in 2023, the AX5125H sold for $399 / £499 / AU$599. At that price, it was in a similar price range to the Sony HT-S2000, one of the best budget soundbars on the market.

Since its release, prices for the AX5125H have dropped, and at the time of writing, we’re seeing it available for as low as $299 / £349 / AU$449 – again in line with the Sony HT-S2000’s current prices.

Hisense AX5125H review: Specs

Hisense AX5125H connections — The Hisense AX5125H's connections include not only HDMI but also a 3.5mm AUX input (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Features

5.1.2-channel configuration
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible
Bluetooth-only streaming

Featuring nine speakers across four ‘boxes’, the Hisense AX5125H offers a 5.1.2-channel speaker array and supports the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, along with the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats.

The AX5125H has seven preset ‘AI EQ’ sound modes such as Movie and Night, and includes an AI mode that analyzes content to improve the sound. Unlike soundbars from brands such as Sonos, Bose and Sony, the AX5125H does not have a companion app or any kind of EQ customization, instead relying on basic Bass and Treble adjustments with the provided remote control.

The AX5125H has two HDMI ports (one with eARC), plus optical digital, 3.5mm AUX, and USB connections. There’s no built-in Wi-Fi, but Bluetooth version 5.3 is provided for music streaming.

Some of the AX5125H’s budget and mid-range rivals such as the Sonos Ray, Sonos Beam and Bose Smart Soundbar 600 provide Wi-Fi connectivity and app features such as EQ. On the other hand, you are getting a more complete surround package out of the box with the AX5125H.

Features score: 4/5

Hisense AX5125H soundbar, sub and rear speakers — The Hisense AX5125H soundbar with sub and two rear speakers: 9 speakers and 5.1.2 channels across four units (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Sound quality

‘Real’ Dolby Atmos sound
Punchy, dynamic performance
Small satellite speakers can get overwhelmed

Watching Star Wars: A New Hope on Disney Plus, the effectiveness of the surround sound was immediately apparent during the final attack run on the Death Star. The screeching TIE fighters and roaring rear engines sounded like they were coming from all around thanks to the Hisense’s effective Dolby Atmos delivery, led by the main soundbar’s up-firing speakers. The soundstage was surprisingly wide, and it gave all aspects of the soundtrack room to breathe. Dialogue was crystal clear, and the horn-heavy score, explosions and gunfire were all presented with equal importance.

Switching to The Batman on 4K Blu-ray, the opening crime scene section demonstrated the AX5125H’s subtleties. Dialogue was impressive, and the low hum of the officers' voices, camera clicks, and even the stretching of Batman’s leather suit were all easily distinguishable and accurately placed.

Moving to the chaotic batmobile car chase, the same punchy power and balance I heard in Star Wars was present, and the driving rain showcased the AX5125H’s Atmos chops.

Music listening was also enjoyable with the AX5125H, despite the streaming quality being limited to Bluetooth. Whatever genre I threw at it, the AX5125H obliged. The pounding drums, bassy synths and gravelly vocals of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark were all well-handled. Thelonius Monk’s Japanese Folk Song demonstrated the AX5125H’s ability to convey all frequencies, with the twinkling piano keys and sharp sax balancing well with the smooth drums and double bass. Finally, listening to Caroline Polachek’s Welcome To My Island, her soaring vocals could be pushed to high volumes with no strain.

The Hisense AX5125H is not all perfect, as its smaller satellite speakers could sometimes get overwhelmed reproducing surround effects. Even so, its performance was meaty and even feisty.

Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Hisense AX5125H sub — The Hisense AX5125H's sub provides plenty of powerful bass in a fairly compact size (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Design

Compact subwoofer and rear speakers
Decent build quality
Front LED display

The Hisense AX5125H’s main soundbar measures 36.2 x 18.8 x 3.5-inches (920 x 478 x 90mm), the subwoofer 8.5 x 12.3 x 11.9-inches (210.5 x 310 x 300mm) and the satellites 3.6 x 5.7 x 4.3-inches (90.1 x 140.5 x 110mm).

Build quality is mixed, though the grilles for each speaker are the kind of black mesh metal you’d expect to find on more premium units. It also features a front LED display. There is an option to dim and brighten the LED display to four levels, plus turn it off completely to prevent distractions.

The provided remote is basic but serviceable, with Bass and Treble EQ buttons and a dedicated button to cycle through the sound presets.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense AX5125H remote — The Hisense AX5125H's supplied remote is basic and feels a bit cheap, but is simple to use (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Usability & setup

Two HDMI ports
Easy, basic setup
No app support

Setup of the Hisense AX5125H is easy. Once I connected the main soundbar to a TV using its HDMI eARC port, I then connected the wireless sub and satellite speakers by pressing the pairing button on each unit and all were connected and ready to go. Once paired, there was no need to pair again on the next usage even when I unplugged them.

With no companion app, everything is controlled using the provided remote (or your TV remote using HDMI-CEC).

The AX5125H’s front alphanumeric display gives clear feedback from input commands and adjustments without any need to rely on the blinking LEDs you find on some soundbars such as the Sonos Beam and Ray. Although obscured somewhat by the soundbar’s grille, it’s still a welcome feature.

Usability & setup score: 4.5/5

Hisense AX5125H rear speaker next to remote — Despite the fairly small size, the Hisense AX5125H's satellite speakers (one shown next to the AX5125H's supplied remote) provide excellent immersion (Image credit: Future)

Hisense AX5125H review: Value

Full soundbar package for a budget price
Good performance for the money
Lacks premium features such as Wi-Fi

At roughly $349 / £349 / AU$449 for a complete surround package with two up-firing speakers, the Hisense AX5125H provides excellent value. Despite missing some features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and a companion app for EQ control, the system’s performance more than makes up for the omission.

At this price range, there is budget competition from Bose, Sonos, and Sony, but crucially, these will be all-in-one bars that don’t provide the full surround sound experience you get from the AX5125H. Yes, it may not rival more premium soundbars, but the sound quality it provides is nothing short of impressive for the price.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense AX5125H?

Buy it if...

Don't but it if...

Also consider

Hisense AX5125H soundbar, sub and rear speakers in testing room — The Hisense AX5125H in our testing room, connected to a Hisense U6N TV (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Hisense AX5125H

Tested with a variety of sources
Connected to a Hisense U6N TV
Dolby Atmos, surround and stereo sound tested

I tested the Hisense AX5125H connected to a Hisense U6N TV, and although Hisense-specific features were on offer, testing was done without these turned on.

After cycling through the different AI EQ modes, including News, Night and more, I opted for Movie, which was the most accurate and immersive. After this, I tested the AX5125H with a variety of sources, including broadcast TV, mainly testing lower-resolution speech and signals, and 4K Blu-ray and Disney Plus for Dolby Atmos and surround playback.

I next tested music streaming from Spotify and Tidal using Bluetooth, playing reference tracks from multiple genres that I have used to test soundbars, headphones and speakers in the past.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: 21st June, 2024

Samsung Q990D review: the best Dolby Atmos soundbar, and now perfect for PS5 and Xbox Series X, too

8:00 pm | May 4, 2024

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

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Two minute review

The Samsung HW-Q990D follows in the footsteps of one of the best soundbars in recent years, the Samsung HW-Q990C, but adds gaming features including 4K 120Hz and VRR pass-through, along with a more refined and controlled sound profile.

Filled to the brim with features, the Q990D offers plenty of settings for those who like to experiment. AI enhancements including Adaptive Sound and SpaceFit allow the Q990D to analyze sources and the viewing environment to create the best possible experience. Alongside these, the new gaming features enable users to get the most from their PS5 or Xbox Series X. And for those with a Samsung TV, there’s also Q-Symphony and a wireless Dolby Atmos option.

Carrying 22 speakers across four units, with an 11.1.4 channel configuration, the Q990D confirms Samsung's continued domination of the soundbar market, especially when it comes to immersive Dolby Atmos sound. But, it’s not just immersive sound where it succeeds, as bass levels are punchy yet refined and trebles and mids can breathe easy over the bass. The Q990D also serves as an excellent music streaming option whether over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with its wide soundstage giving every aspect of a song the space it needs.

Although on the bulkier side, the Q990D feels every bit its premium price thanks to its solid build quality, and it has a sleek, modern look. The main soundbar’s size may be an issue for some and its front LED display is not the most user-friendly, but for many, it will beat the mess of cables you get with a wired home theater setup.

With a variety of control options including a supplied remote and the Samsung SmartThings app, the Q990D is easy to use and tailor settings to how you like. Initial setup is a breeze, making it simple to get great sound.

The Q990D may be a premium soundbar, and there are cheaper options such as last year’s Samsung Q990C and this year’s Samsung HW-Q930D, but neither of those carries the full range of features or the performance found in the Q990D. Although pricey, it delivers the best Dolby Atmos soundbar experience you can get today.

Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers — The Samsung HW-Q990D comprises a soundbar, subwoofer and two surrounds, with 11.1.4 channels across 22 speakers. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Price & release date

Release date - March 2024
Price - $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995

The Samsung HW-Q990D is Samsung’s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar for 2024. Released at $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995, the Q990D is a premium soundbar package.

For context, that’s roughly $400 more than the JBL Bar 1300X, an older soundbar that includes wireless rear speakers and a powerful subwoofer, but is roughly $500 more than the most widely available Sonos home theater package, which features the Sonos Arc, Sonos Sub (Gen 3) and a pair of Sonos Era 100s as rears.

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Specs

Samsung HW-Q990D in front of the Samsung S95D — The Samsung HW-Q990D (connected to the Samsung S95D TV) now has gaming features including 120Hz and VRR. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Features

11.1.4 speaker channels
HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz support
Wireless Dolby Atmos

The Samsung Q990D has many of the same features as its impressive predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q990C, including 11.1.4 speaker channels and 22 speakers spread across the four units (soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers).

One new feature is HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming, with both HDMI inputs supporting 4K120Hz and VRR. Both HDMI ports also pass through HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR formats.

Supported sound formats include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Dolby 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.

The Q990D is stacked with sound-enhancing features including Adaptive Sound, which analyzes what you’re watching and intelligently adjusts audio levels; SpaceFit Sound Pro, which analyzes your environment and tunes the Q990D’s audio output for the space; and Game Mode Pro, which tailors directional sound to optimal levels when gaming.

Wi-Fi streaming on the Q990D supports hi-res audio formats including ALAC, FLAC and WAV and also Dolby Atmos music tracks found on streaming services such as Apple Music and Tidal. Speaking of streaming, there is also Spotify and Tidal Connect support.

There are some Samsung-exclusive enhancements alongside these features (meaning they only work with compatible Samsung TVs). The first is Q-Symphony, where the Q990D works with the speakers of a Samsung TV to boost sound even further. The next is wireless Dolby Atmos, where a Samsung TV can stream Dolby Atmos soundtracks - albeit a compressed version - to the Q990D.

Last is Tap Sound, where you tap your Samsung smartphone on the Q990D and it starts playing the music you’re streaming.

Control options include a hardware remote control and the Samsung SmartThings app. With the app, you can make EQ adjustments, activate voice and bass enhancement, and select Night Mode, which adjusts the sound to a suitable level for late-night viewing or listening. The app also isn’t just for the Q990D, but can control any compatible Samsung product.

Features score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990D main bar — The Samsung HW-Q990D main soundbar (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Performance

Exceptional immersive sound
Powerful, yet detailed audio
Impressive gaming performance

For years, Samsung’s flagship soundbars have continually impressed, serving as a pinnacle of what a soundbar-based home theater audio system is capable of, and the Q990D continues this trend.

With 22 speakers across the four units, including four height channels, in an 11.1.4 channel configuration, the Q990D creates an outstanding immersive experience, with expert reproduction of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks and real surround sound.

Watching Star Wars: A New Hope on Disney Plus, the final attack and ensuing space battle involving the Death Star was every bit as cinematic as it should be. As X-Wings and Tie Fighters shot across the screen from every angle, the direction of the soaring engines glided across the speakers impeccably and John Williams’ iconic score in the rear speakers kept the tension high without drowning out other effects. Dialogue was crisp and clear, cutting through the densely packed mix of engines, lasers and music. Watching this, I truly felt like I was in the cockpit, as the iconic screech of the Tie Fighter passed over my head.

Although immersive sound is where the Q990D succeeded the most, bass levels from the weighty subwoofer also impressed. The rumble of the Batmobile’s engine in The Batman during the Penguin car chase sounded meaty with plenty of low-end punch. On previous Q990 generations, the bass could get carried away on occasion, but the Q990D’s bass feels more nuanced and controlled - dynamic but without overwhelming the rest of the mix.

Even when watching movies with a stereo soundtrack such as The Amazing Spider-Man on DVD, the Q990D boosted the sound through upmixing and gave more oomph to every fight sequence and web swing through NYC.

Other parts of the audio mix are well-balanced on the Q990D. High notes come across without being too shrill whilst mids sit comfortably where they should in the mix, with everything combining to create a full, detailed sound.

Although it’s not as impressive with music as with movies, the Q990D is still a triumph. When I streamed tracks from Tidal and Spotify in uncompressed hi-res and compressed formats respectively, the Q990D did a good job of balancing instruments and handled every genre well. Listening to Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World, the bass and drums sounded punchy, and the trebles of the synths and guitars sliced through evenly.

Listening to Dolby Atmos music tracks via Tidal, the Q990D again showed its prowess. Thelonius Monk’s Monk’s Dream (Take 8) spread out across the Q990D’s speakers, with every instrument given equal room to breathe - from the twinkling piano to the bright sax and the warm bass notes.

Sometimes the mix would sound forced on these Dolby Atmos tracks, with some instruments pushing a little too hard. But the Q990D generally continued to shine and even tracks streamed over lower quality Bluetooth sounded good.

The Q990D was connected to a Samsung S95D TV during my testing, with Samsung-centric features such as Q Symphony available. And while this did provide an extra layer to the sound, adding a greater sense of space and power, the Q990D gave a great cinematic experience without it.

As for gaming performance, when playing Battlefield V with an Xbox Series X, gaming was smooth, as switching between targets felt easy and the action suitably pacy.

The most surprising element of the Q990D’s gaming performance was the low 9.2ms input lag time, meaning its HDMI pass-through didn’t add any latency. For those needing 4K 120Hz, VRR and low input lag for their console, the Q990D can provide.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990D front display — The Samsung HW-Q990D's front display isn't the easiest to read... (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Design

Solid, premium design
Front display isn’t easiest to read
Slightly wider than a 55-inch TV

The Q990D comprises four units: a soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers. The subwoofer is sizable and hefty, but its wireless connection allows it to be placed anywhere in the room (as long as there’s a mains socket nearby to plug in for power). The rear speakers, meanwhile, have a compact yet sleek design.

The soundbar itself measures 1309.0 x 595.0 x 277.0 mm, making it slightly longer than a 55-inch TV (which roughly measures 1200mm). At 595mm, it isn’t the tallest soundbar, but could still cut off the bottom of a lot of TVs. The soundbar is also weighty, although that demonstrates its premium quality.

The soundbar and rear speakers sport a gray/navy matte finish that gives them a minimalist, modern appearance. A mesh grille on the soundbar’s front makes it quite difficult to see what input you’re using and other information provided on the front panel LED display, however.

Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990D supplied remote — The Samsung HW-Q990D can be controlled with the above supplied remote, the Samsung SmartThings app or your TV remote via HDMI-CEC. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Setup & usability

HDMI eARC connection to TV
Wireless connection between units
Remote or SmartThings app for control

With four separate, wireless units, setting up the Q990D seems like it would be daunting, but the Q990D makes setup almost effortless. Once all units are plugged in and the soundbar is connected to the TV by HDMI eARC, the subwoofer and rear speakers connect by simply pressing a button on the back and you’re ready to go.

You can either use the supplied remote or the Samsung SmartThings app for control, with adjustments for boosting voice, bass and more. The Q990D can also be controlled via the TV remote using HDMI-CEC. Finally, there are control buttons and an LED display on top of the soundbar.

For those looking to optimize audio based on their room’s layout, there is also the SpaceFit Pro calibration system, which can be performed during initial setup or on the fly using the SmartThings app.

Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar — The Samsung HW-Q990D is pricey, but you get an entire Atmos experience across four units. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Value

Premium price
Best home theater soundbar option
Samsung Q990C still available

Priced at $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995, the Q990D is a premium soundbar. And although its features and excellent all-around performance justify the price, it is no doubt going to push some people’s budgets.

The Samsung HW-Q990C, the Q990D’s predecessor, is still available and sells at a reduced price that’s only going to fall further - I’ve seen it selling for roughly $400 / £600 cheaper than the Q990D. It does miss out on the Q990D’s gaming features, but if they’re not relevant to you, the Q990C is fine. Another option is the Samsung HW-Q930D, the step-down model from the Q990D which comes with fewer channels and features.

Still, in terms of features and performance, the Q990D offers a Dolby Atmos home theater experience no other soundbar can offer. To beat it, you’d need to look at full AV setups that don’t allow for the same tidy installation or ease of use.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q990D?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Samsung HW-Q990D review: Also consider

How I tested the Samsung HW-Q990D

Samsung HW-Q990D in front of TV — (Image credit: Future)

Connected to the Samsung S95D
Tested with variety of sources
Both surround sound and stereo sound tested

To test the Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar, I connected it to the Samsung S95D - the flagship 2024 OLED TV from Samsung. The majority of testing was done with Q-Symphony and any other Samsung-centric features turned off to see how the Q990D would fare if connected to sets from other brands.

After some run-in time, I selected reference scenes from both streaming and 4K Blu-ray to test spatial sound, mainly Dolby Atmos. I then used lower-resolution sources such as DVD to test the Q990D on its handling of non-surround movie audio. I analyzed the Q990D's spatial sound but also bass, trebles, mids, and dialogue clarity.

After this, I streamed music through both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to test the Q990D's music playback quality. I played hi-res audio and Atmos music tracks from Tidal and lossy quality tracks via Bluetooth from Spotify.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: May 2024

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650: big brightness from a compact projector

10:00 pm | February 1, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Theater Projectors Televisions | Tags: HDMI, MSRP | Comments: Off

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650: one-minute review

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is a recent mid-range entrant on the ultra short throw projector scene, and it strikes a reasonable balance of performance and features. Its key strength is the brightness delivered by its laser light source combined with Epson’s 3LCD technology. Even when viewing in a bright room, the Epson LS650 is able to provide clear visuals for all sorts of content, making it a more viable option than many other examples of the best ultra short throw projectors for those who don’t have an easy way to dim their viewing space. The potent built-in speaker system is also a good match for the large image the projector can produce.

There’s a regrettable lack of HDMI ports, with just two, and that limitation is further compounded by an unreliable – verging on faulty – Android TV system for streaming that will more or less require you to use an external video source for most viewing. But for simple home theaters, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is mostly up to the task, and the brightness it provides for the price will make it a reasonable choice for many people.

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 review: price and release date

Release date: November 2023
MSRP: $2,799 (around £2,195 / AU$4,165)

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is available now for $2,799 (around £2,195 / AU$4,165), though Its price had previously seen discounts to as low as $2,499 during the 2023 holiday selling season.

Epson LS650 Android TV interface on screen — Navigating streaming apps using the Epson LS650's Android TV system is painfully slow, making an external streaming stick a must-have option (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 review: Specs

Epson LS650 cllose up showing built-in speakers — The Epson LS650 has powerful built-in speakers for a compact projector (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 review: design and features

Sluggish, almost useless Android TV system
Good speakers in a convenient, if bland, design
Just two HDMI ports can be limiting

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is the smaller sibling to the Epson LS800 I tested last year, and in many ways it behaves as such. It’s smaller and lighter, and boasts lower brightness. Fortunately it’s still very bright, and it has powerful speakers that can easily pass muster in a 200-square-foot room. The design is a bit less elegant than the LS800’s, though, with the LS650 looking more like a piece of utilitarian technology. Both black and white color options are available.

Despite its reduced width compared to its big brother, the Epson LS650 has a deep design that may require extra space on a media stand. Even then, with the projector’s 0.26:1 throw ratio, the LS650 may need to sit around a foot out from your wall or screen to deliver the large image it’s best suited to. Wherever you set it, getting it into focus is quick and easy with a dial along the right side of the chassis. There’s a cover for that dial, too, so once it’s in position you can keep it protected from accidental adjustments.

The rear of the projector has only two HDMI 2.0 ports, with one also serving up eARC for connections to an audio system. If you plan to use eARC, it leaves you with just one free port, and that may mean a lot of juggling of connections if you have game consoles, streaming sticks, or any other media sources. Optical digital is an alternative for audio output, but it doesn’t serve up all the audio quality advantages of HDMI eARC.

While the Epson LS650 uses Android TV for streaming and navigating system menus, it should only be relied on for the latter. There’s generally a delay after startup before the system is responsive, and navigating streaming apps is painfully slow. From there, I found that it invariably runs into an issue where the video begins to sputter terribly and occasionally freeze entirely. The issue was basically non-stop until playback stops, and there’s no quick out as the system’s responsiveness takes a dive in this scenario. Plan on pairing this projector with a separate streaming stick.

Design and features score: 3/5

Epson LS650 showing Avatar 2 on screen

The Epson LS650 puts out a bright image with good contrast, though its colors lack some vibrancy (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 review: picture quality

Brightness is a match for well-lit rooms
Color could use improvement

Like the LS800, the Epson LS650 is exceptionally bright. It may not be as bright as the higher-tier model, but it’s much brighter than a lot of its ultra short throw projector competition. This gives it a considerable leg up when it comes to viewing in rooms with overhead lights or with daylight spilling in through the windows. Darker content doesn’t hold up as well to the daylight, but bright cartoons and sitcoms display wonderfully even in a bright room thanks to the Epson LS650’s powerful laser light source.

The Expanse is a show that basks in the darkness. There are a great many scenes that not only take place in the black of space but the show also has a moody aesthetic that casts a lot of images in darker tones. Thanks to the Epson LS650’s high brightness, even those dark scenes benefitted from high contrast that made them easy to watch without needing to completely black out my room.

The Epson LS650’s brightness does come with a cost, though. It may beat many of the triple-laser competitors it goes up against in terms of light output, but its color is not as rich as on some triple-laser DLP systems like the Hisense PX2-Pro. Plenty of content doesn’t feel left behind, such as sitcoms and non-HDR shows and movies, but when it comes to 4K content with HDR that takes advantage of wider color gamuts, the LS650 simply doesn’t reach as far to render vibrant colors. A prime example was Avatar: The Way of Water’s Na’vi, which came through with just a little less poignancy than on the Hisense PX2-Pro.

Another cost to the brightness is fan noise. The Epson LS650 is plenty bright even without maxing out, but when pushing the brightness above about 80%, the projector kicks its fans into high gear, with an accompanying whiney sound. Short of watching shows with consistent, booming music, you’re going to hear the fans running with the projector at max brightness.

Ultimately, the Epson LS650 delivers a good visual presentation, but it falls short of being excellent. A number of controls are provided to adjust the image, though the settings aren’t quite as convenient as many others, especially with only a small handful of presets. For instance, there’s no specific Game picture mode, so it can take a bit of time and guesswork to adjust settings such that input latency is minimized. There’s also no Filmmaker Mode – a disappointing omission for movie buffs – though the Cinema preset is mainly free of processing that would add artificial-looking enhancement to the image.

Picture quality score: 4/5

Epson LS650 rear panel ports — With just two HDMI 2.0 inputs, one with eARC, the Epson L650 comes up short on ports (Image credit: Future)

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 review: value

Price is good for projector this bright
Squares up reasonably against competition

For its $2,799 price, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is offering a good value. Thanks to its high brightness and respectable picture quality, it manages to serve as an alternative to bigger-screen 80- to 100-inch TVs, many of which command a price premium above the LS650. The limited HDMI ports and bad Android TV implementation hurt the LS650’s value a bit here by making the system less flexible and convenient, but it’s still a strong option.

Value score: 3.5/5

Epson LS650 remote control — The Epson LS650's remote control (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650?

Epson L650 top surface showing laser light engine — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider...

Epson LS800
The Epson LS800 uses a 3LCD laser light source to beam a stunningly bright 4,000 lumens image and it also has good built-in sound. It costs more than the Epson LS650, but it provides three HDMI ports to the LS650's two and its image is even brighter than what you get with the smaller Epson.

Here's our full Epson LS800 review

Epson LS650 focus dial — The LS650's handy focus dial (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650

Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that the projector’s speaker system had to overcome. The projector was tested both on a bare, white wall and with an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and console gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

First reviewed: January 2024

Read TechRadar's review guarantee

PSB Alpha iQ speakers review: an all-in-one wireless hi-fi wonder

11:00 pm | December 17, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Speakers | Tags: HDMI | Comments: Off

PSB Alpha iQ: One-minute review

The Alpha iQ from Canada’s PSB Speakers is the company’s first active-streaming model: a very compact bookshelf design that nevertheless produces superb sound with surprising dynamic and bass abilities. Like other examples of the best wireless speakers, On-board Wi-Fi, USB, and aptx HD Bluetooth give users plenty of streaming options, and it uses the BluOS ecosystem for multiroom playback and control.

The BluOS Controller iOS/Android app (MacOS and Windows versions are also available) used by the Alpha iQ is highly capable but occasionally quirky to navigate, though AirPlay and Roon (the Alpha iQ is “Roon Ready”) provide further streaming options. The iQ also has a turntable-ready phono input and an HDMI eARC port for the best TVs, so connection flexibility here is excellent.

Listeners who value accurate, true-to-life musical sound will be well pleased, though those seeking maximum head-bang-per-buck may be disappointed. Nonetheless, the Alpha iQs are more than ready to fill any up to solidly medium-sized room with convincing levels of lifelike musical sound.

PSB Alpha iQ wireless speakers — (Image credit: Future)

PSB Alpha iQ review: Price & release date

Released September 2022
Priced at $1,299 / £1,099

The PSB Alpha iQ was released in September 2022 and is available in the US, UK, Europe and directly from the PSB Speakers website. At the time this review posted, the price for the Alpha iQ had dropped to $999 in the US.

PSB Alpha iQ review: Specs

PSB Alpha iQ wireless speakers back views — Hardwired connection options include HDMI eARC, MM phono, 3.5mm analog and a subwoofer output (Image credit: Future)

PSB Alpha iQ review: Features

Powered speaker pair
HDMI eARC and phono inputs
BluOS app used for setup and control

The Alpha iQ’s two speakers are not identical, though each builds in a pair of amplifiers, of 30 and 60 watts respectively, for the tweeter and woofer. But the “secondary” speaker has no rear-panel features at all beyond an IEC power-cord socket and a pinhole reset-button access. All connections are on the main speaker, which can be assigned left or right status at setup, while the secondary speaker receives a digital signal wirelessly from its mate. (I could not find official word on the Alpha iQ’s internal or inter-speaker resolution, but believe it to be 24-bit/192 kHz.) The crossovers, driver EQ, and smart limiting are DSP-based.

Inputs on the main speaker include HDMI eARC, phono (moving-magnet cartridges only), an optical digital audio port, and a 3.5-inch stereo minijack input. Other connections include a subwoofer output, Ethernet network port, a USB port, and an AC power input.

A small play/pause/skip touch-panel is handsomely set into the main speaker’s top panel. No remote control is provided, as it is presumed that the BluOS app will serve as the primary user interface. This puts the BluOS app, which bakes in access to every major streaming service (and quite a few more) and is also required for installation and setup, front and center.

The new BluOS 4.0 app that’s used for streaming and control of the Alpha iQs proved a very worthwhile update – really, an overall re-design. Where I found the previous BluOS version to be occasionally confusing, and needlessly (I thought) complicated, 4.0 proved simpler, smoother, and altogether more logically laid out and organized.

That said, this is a review of the Alpha iQ speakers not of the BluOS app, so I’ll be brief. The new BluOS app’s Home Screen shows your most-used sources or services, recent stations, and a quintet of icons across the bottom to select Favorites, Music (streaming services, inputs, or network “shares”), Players (you might have multiple BluSound speakers or components in different rooms), and a Search panel.

Navigation is fairly straightforward – much more so, in my view, than the earlier versions of the app. A “now playing” bar across the bottom, which shows the current player, track and scrolling title data, a mini album-art panel, and play/pause and volume buttons. This last is a two-step process; you must first touch the Volume icon, which switches to a volume slider that you can then adjust.

Features score: 5/5

PSB Alpha iQ wireless speakers app screens — Screenshots of the BluOS app used to control streaming and speaker setup (Image credit: Future)

PSB Alpha iQ review: Sound quality

Natural sound balance
Stable and precise stereo imaging
Finite level and bass extension

The PSB Alpha iQs scored highly when it came to sound quality. Both male and female vocals were consistently natural and projected well out into the listening space. The little Alphas also went to about 45 Hz or so with honest tonality and definition. For example, on a track like Bonnie Bramlett’s rendition of the standard “Cry Me a River,” the low “F” in the bass guitar (about 44 Hz) was solid, but the low “C” below it was audibly a bit lighter when compared directly to a much larger, fuller-range speaker.

Classical chamber music and small-combo jazz were unmitigated delights, and even orchestral recordings (Stravinsky) and reference-grade rock (Steely Dan) sounded suitably big, balanced, and impressively detailed and defined, with tight, stable stereo imaging, and plenty of output. Volume, however, was finite: when asked for more, the Alpha iQs simply failed to increase loudness, while their onboard “smart” limiting and equalization forestalled any audible distortion.

Connecting a powered subwoofer to the Alpha iQ's sub output automatically applies a high-pass filter at 80 Hz, which achieves two advantages. First, it extends system response downwards to the capability of the sub; second, it removes the burden of reproducing deep bass from the little Alpha iQs, yielding a significant gain in overall clean level.

With my everyday subwoofer connected, the Alpha iQs became the crux of a full-range, full-level system, one that proved entirely capable of delivering a big, demanding recording like Charles Ives’ “A Concord Symphony” (the “Concord” piano sonata brilliantly orchestrated by the late Henry Brant) with visceral impact, breadth, and deep, reverberant, symphonic-bass-drum thwacks.

Imaging was fairly “tight.” By that I mean it didn’t expand much beyond the speakers or deliver an exaggerated illusion of front-to-back depth, but it was very precise in locating instruments and voices on the soundstage, and in projecting centered voices or soloists well out into the room.

Partly inspired by this trait, I tried the Alpha iQs for a bit as desktop speakers. Despite the fact that they’re a little big for such deployment, they sounded terrific up close this way, with generally fine accuracy and a more dramatic, close-in stereo effect. But the PSBs suffered a bit from a more blousy mid-bass and slightly congested vocal range, likely due to sonic reflections from the desk and computer monitor screen surfaces. The lack of any DSP equalization for such placement, as many similar designs incorporate, was a missed opportunity here.

I briefly used the HDMI eARC input to confirm operation with my Sony OLED TV, which worked as expected. I also spun a few LPs from my classic Rega Planar turntable with its equally classic Shure V-15III moving magnet cartridge doing the honors, and this sounded as excellent as I expected. And as already mentioned, connecting my compact sub to the Alpha iQ’s subwoofer output transformed the little PSBs into a full-blown, full-range, high-end experience.

Sound quality score: 5/5

PSB Alpha iQ wireless speakers close up of top surface — Top panel controls for volume adjustment (Image credit: Future)

PSB Alpha iQ review: Design

Compact bookshelf design
Blue, orange, yellow, black or white matte lacquer finishes
2-way “tweeter under” configuration

The PSB Alpha iQ speakers are compact-bookshelf size and borderline small enough for desktop use. They are available in blue, orange, yellow, black or white matte lacquer finishes. My black pair showed first-rate fit and finish and attention to detail.

The Alpha iQs have an unusual, “tweeter-under” design, meant to be located “upside-down” with the 4-inch woofer above the 0,75-inch tweeter to direct the “in-phase lobe” (i.e. the best-balanced sound) to the listener’s ears. With a multi-color LED integrated into the tweeter, and slim bright-work accent rings around each driver, it’s a very handsome rig. The cabinets are vented by rear-panel ports (the rear panel and front baffle are aluminum, while speaker’s top, bottom, and sides are the usual MDF wood-composite).

Design score: 4/5

PSB Alpha iQ review: Value

Pricier than similar options
Can accommodate both analog and streamed sources
Added value if already in BluOS ecosystem

The PSB Alpha iQs are relatively pricey compared to similar options such as the SVS Prime Wireless Pro ($899.99) and Elac Debut ConneX ($399.98). Both the PSB and SVS feature an array of digital and analog inputs for connecting external sources, including HDMI ARC for a TV connection, and the SVS also features DTS Play-Fi for high-res multiroom streaming.

Where the PSB shows its value is in its excellent BluOS streaming and control app, wide-ranging connectivity, and great overall sound quality. The compact wireless streaming speakers category is a competitive one, however, with basic streaming-only options from brands like Sonos and Apple eating up much of the pie, so the ultimate value of the Alpha iQs will primarily lie in how sold you are on the BluOS app and ecosystem.

Value score: 3.5/5

PSB Alpha iQ wireless speakers on table with turntable — (Image credit: PSB)

Should you buy the PSB Alpha iQ?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

PSB Alpha iQ review: Also consider

PSB Alpha iQ review: How I tested

Tested with music streamed via BluOS app from Qobuz, Tidal and other services
Auditioned in same studio as several compared speakers and in “desktop audio” setup
Tested over several weeks, listened to for more than 20 hours hours total

I had the PSB iQ pair for well over a month, and used them for casual music and TV audio for a week-plus before critical auditions. I played music via BluOS from Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music/Classical, and my own local music file library, including both high-resolution and standard-rez/lossless sources. I also (briefly) streamed via Bluetooth from my iPhone XS and (also briefly) LPs from a decades-old but still-capable Rega Planar turntable.

I had several active and passive speakers, including my long-term Energy Veritas 2.2 monitors, SVS Prime Wireless, and KEF LS-60 in the same studio for direct comparison.

You can read TechRadar's review guarantee here.

First reviewed: December 2023