Digs deep and goes large

Verdict

This completed and classy soundbar delivers extremely deep bass contemplating there’s no separate subwoofer, and the soundstage is enjoyably expansive with exactly positioned overhead results. The connectivity is proscribed, however in any other case this can be a handy and efficient audio resolution.

Introduction

The Philips Fidelio FB1 is a single-box soundbar that helps Dolby Atmos and makes use of a pair of built-in woofers to generate deeper bass, regardless of missing a separate subwoofer.

It’s not dissimilar to Bowers & Wilkins’ Panorama 3, however Philips hopes the inclusion of DTS:X and Play-Fi, plus a couple of good design touches, will assist it stand out from the gang.

Design

• Fashionable end, with ring lights across the upfiring drivers
• Contact-sensitive controls, minimalist distant, and a brace of apps
• Show is behind a metallic grille, making it arduous to learn

The Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar types a part of the model’s premium audio vary, and boasts a chic design that actually appears like a high-end product. The cupboard is pretty massive at 1200 x 73 x 120mm (WxHxD), however the modern styling ensures it doesn’t dominate the area beneath your TV. It’s additionally extraordinarily properly made, with a sturdy metallic development that clocks in at a hefty 7.2kg.

The end is superb, with rounded corners on the cupboard and a Muirhead leather-based trim that separates the highest, entrance, and facet panels, lending the soundbar a level of sophistication. The audio system are positioned behind mesh metallic grilles, as is the show on the entrance proper, though due to this it may be troublesome to obviously learn at instances. You could have the choice to face or wall mount the FB1.

There are ring lights across the upfiring drivers that illuminate when the FB1 is decoding an object-based audio format, and whereas it appears groovy, you may as well flip this function off if it turns into annoying or distracting. There are some primary touch-sensitive buttons on the highest of the cupboard, which you’re unlikely to ever use as a result of a bunch of different choices.

Annoyingly, the included distant is so minimalist that it may be troublesome to truly use, with a lot of the buttons recognized utilizing less-than-intuitive icons, and no labels in any respect for the quantity controls. Fortunately there are various distant choices, together with voice management through the FB1’s capability to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and even Siri by means of Apple’s AirPlay 2.

There’s additionally a brace of management apps: Philips Sound integrates with DTS Play-Fi, including streaming providers like Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and Web Radio; whereas Philips Nice Tune controls the quantity, EQ choice, encompass modes, and ranges for the encompass channels. This app makes setup simpler, particularly in comparison with utilizing the distant and hard-to-read show.

Options

• 5.1.2-channel speaker structure
• Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced
• Automated room correction system
• HDMI reference to eARC
• DTS Play-Fi wi-fi multi-room help

The Philips Fidelio FB1 makes use of a 5.1.2-channel speaker configuration, with entrance left, proper and centre channels, side-firing width channels, and a pair of up-firing overhead channels. These audio system are full vary and comprise a complete of 13 drivers and tweeters, together with a pair of three.5in woofers for bass extension all the way down to a exceptional 40Hz.

The whole system is pushed by a complete of 310W of amplification, with peaks as much as 620W when wanted, which permits this soundbar to go loud with out ever sounding brittle or underpowered. The precise speaker structure is 5.1.2, however Philips claims the FB1 can ship a digital 7.1.2-channel expertise due to psychoacoustic processing that creates the phantasm of rear audio system.

There’s a calibration microphone within the field that connects to the soundbar utilizing a 3.5mm jack, triggering the automated room correction system to start out enjoying a collection of take a look at tones. These are measured by the microphone, and the information is used to optimise the general sound, eliminating the extra destructive elements of the room.

The FB1 decodes all three of the primary immersive audio codecs: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced. It additionally helps DTS Play-Fi, which supplies multi-room capabilities and playback of Hello-Res Audio codecs, together with the power to wirelessly add the Fidelio FS1 rear audio system and FW1 subwoofer to create a real 7.1.2-channel system.

On the rear is an HDMI enter, and an output that helps eARC (enhanced audio return channel). Each additionally move 4K/60p, and each model of HDR (HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient). Surprisingly there’s no passthrough of 4K/120p, VRR (variable refresh charge) or ALLM (auto low latency mode), which is able to disappoint next-gen avid gamers.

When it comes to different connectivity, there’s an optical digital audio enter, and a USB port that helps MP3, WAV, and FLAC recordsdata. For wi-fi connections there’s a alternative of dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Apple AirPlay 2, plus there’s additionally built-in Chromecast, and Spotify Join.

Sound High quality

• Efficient peak channels
• Glorious bass efficiency
• Expansive entrance soundstage
• No actual encompass presence

The Philips Fidelio FB1 is perhaps a single-box soundbar however it manages to supply a soundstage with loads of width, some well-placed overhead results, and a stunning quantity of bass. Because of this, you’ll be able to accomplice it with a pretty big display screen and revel in an equally large sound with out having to put in a subwoofer or another audio system, thus making it a handy resolution.

Nonetheless, a level of administration expectation is required, as a result of the FB1 basically fills the primary third of the room with sound, and regardless of Philips’s claims of encompass envelopment, there actually isn’t any presence behind me. The effectiveness of the upfiring drivers can also be dependant in your ceiling – the flatter and extra reflective, the higher.

The general supply is tight and detailed, with a treble that’s freed from congestion, and a midrange that’s clear and well-defined. Philips has tuned the system so there’s a satisfying tonal steadiness and basic cohesion to the soundstage, whereas the 2 built-in woofers crossover easily with all the opposite drivers within the cupboard.

The dual woofers produce some actually deep bass, suggesting the claims of a frequency response all the way down to 40Hz aren’t mere hyperbole. There’s a swiftness to the transients and a composure that offers any low-end results a tightness, pace, and depth. I don’t actually miss a separate sub, however the FB1 doesn’t shame itself, even on a bass-heavy soundtrack like Monster Hunter.

In relation to Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced, I discover the FB1 handles these object-based soundtracks with poise and ability, making a three-dimensional presence that spreads out throughout the ceiling and facet partitions. The audio results are picked out and positioned with precision, whereas the steering across the entrance of the room is seamless.

An immersive Atmos soundtrack like Dune delivers loads of scale, particularly throughout the flight by means of the desert storm or when the sandworms present up. There are 4 ranges of Atmos decoding, designed to ship Minimal, Small, Medium and Large quantities of overhead motion. These selections are meant to accommodate totally different ceiling heights.

The FB1 is equally spectacular with regards to decoding DTS:X soundtracks, and a movie like Atomic Blonde feels suitably visceral, particularly throughout the bone-crunching struggle scenes. This soundbar’s low-end capabilities are undoubtedly as a result of inclusion of IMAX Enhanced, with the format demanding elevated bass extension for efficient supply.

There’s a DTS: Neural X upmixing mode that creates a extra immersive expertise from non-object-based soundtracks by making use of all out there channels. There are additionally varied sound modes, with the Film preset typically the best choice, primarily as a result of the Encompass AI setting tends to spice up the peak/encompass results on the expense of the general cohesion.

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Sustainability

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As a part of this mission, each time we assessment a product we ship the corporate a collection of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the impression the gadget has on the setting.

We at present haven’t acquired solutions to the questions on this product, however will replace this web page the second we do. You may see an in depth breakdown of the questions we ask and why in our sustainability data web page.