STACK #211 May 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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GOOD

TCL S522W SOUNDBAR A perfect match with TCL’s 2022 TV range or any modern smart TV, this entry-level 2.1-channel soundbar delivers a powerful 200W surround sound experience and includes a wireless subwoofer for that essential bass boost. Sporting a sleek, cylindrical design with tactile buttons for power, volume and Bluetooth connection, the S522W features specialised sound modes for a variety of content, fromTV shows and movies to your favourite music playlists,

and support for optical and HDMI ARC connection for high-resolution audio. It’s also a good fit for that second TV in the bedroom

BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR 900 Packing nine speakers into its slender frame, the 900 is a powerhouse performer that delivers authentic Dolby Atmos using Bose’s PhaseGuide tech for multidirectional audio. There is also decoding for Dolby Digital, Dolby True HD and Dolby Digital Plus, and the bar will upmix audio formats like 2.0 and 5.1 to a 7-channel experience using Bose’s proprietary TrueSpace spatial processing, adding a vertical effect to non-Atmos content. The directional quality of the audio and the 3D soundscape it creates is truly impressive, with sound bouncing from areas where there are clearly no physical speakers. And the 900’s centre channel excels at producing crisp and clear dialogue, which can often be drowned out in a cacophony of sound design or score. We put the 900 through its paces with two of the go-to discs for audio excellence: Star Wars: A New Hope and Dario Argento’s Suspiria . Both sounded phenomenal, with an immersive and richly detailed soundscape full of deep bass and subtle nuances highlighted in the sound design – every creak and strain of Princess Leia’s ship can be heard as the Imperial troops prepare to board, while the Star Destroyer’s entrance overhead makes for a great Atmos demo. Music-wise, the 900 delivered a similarly robust and precise performance when spinning some hard rock tracks from the Foo Fighters and classical selections. Set-up is simple using the Bose Music app and Bose’s proprietary ADAPTiQ technology – the bar comes with a wired headset microphone to tailor the audio to fire at your five favourite positions within the room. Settings can then be customised using the app’s EQ. The 900 supports Alexa and Google Assistant, and also a very cool feature called Voice4Video, which will turn on the TV and switch it to a desired channel with a voice command. And there is a range of connection options to access your favourite tunes – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect. Connection is via a single high-speed HDMI cable (included) plugged into the eARC port on a smart TV, or an optical cable as an alternative. However, HDMI eARC is recommended for Dolby Atmos. The 900 can be easily paired with other Bluetooth speakers throughout the home, as well as the option to

BETTER

LG S80QY SOUNDBAR Designed to complement their 2022 TV line-up, LG’s new soundbar range will sound great with any recent smart TV. The S80QY features groundbreaking triple up-firing channels, which add a sense of height and nuance to the wide soundscape it pumps out. Packing 480W of power, 3.1.3 channels and a wireless subwoofer for robust bass, all the bases are covered for immersive

cinema-like sound, plus the option to add rear speakers (sold separately) for added spatial effects. AI Room Calibration Pro tuning tailors the sound to suit your room’s layout, while AI Sound Pro analyses content and enhances the audio to match. Add Meridian advanced digital signal processing tech, Dolby Atmos support (with compatible TVs and source content) and voice control via Alexa and Google, and all the boxes are ticked for an impressive surround set-up.

BEST

SAMSUNG Q700B Q-SERIES SOUNDBAR Match your 2022 Samsung QLED or existing TV with this True 3.1.2-channel soundbar that brings the sound of the cinema to your lounge room with wireless True Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, dispensing with the need for HDMI connection when used with compatible 2022 TVs. However,

eARC connection is recommended for high-resolution content. Incorporating 3 x channels, 1 x subwoofer and 2 x up-firing speakers, an immersive soundscape with directional and overhead audio awaits. When connected to a compatible Samsung TV, Samsung’s Q-Symphony and Space Fit tech offer a synchronised sound experience that’s tailored to your room’s configuration. An Adaptive Sound function will optimise the audio to match content and scene, and up voice clarity at low volumes. There’s smart connectivity with Alexa, Google and Apple AirPlay 2, and the soundbar can access content streamed from other smart devices via the SmartThings app.

add peripherals like a Bose bass module and rear surround speakers to further expand the soundscape.

A premium soundbar that opens up the immersive world of Dolby Atmos, the Bose 900 delivers a remarkably multidirectional soundscape and comes highly recommended.

36 MAY 2022

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