Verdict
This accomplished and stylish soundbar render incredibly thick bass part considering there ’s no disjoined subwoofer , and the soundstage is enjoyably expansive with precisely set overhead effect . The connectivity is restrain , but otherwise this is a convenient and in effect audio solution .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Philips Fidelio FB1 is a single - loge soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and use a pair of progress - in woofer to generate abstruse bass part , despite lack a separate subwoofer .
It ’s not dissimilar toBowers & Wilkins ’ Panorama 3 , but Philips hopes the inclusion of DTS :X and Play - Fi , plus a few nice aim ghost , will help it stand out from the crowd .
Design
The Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar forms part of the steel ’s premium audio compass , and boasts an elegant purpose that sure looks like a high - end product . The console is fairly large at 1200 x 73 x 120 mm ( WxHxD ) , but the silken styling ensures it does n’t dominate the blank under your TV . It ’s also super well made , with a robust metal structure that clocks in at a hefty 7.2 kilo .
The finish is excellent , with rounded corners on the console and a Muirhead leather trim that separates the top , front , and side panels , lending the soundbar a degree of class . The speakers are locate behind mesh metal grill , as is the display on the front rightfulness , although because of this it can be unmanageable to distinctly record at times . You have the pick to stand or wall mount the FB1 .
There are ring lights around the upfiring driver that illuminate when the FB1 is decode an object - base audio frequency format , and while it count groovy , you’re able to also turn this feature off if it becomes pestering or distracting . There are some canonical touch - sensitive button on the top of the cabinet , which you ’re unlikely to ever use due to a host of other selection .
Annoyingly , the included remote is so minimalist that it can be difficult to in reality employ , with most of the buttons identified using less - than - nonrational icons , and no labels at all for the mass controls . gratefully there are alternative remote options , including vocalisation control via the FB1 ’s power to work withAmazon AlexaandGoogle Assistant , or even Siri through Apple’sAirPlay 2 .
There ’s also a brace of control apps : Philips Sound integrates with DTS Play - Fi , bring stream service like Spotify , Tidal , Amazon Music , Qobuz , Deezerand Internet Radio ; while Philips Fine Tune ascertain the volume , EQ survival of the fittest , surround modality , and levels for the surround channels . This app makes setup easier , especially compared to using the remote and hard - to - read showing .
Features
The Philips Fidelio FB1 uses a 5.1.2 - epithelial duct utterer configuration , with front left , correct and nerve center channels , side - fire breadth channel , and a pair of up - firing overhead channels . These speakers are full kitchen stove and comprise a total of 13 drivers and tweeters , including a pair of 3.5 in woofers for bass voice file name extension down to a singular 40Hz .
The entire scheme is driven by a sum of 310W of amplification , with peaks up to 620W when needed , which allows this soundbar to go loud without ever sounding unannealed or underpowered . The actual speaker layout is 5.1.2 , but Philips claims the FB1 can deliver a virtual 7.1.2 - channel experience thanks to psychoacoustic processing that make the illusion of rear speaker system .
There ’s a standardization microphone in the box seat that connects to the soundbar using a 3.5 mm doodly-squat , triggering the automatize room chastisement system to start act a series of test tone . These are measured by the microphone , and the data is used to optimise the overall phone , eliminating the more electronegative aspects of the room .
The FB1 decodes all three of the main immersive audio formats : Dolby Atmos , DTS :X , andIMAX Enhanced . It also support DTS Play - Fi , which cater multi - room capabilities and playback ofHi - Res Audioformats , along with the ability to wirelessly add the Fidelio FS1 rearward Speaker and FW1 subwoofer to make a genuine 7.1.2 - channel system .
At the rear is anHDMIinput , and an output that suffer eARC ( enhanced audio counter channel ) . Both also elapse 4K/60p , and every version of HDR ( HDR10 , HLG , HDR10 + , and Dolby Vision ) . amazingly there ’s no passthrough of 4K/120p , VRR ( varying refresh charge per unit ) or ALLM ( auto scummy latency mode ) , which will disappoint next - gen gamers .
In damage of other connectivity , there ’s an ocular digital audio input , and a USB port that endure MP3 , WAV , and FLAC files . For wireless connections there ’s a selection of threefold - band Wi - Fi , Bluetooth 5.0 , and Apple AirPlay 2 , plus there ’s also work up - in Chromecast , and Spotify Connect .
Sound Quality
The Philips Fidelio FB1 might be a individual - corner soundbar but it manage to produce a soundstage with batch of width , some well - placed overhead outcome , and a surprising amount of bass . As a result , you could partner it with a somewhat large screen and enjoy an evenly big sound without take in to instal a subwoofer or any other speakers , thus make it a convenient solution .
However , a degree of management expectation is required , because the FB1 basically fills the first third of the room with audio , and despite Philips ’s claim of surround envelopment , there really is n’t any mien behind me . The effectualness of the upfiring driver is also dependent on your cap – the flatter and more reflective , the better .
The overall pitch is pixilated and elaborate , with a threefold that ’s free of over-crowding , and a midrange that ’s exonerated and well - defined . Philips has tune up the system so there ’s a pleasing tonal balance and world-wide cohesion to the soundstage , while the two built - in woofers crossover swimmingly with all the other driver in the cabinet .
The matching woofer bring on some really deep bass voice , intimate the claims of a frequency reception down to 40Hz are n’t mere hyperbole . There ’s a fastness to the transients and a equanimity that gives any low - end upshot a tightness , speed , and depth . I do n’t really neglect a separate sub , but the FB1 does n’t disgrace itself , even on a bass part - heavy soundtrack like Monster Hunter .
When it comes to Dolby Atmos , DTS :X , and IMAX Enhanced , I recover the FB1 manage these object - based soundtrack with poise and accomplishment , create a three - dimensional presence that spreads out across the cap and side walls . The audio effects are picked out and placed with preciseness , while the steering around the front of the way is unlined .
An immersive Atmos soundtrack like Dune delivers plenty of scale , specially during the trajectory through the desert storm or when the sandworms show up . There are four levels of Atmos decoding , designed to deliver Minimal , Small , Medium and Big amounts of overhead military action . These choices are intended to accommodate different ceiling summit .
The FB1 is evenly impressive when it amount to decoding DTS :X soundtrack , and a film like Atomic Blonde feels suitably visceral , especially during the osseous tissue - crunch engagement panorama . This soundbar ’s low - end capabilities are undoubtedly due to the inclusion body of IMAX Enhanced , with the format demanding increased bass extension for in force delivery .
There ’s a DTS : Neural X upmixing mode that creates a more immersive experience from non - object - ground soundtracks by making use of all available channels . There are also various sound musical mode , with the Movie preset generally the best option , in the first place because the Surround AI background tends to encourage the height / surround effect at the expense of the overall cohesion .
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Should you buy it?
The Fidelio FB1 make do to deliver immersive sound and deep basso from a undivided corner .
The deficiency of full HDMI 2.1 connectivity means no passthrough for features like 4K/120 , VRR and ALLM .
Final Thoughts
The Philips Fidelio FB1 is eye - entrance and stylish thanks to a premium finish and ringing Light Within around the upfiring driver , but its big marketing item is an ability to hand over elaborated sonics , mint of width and surprisingly cryptical bass from a unmarried box .
you may bask all the main immersive audio formats thanks to some well - site overhead effects , while dialogue is rendered with clarity . The high quality speaker sound honest with both flick and medicine , producing a delivery that ’s clear and focalize , if rather front heavy .
frame-up is sluttish thanks to an audio standardisation feature article , secure the FB1 sounds balanced and cohesive regardless of the acoustic of your elbow room . There ’s no support for next - gen gaming feature , but otherwise you get maximal submergence with the lower limit of fuss .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every soundbar we look back thoroughly over an drawn-out menstruum of time . We use industriousness standard test to compare features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we detect . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
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FAQs
Yes , the Fidelio FB1 hold about all the available DTS track , from DTS :X to DTS - HD High Resolution Audio and DTS Master Audio . you’re able to passthrough DTS through each of the duplicate HDMI inputs .
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