Quality sound is just as important – if not more important – than picture when watching programs of all genres and when playing games on consoles. The speakers of modern TVs play very well, but the bass reproduction is limited by the volume reserved for this purpose in the TV cabinet and the spatiality of the sound by the placement of the speakers, which on most TVs point backwards and/or downwards. The soundbar tandem with the Samsung Q700D subwoofer with Dolby Atmos and DT:X support is an excellent choice for achieving a full multimedia experience with minimal space requirements.
The designers emphasized a low profile so that the soundbar does not cover the bottom of TVs with low stands. The package also includes mounting material and a paper template to mark the holes if you want to place the soundbar on the wall. The design of the soundbar, including the materials, is adequate for the price class, and its attractiveness is contributed by the slanting of the front part of the side walls. In addition to the remote control, the controls for the most important functions can also be used on the small panel in the middle of the upper side. The connectivity is also minimalistic and efficient. There is an HDMI input, an optical input for a digital audio source and an HDMI ARC output for connecting to a TV. One HDMI input may seem insufficient to some, but it should be remembered that most digital streaming services are integrated into the TV and external mobile devices connect wirelessly.
The declared 3.1.2 configuration includes three front acoustic transducers, while the middle one is intended for the reproduction of voice dialogues. You will appreciate such a solution especially when listening late at night, when the dialogues are clear enough thanks to the adaptive audio technology and are not covered by possible sound effects when the volume is muted. The unit in the label is a subwoofer, and the last two represent two acoustic transducers that radiate upwards, so that the sound reaches the listener after a longer path by bouncing off the ceiling. Testing has shown that the lower the ceiling in the room, the clearer and more plastic the impression of the space. The Q700 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS: X technologies. Q-Symphony technology allows the soundbar to work with Samsung TVs to achieve a perfect sound interplay, while spatial sound effects are optimized by artificial intelligence. Adaptive Sound 2.0 technology analyzes the sound from the digital input and distributes it using forward and upward speakers to achieve the most faithful surround presentation. The film music is placed spatially as if it were reproduced from a stereo system, and the entire front space is plastically filled with movements and effects. It’s hard to describe, but it feels very real. If you are listening to a concert, the ideal mode is Standard, in which the sound is reproduced as it was recorded. Then all musical instruments and vocals stand out. Surround mode is perfect for drama and action genres. The Game Made Pro game mode is activated automatically when the connected TV detects the connected console. It tries to place various sounds as accurately as possible, such as an opponent coming from behind you. Samsung HW-Q700D does not support 4K@120 Hz transition. It only supports 4K@60 Hz passthrough, so if you want to get the most out of your console, you need to plug it directly into your TV and send the sound to the soundbar via eARC. To achieve real surround sound, the SWA-9500S wireless speaker system can be purchased.
In order to achieve the best possible bass reproduction, the subwoofer with a 6.5-inch acoustic transducer and bass reflex hole is appropriately large, and the weight of almost 6 kg reveals a robust construction. It has a separate power cord and is connected to the soundbar wirelessly, so you can place it anywhere in the room. Subjectively, I achieved the best bass when placed near the corner.
PROS, CONS:
+ Excellent surround sound, dialogue highlighting
– Nothing important
PARAMETERS:
Power amplifiers: 160 W; number of channels: 3.1.2, decoders: DTX:X Dolby ATMOS Music, ATMOS, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD; connectivity: HDMI, HDMI eARC, optical input, bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi; dimensions and weight: soundbar 1110.7 × 60.4 × 120 mm, 4.8 kg; subwoofer 205 × 353 × 302 mm, 5.9 kg
Cena: 529 EUR
Source: www.nextech.sk
