The Product Analyst: October 2020

Friday, October 30, 2020

TCL Alto 9+ Review — Learn What The Soundbar Has To Offer Your TV in 2020

The TCL Alto 9+ is one of TCL’s most advanced soundbars, but is it really a high-performing soundbar worth the money? Our experts will guide you through the TCL Alto 9+ review with the results of our audio tests for an in-depth look at what it has to offer.

Pros

Cons

TCL Alto 9+ Design

The design of the TCL Alto 9+ is one that can easily integrate into a modern home. The profile is wide and flat and can be wall-mounted or placed flat on your entertainment system without obstructing the remote sensor.

It has a dedicated center channel and two deeply embedded left and right channels that propel the acoustics across the soundstage. The different positions of the three channels will allow an immersive and realistic experience.

The Alto 9+ does not possess a display screen but has indicator lights above to show the settings instead. There also isn’t a control panel on the surface, so all controls and inputs need to be done via the remote control.

TCL Alto 9+ Features

Sound Quality

The Alto 9+ features Dolby Atmos, one of the most coveted advanced audio technologies we can bring to our home theaters. With the support of this audio format, the Alto 9+ will create a more immersive, multi-dimensional, and lifelike sound.

Ray Danz is another form of technology that the Alto 9+ offers. It expands the soundstage and utilizes the surrounding acoustics of the room to provide a dynamic sound environment.

Then there is the dedicated center channel. It is optimized for speech to bring clarity to muffled speech and dialogue you wouldn’t hear otherwise.

Subwoofer

The Alto 9+ is a soundbar subwoofer combination that accentuates the bass notes. The subwoofer can be connected wirelessly for flexible placement and a clutter-free setup. You will be able to cater to the design of your living space to find the sweet spot with the help of the wireless sub.

Surround Sound

TCL Alto 9+ Connections

The Alto 9+ has HDMI connection [1], which is our expert team’s first recommended option for not only the TCL ALto 9+ review but every soundbar available. HDMI connection supports the highest audio format with the least amount of distortion and lag. It’s a one-cable plug-and-play design that affords users the utmost convenience.

Wireless Connectivity

Wireless connectivity in soundbars are a basic feature, but usually, we only see Bluetooth. The Alto 9+ has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless streaming and cable-free connection to other devices.

TCL Alto 9+ Audio Modes

The Alto 9+ only features a dedicated center channel for clear speech. This is the equivalent of dialogue mode for most other soundbars. The conversations on screen will be enhanced and clarified so you never miss a whisper.

Channels

The Alto 9+ is a 3.1 channel soundbar. The first figure equates to how many points of sound emission the soundbar has. You have the left, right and center channels to depict clear audio from three different points.

The figure after the decimal refers to the number of subwoofers. The Alto 9+ has its own wireless subwoofer for deep and thundering bass.

Easy Setup

The soundbar can be wall-mounted with a mounting kit. Once turned on, the subwoofer connects to the soundbar automatically. When connecting to your TV, HDMI is the easiest and best form to support high quality content.

TCL Alto 9+ Price

The Alto 9+ goes for a reasonable price with all the features you get with it. The advanced technologies and convenient characteristics such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make the Alto 9+ a good option for the money.

TCL Alto 9+ Review Conclusion

Our experts have a very positive TCL Alto 9+ review. The Dolby Atmos and Ray Danz technology come together to create a wide and immersive soundstage unmatched by other soundbars. You can connect the soundbar easily to your TV via HDMI for the highest quality relay.

The dedicated center channel will enhance all dialogue spoken onscreen and the wireless subwoofer will work to propel all the deep bass notes. The soundbar can also be easily mounted on the wall to save space.

The post TCL Alto 9+ Review — Learn What The Soundbar Has To Offer Your TV in 2020 appeared first on The Product Analyst.

from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/soundbar/tcl-alto-9-review/

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Bose TV Speaker VS Sonos Beam — Which Is The Better Soundbar For Your TV?

The Bose TV Speaker soundbar and the Sonos Beam are both sleek soundbars designed with a minimalist concept in mind. What matters is their features and sound capabilities.

You want to spend your money on the one that will impress you. So should you choose the Bose TV Speaker or Sonos Beam? Our experts will tell you.

Bose TV Speaker or Sonos Beam?

Best for Precision

Sonos Beam

Best for Wireless Connection

Bose TV Speaker

As a soundbar specially tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers, the Sonos Beam can deliver an accurate sound that other soundbars cannot match.

The Bose TV speaker wireless Bluetooth connection is a buildable system with the option to connect the Bose bass modules for thundering low tones.

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Best for Precision

Sonos Beam

As a soundbar specially tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers, the Sonos Beam can deliver an accurate sound that other soundbars cannot match.

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Best for Wireless Connection

Bose TV Speaker

The Bose TV speaker wireless Bluetooth connection is a buildable system with the option to connect the Bose bass modules for thundering low tones.

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Features of Bose TV Speaker and Sonos Beam

Size and Design

While they both feature a sleek and understated design, the Bose TV speaker has a flatter and wider design while the Sonos Beam possesses a longer and thinner profile.

The Bose TV Speaker is more suited to individuals who plan on placing the soundbar below the TV. Thanks to its flatter design, it can easily slip under your other equipment without obstructing the remote sensor.

The Sonos Beam has a thinner and longer design and is thicker than the Bose TV Speaker, but not by much. It’s also a lighter design and can easily be wall-mounted.

Winner: Sonos Beam

Sound Quality of the Bose TV Speaker and Sonos Beam

The Sonos Beam is hard to beat having been tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers for high-definition sound.

The Bose TV Speaker has full-range drivers and enhanced dialogue but still falls short of the optimized Sonos Beam.

Winner: Sonos Beam

Sonos Beam and Bose TV Speaker Connections

The Bose TV speakers offers a simple setup with a single HDMI cable connection to support high-quality content. The Sonos Beam offers HDMI ARC, which is one step above the regular HDMI connection, which also allows video frequencies to be transferred.

Winner: Sonos Beam

Wireless Connectivity

The Bose TV Speakers rise to the occasion by featuring wireless Bluetooth connection to external devies for streaming. This wireless feature is something the Sonos Beam lacks. However, the Beam does have Wi-Fi, which can allow you to build your system into a multi-room entertainment unit.

Winner: Bose TV Speakers

Audio Modes

Is the Bose TV Speaker vs Sonos Beam better for audio modes? Our experts break it down in simple terms. The Sonos Beam is already especially-tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers [1], which optimizes the soundbar for any content. It also features night mode, a sound mode that suppresses loud sounds in the dead of night.

The Bose TV Speakers has one sound mode, dialogue mode, that is meant to enhance speech. When this is enabled, you can hear all the speech on screen with more clarity.

Winner: Sonos Beam

Bose TV Speaker and Sonos Beam Performance

These soundbars do not feature a subwoofer, which makes them more suitable for smaller rooms. The Bose TV Speaker was designed with speech enhancement in mind and can bring spacious and realistic audio to your living room.

The Sonos Beam was created with efficiency and convenience as its first priority. The Beam has Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free control. It also features high quality audio technologies for 3D and room-filling sound.

Winner: Bose TV Speakers

Sonos Beam and Bose TV Speaker Price

Due to more features and advanced technologies, the Sonos Beam outranks the Bose TV speakers in the price arena. They are both still in an affordable price range and offer premium performance.

For a more budget version, the Bose TV Speaker can still bring forth all the missing notes of the spectrum. For a slightly higher price, the Sonos Beam unlocks audio potential your TV speakers can never reach.

Winner: Bose TV Speakers

FAQ

Which is better Sonos or Bose?

Sonos is better than Bose for soundbars. Sonos creates ergonomically designed soundbars with a futuristic element in different systems. You can find 5.1 channel home theater systems or a simple soundbar.

Overall Winner: Sonos Beam

The answer to the question of which is better, the Sonos Beam vs Bose TV Speaker, our experts have come up with a definite answer.

The Sonos Beam is the clear winner with its high-performance optimization, hands-free voice control and flexible placement. It’s the best choice for those with smaller spaces and are looking for a wall-mountable design.

The post Bose TV Speaker VS Sonos Beam — Which Is The Better Soundbar For Your TV? appeared first on The Product Analyst.

from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/soundbar/bose-tv-speaker-vs-sonos-beam/

Monday, October 26, 2020

What is the Best High End Home Theater Speakers — Surround Sound For Pros in 2020

High end is more than just the price. It also refers to the power output, the sound production, bass response, and overall sound experience. Our experts have tested and reviewed the best high end home theater speakers to make sure you are spending your money on speakers that will provide high quality sound.

Best Full System

Klipsch Black Reference

Best Overall

Polk Audio T15

Best Budget

Acoustic Audio R191

If you’re looking to outfit your living space with a full home theater system, the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack is the best way to go for superior acoustic performance.

The Polk Audio T15 bookshelf speakers are high quality options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, but still provide immersive surround sound.

In-ceiling or in-wall speakers sit flush and are embedded directly into your home. This not only adds to the aesthetics but the speakers can also integrate easily with your existing home theater systems.

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Best Full System

Klipsch Black Reference

If you’re looking to outfit your living space with a full home theater system, the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack is the best way to go for superior acoustic performance.

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Best Overall

Polk Audio T15

The Polk Audio T15 bookshelf speakers are high quality options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, but still provide immersive surround sound.

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Best Budget

Acoustic Audio R191

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Reviews of the Best High End Home Theater Speakers

1. Polk Audio T15 Home Theater Bookshelf Speakers

The Polk Audio T15 speakers are designed for heavy bass and well-rounded sound that floorstanding speakers can produce. The bookshelf speaker packages are smaller versions of the floor standing options but are still capable of big sound.

The Polk Audio T15 speakers can emulate sound for any content with 1 tweeter for the highs and a dynamic driver for the mids and lows. This is done with minimal distortion regardless of the audio level or frequency.

These bookshelf-style speakers can be set up however you need to complement your system. They can be wall-mounted or even used as rear speakers to deliver high-resolution audio from your TV screen.

Pros

Cons

2. Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround System

The Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack is basically a home theater in a box. It outdoes the Klipsch RP and the Klipsch CDT. The Klipsch RP is only a bookshelf speaker while the CDT are in-ceiling.

For a full-fledged home theater experience, the Black Reference Theater Pack is the best option.

It includes Tractrix Horn Technology and aluminum tweeters, which work together to produce clean and natural sound delivered from the stereo speakers to your floor space.

What you get in the package is a center channel, a wireless subwoofer, and four satellite speakers for flexible placement depending on your setup.

Pros

Cons

3. Acoustic Audio R191 in Ceiling/in Wall 5 Speaker Set

For those who do not have much space to spare, an in-ceiling or in-wall speaker package may be the best, the most affordable, and best-looking option for you. The R191 speakers have dynamic sound dispersion that can be easily integrated into your existing home cinema sound system.

Some people want ones with frames, but others may like the frameless version. The speakers are bi-directional with polypropylene cone woofers to power the low-end tones.

What may seem like a headache to set up is actually quite easy. Each speaker comes with a pressure lock mounting system that secures to your drywall.

Pros

Cons

4. Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V Home Theater Speaker System

The Bose Acoustimass is another full surround sound system that delivers enveloping sound suited for larger rooms. They are slimmer and feature an improved profile that allows them to sit flush against your walls.

The Acoustimass bass module pumps out the heavy deep tones while the four surrounding speakers and 1 center channel balance out the rest of the spectrum. You can adjust the volumes and frequency affects to suit your preference.

The smaller components can be wall-mounted to save on space and the installation and setup are easy, with the cables clearly marked.

Pros

Cons

5. Harman Kardon Premium High Performance 5.1 Channel Home Theater Package

The satellite components of this Harman Kardon speaker combo are voice-matched to deliver seamless audio. The drivers, tweeters and subwoofer come together to produce superior sonic performance.

The subwoofer is downward-firing, which propels the low tones directly to you. You can feel the rumble beneath your feet and the sheer power of the sub depending on the content. The sleek speaker package will bring forth rich audio that you were missing before.

The placement is flexible, and you can choose to organize and set up each part to fit the design of your room for optimal experience.

Pros

Cons

High End Home Theater Speakers Buyer’s Guide

Our expert team has created a simple and easy-to-follow buying guide to help you pick the best top home cinema speaker out of our line-up, or help you pick the best option on your own. Let’s take a look!

Home Theater Speakers Placement

Where you place your upscale home cinema speakers really matters. It is the difference between a surround sound system experience and a system that just supplements the screen. Depending on what type of speakers you decide to go for, there are different tips our team came up with.

A full home loudspeaker system will provide encompassing sound regardless of where you place the components, but there is a way to optimize the placement for the “sweet spot”.

A full home cinema system is often a 5.1 or 7 channel system complete with a wireless or powered subwoofer — a powered subwoofer is a wired option. It also has satellite speakers and a center channel speaker, center speaker, or a sound bar. The 5.1 or 7 channel setup shouldn’t be too difficult, with the only difference being where you aim the satellite speakers.

For high performance sound enhancement, angle your speakers towards your listening spot at a 30-45-degree angle.

For those of you that already have home theater systems, an in-ceiling or in-wall surround sound speaker system would be the best option. They do not have a subwoofer, center channel speaker, or surround speakers as they are supplemental to your existing system.

For the placement of in-ceiling or in-wall speakers, it’s best to surround your entertainment system and your listening spot from all angles.

Bookshelf or floor-standing speakers can be supplemental or carry the full weight of your best high end theater system at home. They are used to provide or enhance surround sound from your original loudspeaker system. They also do not have a center channel or center speaker but some can be embedded with a subwoofer for heavy bass.

Bookshelf speakers can be wall-mounted, which gives them the advantage over floor-standing speakers which can’t be. Again, angling them at 30 to 45-degrees will help you find the audio sweet spot.

Build and Size

Our experts have purposefully chosen three different types, builds and sizes of top of the line cinematic speakers in our review to help you find the most suitable one for your circumstance. They are also all in a different price range.

To find the correct type and size, you must first consider the amount of space you have. You do not want to impede on the comfort of your living room by having a system that’s too large. Many people prefer an inconspicuous setup while others like a big system.

In short, if you lack the space, go for embedded wall and ceiling speakers, especially if you already have a setup. If you have space to spare, the full systems and bookshelf and floor standing models can produce impressive sound.

Bookshelf loudspeakers are easy to set up without taking too much time, and can pretty much fit into any room shape. A full home cinema system will take up quite a bit of space, and the 5.1 or 7 channel setup could take more time. However, the in-ceiling or in-wall speakers are the best space savers without taking much effort to install.

The in-ceiling options can integrate with your av receivers, subwoofer and rear speakers for one all-inclusive home cinema experience.

After you have figured out which size is best for your living space, the next step is to look out for the build quality. Aluminum dome tweeters and rigid midrange drivers and subwoofers will deliver high performance and reverberating bass and high notes.

Be sure the grille and housing of your premium home surround system is built robustly to prevent damaging the internal components if there are any bumps or scrapes.

Sound Quality

The sound quality is one of the most important categories in our review. This section will tell you how to optimize your best high end home cinema speakers, look for surrounding sound capabilities, get the most out of your center channel speaker, and fully utilize your surrounding audio system.

Depending on if you have a passive or active speaker system, you may need an AV receiver. The best home theater system will be passive for more customization.

The first thing to look for in your speaker package for excellent sound reproduction would be the frequency response. This refers to all the notes the center, left and right channel speakers can produce. A high frequency response will bring more realistic and 3D sound.

Most high to mid range products will come with dome tweeter, which is impeccable at mimicking the high notes. Also look at the channels a top of the line theater system offers. 5 or more channels are the industry standard for surround sound.

Other features that can boost your viewing experience would include larger drivers, with 5-inch ones being very impressive. You don’t need to go up to 5-inch speakers for high quality sound, and simple 1-inch drivers will do, but the larger 5-inch ones will bring more power and encompassing sound.

Then look at the advanced audio technologies. Dolby and DTS are the industry-leading experts for a superior audio experience. Sonos, Bose, Klipsch and JBL are some examples of brands that utilize top audio technologies for bass boosts and surround sound. You can also find these technologies in mid-range systems that can cost less.

Certain speaker combos as seen in the Sonos full theater system can offer sound modes. Sound modes are optimized settings that are specially tuned to accommodate certain content. Common sound modes you will find on your surround system include movie, music, news, game, and sports.

Having a dedicated center channel speaker that is automated to enhance speech and optimize voice clarity will help you decipher all the hard to hear words on the screen. A center channel speaker may simply come in the form of a soundbar.

The surround speakers in some product choices can be utilized to create true 3D surround audio. Surround speakers can also be used as rear speakers to boost the sound stage.

The price of your home theater speaker system doesn’t need to come at a staggering price for premium sound. You can find ones for a reasonable price with all of the above add-ons. Our review presents a few good selections that have unmatched sound.

Home Theater Speakers Power Rating

The power rating for your best high end home theater speakers is how much power the center channel speaker along with the surrounding components can handle to deliver Hi-Fi audio.

If you have a passive speaker, the power rating is the power the floorstanding, bookshelf or ceiling speakers gets from the AV receiver. You have to ensure that your loudspeakers and receiver are compatible so you don’t blow out or damage anything.

The ratings are listed as either RMS or peak power. Many people get these two figures confused, but our experts are here to clarify things. The RMS, or root mean square, is the power handling the floorstanding, bookshelf or ceiling speakers is capable of consistently.

The peak power is the power it can handle in short bursts. It doesn’t matter if you have 1-inch or larger drivers, the speaker power handling is usually higher at the peak power. It’s important to not go over peak power speaker ratings for a prolonged period as it will damage your loudspeakers.

Speakers with a dome tweeter can be found in mid-range or high end systems. A dome tweeter can withstand the vibrations at higher volumes and is more durable. They can also produce top quality and high-resolution audio that will fill the space.

Speaker Sensitivity

The efficiency of the speaker is referred to as the speaker sensitivity. Basically, it means how efficient the speaker is at converting power into audio.

One that is inefficient will need more power to reach the same volumes as one that is. The lost power of an inefficient speaker is converted into heat. So if your speaker overheats easily, and has a hard time reaching higher volumes, then you possibly have an inefficient speaker.

Sensitivity is measured in decibels and the best is within the range of 90-100 dB. Lower than 90 would be considered inefficient to slightly inefficient and anything over 100 is considered amazing.

Speaker sensitivity is measured by impedance. You can only successfully compare two speakers that were measured with the same impedance.

Speaker Impedance Value

What is impedance for the best high end system? For such speakers, you can usually expect them to be measured with a figure between 4-8 ohms, but you can find numbers up to 16.

The impedance is what the word means, which is how much it impedes signal transference through the device. Amplifiers need to be compatible with your speaker impedance value to work properly.

Installation

The installation of the speakers is also important. No one wants to spend more than 30 min to set up and install their new surround system and center channel speakers. Once you have gotten the lay of the room, you need to take a look at the positioning of the different parts.

Where can you hook up your subwoofer to produce the best bass aimed directly at your listening spot? The Sonos surround system is an example of one that’s incredibly easy to set up. The subwoofer for room-filling bass is wireless, and the rear surround speakers can be placed anywhere in the space thanks to their wireless connection.

Other than the Sonos surround system, you can also opt for floor-standing or bookshelf loudspeakers. While they may have a sub embedded for heavy bass, cinephiles that want a full bass experience may need to purchase an external subwoofer.

Bookshelf and floor-standing loudspeakers with 1 inch or larger drivers are more difficult to place and install due to their bulkier size. They most likely need to be hooked up to a power source, which could restrict your placement options.

The smallest option we have for surround speakers are the ceiling models. These have small drivers of about 1 inch or a bit larger but they take up no space at all. You may need to cut out a piece of your drywall [1] or ceiling to fit them in, but they sit flush against your surroundings and can deliver top quality sound like full profile speakers.

One thing they may need extra help with is the bass. For these embedded speakers, our experts would advise hooking up an additional subwoofer.

Our Top Pick For High End Home Theater Speakers: The Polk Audio T15

The Polk Audio T15 speakers earn our expert team’s stamp approval for the best high end home theater speakers. They are well-built with magnetically shielded closures and both speakers in the pair are sonically matched to work perfectly. They bring immersive surround audio to your home theater system.

The installation is simple, and you can choose to mount the smaller T15 components or place them around the room. With high-res deep notes and the help of Dolby and DTS surround, these bookshelf loudspeakers can deliver what a full system can at a very affordable price.

The post What is the Best High End Home Theater Speakers — Surround Sound For Pros in 2020 appeared first on The Product Analyst.

from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/best-high-end-home-theater-speakers/