Tag: #soundbar

Missed out on Glastonbury this year? Get your summer music fix with JBL!

Gutted to be missing out on this year’s Glasto? Bring the festival vibes to your home this summer with JBL’s latest Bluetooth speakers and soundbars. Whether you’re streaming your favourite artists’ performances or choosing your own line-up and setlists, get into the full festival spirit with powerful JBL Original Pro sound.

Recreating the festival scene in your garden? Tune into your JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi or JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi for even bigger sound with seamless connectivity. Off to the park instead? Attach your JBL Clip 4 Eco to your backpack for your own personal performance from your favourite acts. Catching up on the Glasto sets you missed? Immerse yourself into the performance with surround-sound from the JBL Bar 1000.

JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi, JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi and JBL Clip 4 Eco are all waterproof, dustproof and allow for hours of playtime, so you can take them anywhere without stress. If you fancy staying home instead, immerse yourself in true surround sound with the JBL Bar 1000’s detachable speakers. Wherever this summer takes you, JBL has you covered.

JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi

£549.99 / uk.jbl.com

The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker delivers massive JBL Original Pro Sound with the deepest bass from a portable speaker. Stream your favourite festival acts in high-definition anywhere with the JBL Boombox 3, including 3D Dolby Atmos over Wi-Fi. Taking a call or scrolling your feed? Go ahead—it won’t interrupt your music. Switch easily to Bluetooth and keep enjoying seamless audio experiences whether you’re listening to your favourite artists indoors or outside. With a battery packing 24 hours of playtime and a waterproof and dustproof design, the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi won’t let you down, wherever you take it. Stream music through AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Chromecast built-in™ and Spotify Connect. Enjoy all of your favourite audio content, Internet radio, and podcasts in high definition. And wherever you go, the eco-friendly materials—incorporating recycled fabric and plastic—will help to make the world a little greener.

 JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi

£229.99 / uk.jbl.com

Go anywhere, hear anything. The bold JBL Original Pro Sound and deep bass of the JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi keeps you moving to your own personal beat, setting the festival scene anywhere you go. Stream music anywhere over Wi-Fi, while still using your phone. Taking a call or scrolling your feed? Go ahead—it won’t interrupt your music. Switch easily to Bluetooth and keep enjoying seamless audio experiences whether you’re indoors or outside. The waterproof, dustproof portable speaker is powered by 20 hours of battery life and comes with a handy powerbank to keep your devices charged so you can stay connected with your fellow festival-goers. Stream music through AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Chromecast built-in™ and Spotify Connect. And the eco-friendly design—incorporating recycled fabric and plastic—helps to make any adventure a little greener.

JBL Clip 4 Eco

£59.99 / uk.jbl.com

New innovative eco-friendly design, same rich JBL Pro Sound performance. The compact JBL Clip 4 Eco packs 10 hours of playtime and big bass performance into a compact and convenient speaker. Hook the JBL Clip 4 Eco onto your bag so you can beat the crowds without worrying about losing it. The JBL Clip 4 Eco is available in Forest Green, Ocean Blue and Cloud White.

JBL Bar 1000

£849.99 / uk.jbl.com

Experience Glastonbury from the comfort of your own home with sound that puts you right in the middle of the action, thanks to 880W of total output power and thunderous bass from the 10″ subwoofer. The JBL Bar 1000 has MultiBeam™ and four up-firing drivers – two in the bar and two in the detachable battery-powered surround speakers – to envelop you in a sphere of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X 3D surround sound with a wide, spacious soundstage with no need to draw extra cables. You’ll never miss a lyric with our PureVoice technology, which makes sure the dialogue is clear even when other sounds are at their loudest. When you’re ready to switch it up, stream your favourite playlist from AirPlay, Alexa MRM, and Chromecast built-in™ and it will feel like the headline acts are in your living room.

First Look – The Creative Sound Blaster Katana SE soundbar

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana has dropped in for review and we are excited as always with their products and having tested many of their soundbars in the past they have lived up to the hype and have served me well over the years and we look forward to the latest on offer from the company to see what you get for your hard earned cash.

Again packed with features and some RGB love this is bound to sound good too which we will soon find out here on techbuzz and on YouTube so we take a quick first look at what this product looks like and show you all the features outline, of course a full hand on review will be in soon as always with some sound demos and so on and if you have any questions feel free to ask and we answer all questions and dont leave you with stock image review which lack context.

The Sound Blaster Katana SE offers a seamless yet powerful audio solution for users looking to take their audio game up a notch. Fitted with 0.75″ fabric dome tweeters that help to produce cleaner and more refined highs and upgraded dual up-firing 3″ mid-bass drivers that deliver full-sounding bass, this latest soundbar surpasses expectations to deliver an impressive audio experience that belies its size. Like its predecessor, the Sound Blaster Katana SE is also a certified Dolby Audio decoder, which allows users to easily recreate the cinematic audio experience within the comfort of their own homes.

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Unboxing video

Creative launches the Sound Blaster Katana SE soundbar

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Sound Blaster Katana SE, the latest gaming soundbar to join the ranks of the well-established Katana series, which now allows users to effortlessly enjoy powerful audio without the heft. With its award-winning bi-amplified four-driver system and Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP, this latest soundbar can offer rich and powerful audio with excellent clarity and volume, even without the need for a subwoofer. Coupled with Super X-Fi technology, 5.1 virtual surround capabilities, and versatile connectivity options, the Sound Blaster Katana SE is the ideal soundbar for gamers, movie lovers, and music enthusiasts who want an elevated audio experience without compromising on space or audio quality.

The Sound Blaster Katana SE offers a seamless yet powerful audio solution for users looking to take their audio game up a notch. Fitted with 0.75″ fabric dome tweeters that help to produce cleaner and more refined highs and upgraded dual up-firing 3″ mid-bass drivers that deliver full-sounding bass, this latest soundbar surpasses expectations to deliver an impressive audio experience that belies its size. Like its predecessor, the Sound Blaster Katana SE is also a certified Dolby Audio decoder, which allows users to easily recreate the cinematic audio experience within the comfort of their own homes.

What sets the Sound Blaster Katana SE apart is its Super X-Fi technology, which allows users to enjoy an immersive audio experience through their headphones, perfect for late-night game binges without disturbing the neighbors. Moreover, gamers can also activate the SXFI Battle Mode and Scout Mode to gain a competitive advantage in FPS games by accurately pinpointing their enemy’s location with enhanced in-battle audio cues and sound detection.

By connecting the soundbar to the Creative app, users can personalize their audio experience with the Acoustic Engine suite and choose their preferred RGB illumination modes, making it uniquely their own. These customized settings can be saved as profiles on either the app or the programmable buttons on the remote control, giving users easy access to their favourite sound and lighting configurations. Furthermore, the soundbar can be easily mounted on the wall, making it a convenient and space-saving addition to any home entertainment setup.

The latest soundbar also works as a one-stop audio hub with a wide variety of connectivity options, including USB, HDMI ARC, optical port, headphone jack, and wireless Bluetooth 5.0. It also works with various platforms, from gaming consoles such as the PS5, PS4, Xbox series consoles, and Nintendo Switch to PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. The all-in-one soundbar also features a built-in beamforming microphone, which allows users to jump on calls directly from the soundbar, making it an ideal feature for video conferencing.

Lastly, this all-in-one soundbar enriches the Katana Series by presenting a more comprehensive line-up of audio solutions to cater to diverse use cases, making it easier for users to find the perfect fit for their audio needs.

Sound Blaster Katana SE is priced at UK£299.99, US$299.99, EU€329.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit www.creative.com/katanase

Sony introduces HT-S2000 3.1ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar that delivers a cinematic surround sound experience

Sony today announced its newest soundbar – the HT-S2000. This 3.1ch Dolby Atmos® / DTS:X® soundbar delivers cinematic surround sound by Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround. Thanks to a newly developed up mixer, the HT-S2000 delivers a three-dimensional surround experience even when playing stereo content. The centre speaker ensures clear dialogue, while the built-in dual subwoofer delivers deep bass. This soundbar will also be the first compatible device for the new Sony Home Entertainment Connect app. 

An immersive surround sound experience 

With Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround, the HT-S2000 creates cinematic surround sound that lets you enjoy the thrill of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Thanks to Sony-unique virtual technologies, the HT-S2000 produces an immersive audio experience without the need for extra speakers. With Vertical surround engine placing audio above you and S-Force Pro creating sound from the sides, it’s as if you brought the cinema home with the HT-S2000. 

With Sony’s newly developed up mixer, you can experience three-dimensional surround sound not only with surround sound format content, but also with stereo content, like video or music content streamed from your internet or Bluetooth® enabled device. Analysing the track in real time, Sony’s unique technology separates the audio into its individual parts (such as voices, sound effects or musical instruments) and wraps them around you, creating an exciting and immersive experience from almost anything you watch.  

Clear dialogue, powerful rich bass  

The HT-S2000 includes a dedicated centre speaker for clear dialogue and built-in dual subwoofer for punchy bass. They work together to deliver clear and wide-ranging sound throughout the room. Sony’s X-balanced Speaker Unit is the key technology to achieve louder sound pressure with less distortion and greater vocal clarity.    

Introducing the new Home Entertainment Connect app  

Setting up and using the soundbar is easier than ever with the Sony | Home Entertainment Connect app, It can guide you through initial settings, assist with troubleshooting, and give full control of volume, sound fields and more right from a smartphone. It also offers useful information such as recommendation of features, new software updates and more.  

Upgraded home cinema experience 

The optional wireless subwoofer (SA-SW5 / SA-SW3) will add rich bass sound. To make the experience even more immersive, add Sony’s optional wireless rear speakers (SA-RS3S) and complete the cinematic experience. Paired with a compatible BRAVIA TV™1 3 TV, soundbar sound settings automatically appear on the BRAVIA Quick Settings menu for easy control. 

 Sustainability in mind  

The home audio products from Sony are designed not only for an excellent sound experience but also with the environment in mind. Sony is committed to using less plastic in our products and packaging. The HT-S2000 uses specially developed recycled plastic in several parts of the product, which enables Sony to reproduce superb acoustic performance with recycled plastics. Approximately 95% of the packaging is made from recycled paper and paper-based materials to minimize the use of plastic  

Pricing and Availability 

The HT-S2000 is priced at approximately €499 / £449 and will be available from June. 

Creative launches its newest under-monitor soundbar, The Creative Stage SE

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage SE, the latest under-monitor soundbar that is designed to amp up the user’s desktop audio experience. Despite its compact size, the Creative Stage SE packs a powerful audio punch with custom-tuned racetrack drivers and Sound Blaster technology to deliver a clearer and more immersive audio experience. This soundbar is also simple to set up and powers up easily via a power adapter; it also offers both USB digital audio and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Together with convenient controls and tone adjustments, the Creative Stage SE sets the stage for an elevated movie, music, and gaming experience for PC users.

Creative Stage SE offers clearer, louder, and punchier audio in a smaller form factor.

Fitted with powerful full-range racetrack drivers and oversized radiators, the Creative Stage SE is able to deliver clearer and punchier audio, even without a subwoofer. With a total peak power of 48W, this soundbar surpasses the audio performance of any default PC built-in speakers to offer a better listening experience for users. The Creative Stage SE also features Sound Blaster audio technologies such as Clear Dialog and Surround Sound, which offer users clearer dialogue even amidst jam-packed scenes and a cinema-like audio experience with a widened sound stage.

On top of that, the Creative Stage SE also allows users to switch between warmer and brighter audio reproduction with the latest tone adjustment feature. Now users can tune and adjust tone neutrality to their liking with a simple press of a button.

Lastly, for a seamless listening experience, the Creative Stage SE features a simple plug-and-play setup that supports both USB digital audio and Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, the soundbar includes an integrated volume control knob conveniently located on the side for users to make quick sound adjustments on the fly, as well as a remote control to toggle a variety of features such as tone adjustments, surround sound, and clear dialogue mode selections.

Creative Stage SE is priced at UK£69.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit www.creative.com/stagese

Audioscenic Partners with Razer and THX to Launch World’s First Desktop Soundbar #CES2023

Audioscenic, innovators in 3D audio beamforming technologies, announce a world first in the development of personalised and immersive sound reproduction without the need for headphones. Launching at CES 2023, Audioscenics proprietary loudspeaker array technology, head-tracking and AI capabilities come to life through the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro Soundbar.

Since 2016, Audioscenic have been on a mission aimed at revisiting the way we consume sound, by combining object-based audio and computer vision with research carried out at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton. Audioscenic technology uses computer vision to track the position of listeners, sending separate narrow beams of sound to their left and right ears and delivering superb 3D audio directly to the listeners position.

The partnership between Razer and THX®, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, and the leading audio-video fidelity company, respectively, and Audioscenic signifies the beginning of a new era and a world first, driven by demand for immersive experiences. Launching at CES 2023, Razer’s new Soundbar for PC, the Leviathan V2 Pro, delivers a personalised and immersive soundstage, ensuring users have an optimal listening experience. Combining THX Spatial Audio, with Audioscenic’s beamforming technology with head-tracking AI, the Leviathan V2 Pro delivers immersive 3D audio thanks to the integrated IR camera that detects the user’s position. This allows the soundbar to adapt the audio beams to the listener’s positioning in real-time, ensuring the listener is always in the sweet spot for the best audio experience.

Co-Founder and Audioscenic Chief Technology Officer, Marcos Simon comments: “Spatial sound is seeing a tremendous increase in backing by the audio industry and we are proud to work with Razer and THX® Spatial Audio, to bring a product to market that defines the future of a user centric listening experience. The future of audio listening is spatial and integrating technology like ours to consumer products has the power to revolutionise the domestic audio scene.”

This pre mentioned ‘new era’ technology from Audioscenic is just the start, with enhanced spatial algorithms and THX Spatial Audio, the soundbar provides true-to-life 3D audio for all entertainment needs. 3D audio can be experienced in two modes. THX® Spatial Audio Virtual Headset for any 3D or binaural content, providing you with pinpoint positional audio previously only found in headsets. THX® Spatial Audio Virtual Speakers for any stereo or multi-channel content that provides a wide, room-filling soundstage that users would normally experience with a full home theatre system.

Barrie Ooi, Head of Razer’s PC Gaming Division, stated “Our partnership with Audioscenic marks a world first within consumer electronics. To achieve our goal of delivering a truly personalised listening experience for PC gamers, we had to be strategic in choosing technology partners and we went for the best. Audioscenic are experts in 3D audio beamforming and integrating their technology into the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro has allowed us to create a truly immersive audio experience that moves with the listener for game action, movie and music enjoyment.”

The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro will be available from February 2023, starting at $399.99 USD / €489.99 MSRP at Razer.com and RazerStore.

Tech Review – Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X soundbar

Creative over the years have had many soundbars which we have tried and tested and recently I have a private viewing of what other soundbars they have and they keep upping their game, A soundbar for me is essential as the speakers in your TV are in general rubbish and downward firing which still today is funny knowing it will not give the user the full effect unless hung on a wall, most have their TV sat on a unit and the sound goes nowhere nor gives you a real experience, now some TVs are good and do give you a decent audio experience but for the most it is rubbish and I have always had a soundbar regardless and mostly for Creative.

This bad boy is targeted for the gamer but lets not forget audio is important no matter be it a movie or a game session and this covers them all, not only that as a general speaker you can connect your phone and blow the floorboards out of it and enjoy superb sound too. So in short this latest package is not just restricted to the gamer but for the whole audio experience in general after my testing and audio has been a key feature for me many years now investing in home cinema packages before I got into the tech review scene and so on and most people will note this involves wires all over the place which is annoying.

Not the case today though with how tech has moved on, you do not need huge speakers or subwoofers and cables all over the place along with satellite speakers in all corners followed by wires things have advanced and there is also wireless options at hand for those who want them.

There are various connectivity options to choose from, including HDMI ARC and optical ports, wireless Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C port for USB audio support, 3.5mm AUX-in and SXFI-out for certified Super X-Fi products. This versatile soundbar is compatible with desktops and consoles alike, including PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

This soundbar retains the familiar sound signature of a high-end Sound Blaster, delivering hi-fidelity multichannel audio via the acclaimed tri-amplified Xamp technology, where Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP controller powers the tweeters, mid-range and subwoofer drivers individually. Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, an award-winning technology which recreates the soundstage of a high-end multi-speaker system in headphones, is perfect for late-night game binges without disturbing the neighbors. If you do get your hands on one you should try it with headphones too as it is immersive and you have access to the app as mentioned

Overall this is a must have for the home be it for gaming movies music and more and check the video below on how it operates and sounds, go get one if you want superb sound with the RGB factor thrown in for good measure.

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Video

The Sony Christmas Gift Guide 2022

For tech lovers across the board, Sony has an array of innovative and exciting products to gift family, friends, and loved ones this festive season. Throughout 2022, Sony has delivered a selection of items perfect for Christmas presents, from TVs to cameras and headphones to smartphones, suitable for every budget – and not a partridge in sight! check out what is on offer form Sony this year below..

A world class pair of noise-cancelling headphones…

Tune into music, film and TV on the go, while tuning out from frantic festivities with the gift of the WH-1000XM5 industry-leading noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones are the latest in Sony’s top-of-the-range 1000X headphone range, with a new design and 30 hours’ battery life. Available in black and silver.

 

A stylish pair of wireless headphones on the go…

Ideal for those who are constantly on the move, are the small, light and mighty wireless LinkBuds S headphones. These innovative headphones can be worn comfortably around the clock and their high-quality wireless calling and music capabilities makes them the perfect gift for all ages. Available in white, black and ecru.

A speaker worth a party…

Perfect for those who love a party and to ‘Live Life Loud’, the exciting XG300 speaker has powerful sound and ambient illumination housed with a nifty retractable handle for tunes on the go. Available in black and light grey.

A soundbar for movies…

Give the gift of amazing sound for a full home cinema experience with a brand-new soundbar for Christmas this year. For those who want simple, but rich surround sound, the HT-A3000 is ideal for watching favourite movies and TV series. Available in black.

A gamer’s delight…

For the avid, or newcomer gamer, the latest in Sony technology is wrapped into the comfy and premium INZONE H7 headset, an excellent choice to keep gamers happy. Game all night with long battery life and a high-quality boom microphone, shaped so it can be brought closer to your mouth, ensuring you’ll always be heard clearly.

INZONE H7 also feature 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming and our proven hardware technology, you can detect where your opponents are and how far away. Hear them before they see you – even players hiding in shadow, or behind walls and obstacles, can’t stay hidden for long. Available in white.

 

A camera delight for vloggers…

Budding content creator on your present list? Treat them to the best camera for capturing the perfect shot or long-form video with the ZV-E10: with precise auto focus, a shooting grip and interchangeable lenses, it is designed from the ground up for a super-premium vlogging experience. Available in black.

For the budding professional…

With extreme full-frame movie performance including high sensitivity (expanded ISO up to 409600), 15-stop wide dynamic range, 4K 120p, fast and dependable autofocusing, and extra-strong image stabilisation, the α7S III again raises the bar for movie makers.

A blockbuster TV…

The hero BRAVIA A95K Series is the ultimate premium gift to impress, with the best quality picture to watch the best movies this Christmas. Our revolutionary Cognitive Processor XR™ processor on Sony BRAVIA XR™ TVs reproduces content the way humans see and hear for an incredibly lifelike experience. It understands how the human eye focuses, cross analysing images to give real life depth, extraordinary contrast and beautifully vivid colours.

Creative’s Bespoke World Cup Soundbar Collection

Major sporting events, like the upcoming football World Cup, always serve up enthralling spectacles, and most fans get their fix from their TVs at home. But watching alone is not enough, as audio is just as important (if not more important) for a complete experience. No matter the size or clarity, the onboard audio of TVs do not quite do sporting events full justice. This is where soundbars – space-saving, instant audio upgrade – come in handy. Creative Technology has a comprehensive line-up that caters to various needs across the budget range, but with a key common goal – to bring fans closer to the action.

Creative’s soundbars are choice options in recreating a stadium-level ambience for fans at home.

Creative SXFI CARRIER – The Cinema Soundbar, £899.99

Dolby Atmos Speaker System Soundbar (DASS) with Super X-Fi Headphone Holography

Creative’s current flagship soundbar is the world’s first DASS soundbar jointly developed with Dolby Laboratories. With a room-shaking soundstage of realistic height and spatial elements emanating from a compact form factor, it heralds a new soundbar dimension that transforms the living room into a front-row seat in a full stadium for the ultimate level of immersion. With Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, users get to enjoy the same cinematic soundstage on headphones – perfect for late-night football match marathons.

Creative Stage 360 – This is It for Best Value, £199.99

2.1 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 Experience

Tagged with an entry-level price, but which is immensely belied by the Dolby Atmos sound signature, Creative Stage 360 delivers precise positional audio and real-life atmospheric simulation, making users feel part of the on-field action. It also features near-field and far-field listening modes so that users enjoy the immersion whether they’re at the desktop or living room.

Creative Stage V2 – Most Wallet Friendly soundbar, £99.99

2.1 Soundbar and Subwoofer with Clear Dialog and Surround by Sound Blaster

Creative’s most affordable living room soundbar delivers price-defying sound quality through custom-tuned mid-range drivers, and deep thumping bass from the accompanying long-throw subwoofer – so that the matches on TV can come to life more.

Creative Stage Air V2 – Create a Mini Stadium on the Go, £54.99

Compact Under-monitor USB Soundbar with Bluetooth

The Stage Air V2 is the right size and form as an under-monitor soundbar to stream matches from a decluttered desktop. Also, thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 6 hours of battery life, it excels as an audio enhancement when fans used outdoors to stream the matches from laptops, tablets or even mobile phones.

Gaming Soundbars FTW – Sound Blaster Katana V2 (£319.99) and Sound Blaster Katana V2X (£259.99)

Tri-amplified Multi-channel Soundbars with Super X-Fi Technology

Hailed by many as the definitive gaming soundbar, Sound Blaster Katana V2 is powered by the award-winning Xamp tri-amplified technology to deliver rich and flawless audio dynamics. But besides being the perfect solution to bring football video games to life, it is also a competent game-changer for live match enjoyment in the living room, with a sleek form factor and design to match any set-up. The Katana V2X, with a smaller footprint, is ideal for smaller gaming rights or living rooms.