Whether you’re a gamer, Netflix streamer or just like a quality setup to rock out to your fav playlist, Samsung’s Q990C 11.1.4 channel four speaker Soundbar Home Theatre has the roar you’re looking for.

With two rear surround speakers, a large sub and a very wide multi-speaker Soundbar, you can connect in a few way.

The Soundbar with upfiring speakers offers up multi HDMI passthrough, with your accessory cabled through the the Soundbar and an additional HDMI cable that goes to your tele.

This is excellent for gaming consoles. This said, Xbox Series X worked flawlessly, playable in native 4K and having booming Dolby Atmos and DTS surround sound, PlayStation 5 was not so accomodating and offered up no picture or sound.

The set of speakers connect to eachother wirelessly, with the inner workings of the Soundbar doing the work and filtering the audio signals according to what you’re viewing.

But as there are 4 speakers, you’ll need to have 4 spare AC outlets.

Each individual speaker requires AC power.

The Q990C Soundbar Home Theatre speakers have some smarts too and can intuitively detect the audio source (via HDMI) and will generally adjust accordingly, but if you feel you want to take control, there are some differing audio modes on offer.

The Soundbar itself has onboard buttons of audio connectivity and control, and of course there’s a remote.

Pairing a smartphone via the Bluetooth connectivity and using the Q990C as a playlist room filler worked exceedingly well as music actively distributed in to a surround sphere drenching every corner of the room.

From larger rooms to smaller, like a games room or even bedroom the audio quality of the Q990C never faltered and does try to adapt to the room.

Now if you have a newer model of a Samsung smart TV you can connect wirelessly and this is a seamless task as the two see themselves near instantly. I paired up with the Samsung QLED 8K QN900C TV review unit.

Turning the Samsung TV on auto turns on the Soundbar and the connectivity between the two is always a go.

My time with Samsung’s Q990C Soundbar Home Theatre saw me blasting Spotify and Apple Music playlists, streaming film and series and of course gaming with beyond HQ audio.

The Q990C elevates the gaming experience to an entirely different level.

As for loudness, the Q990C goes off at even a lower range volume. And it’s also here that I noticed the smart adaptiveness would go from normal to extreme at times. Especially if streaming a vid from YouTube.

The primary video would be at a base, normal level, but as soon as an advertisement came on it was at a whole different volume level and the Q990C Soundbar Home Theatre wasn’t quick enough to equalise the surprise audio change.

Samsung’s Q990C Home Theatre is pricey and does come with the factor of needing separate power outlets (a pro of this is that with each speaker individually powered gives each optimal output – not needing to split the share of voltage), however if you’ve been looking at upgrading your entertainment audio the Q990C is a super quality option.

I’m still rocking a wired Sony Muteki 7.2 home theatre as my main stay in the living room and this works fine, although getting dated now.

Swapping that out for a couple of weeks with the Q990C it literally outperformed with both the quality and immersion.

Whether you just want to lose yourself in the game, zone out in to a streaming marathon or rock the neighbourhood with the best songs from your playlist, the Samsung Q990C Soundbar Home Theatre will exceed expectations.

The post Samsung Q990C Soundbar Home Theatre Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

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, this soundbar 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.

With Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround, the HT-S2000 creates cinematic surround sound that lets consumers enjoy the thrill of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. With Sony’s virtual surround technology, the soundbar can position sound in vertical space. S-Force PRO virtually reproduces the surround sound field, with audio coming from both sides. Entertainment lovers can enjoy rich, cinematic surround sound without cluttering their living space.

With Sony’s newly developed up mixer, users can experience three-dimensional surround sound not only with surround sound format content, but also with stereo content, like streaming video or music services. Analysing the track in real time, Sony’s new algorithm extracts individual sound objects depending on their localisation and reallocates them, resulting in three-dimensional surround sound.

The powerful speakers include 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.

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

The optional wireless subwoofer (SA-SW5 / SA-SW3)2 will add rich bass sound. For even more cinematic thrills, including sound directly behind, add Sony’s optional wireless rear speakers (SA-RS3S)2.

Paired with a compatible BRAVIA XR TVTM13, soundbar sound settings automatically appear on the BRAVIA Quick Settings menu for easy control.

The HT-S2000 will be available from late April 2023

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Hisense Australia has announces the launch of its new Sound Bar category, with two models hitting shelves from now.

The high-quality 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar, or entry-level 2.1 channel Sound Bar.

Andre Iannuzzi, Head of Marketing at Hisense Australia, said: “Australians are increasingly seeking to enhance their at-home entertainment experience and we are thrilled to offer two high-quality audio solutions in our 5.1.2 and 2.1 channel Sound Bars. At Hisense, we pride ourselves on creating innovative products that are always at the forefront of technology and these Sound Bars are no different. The range will ensure our customers can create a cinema-like experience from the comfort of their own homes.” 

Hisense 512 Soundbar

The 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar features leading Dolby Atmos surround sound technology, utilising 11 built-in speakers with four upward-firing drivers to ensure sound comes from all directions, including overhead. The result is a multidimensional sound experience with astonishing clarity, richness, detail and depth, with bass enhanced by the inclusion of a wireless 8-inch subwoofer. 

Supporting HDMI, Bluetooth, AUX, USB, Optical and Coaxial connections, the Hisense 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar also facilitates DTS:X, 4K and HDR pass-through, which together create an immersive and impactful sound experience.   

The 2.1 channel Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer features Dolby Digital and DTS technology and also offers several connection methods, including HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth, AUX, USB, Optical and Coaxial. Designed to perfectly replicate deep bass, the Sound Bar is boosted by its wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer, while the 40 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response provides listeners with clear and concise sound.

Hisense 215 Soundbar

The introduction of the Sound Bar range is in line with Hisense’s focus on sound quality this year and complements the Dolby Atmos technology that features across its recently released 2019 ULED TV range. 

“Customer demand for Hisense products continues to grow, and the introduction of Sound Bars in the Australian market is the next big step in meeting this demand,” added Iannuzzi. 

The models will be available via all major electronics retailers across Australia.

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Sony’s Dolby Atmos soundbar with dual built-in subwoofers for deep bass, the X8500 delivers a three-dimensional cinematic sound experience. With its slim and compact design this soundbar fits perfectly in front of your TV and users can achieve the best home cinema experience with seamless pass-through of high-quality Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, providing optimized picture and sound quality.

Experience deep bass sound The HT-X8500 has a powerful built-in dual subwoofer in the centre – so you can enjoy deep bass sound with minimal equipment cluttering up your living space.

This 2.1ch Dolby Atmos / DTS:X compatible soundbar provides a high-quality audio in a slim and modern design. Thanks to Sony’s unique digital signal processing technologies, such as Vertical Surround Engine, the X8500 can deliver up to 7.1.2ch surround sound no matter what type of room the soundbar is in.

Featuring seven sound modes to match the ideal entertainment experience, viewers can go deeper into movies with Cinema Mode, enjoy Sport Mode as if you were at the stadium, or feel enhanced gameplay in Game Mode. Additionally, vocal enhancement boosts audio frequencies to isolate voices and amplify them above background noise for greater clarity.

The new addition to the Sony soundbar family can be seamlessly integrated into the home thanks to their sleek and stylish design. Measuring just 890 x 64 x 96 mm, the X8500 is slim, compact and unobtrusive, and complements your BRAVIA TV. Distinct design elements include a punched metal speaker grill, with iconic subwoofer ducts on the side of the X8500 bar.

The HT-X8500, is available now priced at $699.95 NZD.

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Dolby Laboratories, a world-leading expert and developer of audio, imaging and voice technologies, announced that it has formed a global, strategic intellectual property partnership with OPPO, a leading smartphone brand among young people.

The co-operation will see OPPO collaborate on Dolby’s High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE AAC), JPEG-HDR and other audio and video technologies.

High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE AAC) is an international standard for audio encoding authorised for use by Dolby Laboratories to hundreds of companies around the world. JPEG-HDR is part of the static image encoding standard whilst also storing data in a highly dynamic range of more than 8 bits so users can sample the entire range during post-processing.

OPPO R11

“OPPO, a leader in global consumer electronics, is well-known for its smartphones incorporating innovative technologies, and we are delighted to welcome them to our community of global partners,” said Andy Sherman, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Dolby Laboratories.

“Dolby is a leader in creating spectacular audio and video experiences, and we are excited to partner with them to further our innovation and global growth,” said Adler Feng, Director of OPPO IP Department. “This partnership will enable us to create more remarkable smartphones with exciting technological innovations and spectacular user experiences.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of OPPO smartphones. At the beginning of 2018, OPPO officially entered the Japanese market and will soon enter the European market, providing more young people with products that combine advanced technology and design.

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Today Sony announces a new and expanded 4K HDR television series designed to deliver enhanced contrast, colour and clarity. The A8F OLED and X9000F LCD series are the newest options to enjoy a refined 4K HDR picture quality thanks to Sony’s proprietary innovations. In 2017 Sony introduced a new 4K HDR OLED TV under the BRAVIA range to offer customers even more premium options when purchasing a TV.

The BRAVIA OLED A1 series has been extremely well received thanks to its innovative One Slate design which blends together exceptional picture quality with an OLED screen, and immersive sound coming directly from the screen itself via Acoustic Surface technology. Now, building on these innovations, Sony expands the BRAVIA OLED line-up to deliver cutting-edge premium OLED TV’s to a wider audience. The new A8F series inherits Sony’s unique 4K HDR picture processor-X1 Extreme, and the Acoustic Surface technology to give not only high visual quality but awe-inspiring sound.

Sony OLED A8F TV

As an OLED TV, the A8F series produces an incredibly detailed picture with deep blacks, rich and realistic colours and an exceptionally wide viewing angle. Sony’s more than half a century worth of picture processing expertise lends to precise control of the 8 million OLED pixels for a stunning  realisation of an unparalleled 4K HDR picture, while Acoustic Surface technology allows the sound to come from the screen, creating an entertainment experience with a beautiful picture. In parallel, Sony has expanded the LCD screen TV line-up to meet the increasing consumer demands for a wider variety of large screen premium 4K HDR televisions. The new X9000F series, equipped with the X1 Extreme processor, will be available in 75’’, 65’’ and 55’’.

As screen sizes in general  become larger, it becomes easier to notice motion blur especially in fastmoving scenes. The X9000F series solves this issue by using a new technology, X-Motion Clarity, to keep fast action images clear and smooth.

Sony HT-X9000F Soundbar

The new X-Motion Clarity technology utilises Sony’s proprietary direct LED local dimming and backlight boosting algorithm to control the on screen luminance and optimise its duration. The resulting pictures are clear and smooth with virtually no loss in brightness. To bring your sound to the next level, the X9000F series’ design perfectly matches Sony’s new Dolby Atmos compatible Soundbar, the HT-X9000F. The combination of the X9000F series and the HTX9000F Soundbar delivers a real cinema-at-home experience. Both the A8F and the X9000F series will support Dolby Vision, the HDR format from Dolby Laboratories. It creates an even more immersive, engaging cinematic experience with striking highlights, deeper darks and vibrant colours.

Pricing and availability is still to be announced.

The post Sony Announces New OLED & LCD 4K HDR TV’s appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Creative Technology Ltd today announced to us here at StG it would be deploying its ultimate weapon of mass entertainment – X-Fi Sonic Carrier – into the gaming arena at E3 2017. E3 is the world’s premier event for computer, video and mobile games and related products, and is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The Sonic Carrier, a powerful home entertainment system with Dolby Atmos, Creative SuperWide X-Fi, 17 drivers in a 15.2 configuration, and 2000W peak power (1000W RMS), is set to blow gamers away with the ultimate immersive cinematic sound. Besides being showcased at the Creative E3 booth, the Sonic Carrier will be used by major game developers BANDAI NAMCO, SEGA Europe, ATLUS / SEGA and Deep Silver to show-off their very latest immersive gaming content at their E3 booths.

“Gamers will enjoy a cinematic experience with incredible realism as more and more games adopt Dolby Atmos. Not only that, this immersive three-dimensional soundstage gives gamers a new competitive edge as each sound comes to life and moves around, and now also above. For games without Dolby Atmos, gamers can also enjoy a similar magical experience using Sonic Carrier’s 15.2 SuperWide X-Fi technology that delivers a breathtakingly wide 3D soundstage that goes beyond imagination,” said Sim Wong Hoo, CEO of Creative Technology, and creator of the Sonic Carrier.

“And with its 600W RMS subwoofer, gamers will experience not just powerful audio, but literally feel chest-pounding bass, earth-shattering explosions and bone-crunching punches in games. This is the ultimate audio for the ultimate gaming arena that the world has never experienced before. We’re glad to have the opportunity to team up with some of the best game publishing names in the business to set a new benchmark for the ultimate gaming experience,” added Sim Wong Hoo.

“Quality sound reproduction plays a huge role in immersing players in our games and Ace Combat 7: SKIES UNKNOWN is ready to rock players’ minds through the X-Fi Sonic Carrier system. The 15.2 up-sampling sound technology adds a level of depth and realism to Ace Combat 7: SKIES UNKNOWN’s gameplay that will place players square in the cockpit of advanced fighter aircrafts to experience heated air-to-air combat like never before,” said David Bonacci, brand manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

“Project CARS 2 is striving to deliver the pinnacle of authenticity in the realm of driving simulation games and part of that authenticity is delivered through great sound. The X-Fi Sonic Carrier system is able to make the cars in Project CARS 2 come alive, giving voice to each and every sports car, race car, and hypercar in the game. Hairs will rise and palms will sweat when players experience the visual and aural mastery within Project CARS 2 through the Sonic Carrier system,” said Raymond So, brand manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

Powered by eight processors, the Sonic Carrier is not only capable of high resolution audio playback, it also features an Ultra HD video engine that supports 4K 60fps video playback of local and online content.

Featuring three distinct wireless technologies, the Sonic Carrier offers two separate Wi-Fi solutions for audio and video streaming, Bluetooth, and a zero latency wireless speaker-to-speaker link to up to four subwoofers.

Imagine a world where games and movies come alive with the most immersive 3D audio experience with the latest Dolby Atmos technology used in premium cinemas, now brought straight to the user’s home – only better. Movies and games will never be same again with cinematic audio that not only flows around users, but also above them.

In the other world, music listening is transformed into a magical auditory experience. This is the 15.2 world of super wide extreme fidelity, called SuperWide X-Fi. In this realm, every audio stream regardless of quality is algorithmically metamorphosized to an eXtreme Fidelity level of 24-bit hi-res audio and expanded three dimensionally into a 15.2 super wide soundstage.

One would expect all these wizardries to come from a convoluted array of expensive systems. Instead, it is a beautiful sleek one piece system, sans messy cables. Together with an exquisite wireless subwoofer akin to designer furniture, the Sonic Carrier is truly a masterpiece of art.

SuperWide X-Fi Stereo is a radical new audio technology that elevates the auditory journey to a totally different dimension. When SuperWide X-Fi touches any common stereo source it transports the listener to a magical three dimensional audio utopia that transcends a traditional left-right stereo experience. Gaming audio can be scaled up to this ultimate SuperWide X-Fi experience. This is the Audio of Tomorrow… the next leap in the evolution of audio perception.

The post Experience the Ultimate Audio for Ultimate Gaming at E3 2017! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.