2022 Annual Editor's Choice Award Recipients

It’s been a crazy year, with interest rates and inflation. At least there has been some high-quality electronics to enjoy. Every year, we review electronics, some are better than others. The best ones across my desk earn our Editor’s Choice award. These are this year’s Editor’s Choice Award Recipients. Check out their reviews, with links provided below.

 

Cobra SC400D Ultimate Smart Dash Cam.  It’s a smart dashcam that records the front, rear, and inside the vehicle.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/12/cobra-sc400d-ultimate-smart-dash-cam.html

 

JBL Quantum TWS.  It’s a true wireless In Ear Monitor, that also has ANC and is designed for gaming.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/12/jbl-quantum-tws-iem-review.html

 

Kenwood KAC-M5024BT.  It is a compact Bluetooth 4 Channel Digital Amplifier.  It is an amplified that is designed for the outdoors, and connects directly to your smartphone for your music, so a receiver is not used.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/09/kenwood-kac-m5024bt-compact-bluetooth-4.html

 

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC McLauren Edition.  This is a true wireless IEM, that includes ANC, and also includes a wireless charging pad.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/03/2022-annual-headphone-shootout-iems.html

 

Master & Dynamic MG20 Wireless Gaming Headphones.  These are not just wireless headphones; they are also designed with gaming in mind.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/04/2022-annual-headphone-shootout-over-ear.html

 

Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport Active Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones.  These are true wireless headphones designed for sport with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/03/2022-annual-headphone-shootout-iems.html

 

Philips Fidelio L3 Noise Cancellation Pro+ Wireless Headphone.   They are wireless headphone with noise cancellation.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/04/2022-annual-headphone-shootout-over-ear.html

Philips Soundbar 5.1.2 Tab8967.  It is a soundbar with surround sound and built-in Dolby Atmos, providing 5.1.2 surround sound with a wireless subwoofer, two rear speakers, and height channel speakers.

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/11/philips-soundbar-512-tab8967-review.html

 

As the year comes to an end, we would like to thank you, our readers, for your support. We strive to provide reviews on a good variety of products. Stay tuned for more great product review to come next year. And from our family to yours, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Cyber Acoustics HS-2000BT Professional Bluetooth Headset Review

If you are on a tight budget, Cyber Acoustics is a company that provides value priced electronics. COVID changed the landscape of many businesses. With so many people having worked from home during COVID, many were able to stay working from home after. If you need a wireless headset at a great value, Cyber Acoustics could be what you’re looking for. Up for review is the Cyber Acoustics HS-2000 BT.

 

Features and specs:

 

Frequency:          Headset: 20-20KHz

Microphone: 100-13 KHz

Input Type:         USB-A, USB-C, and Bluetooth

Headband:          Over the head and adjustable

Microphone:       -62 dBV Microbar -40 dBV Pascal +/- 4dB

Driver Size:         40mm

Driver Impedance:           32 Ohms

Microphone Impedance:               2200 Ohms        

Controls               On Left Ear Cup

Lights    Mic Mute, Busy, Power & BT

Bluetooth Range              Up to 100 Feet

Battery Life         Up to 27 Hours

ANC:      Yes

ENC:      Yes

Cable Length:     6 Ft Charging Cable

Device Compatibility:      USB-A, USB-C, and Bluetooth equipped phones, tablets, computers, & laptops

Volume / Mute Controls:              Yes / Yes

 

The Cyber Acoustics HS-2000 BT came in a basic white box with its specs and features printed on the box. It makes sense as it is their professional product. Opening the box shows a headphone held in place by thin cardboard. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, with some metal. Quality of materials used was good. Also included was a charging cable, USB-C-adaptor, and owner’s manual.

 

I liked the simple on-ear design of the Cyber Acoustics HS-2000BT while they are mostly plastic, there is metal where the top of each earcup slides into the headband, for added strength. And while they are mostly plastic, they do seem sufficiently well made. The boom mic can also fold up, so it’s out of the way, when not being used. The leatherette covered earcups have perforations so the sound can come through. While the leatherette can get a little warm after long listening periods, they are still fairly comfortable.

 

The Cyber Acoustics HS-2000BT is also designed for you to be able to work, no mater what your environment is.  They come with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), as well as Environment Noise Cancelling (ENC).   The ANC blocks out surrounding background noise, so you can hear your calls or music clearly.  The ENC blocks out background noise, so that who you are talking to hears you and not your environment.  These are great features to have at such a low price point.  It also worked fairly well.  The mic was automatically put on mute when the boom mic was flipped up when not in use.  When you pull it down, the mic is turned on.  The ANC does help, removing some of the background noise, mostly the lower end frequencies like ANC works with other manufacturers, removing the low-end engine rumble of planes, trains, and buses.  And when speaking on the phone, the ENC also does work, removing a good percentage of the background noise, so who you are talking to can hear you clearly.

Now let’s see how they sound with music.  Manheim Steamroller – God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman: Tambourine seemed a little recessed but was still sufficiently crisp. Horns were smooth. Piano had good harmonics. Drums were dynamic with good depth. Kick drum had good depth with sufficient authority. Strings were also smooth and crisp.  Manheim Steamroller – Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night): Piano sounded natural with good harmonics and dynamics. Violin was smooth with good resolution. There were a lot of instruments in the full orchestra, and they were resolved fairly well for its price points providing good energy.  Mannheim Steamroller – Faeries: Shakers were crisp and clean. Bells were also crisp. Bass was deep playing with good low-end extension and authority. Clarinet and other woodwinds were smooth with good harmonics. Drums were dynamic with good depth. Flute was smooth with good air.

 

Cyber Acoustics fills a need with value products. While the HS-2000BT Professional Bluetooth Headset at $129 is pricier than many of their other products, it does provide a good value for its performance. Based on their design, features, quality and performance, the Cyber Acoustics HS-2000BT has earned our Value Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.cyberacoustics.com.

Cobra SC400D Ultimate Smart Dash Cam Review

Security continues to be an important consideration. For our vehicles, this is partly covered with dashcams. They record on a constant loop, what occurs in front of your vehicle, and behind. But if you are an Uber Driver, or maybe in a shaky domestic relationship, or many other situations…it may also be smart to record what happens inside your vehicle. Cobra has you covered, with their Cobra SC400D.

 

Features and specs:

-4K Video

-3 Camera Cable

-Real-Time Driver Alerts

-Advanced Safety & Security

-Touchscreen & Voice

-Smart Driver App

-Alexa Built-In

 

The Cobra SC400D came in a great looking color printed box, with photos and specs. Opening the box revealed a well-protected product, held in place by custom foam. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, with some metal. Quality of construction as well as the fit and finish was excellent. Also included were the cables, mounts, micro SD card, and manual.

 

I loved the design of the Cobra SC400D. It is offered in multiple configurations. The first is single view, which comes with just the main camera, which mounts to the front of the vehicle and records what’s in front of the vehicle. The next option is dual view, which is what we received. It includes a 2^nd rear-view camera, to record what’s behind the vehicle. The 3^rd option is the accessory camera. It plugs into the main camera body, and records in-vehicle. So if you get the dual view camera and the accessory camera, you will be fully covered. You will be able to record what goes happens in front, rear and in-vehicle.

 

The Cobra SC400D comes with everything you need. And everything that’s needed for installation is included. The front mount attaches to your windshield, and attaches to the main camera magnetically. The main cameral also houses the SC card. The rear-view camera attaches to your rear windshield, and there’s a cable that runs from the rear-view camera to the main camera. The final in-vehicle accessory camera plugs directly into the side of the main camera. The main camera monitor will show video for both the front and rear of the vehicle as well as in-cabin. It will also show real-time driver alerts, such as radar, squad and red-light camera alerts. There’s even an app where you can manage all this on your phone. Now that it’s installed, let’s see how it works.

 

Mounting the cameras was simple, and the accessory camera to record in-vehicle just plugged right into the main camera.  With it powered on, the set-up was simple with the touch screen.  It walked you thru set-up with just a couple screens, such as language and time zone.  The cameras recorded with great resolution.  I could easily see in front of my car, behind me, and in-cabin.  Even at night, it recorded in good looking color.  Although the in-cabin video at night was black and white thanks to the night vision.  The color screen on the main camera showed what was being recorded on all 3 cameras.  And it also on-screen icons for the notifications.  Not only was it simple to install and set-up, it was also simple to use!  And the app lets you not just receive alerts, but to also send alerts to the Smart Drive Community, such as speed traps.  You can also access the recorded video on the card for viewing.  So simple to use too!

 

The Cobra SC400D proved to be an excellent performer. The cameras provided video of not just in front and behind your vehicle, but also in cabin. And in case of an incident, the video can be accessed from the SD Card. Video can also be accessed through the app as well. Thanks to the 4k resolution, you get excellent looking videos. And thanks to the excellent build quality, you should get years of use. If security is important to you, this dash cam should be on your short list. Based on its design, features, quality and performance, the Cobra SC400D has earned our Editor’s Choice award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.cobra.com.

JBL Quantum TWS IEM Review

I love electronics, and I enjoy innovation. I really love it when they both come together. That’s exactly what JBL has put together with their JBL Quantum TWS. They are True Wireless IEMs, and they are tweaked to also work with gaming. MSRP is a very reasonable $149.

 

Feature and specs:

General Specifications

Driver size (mm): 10

IP Code: IPX4

 

Audio Specifications

Driver sensitivity at 1kHz/1mW (dB): 106

Dynamic frequency response range (Hz): 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Impedance (ohms): 16

Active Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

 

Dimensions

Charging Case Weight (oz): 1.5

Earpiece Weight (oz): 0.4

Charging Case Weight (g): 42.4

Earpiece Weight (g): 11

 

Control and Connection Specifications

Bluetooth profiles: A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.8

Bluetooth frequency: 2.4 GHz - 2.4835 GHz

Bluetooth transmitted modulation: GFSK, π/4 QPSK, 8DPSK

Bluetooth transmitter power: <12 dBm EIRP

Bluetooth version: 5.2

Battery

Charging time (hours from empty): 2

Maximum music play time with ANC off (hours): 8

Maximum music play time with ANC on (hours): 5

Maximum play time (hours): 16

Maximum talk time (hours): 4

Charging case battery life (max hours): 16

 

Features

Bluetooth: Yes

Charging cable: Yes

Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Yes

Ambient Aware: Yes

Built-in Microphone: Yes

Charging case: Yes

Hands Free Call: Yes

Rechargeable battery: Yes

True Wireless: Yes

Wireless: Yes

 

 

The JBL Quantum TWS came in a great looking color printed box with photos and specs of the IEM. Opening the box revealed a well-protected IEM held in place by custom molded plastic. Materials used in the production was mostly plastic, with some metal. Quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. Also included was the charging case, charging cable, extra ear tips, USB adapter, and owner’s manual.

                                                                                                                                  

I really like the design of the JBL Quantum TWS. Thanks to its low latency, they work with gaming. When used on PC, the offer JBL Quantum Surround. With Dual Source, you can be connected to two sources. That allows you to be connected to your gaming, as well as your smartphone. That way, you can quickly switch back to your phone while you’re gaming, to answer calls. If that isn’t enough, you also get True Adaptive Action Noise Cancelling, along with Ambient Aware. They are loaded with great features. Now let’s see how they sound. Since it is the Holiday Season, we’ll turn to some holiday tunes.

 

Manheim Steamroller – God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman: Tambourine was crisp and clean, horns were silky smooth without being too brassy. Piano sounded very natural, with great harmonics. Drums were extremely dynamic, played with excellent depth and authority and revealed excellent detail in the midbass. Strings were also crisp, smooth, with very good resolution.

Manheim Steamroller – Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night): Piano sounded very natural, with good resolution of the keys and hammers on the strings. The violin was very smooth, with very good resolution of the bow going across the strings. They actually used a full orchestra, and the details of all the instruments came out so beautifully, with very good dynamics.

Manheim Steamroller – Faeries: Shakers were crisp and clean, bells were extremely crisp, sounding almost magical. Bass was very deep, extremely full, and played with tons of authority. Clarinet and other woodwinds were smooth with good texture of the wood from the reed. Drums were also dynamic with good depth. Flute was smooth with very good air.

 

Not only do the JBL Quantum TWS sound great, but you get a huge amount of functionality as well. A lot of that functionality is accessed through the JBL app. It tells you the battery level of each IEM as well as the charging case. You can change it to your preferred sound setting with the equalizer. The app is also where you control the ANC, gestures, audio and game modes, voice assistant, etc.

 

It’s amazing the amount of functionality you get with the JBL Quantum TWS. Along with the excellent sound, they are worth every penny of the $149 MSRP, but can be found for even significantly less. Being able to use them for audio with your phone, as well as your gaming, they should satisfy all of your headphone audio needs. And they are constructed well enough to provide years of use. Based on their design, features, quality and performance, the JBL Quantum TWS has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.JBL.com.

Cobra Power Station 200W Review

Our electronics are integrated into all parts of our life. Even if you want to get out and go camping, or to the lake, there are still electronics you may want to take with you. No matter if that is to just recharge a phone, or maybe power a tv, cobra has you covered. Up for review today is their Cobra Power Station 200W, MSRP is a very reasonable $279.

 

Features and specs:

 

12V DC SOCKET

Use any DC-connected devices with the built-in 12V socket

AT-A-GLANCE STATUS

Easily view battery status and power output with the easy-to-read LCD display

LOW BATTERY INDICATOR

LED indicator alerts you when your battery is low

CHARGING CABLES INCLUDED

Recharge the Power Station with the included AC and 12V cables

GO-ANYWHERE PORTABILITY

Lightweight design is perfect to take with you anywhere

2-YEAR WARRANTY

Satisfaction guaranteed with our 2-year product warranty

 

The Cobra Power Station 200W came in a good-looking color printed box, with photos and specs on the sides. Opening the box revealed a well-protected product in custom molded Styrofoam. While materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, the quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. Also included were home and car cables, and manual.

 

The design was pretty simple. On the front you have a couple of 120 V plug-ins, and a couple USB plugins. The front also has an LED display, to show the current status of the battery. And on the side there is an LED flashlight, and an LED light on the front as well. If you like doing things outdoors, it’s a pretty cool product to have. Let’s see how it works.

 

On the side of the box, it shows examples of what it could power, and for how long. When I saw a flat screen tv on the list, I thought that would be a great test. It went for 2 hour and 15 minutes, then there was a long, sustained beep. I looked at the front panel, and it showed 10%. So it was an alarm going off. And for the size of the TV, 2hrs and 15min was about right to get down to 10%.  After I unplugged the tv and reset it, the constant long beep turned off. I plugged in my cellphone charger, and the beeping started again. Only this time it wasn’t the constant long beep. It was a series of two beeps with 5 seconds between each beep. I then plugged in a fan. It did power the fan, but the beeping with 5 seconds between each beep continued. Pushing the display button turned off the annoying beeping. The fan continued until it got down to under 7%, then it shut down.  It was a little disappointing that I was not able to use the full capacity of the battery, it’s probably a safety measure to help for battery longevity. 

 

The Cobra Power Station 200W proved to be a great product. If you like being outdoors, it’s a must have. It’s also well-made, to provide years of use. With an MSRP of only $279, it’s very fairly priced. Based on its design, features, quality, and performance, the Cobra Power Station 200W has earned our Highly Recommended award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.cobra.com.

2022 Annual Holiday Gadget Gift Guide

Halloween is over, and holiday season decorations are out in stores. Which means it’s time for our annual Holiday Gadget Gift Guide. It’s a guide to give you gift ideas for your loved ones for the Holidays. And we include products at different price points. So no matter your budget, we’ll have some ideas for you. Below is a list of products, and the link to it’s review or the schedule of when to check back in for the review.

 

Security is important in our lives. This includes when we are on the go, in our vehicle. A dash cam can give us some great security.  Cobra has a great one in their Cobra SC 400D Dual View Cam. The review is scheduled for the week ending 12/11/22.

 

Our electronic devices have gotten engrained in our daily lives. For some of us, running out of battery on our cell phones could be unimaginable. Others may not be able to go without our TV. Whatever your electronic needs, now you can take it with you. Whether it’s camping in the mountains, or an afternoon at the lake, a power station, like the Cobra Power Station 200W allows you to take your electronic devices with you. The review is scheduled for the week ending 11/29/22.

 

Thanks to the pandemic, many more people work remote from home. Whether it’s working remote from home, or maybe enjoy gaming or music or all the above, a Bluetooth headset may be a necessity. The Cyber Acoustic Bluetooth Headset could be just what you’re looking for. The review is scheduled for the week ending 12/18/22.

 

There’s a lot of games out there, as well as music lovers, not everyone likes headphones that sit on their ears. And not everyone likes the wires with headphones so true wireless in ear monitors have gotten popular. Now there is a true wireless IEM designed for gaming: the JBL Quantum TWS. The review is scheduled for the week ending 12/4/22.

 

One thing about electronics, is new features are always coming out. And this is true for our audio. If it’s been awhile since your car receiver has been upgraded, it could be time. Kenwood has a good one in their Kenwood eXcelon DPX795BT CD Bluetooth Receiver. Check out the review, with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/08/kenwood-excelon-dpx795bt-dual-din-sized.html

 

You enjoy your music, so enjoy it on the go. This could be in your side by side. But in a side by side, you will need something that can handle the outdoor elements. Kenwood has you covered in their Bluetooth amplifier, their Kenwood KAC-M5024BT. Check out its review, with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/09/kenwood-kac-m5024bt-compact-bluetooth-4.html

 

If you have a hard time getting to sleep, often this can turn to desperation for anything that can help. Music, or some sort of white noise or nature sound may help. The Kokoon Nightbuds could be just what the doctor ordered. Check out its review, with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/06/kokoon-nightbuds-sleep-headphones-review.html

                                                           

Most of us like to take our music with us. This could often be outdoors, where you’ll want to be protected from the elements. A wireless speaker could be exactly what you’re looking for. Philips has a good one, in their Philips Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker S4807B. Check out its review with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/07/philips-bluetooth-outdoor-speaker.html

 

When it comes to entertainment, many of us will turn to our TV’s. While the built-in sound of TV’s has improved, it’s still not great. A soundbar will provide much better sound. Some soundbars even provide surround sound. That’s exactly what Phillips dishes out in their Philips Soundbar 5.1.2 TAB8967. Check our it’s review, with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/11/philips-soundbar-512-tab8967-review.html

 

Our health isn’t always what we would like it to be. While some health issues may not be major, like nausea, it still isn’t fun. Nausea could come from many reasons, such as migraines, anxiety, hangover or morning sickness. If you suffer from nausea, the ReliefBand Sport could be just what the doctor ordered. Check out its review, with the link below:

https://www.stereowiseplus.com/2022/05/reliefband-sport-review.html

 

It’s not always easy to do holiday gift shopping for our loved ones. And we don’t all have the same budget. Here we provide some great gift ideas, not only for different budgets but for many different categories as well.  We hope we helped make your holiday season gift shopping easier. And from our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Philips Soundbar 5.1.2 TAB8967 Review

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to watch tv. Shows, movies, there’s a lot of content to pick from. And while tv’s have come a long way in the quality of sound, the built-in sound still isn’t very good. If you want better sound, the built-in sound still isn’t very good. If you want better sound, you need dedicated speakers for your tv. The easiest option for this is a soundbar. Soundbars have also come a long way. Up for review today is the Philips Soundbar 5.1.2 TAB8967 with wireless subwoofer, with an $599 MSRP.

 

Soundbars themselves have come a long way since their introduction. They were a single short but wide speaker array configured in Left and Right for stereo sound. While they did not provide the really nice 5.1 channel surround sound, they still sounded much better than the tv’s built-in speakers. And they were also really simple to set-up, connecting to the speaker out on your tv. Over time, these soundbars also advanced to include a multiple channel array for 5.1 surround sound. Some even included up firing speakers for Dolby Atmos height channel. This is where the Philips Soundbar TAB8967 comes in.

 

Features and specs:

Loudspeakers

Number of sound channels: 5.1.2

Center speaker drivers: 1 mid-low driver, 1 tweeter

Front speaker drivers: 2 mid-low drivers, 2 tweeters (L+R)

Up-firing speakers: 2 full range drivers (L+R)

Soundbar freq range: 150 - 20k  Hz

Soundbar impedance: 5x 8  ohm

Subwoofer type: Active

Wireless subwoofer

Subwoofer driver: 1 x 8" woofer

Subwoofer freq range: 35 - 150  Hz

Subwoofer impedance: 3  ohm

Surround speaker drivers: full range driver (L+R)

Surround speaker freq range: 150 - 20k  Hz

Surround speaker impedance: 2x 8  ohm

Sound

Sound Enhancement: Treble and Bass Control, Audio sync, Subwoofer volume control

Equalizer settings: Movie, Music, Voice, Stadium, Custom

Speaker system output power: 780W max / 390W RMS (10 % THD)

Video: Video Enhancement, 4K Video Pass-through, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

Connectivity

USB playback: Yes

HDMI IN x 1: Yes

HDMI Out (eARC/ARC) x 1: Yes

EasyLink (HDMI-CEC): Yes

HDMI content protection: HDCP 1.4/2.3

Wireless connection: Bluetooth 5.0

Optical input x 1: Yes

Aux in: 3.5mm

WiFi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz

Works with Apple Airplay 2: Yes

Built-in Chromecast: Yes

Works with Ok Google: Yes

Supported Audio Formats:

HDMI IN1: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby TrueHD, LPCM 2ch, Dolby MAT

HDMI ARC/eARC: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby TrueHD, LPCM 2ch, Dolby MAT

Optical: Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch

USB: MP3, WAV, FLAC

Bluetooth

SBC

Design

Wall mountable: Yes

Power

Auto standby: Yes

Main unit power supply: 100-240V AC, 50/60 Hz

Main unit standby power: < 0.5  W

Subwoofer power supply: 100-240V AC, 50/60 Hz

Subwoofer standby power: < 0.5 W

Surround speaker power supply: DC24V/2A

Surround speaker standby power: < 0.5  W

Accessories

Included accessories: Power cord, Remote Control, 2 x AAA Batteries, Wall mount bracket, Quick start guide, Warranty Card

Dimensions

Main Unit (W x H x D): 1120 x 64 x 113  mm

Main Unit Weight: 3.94  kg

Subwoofer (W x H x D): 230 x 407 x 400  mm

Subwoofer Weight: 8.32  kg

Surround speaker (W x H x D): 90 x 134.5 x 108  mm

Surround speaker Weight: Left and Right 1.23  kg

 

The Philips is what all soundbars should be. Well, what they all should be, if you like really good sound, as well as surround sound for movies. The soundbar is an array of speakers, configured for multiple channels, with separate drivers for left, center, and right channels, as well as multiple drivers firing up at an angle for the Dolby Atmos height channels. There’s a pair of wireless speakers for the two surround channels. It even has a separate wireless subwoofer.

 

I love the design of the Philips Soundbar TAB8967. I love movies, and to get the most enjoyment out of movies I need surround sound. There is also a big jump in the experience when you add Dolby Atmos height channels. And of course, no subwoofer for the explosions in action movies, really cripples the experience. So the Philips Soundbar TAB8967 has all of the boxes checked off when it comes to the needed features for sound. They have a soundbar for the front left, center, right, as well as upward firing drivers for the Dolby Atmos height channel. There are the two wireless speakers for the rear surround channels, and the separate wireless subwoofer for its channel. So there you have it, full 5.2.1 surround sound with Dolby Atmos included. Yet not only do you get the great surround sound format, you also get easy set up! No surround sound receiver is required. The main soundbar connects up to your tv, and the soundbar sends out the wireless signal to the two surround speakers and the subwoofer. Simple!

 

Connecting, and setting up the Philips Soundbar TAB8967 as I mentioned above, was very simple. There are only two cables to connect for the soundbar. One is an HDMI cable that connects to the eARC out on your tv, or you can also use the optical cable. The 2^nd is the power cord that plugs into your power outlet on your wall.  The subwoofer just plugs into a wall outlet, as it connects to the soundbar wirelessly.  For the two rear channel speakers, one plugs into a wall outlet for power, receives the wireless signal from the soundbar, and sends a single cable to the second rear speaker.  I really liked this design.  Philips could have also gone wireless for the second rear speaker, but then there would have been a bulkier power cable for it.  So a smaller single RCA cable from the first surround speaker to the second surround speaker makes much more sense.

Setting up the soundbar system was easy. And they even provided the brackets to mount the soundbar and the rear speakers onto the wall. The owner’s manual provided instructions on how to setup and pair the speakers to each other. The soundbar connects directly to the TV, and the two rear speakers and subwoofer pair wirelessly to the soundbar. The soundbar also has an LED display so you can see the settings, and tailor the sound to your liking. I wasn’t overly impressed with how the owner’s manual was written. There was actually very little written instructions. But between the written instructions and the pictures, it was sufficient to get the ideas across. With everything in place, power cords connected, pairing the subwoofer and rear speakers worked as stated in the owner’s manual. Now with it set up and running, let’s see how it sounds.

 

For movies, I wanted something with a lot of surround sound from the rears and height channels. So I turned to Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War. I went to one of my favorite scenes, when the heroes went up against Thanos on Titan. Thanos was attacked from all directions. He was punched and kicked with great dynamics. The webs slung at Thanos sounded crisp and clean flying through the air. Bombs exploding on him were deep, with lots of authority, filling my room with more bass than I expected! And with all of the action and debris flying around, the sound from the height channels provided good sound above me, so it seemed. While the height channels did not sound as good as our reference system, which actually has speakers installed in the ceiling, it still sounded good.

 

Multiple other scenes throughout the movie provided the same aural results. Objects whizzing across the scene showed good channel separation from the left to the right. Sound from the surrounds also sounded great, as did the center channel. Vocals from the center channel sounded excellent, with great articulation with all the talking very easy to understand. The highs were crisp and clean, with the mids being warm and smooth with good resolution. And the sub was nice and deep, and played with really good authority, filling my room with bass.

 

While I was pleasantly surprised with the sound performance with movies, I was equally surprised with its performance with music. Phil Collins: In the Air Tonight, the soundbar gave a great sound of spaciousness. What hit me first was its depth of soundstage, which I wasn’t expecting, especially from a soundbar! Vocals were silky smooth with nice texture, and when the drums kicked in, they had very good dynamics and definition of the midbass.

 

Philips has done it with a great soundbar in their TAB8967.  Not only is it a well-made product, that should provide years of enjoyment, it was very easy to set up as well! You can get quality surround sound in your living room without the extra expense of a surround sound receiver.  Or, it works great in a bedroom as well.  Set-up was very easy, and provided great sound in spades.  With an MSRP of $599, Philips provides a big bang for the buck.  If you’re in the market for a soundbar, the Philips Soundbar TAB8967 should be on your short list.  Based on its design, features, quality, and performance, the Philips Soundbar TAB8967 has earned our Editor’s Choice Award.  Kudos to Philips on a great product.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.philips.com.