If you thought JBL’s new 15-channel soundbar was a bit much, take a seat for this – Nakamichi has launched a soundbar with a whopping 21 audio channels! And it’s the first to offer DTS:X Pro, which supports up to 32 speakers (as opposed to standard DTS:X’s 11).
DTS:X Pro was previously only seen in high-end AV receivers.
The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that measures a whopping 58 inches wide, which is about the same width as a typical 65-inch TV and even taller than the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max.
It’s also more expensive than Sennheiser’s efforts, costing $3499 (about £2900, AU$5000).
Inside are 31 drivers, six of which are up-firing (four in the main soundbar and two in the 3D Omni-Motion Reference Surround speakers), and four subwoofers. Those upward-firing drivers in the soundbar are angled at both 10 and 20 degrees (one on each side) to reproduce vertical and overhead sound objects at precise heights. And those in the surround speakers can be rotated up to 180 degrees to better suit the layout of your room.
Each surround speaker is also home to two three-inch drivers for the back and surround channels, and an Air Motion Transfer tweeter.
Both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are supported, and Qualcomm’s aptX HD also comes as standard, meaning higher quality wireless audio via Bluetooth.
The Dragon has already won a CES Innovation Award and will launch in the spring.
LAKE:
Will it make our list? best sound bars?
Or are you better off with a full one surround sound system?
Test time: 4 of the best Marvel scenes to test your Dolby Atmos soundbar or speaker system