The original Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar wowed us with its immersive sound, footprint, and eye-watering price tag. Could a new version be on the way?
The original Ambeo system is compatible with Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H, and DTS:X and has 5.1.4 immersive sound.
With its directional speakers using reflections off nearby walls, the premium soundbar creates one of the most convincing surround effects we’ve ever heard from a single speaker unit, but its $2500 (£2200 / AU$3,999) asking price and sheer size means only the most dedicated cinephiles will have shelled out for it – and why it didn’t make our best soundbars buying guide.
Sennheiser, famed for its DJ-favorite headphones and mics, hinted to a new, smaller model during a virtual press event in March.
Earlier this week, the German audio manufacturer sent out invitations for an unveiling event at the IFA tech convention in Berlin on September 1. The invites include an owl travelling along what appears to be a brand new soundbar bearing the famous Ambeo logo.
The invitation urges guests to “take a stroll on the wild side” and touts “an exciting new product reveal, new product experience.”
Keep checking back with TechRadar for the latest information on the upcoming Sennheiser announcement and the upcoming Berlin IFA event.
A free Ambeo for everyone, would be awesome
TechRadar does its best to give readers an idea of what to anticipate from a product in our hands-on reviews, but the current Ambeo 3D Soundbar is one of those products for which words simply cannot do justice. You need to listen to it to really grasp how the directional speakers provide a 360-degree sound field.
However, it’s not exactly a viable option for a home theatre in the majority of homes.
Its nearly 17-centimeter depth and 13.44-centimeter height often create viewing-angle problems with flat-panel TVs that aren’t attached to the wall. And that’s not even factoring in how much it’ll hurt your wallet.
In the time since the Ambeo’s announcement in 2019, a number of excellent soundbars that boast Dolby Atmos have entered the market, but none have come close to matching the Ambeo’s immersive performance. If you own a soundbar that boasts Dolby Atmos, however, be sure to read our 6 Dolby Atmos soundbar tips feature to ensure you’re getting the most out of your setup.
If Sennheiser can condense all that innovation into a more affordable and portable package, it might finally give home theatre enthusiasts what they’ve been waiting for: a simple, all-in-one box.