Two 21 mm tweeters are responsible for the high frequency range. These are fabric dome tweeters and thus models that are known from Dali Speaker System in the upscale segment. A particularly powerful drive system based on neodymium magnets is used here, which accurately set the ultra-lightweight diaphragm in motion, while still being highly resilient and highly sensitive. On the one hand this guarantees a detailed and precise reproduction in the high frequencies, and on the other hand the comparatively large diameter allows the tweeters to play very “low” in the frequency range down to 2.5 kHz, the crossover frequency to the woofers on the Dali KATCH one. All in all, a frequency range between 46 Hz and 25 kHz can be reproduced in this way. Of course, the drivers are controlled by a DSP-based signal processing, which – according to the manufacturer’s promise – only has to intervene very discreetly due to the described design measures. Fortunately, most soundbars have speech enhancement feature settings that will typically raise the volume of the centre channel and crispen up the EQ to help improve dialogue audibility. Not every brand implements this with sophistication, and sometimes these modes can sound thin and harsh, but once again, it's always worth experimenting to find what works for you and your space. How we test soundbars How we test soundbars The key thing to know about optical is that it's restricted in bandwidth compared to ARC/eARC. So if you have the choice between the two and opt for optical, you might not be making the most of the audio decoding built into your soundbar. The most advanced immersive formats optical can handle are compressed Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 surround sound, so that means no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. It’s worth noting that there’s no surround sound processing, which is a blessing. The Kubik One’s direct and focused stereo presentation allows you to enjoy the movie without distractions, but the unit’s power and wide-dispersing drivers make you feel reasonably enveloped anyway. The auto power-on function for the dedicated TV input is activated by the optical output from the TV. This ensures that the KATCH ONE is on and ready as soon as the TV is on. The second optical input is designed for use with audio devices such as CD players and audio streamers. This input enables auto power on/off based on the audio signal - even if the carrier does not turn off the carrier light in standby mode.

The first setting offers a focused and very linear audio reproduction that serves to draw out the often elusive mid-range frequency area. To ensure reliable, undamaged delivery of televisions - TVs will now be shipped on a pallet service with DX Freight, TNT, or Epic Logistics, rather than with our standard next working day courier. With TVs getting thinner, especially OLED models with razor-sharp chassis, there is considerably less room for proper sound systems. While this is an inevitability, it doesn't excuse poor sound quality, which is why we always recommend budgeting for some sort of sound system when you buy a new TV. The size of the soundbar is primarily down to the larger-than-enough drivers Sennheiser has managed to fit in, and the result is a sound big enough not to need its own subwoofer, with clear, direct dialogue and detail and subtlety in spades. The way it stretches the sound around you creates a great atmosphere and really draws you into the action.As we note in our review: "While some soundbars with external subwoofers go deeper, the bass here is delivered with weighty gusto and seamless integration. This is what helps the Sennheiser achieve the sort of effortless, natural tonality and texture that most rivals can’t begin to match." But the best thing about the Ambeo Max's sound? How little attention it draws; "there's none of the beamy, nasal harshness found in many other soundbars and on the whole, the processing is natural and convincing."You’ll find a 25mm horn-loaded tweeter at each end, working together with five 50mm front-facing woofers to fire out audio at different angles, bouncing waves off the walls of your gaff to create some semblance of surround sound. It will never compete with a proper Dolby Atmos setup, but it certainly spreads wider than the unit’s width. Dali Speaker A/S had no other soundbar in the conventional sense, but they focused on solutions that could also provide good TV sound, in the form of extremely compact, often very design-oriented solutions, such as the Dali KUBIK FREE and Dali KUBIK XTRA, and speaker series such as the Dali FAZON Series were actually perfect for providing a sonorous, compact audio system around the TV in combination with a compact amplifier. There’s plenty of muscle, making the movie’s beach battle scenes sound loud and full-bodied. Big explosions hit hard and fill the room, revealing the woofers’ impressive bass reach. We won’t pretend that it doesn’t benefit from an external sub, which helps dig out low bass frequencies that the DALI can’t reach, but we could quite happily live without one. What is striking is that the developers of the new soundbar Dali KATCH One are building on a really very, very fine product from their own company, namely the Dali KATCH. Well, the fact that they use their own technology is not at all surprising, but the fact that they use a completely different type of product, namely a portable Bluetooth speaker, is. On closer inspection, however, this is also quite understandable, since developers of both product groups – portable speakers and soundbar systems – ultimately face the same challenges. The challenge is to conjure up the best possible sound from the most compact systems possible. But in the end, this does not have much to do with “conjuring”, but only with proven expertise. Basic… To be honest, this is probably the “worst” option, because the second option, which Dali Speaker A/S has provided here, is much more elegant. The Dali KATCH One is delivered with two leather loops that are mounted on the upper side, and with the help of which the soundbar can be hung on the wall. By the way, the Dali KATCH One also comes with an integrated cable management system, so that no cables are visible.

Although soundbars are typically designed with film and TV in mind, we also put them through their paces with music too, testing out a range of streaming options with a variety of genres, both classic and modern, enduring that we listen in the highest quality that the soundbar is capable of. Elegant and easy to install, the DALI KATCH ONE comes with all the inputs you could ever need, including HDMI, 2x Optical, Analogue, not to mention Bluetooth (AAC and aptX). GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TV Feeding the amplifier is a 200 watts peak switch mode power supply, with ample power delivery to handle everything from a concert to a powerful explosion. The dual transformer design ensures that the standby power is kept very low, and headroom to handle the power requirements of the amplifiers is always available. Still, if you want to hear an Atmos-enabled ‘bar at its best, try the Arc. The soundstage is wide and spacious, with every element given plenty of breathing space. Detail levels are high, and it does an impressive job with the ‘height’ that’s such a crucial part of the Dolby Atmos effect.

Highlights of Dali Katch One Soundbar

Aside from being a TV audio booster, the Streambar is also a video streamer that offers built-in access to streaming apps within Roku's vast library. The Streambar will work with any television with an HDMI input, outputting 4K HDR at up to 60fps for compatible sets. Everyone else will get 1080p Full HD, with lower resolution signals upscaled. Give it time, though, and listen closely. The well-judged balance of the Katch One’s tonality means it manages to be subtly detailed, even though it gives the whole of the frequency range full expression. Sony has excellent form with soundbars, and the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning HT-A7000 is no different. Please note: TV and larger floorstanding speaker deliveries are not available to Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Scottish Islands, and Channel Islands.

A switch on the rear panel offers a choice of Neutral, Bass Enhance and Bass Boost settings to increase output in larger rooms. There’s no hard and fast rule about using these, just experiment to find which one sounds best. A separate Gain Adjust control lets you match the analogue input level to the digital input if there’s any discrepancy. DALI Kubik One performance — Wrings every ounce of performance from movies, music or TV ARC/eARC also allows your main TV remote to control the basic volume and power functions of your soundbar via HDMI CEC(Consumer Electronics Control). Some soundbars come with their own remotes and/or have app control, but if your connection to your TV uses an optical cable, you may still be able to use your regular controller. Certain models, such as the Sonos Ray and B&W Panorama 3, can 'learn' to recognise the commands of both IR and RF remotes, but the set-up will depend on your TV manufacturer. Ultimately, you won’t be disappointed with the wider soundscape and punchy audio that the HW-S60B offers. And if you’ve already got a Samsung TV with decent speakers and Q Symphony support, then our recommendation becomes a firm one. The results are something rather unique and impressive, and it makes sense to take advantage of a feature that not everyone will be able to experience. And the Danish company Dali Speaker A/S is one of these specialists, because for a long time now they have been dealing with the problem of good television sound in many different ways. However, Dali Speaker A/S did not really have a large number of these sound bar systems on offer. In 2014, Dali Speaker A/S presented the Dali KUBIK ONE system, an extremely elegant soundbar, which was to be understood as much more than just a flexible all-in-one system. With 5 different audio inputs, Katch One connects to any audio device and includes four ways to connect to your TV and ample music streaming devices. Auto signal detect on all inputs automatically powers on the speaker when your TV or audio source is.In the vast majority of cases we will not be able to install the cabinet doors to built-in laundry products as the fittings very rarely match up. We will try our best however if we are unable to do this we will still install connect to plumbing and put the appliance in situ. The unit is controlled using a horrible blister-button remote, which is too small and awkward to use. Most of the buttons are unhelpfully huddled together in the middle and are labelled with icons rather than words.

The Dali Katch One soundbar’s most visible feature—its appearance—is the first thing you notice about it. It’s a gorgeous technological gadget with a contemporary look that’s likely to catch some eyes. We can tell you right away that the soundbar has good sound quality. It doesn’t have the deep bass rumbling that a subwoofer can, but it much exceeds the built-in audio of any TV. While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, based on experience using it, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth. Katch One offers two different sound modes: Wide and Focus. They are designed for the widest selection of movies, documentaries, news and music. The first setting offers a focused and very linear audio reproduction drawing out the often elusive mid-range frequency area. The Kubik One has a crisp, biting tone without going overboard, so you can happily listen at loud volumes without wincing as cars get smashed into pieces. The soundstage is laden with detail but it’s not too clinical or forced, resulting in a natural and absorbing sound. Ideally, we would recommend going all in on an AV amplifier and matching home theatre speaker system, but in reality, we understand that not everyone has the space and/or the budget for something like this. That's why we recommend a soundbar as a great alternative.The Katch One can be placed on a flat surface or wall-mounted. A third, more stylish, option is to hang it from a TV using the included leather straps that also serve to hide any cables running to the soundbar. The placement of woofers is optimized for wall-mounting, so the best placement option is against a wall to achieve the intended bass response. Along with its four shallow-depth 3.5-inch woofers and four 4.5-inch steel cone passive radiators, the Katch One has two 0.8-inch soft dome tweeters placed close to the outer left/right edges that provide a beautifully spacious soundstage. Streaming wirelessly via Bluetooth may up the convenience quotient more than somewhat, but it impacts just a little on the Katch One’s fidelity. The DALI may be able to receive and deal with an MQA file of Gorillaz’ Clint Eastwood and give it most of the weight and all the momentum it requires, but somehow the integration of all those drivers (which has been impeccable until now) suffers. Please note that our couriers will try to deliver as arranged but we will not be held responsible for any costs incurred because of non-delivery or factors introduced by third-parties. This service is based upon best endeavour and is not guaranteed. You're transported to the heart of the action. Surround effects are expertly placed and there's great dynamism and good weight to the sound too. Tonally, it's nicely balanced if you just want to listen to music, although it could sound a tiny bit more direct. But, there's no doubt this is a hugely impressive Dolby Atmos soundbar for the money.