When it comes to getting the most impressive audio presentation from a stand-alone soundbar, no one can beat Sennheiser’s Ambeo. And given the sky-high $2,500 price tag of this device, you’d expect it to give you an amazing home theater experience. At IFA 2022, Sennheiser is expanding its Ambeo range with the introduction of the new Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus. The price is slightly lower, but it will probably still be out of reach for many consumers. It costs $1,500.
Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar issues and key features:
In advertisements, the company claimed that Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is the world’s first standalone 7.1.4 soundbar. Sennheiser’s original Ambeo will remain for sale and has now been renamed the Ambeo Soundbar Max. The words “more compact” are mentioned several times in the company’s press release, so Sennheiser is really trying to emphasize the difference. It’s not a small soundbar by any means, but it feels less imposing than the Max.
In front is the Ambeo Soundbar Max, behind it is the new Ambeo Soundbar Plus, and to the right is the Ambeo Sub. But even with its smaller size, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus offers the same captivating 3D sound output as the original, a secret sauce that Sennheiser developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS. According to customer reviews, the surround sound effect is truly impressive.
How does Ambeo work?
“Ambeo’s self-calibration reads the acoustic properties of the room and then places seven virtual speakers around the listener plus four more overhead,” according to a Sennheiser press release. You can enjoy the depth, impact, and spaciousness of a cinema just with Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus. Sennheiser Ambeo,eARC supported, has a price of approximately $1500.
That’s right: Sennheiser (again) doesn’t offer any satellite speakers for the Ambeo Soundbar Plus. Along with that, however, it announces a new standalone subwoofer. The sub is designed to calibrate itself and use built-in microphones to optimize performance for unique room acoustics. You can link four woofers wirelessly to enjoy a fascinating experience. The wireless subwoofer has a price of $699.95.
It’s clear that Sennheiser is happy to continue competing in the ultra-premium soundbar market against the best from Sony, Sonos, Bose, and more. The company has no interest (yet) in making a sub-$1,000 soundbar, let alone something affordable.
Both the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus and the Ambeo Sub will be available in stores on September 22.