Yamaha shouldn't be waiting, while other major players in the audiophile arena are pushing out

Home Theater Lobby
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…multichannel soundbar system with expandable expansion capability!
here is Yamaha’s 2023 answer to brand supporters call, with Yamaha Tru-X series!
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the system starts with a 600euro 2.2.2 bar branded as True X Bar 40A which packs a left+right stereo front channel drivers, 2 height shooting drivers, and 2 3inch low frequency integrated subwoofers.

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in another retail package with a dedicated wireless subwoofer package in, the system is rebranded as TRUE X 50A.
wireless surround speakers are sold separately.

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the Yamaha True-X system according to official specification listed in European page, is not DTS-X or IMAX-Enhance Audio Certified.
currently not listed for sale in Singapore Official Site yet.

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Nice. I’m a huge fan of modular systems that can be expanded.

But the basic sound bar first. Then add subs. Add another sub. Then add surrounds. Preferably all wireless…

The WISA system is already there but all the big brands don’t want to play ball… All want to do their own proprietary systems…

The consumer loses in the end…

With a WISA enable TV, you can buy a WISA enabled center, subs, surrounds. They are all wireless and all connect directly to the TV… No need AVR…

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yup… PHILIPS is one such brand in local market with their FB1

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everything in one system, ready for expansion, yet… expansion products only available in European market, not SG. no idea whether is this a hiccup in SG’s sales and marketing team or what, such as global distribution control.
Sony have the same stuff with their HT-A5000, but expansion product available like HarmanKardon Citation 1100, and Bose soundbars as well.

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from one computer sound product accessory manufacturer to challenge another established marque whose first multichannel soundbar is on the verge of considerably old in engineering…

SonicGear’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar system that comes in 3 configurations is priced… ehh… to challenge Creative’s SXFi Carrier that comes with just one 10inch wireless sub, and PRISM+ systems that comes with different sized subs, depending on the models one may eye on.

to take on PRISM+ multichannel entry model, the RIPPLE, SonicGear’s $499 StudioBar 3000 comes with a bar in 3.0.2 configuration and a wireless sub-woofer shown above the packs a down firing 8inch driver.

to take on the SYMPHONY system from PRISM+, SonicGear’s $699 StudioBar 6000 system may look identical to StudioBar 3000 in terms of content but comes with addition of 2 wireless surround speakers that pushes up the system configuration to 5.1.2.

SonicGear’s $999 StudioBar 9000, to take on Creative’s SXFi Carrier that’s now on the way priced low to clear stock, making way for probably 2nd Version that might come in 2024, comes with the same package as StudioBar 6000 but with an addition of another sub-woofer, that pushes up the system configuration to 5.2.2.

SonicGear’s Atmos Soundbar package doubles as Karaoke Soundbar system that which ever package one chooses, will have 2 wireless mics included.
check out SonicGear’s listings for more details.

the full specifications here…

on a side note…the finalize prices seems to be jacked up from initial launch.
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…or was the previous prices were actually pre-order deposit figures?

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Seems like it’s all the rage these days for soundbar. First is Creative, now more is coming onboard.

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being a sound accessory manufacturer in the computing field, yes, Creative is the first local marque to push out their first uber expensive Atmos soundbar, the SonicCarrier. in the computing field, Razer’s offering stays in 2.1 configuration without virtual Atmos processing hardware, while Creative pushes out their Stage360 to beat most other competitors

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it seems like Nakamichi had added numbers of soundbar makes to their budget friendly APOLLO range with numbers of Atmos capable models.

from the aesthetic looks of the APOLLO range of products, including the earlier release of 5.1.2ch APOLLO 520 available to local market, it seems pretty obvious that this range of products are OEMs that is slapped with NAKAMICHI badge, while the SHOCKWAFE and DRAGON range is NAKAMICHI’s own designed and engineered products.

out of the new additions, only 5 systems are Atmos capable.

the POSEIDON 310 is a 3.1.2ch in a single bar system that resonates to SONY STH-5000A or PHILIPS FB1 design, that packs an integrated subwoofer.

POSEIDON 502 is a 180wRMS 5.1.2ch system with a bar that packs 3.0.2ch with a separate wireless subwoofer and 2 satellite surrounds that are battery rechargeable.

the ATHENA 520A carries the same configuration as the POSEIDON 502 above, but comes slightly higher power in total @ 195wRMS.

Athena 520AK – Nakamichi Home Audio.
while 520AK is karaoke capable.

lastly the APOLLO 580 comes with the same configuration as above, but in a “premium” look design cabinets that kind of resontates to Samsung 9 series soundbars. total power output goes up to 205wRMS.

no pricing yet on all new model listings. the new additions are also not listed any sales platform u might knew of. these new additions may or may not available in local scene, but reference to earlier available APOLLO 520 that’s limited to sales platform like LAZADA and SHOPEE, the new additions to APOLLO series could likely be possible to introduce to local market.

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wouldn’t this SANSUI system currently selling in China looks…

https://world.taobao.com/product/山水杜比家庭影院.htm?spm=a21wu.10013406-tw.filter.4.58975045liG5hI&sort=price-des
…familiar?
yup! scroll up for answer!

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the picture shown above is a 7.2.4ch configuration with driver layout like this…

…while what was introduced to local market earlier is a 5.2.2 configuration.
that means… there’s a probability the SONICGEAR could push out a 7.2.4ch product to “truly” challenge CREATIVE,
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…who had been relying on 5.1.2ch configuration to put them onto multi-channel soundbar stage, taking on foreign makes.

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in between the widely available Nakamichi Apollo 520 and unavailable Apollo 580 which is listed in the catalog, there’s a Apollo 550 that is recently launched and available thru various platforms… including FairPrice online!

the Apollo 550 is a 5.1.2 system that comes with 2 wireless surround speakers. no info available for reference whether the surround speakers can be connected to BlueTooth for use as external speakers for other BlueTooth devices. one thing for sure, should the wireless surround speakers are dedicated for surround channel use,

the main unit will be a 3.0.2bar with 2 in 1 out HDMI connection, with wireless subwoofer that carries an 8inch driver.

Price?
with “Labor Day festive discount” of 5% off, i see that either from Lazada, FairPrice or even METAPOD, the Distributor’s online platform, the final price falls under $1k. however thru METAPOD, u can opt for second year warranty coverage that would push the final price to roughly $1150, GST inclusive with free delivery. below are the links i can find for ur interest:

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JUNE… will be a month to look forward to.

to see what is our home brand is adding to their SoundBar/Speakers products that comes with SXFi integration!

the STAGE360 should grow by length to accommodate additional upfiring channel drivers.

the SXFi CARRIER should have new capabilities like DTS-X or Auro3D virtualization, with addition of external surround connectivity with other CREATIVE systems, such as the PEBBLES.

the KATANA series should get some boosting from the integration of SXFi room calculation and tuning, to be able to create “Virtual Atmospheric Sound Experience” that may not need to be expensive, but “Practical” just like flower VASE, without the need to employ loyalty based techs such as Dolby or DTS or even Auro3D licensed products. upfiring channel drivers may have added advantage, but i doubt so if the main speaker bar body doesn’t grow.

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Just replaced my TV. The old one died. Got a TCL C745. So, thought maybe I get a little upgrade to the sound. I remember this thread so went to Shopee and looked for the Studiobar 9000.

So, it happens to be end of May - so got Shopee Mall vouchers and Sonicgear was also giving a $100 mother’s day voucher. So, with these discount vouchers, the Studiobar 9000 was really going for a steal.

The next day, a huge box arrived at the doorstep. The Ninjavan delivery left it there without ringing the bell or sending me a text. It was only when we happen to open the door to go out when we found it there. They don’t call them Ninjas for nothing. Stealthy.

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Easy to setup using a HDMI on eARC to the TV. Mounted the surrounds on the sides, high up tilted to seating area cause I do not have space to place them at ear level. The subwoofers had to be paired to the soundbar using instructions in the included manual.

I set my expectations for the sound quality to be very low. The entire setup - soundbar, surround speakers, 2 subs and 2 karaoke mics… cost less than my inexpensive center speaker.

Played the standard Atmos demos. Amaze, Audiosphere, Leaf.
Surprise, surprise - the sound quality was actually not bad. The effects were quite enveloping.
With the 2 subs, the bass is actually quite decent. Played Desray’s demo clip - Mylene Farmer concert - and it played it pretty well.

Voice quality was not great, though. Not solid/No heft.

There are some pretty bad things about the soundbar though…

  1. No center speaker adjustment. The vocals are sometimes drowned out by loud action scenes.
  2. Poor Atmos sound separation. Playing test tones for Atmos speakers - can hear sound bleed from rear when was supposed to be for front only, vice versa.
  3. Poor eARC connection. Sometimes it won’t wake up when I switch on the TV.

For the price, I think it’s a decent setup and value for money. The 2 subs are pretty good and the setup produces an overall enveloping surround sound.

There’s a bunch of Karaoke functions - but I think that will not be used… I am not so cruel to torture the neighbors.

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Quick Video:

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For a living room setup for the whole family, soundbar should suffice :slight_smile:

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what phone were u using for the recording? thru my X-mini Evolve headphone, i can feel the low, but not rumbling. ur recording device can capture the bass, i can picture how the bass will be rumbling in ur residence with the 2 subs that packs 8inch subs.

the price drop was probably a knee jerk reaction to PHILIPS offer…

…that pack a single sub with 10inch criver. and such drop, puts and sets “Dolby/ATMOS only” mainbar+wireless sub+wireless surround configuration products into new position in the market.

on the problems u’ve experienced, 1st thing 1st, i see that ur TV is relatively new*, hence there could be a probability that the hardware drivers may not be updated. such scenario could affect eARC communication.
*(although the model may be a 2023 model, u got it as new and unused)
the next possibility will be the limitation of the hardware in the soundbar, that is not properly tuned or designed to be open to user settings… which could be often found in budget friendly products, compare to those that would blend center channel to the fronts, such as 2.1 Virtual Atmos systems.
on the surround separation, i noticed thru ur short clip, the wireless surrounds were mounted up, near to the ceiling. wouldn’t the Atmos driver will have a very short distance to beam and bounce the Atmos sound that would make the wireless surround speakers sound like… Atmos-less surround speakers?

anyway… this SonicGear budget friendly 7.2.4 system is a value for money buy, if compared to 5.1.2 PHILIPS, that may have much deeper bass, due to it’s 10inch low bass driver. @$200 higher than Creative Stage 360 that does only Virtual Atmos simulation, SonicGear wins with proper channel processing and separation, and a addition of 8inch sub, wireless.

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Used my OnePlus 11 phone for the recording.

Yeah, I know the surrounds are mounted high near ceiling and the up-firing speakers will have reflection/timing issues. But no choice - I can’t place them at ear level.

Anyway, I’m not expecting a lot from this budget setup and it’s already exceeding my expectations.

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Here’s a more bassy clip…
[SonicGear StudioBar 9000 Demo on Vimeo]

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