Enhanced Simplicity with Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus: Less Can Be More Impactful
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, a premium upgrade to the popular Fire TV Soundbar, promises a richer, more immersive home theater audio experience with its advanced features. Priced at £250/$250, the Soundbar Plus offers a 3.1-channel setup, support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS TruVolume, and four preset sound modes (Movie, Music, Sports, Night). It also boasts a customizable Dialogue Enhancer and a wide frequency range for detailed sound[1].
In contrast, the original Fire TV Soundbar, priced at £120/$120, is an affordable, all-in-one solution that combines TV and soundbar functions. It is appreciated for its convenience but lacks the advanced surround sound capabilities and audio customization options of the Plus model[3].
However, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has received a two-star review due to its "flappy and thin" bass presentation and shrill overall sound performance[2]. Some users have reported that the Soundbar Plus does not significantly improve upon the audio performance of most TVs[2].
Despite these criticisms, the Soundbar Plus is included in in-depth reviews, lists of recommended soundbars, and lists of current soundbar deals[4]. It is important to note that the Soundbar Plus offers Dolby Atmos, a feature not available in the basic model[5].
The basic Fire TV Soundbar, on the other hand, delivers a good level of clarity for dialogue[6]. It does not offer Fire TV capabilities or built-in Alexa, unlike the Plus model[7].
In summary, while the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus offers advanced features and improved sound quality, it has received mixed reviews due to its shrill upper midrange and less impactful lower frequencies[2]. The Plus model is more expensive than the basic model, but it is not necessarily true that it performs worse. The Plus model focuses on premium, immersive sound with modern audio formats and enhanced tuning, which would generally be expected to outperform a simpler, cheaper soundbar[1][3].
[1] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus - Detailed Review and Comparison [2] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus - Two-Star Review [3] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus - A Premium Upgrade Over the Basic Model [4] Top Recommended Soundbars of 2022 - In-Depth Review [5] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus - Dolby Atmos Support Explained [6] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar - Clarity for Dialogue [7] Amazon Fire TV Soundbar - No Fire TV Capabilities or Built-in Alexa
- Some gadget enthusiasts, having reviewed the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, found it to be flawed, with a "flappy and thin" bass presentation and an overall shrill sound performance, as stated in a two-star review.
- In contrast, the original Fire TV Soundbar, though more affordably priced at £120/$120, lacks the advanced surround sound capabilities and audio customization options available in the more premium Fire TV Soundbar Plus.
- The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, at £250/$250, boasts an array of modern technology and audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, which set it apart from the original model.
- Despite the criticisms against the Soundbar Plus, it is still featured in news about current soundbar deals and detailed reviews of recommended soundbars, due to its premium, hi-fi audio performance.
- For those seeking an all-in-one solution, the basic Fire TV Soundbar delivers good dialogue clarity, albeit without the Fire TV capabilities or built-in Alexa found in the more expensive Plus model.
- It's worth noting that while the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus may come with mixed reviews, its focus on immersive, premium sound with modern audio formats and enhanced tuning generally outperforms a simpler and cheaper soundbar, as suggested by its advanced features.
