Philips announces four new soundbars and confirms the release of the Fidelio FB1

Let’s start the owner’s tour with the TAB8907 model. This set combines a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer in a 3.1.2 configuration capable of delivering up to 720 W RMS of power. The bar incorporates eight speakers and measures 94 x 6.5 x 10.6 cm for 3 kg. The subwoofer is equipped with a 6.5” speaker (about 16.5 cm) for a size of 19 x 41 x 30.9 cm and 6 kg.

There are various connectors at the back of the bar: an HDMI eARC output, an HDMI input supporting 4K/Dolby Vision streams, an optical S/PDIF input and a mini-jack input. The bar also incorporates the latest generation of Bluetooth chip (version 5.3) and has wifi connectivity. It therefore supports the AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect protocols and can be added to a home automation system controlled by Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. The TAB8907 is also compatible with the DTS Play-Fi multiroom system and can therefore be equipped with compatible surround speakers, such as the Fidelio FS1.

Next comes the TAB8507, which is just a TAB8907 from which the two vertical speakers reproducing the Atmos effects have been removed. However, the bar remains compatible with the Dolby Atmos format and is therefore able to virtualize these vertical channels. This shedding obviously involves a loss of weight: 2.7 kg against 3 kg. The box is also thinner and lighter, with dimensions of 15 x 41 x 30.9 cm for 5.6 kg. For the rest, the TAB8507 is in all respects identical to the TAB8907.

Let’s go down one more step in this new range to find the TAB7807. Very close to the TAB8507, it stands out from its big sister by the absence of wifi connectivity. Exit therefore the AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and similar protocols as well as integration into a home automation ecosystem. The TAB7807 also lacks DTS Play-Fi functionality.

The TAB7207, which brings up the rear, is clearly the least well equipped of the band. It adopts a 2.1 configuration, thus ignoring the central channel. It also loses the HDMI eARC output in favor of a simple HDMI ARC output and is therefore unable to decode Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos formats. Its dimensions have also been reduced: 80 x 6.5 x 10.6 cm and 2.1 kg for the bar, 15 x 40 x 30 cm and 4.74 kg for the box. Wifi connectivity is also absent.

No price has yet been communicated by Philips for these four new soundbars. However, we should know more quickly, because they are expected for the month of November.

Philips took advantage of this announcement to confirm the arrival of its Fidelio FB1 soundbar, announced at CES last January. We advise you to read the article we devoted to it at the beginning of the year if you want to know more about the spearhead of the Philips range. It will be launched this month at a price of €899.99.