Lifestyle, simplicity, performance are key words in today’s fast moving world for many, many of us, and Philips has won the the EISA Award for Home Theatre Innovation with those factors in mind, while particular addressing the desires of the woman of the house not to have massive loudspeakers and multiple wires in the living areas.
HTL9100 is Philips’ first soundbar with real surround sound from wireless and detachable speakers, that are rechargeable when connected to the base soundbar unit.
The first option is for immersive Virtual Surround sound from less than five-speakers. Philips’ advanced spatial algorithms replicate the 5.1-channel environment.
Philips Fidelo HTL9100 virtual surround
Virtual Surround from the soundbar – Click to see superb Zoom Image photos
A built-in Dolby Digital decoder eliminates the need for an external decoder as Dolby Pro Logic II provides five channels of surround processing from any stereo source.
Then the fun begins as it’s not VOD but Surround-on-Demand! Simply detach the wireless, magnetically-held surround speakers from the side docking stations of the main soundbar unit and place them at the rear of the room to obtain a full 5.1 surround sound experience. Philips’ proprietary wireless audio technology operates on a unique frequency, so there is no network interference. The subwoofer is also wireless.
Philips Fidelo HTL9100 surround speakers
Philips Fidelo HTL9100 Click on the image to see the Video by Philips
The set-up is ultra simple and intuitive while the Philips Fidelo HTL9100 features are handled by the remote for about everything you will need.
Philips Fidelo HTL9100 EISA Award
Philips Fidelo HTL9100 Click on the image to see the EISA video
This is what the EISA judges had to say:
The Philips HTL9100 is no ordinary soundbar. If needed, the detachable, battery-powered side speakers can be put anywhere in the room where they will receive rear-channel sound wirelessly, providing true ‘Surround On Demand’ via the onboard Dolby and DTS 5.1 decoders. With the subwoofer also working wirelessly, and connectivity including Bluetooth for music streaming, two HDMI inputs and an ARC-compatible output, installation is fast and foolproof. Philips’ Smart Equalization sensor will also adjust the soundbar’s sound depending on whether it is mounted to a wall or flat on a stand. An energetic, detailed audio performance and slim, unobtrusive design completes this forward-thinking, innovative product. Hook it up to your TV and enjoy…