As CES 2023 closes its doors, it’s time to note that soundbars, traditionally widely promoted by manufacturers, have been absent subscribers.
At the start of 2023, the CES in Las Vegas was certainly marked by major innovations in the automotive field or many new PCs, but the same cannot be said for audio. The absence of TV launches from the main manufacturers such as Sony, Philips, or TCL has had consequences in this area, and more particularly concerning sound bars.
While the CES in Las Vegas is traditionally – along with the IFA in Berlin – an event particularly focused on TV furniture, this year had more of a Computex feel with mainly products around PCs and computer screens.
Only five new soundbars presented
Therefore, if we expected a wave of announcements around sound bars, especially given the return to normal production, we could only count… five new models. And again, aiming wide.
JBL has unveiled its new high-end bar, the JBL Bar 1300, with its 11.1.4 channels and detachable rear speakers. On the LG side, the trend has also been to increase the number of channels with its SC9 and SE6 bars which can rely on the TV speakers to reinforce the immersion. A feature that is reminiscent of what Samsung already offers with its Q Symphony function. Razer also presented a soundbar, but this time designed for offices with a compact format and virtualized 5.1 sound by identifying the user’s position using an infrared camera.
Slightly more unnoticed, the Japanese brand Nakamichi presented a soundbar with 21 channels, for 31 transducers and rendering in 11.4.6. The bar is the first to benefit from DTS: X Pro compatibility, for the trifle of 3499 dollars, or 3309 euros excluding tax.
Deadlines probably postponed by spring
Several reasons can explain this absence of a category of products often acclaimed in Las Vegas. First, some brands such as Panasonic have rightly highlighted the audio quality of their new televisions, such as the MZ2000 designed with its Technics subsidiary, thus suggesting that they do not need dedicated bars to enjoy excellent quality. sound. Above all, the absence of announcements of new televisions from Sony, TCL or Philips has undoubtedly delayed the announcement of new soundbars. More surprisingly, Samsung, which has nevertheless announced new televisions, has however ignored this range of products.
We can therefore expect announcements later at the start of the year for the presentation not only of new televisions, but also of the soundbars that will accompany them. On the Sony side, for example, launches generally take place in the spring and it’s a safe bet that a dedicated event will be held by then. At Philips, the announcements will take place on February 7 at a dedicated event in Amsterdam.
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