Philips proposes here an audio system Philips Fidelio B1 Cinema Speaker review specifically designed to offer small spaces a real restitution 5.1. This solution is based on a mini sound bar, surprising in its small dimensions, and a subwoofer. Thus exits multiple speakers or invasive systems. Moreover, with the exception of its power cord, the box automatically establishes a wireless connection with the small main element, which offers total freedom for its positioning in the room.
ELECTRONICS IN THE SOUND BAR: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
It is, therefore, the mini bar of sound which concentrates all the ” intelligence ” of the system.In the first place, it is she who carries the connection. It remains a little limited, but the essential is present. Indeed an input and output HDMI, compatible ARC, are there. A single HDMI cable is enough to connect to the TV. Note that for older equipment, that is to say without the ARC function among others, an optical input is also present.
BLUETOOTH APT-X FUNCTION ON THE MENU: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
In addition, Philips has designed its Philips Fidelio B1 Cinema Speaker review so that it can act as a Hi-Fi channel. It is therefore equipped with an analog input on mini 3.5 jack Millimeters. For newer storage media, it also has a USB port Host which accepts to read the contents of a key or of a nomadic hard disk.However, this port, located at the back of the box, is not very accessible once the system is installed. To compensate for this slight handicap, the Philips B1 has a Bluetooth connection APT-X. It is therefore to privilege to listen to the music stored on a smartphone, a tablet, even a last walkman generation.
TWEETERS WITH LONG WAVEGUIDES: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
However, the primary purpose of Philips B1 is to reproduce the sound atmospheres of the films by offering a sensation of immersion without needing to use speakers ” Satellites “. For this Philips exploits the reflection of directional sound beams on the walls of the listening room. Four oval loudspeakers and two tweeters equipped with a waveguide are used in the main housing of the B1. Two first oval speakers, oriented towards the front but with a fairly marked converging angle, have the task of recreating the center channel and the conventional stereophonic channels. Two other oval speakers, oriented this time towards the sides, restore the ambient sounds. Finally, the two tweeters are equipped with long waveguides and are arranged in a ” Cross ( Cf. Picture below ).
MICROBEAM TECHNOLOGY: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
The structure of these waveguides is quite complex. Over their entire length, they are provided with holes of increasingly higher diameters. Associated with a specific DSP, this structure makes it possible to create the directional treble beams necessary for the sensation of the presence of virtual speakers. A technology that Philips has named ” Microbeam “. As a tradition on this type of architecture, each loudspeaker is controlled by a specific digital amplifier. In total, the central unit has a power of 120 Watts. Finally, to reduce the congestion of this element to the strict indispensable, Philips has opted for a small external power supply.It remains relatively unobtrusive and easily finds its place near the multiple power sockets of the whole audio-video installation for example. We are far from the imposing size of the sector blocks of certain game consoles, between other.
ULTRA-SLIM SUBWOOFER: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
However, due to its extreme compactness, the Philips Fidelio B1 Cinema Speaker review is unable to properly handle the restitution of the bass. This has not escaped anyone, its internal volume (also called literature) has nothing comparable with that of certain sound pedestals, for example. Philips has therefore chosen to associate a subwoofer with it. But here again, the brand has opted for a solution particularly well suited to small spaces. In addition to a wireless connection, the box has a slim design. With a thickness of 86 Mm only, it fits easily anywhere, under a piece of furniture for example.
However, if a narrow acoustic load does not pose a major problem, it is quite different with respect to the boomer itself. Indeed, it is impossible to use a conventional loudspeaker largely dimensioned. Either its large diameter is opposed to its integration in a structure so thin, or it is its magnetic circuit, especially the magnet, that comes to pose the problem. Here again, Philips has retained an oval boomer of 202 X 69 Millimeters. It takes place in the center of the acoustic load based on two compartments, one exploiting the front HP, the other the rear wave. A lateral vent decompresses them and ensures the diffusion of the bass. This choice of a lateral vent is not innocent. It makes it possible to slide the box under a sofa, its two faces being then hidden, without modifying its acoustic behavior. Finally, as for the central unit, loudspeaker management is provided by a digital amplifier capable of delivering a power of 200 Watts.
COMPETITION: PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 CINEMA SPEAKER REVIEW
Quite a few manufacturers offer sound bars with reduced dimensions offering direct multi-channel playback. There are, however, two types of equipment that can be catered for.
First, the Yamaha sound bar YAS105 proposed at 190 €, which offers a surround mode that restores an immersive sound environment. In addition, Yamaha has managed to dispense with a subwoofer external.
Bose, next, presents the SoundTouch 300, distributed at 799.95 € which is also based on waveguide tweeters to recreate virtual speakers. In addition, it integrates with a multiroom system and it is possible to combine it with wireless satellite speakers for an even more immersive sound Convincing.
TECHNICAL VERDICT
Commissioning the Philips B1 is easy. This is its first advantage: it is enough to connect the central unit and the subwoofer to the mains so that the two elements interconnect without any other intervention on the part of the user. Similarly, connecting to the TV requires either a single HDMI cable or an optical cable. We even found that the caisson did not have a power switch. In fact, it is the start-up of the main unit which automatically controls its output from sleep mode. Precision, the sound bar clearly shows through its metal grid micro perforated to the superb finish the time or source selected.
100% CONTROLLABLE WITH REMOTE CONTROL
The small remote control then proposes to select the source according to the chosen wiring: HDMI ARC, optical, etc. It is also through it that you can access the analog input, contents stored on a USB medium or transmitted via Bluetooth. Of course, it also includes a volume control. On the other hand, it remains fairly limited as regards the different modes of reproduction possible, but it is consistent with the philosophy of the product and the intended audience. Three modes are available: Music, Voice, and Film. A bass/treble setting completes them.
On the cinema soundtracks, the sensation of multi-channel sound and virtual speakers is present. Microbeam technology is effective even if the Philips B1 does not occupy a central position in relation to the walls of the room. Impressive. The sensation of sound immersion is present. We were able to note that the Voice position offered a better intelligibility to the dialogues by slightly enhancing the medium. The Film position, for its part, reinforces the extreme low register in order to give more effect to the special effects. Overall, the behavior of the B1 is very satisfactory, especially if it is installed in a medium-sized salon.
PHILIPS FIDELIO B1 OR COMPLEMENTARY HI-FI SYSTEM
It also performs relatively well in its role of “Hi – fi system“. Here, it offers a wide stereophonic space and a beautiful relief of the sound scene. There are, however, some weaknesses inherent in 2.1 of the small footprint. The low-medium is slightly set back. If this behavior can prove flattering on the current music, it sometimes loses in the heat to the voice of the singers. A specificity that we have seen in listening to our usual beaches of Bernard Lavilliers, a singer with a rich voice, it is true.
Similarly, if the box is effective on cinema effects as well as on round and deep bass, there is a lack of impact due to the small dimensions of its internal woofer and, above all, the acoustic configuration retained. It remains difficult to ask for a complete system costing less than 500 € to behave as well as a Hi – Fi channel combining elements totaling an investment of several thousand Of euros.
PHILIPS FIDELIO B, VERSATILE SOUND BAR
In short, it seems to us that the B1 is an excellent versatile choice in every sense of the word.Its compact design allows easy and quick integration into all interiors. Its features enable you to take advantage of “classic” sources connected by wireline but also of dematerialized music via its USB port and the certification Bluetooth, thus transforming the Philips B1 as a backup chain. Finally, his capacities prove amazing in the Home Cinema sector, his favorite field, with a spectacle bluffing with regard to its template. To take full advantage of it, it is necessary to be careful to install it in parts of dimensions contained.
Source: Whathifi
Photos: TechRadar
Title: Philips Fidelio B1 Cinema Speaker Review
Updated: 2017-01-17
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