After the Fidelio 2021 range (see our test of the Philips Fidelio B97 soundbar), Philips is continuing to revamp its range of premium audio products with the Philips Fidelio FB1.
Philips Fidelio FB1, main specs
The Philips Fidelio FB1 model 7.1.2 certified Imax Enhanced and compatible with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X Blu-Ray, but also suitable content offered by OTT services (like Netflix) to immerse the viewer in the heart of the action.
The Philips Fidelio FB1 is also relying on two flagship features to impose itself on the competitive soundbar sector: DTS Play-Fi wireless multiroom certification (see our news Philips and DTS Play-Fi partnership: televisions , soundbars and wireless and multiroom speakers) and automatic calibration via microphone.
Inside FB1…
The Philips Fidelio FB1 makes a solid case for distributing ten channels of the best Dolby Atmos soundtracks across space. Judge for yourself, it has a total of 15 speakers (10 broadband speakers including two Up-Firing speakers for the Dolby Atmos height channels + 3 tweeters) for a total power of 620 W (310 W RMS). All associated with a wireless subwoofer. Namely, each of the front channels is made up of a pair of full-range loudspeakers arranged on either side of a tweeter in a classic Apolito layout, in order to optimize the mid and high frequencies.
Home Theater and Network Features
In addition to Spotify, there is also Wi-Fi ac Dual Band, Chromecast (integrated), Bluetooth 5.0 and AirPlay 2 compatibility to enjoy wireless streaming of music stored on a suitable device (smartphone, tablet , computer…). Similarly, Hey Google, Siri and Works with Alexa compatibility are included for voice control of the soundbar. Precision, the management of MP3, WAV, Flac, AIFF, AAC and M4A codecs is ensured.
HDMI 2.1 connector
The connection has two HDMI 2.0 inputs/output transparent to HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision, with management of eARC and 4K Pass-Trough functions. There is also an optical input, a 3.5 mm mini-jack auxiliary and a USB Host port.
Availability announced for the month of September. Indicative price of 900 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Philips Fidelio FB1:
• Type: soundbar
• System: 7.1.2
• Amplification: Class D
• Total power: 320 W (310 W RMS)
• Loudspeaker(s): 15 (12 full-range speakers including 2 Up-Firing speakers + 3 tweeters)
• Subwoofer: external wireless (boomer 8.89 cm)
• AirPlay 2 compatibility
• HDR10 compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision compatibility
• HDR HLG compatibility
• HDR10+ compatibility
• CEC
• eARC compatibility
• Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility
• DTS Play-Fi compatibility
• Wi-Fi ac Dual Band compatibility
• MP3 compatibility
• AAC compatibility
• Flac compatibility
• AIFF compatibility
• Wav compatibility
• 4K Pass-Trought function
• Chromecast function
• Spotify Connect function
• Inputs: 2 HDMI 2.0 inputs, 1 optical
• Output: 1 HDMI 2.0 output
• Others: 1 USB Host port, 1 3.5 mm mini-jack
• Dolby decoder Atmos
• DTS:X decoder
• Voice assistants: Works with Alexa and Works with Ok Google
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• Imax Enhanced certification
• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 1,200 x 73 x 125 mm for the bar
• Consumption: nc (< 0.5 W in standby)
• Weight: 7.2 kg (bar + box)
