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Beethoven, being the grumpy perfectionist that he was, only ever got around to writing the one opera that was about a woman who disguises herself as a male guard called Fidelio to save her husband, a political prisoner, from death – in the way that people in operas typically do save their loved ones from death.
But AV enthusiasts may be more familiar with the Fidelio brand as Philips’ ranges of premium headphones and speakers. This includes the company’s most recent home cinema offering, the Fidelio FB1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar, which, much like Beethoven’s titular character, is deceptively cunning and has an awful lot hiding underneath its seemingly plain exterior that you might not expect at first glance.
Philips Fidelio FB1 specifications
| Weight | 7.2 kg |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI |
| Dimensions (hwd) | 7.3 x 120 x 12.5cm |
| Sound format support | Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD / DTS:X / DTS-HD / PCM |
Philips Fidelio FB1 review: Design
Philips calls the Fidelio FB1 a 7.1.2 soundbar. It has 15 drivers hidden under a dark grey metal grille that wraps around it and is trimmed with Muirhead leather that matches the colour perfectly. Even though it isn’t vegan-friendly, Philips has found a way to make the FB1 soundbar look like it’s smaller than it actually is. It’s a good mix of simplicity and sleek design.
On the front, there are three LCR channels, each with a single 25mm soft-dome Teteron tweeter and two 50mm midrange drivers in a D’Appolito configuration. This setup can make the transition between highs and mids smoother and less directional, so the sound is more even across the whole width of the bar. You can buy this soundbar from its official website.
Philips Fidelio FB1 review: Features
This spec might have something to do with the IMAX Certification of the Fidelio FB1. The sound for IMAX movies comes from a version of DTS:X that is designed to give a more cinematic, dynamic, and bassy performance than you would normally get at home. DTS says that a 7.1.2 system is the best way to do this, but most people can’t afford that. The DTS:X decoder can remap the channels to match the speakers that are available.
Philips Fidelio FB1 review: Sound quality
This spec might have something to do with the IMAX Certification of the Fidelio FB1. The sound for IMAX movies comes from a version of DTS:X that is designed to give a more cinematic, dynamic, and bassy performance than you would normally get at home. DTS says that a 7.1.2 system is the best way to do this, but most people can’t afford that. The DTS:X decoder can remap the channels to match the speakers that are available.
As you might expect from an IMAX-certified soundbar, the FB1 is well-equipped to support immersive formats. It has both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and both of these formats have options that can be changed. The default setting for the DTS: Neural X upmixing mode is ON. This gives users virtual multi-channel audio so they can use all of the available channels.
Philips Fidelio FB1 review: Price
Most major stores sell the Philips Fidelio FB1, which costs £799 at the moment. Even though it’s not too expensive, it’s still pretty pricey for a single-box soundbar. It’s clear that it’s meant to compete with high-end soundbars like the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 (£899), the Bose Soundbar 900 (£799), and the Sonos Arc (£799).
Final Words
The Philips Fidelio FB1 does a great job of making deep bass, which is usually the job of a separate subwoofer. Its sleek design and light-up drivers make it one of the most attractive all-in-one soundbars on the market.
It has more than enough power and lets you watch Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced content with an immersive soundstage, clear dialogue, and well-placed effects. But its sound comes from the front and doesn’t have much of a surround presence.
Philips Fidelio FB1 Ratings
Pros
- Excellent bass response
- Room calibration
- Tons of audio settings
Cons
- Buggy calibration process
- Spatial imaging doesn’t match competitors
FAQs
Are Philips soundbars any good?
The Philips FB1 Fidelio might be one of the smartest Dolby Atmos soundbars we’ve seen. It has a great set of features and a lot of ways to customise it for people who like to change things, and it costs a very reasonable amount. For a single soundbar, it puts out very clear dialogue and has great bass and surround effects.
How much is Fidelio FB1?
Soundbars are becoming a better way to get surround sound from your TV without putting satellites all over your living room. For example, the Philips Fidelio FB1, which costs $699.99, has Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 7.1.
Is Fidelio a good opera?
A Unique Masterpiece. Many people believe that Fidelio, which was Ludwig van Beethoven’s one and only opera, is the best first opera that has ever been written.