Next, we have the fact that the PHILIPS FIDELIO B97 7.1.2 CHANNEL SOUNDBAR is IMAX enhanced. This means that whenever you play some content that is in an IMAX version, the soundbar will correctly reproduce the audio so that you will get the full IMAX-rich experience. We feel that this feature has been put in to make the B97 future-proof. This is because, not a lot of content right now is available in IMAX format, which means there are not a lot of data points that can be used to properly quantify how good this feature actually is. That said, when the market starts getting populated with IMAX enhanced content, the PHILIPS FIDELIO B97 7.1.2 CHANNEL SOUNDBAR will have no problems playing them to the best possible outcome.
We now move to the NET feature, and that is the support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Standard. There are many audio and video streaming services that are showcasing content that has been shot or recorded using the Dolby Atmos and/or Dolby Surround standards. To fully experience such content, you need speakers that are compatible with these standards. We decided to put the Fidelio B97 to the test here by streaming a few episodes of the popular Netflix show ‘F1 – Drive to Survive’, which has been shot in Dobly Atmos, and the soundbar had us immersed the whole time. The audio output is impeccable and we literally found ourselves in the paddock, experiencing each moment.
The beauty of this feature is that if you are watching content that has not been shot in Dolby Atmos, the B97 soundbar automatically switches to the Dolby Surround profile.
One of the things that are really picking up traction is the inclusion of voice assistants in devices. Smart TVs today, typically feature the Google Assistant or even Amazon’s Alexa. Apple TV users have ac- cess to the popular Siri voice assistant. Philips has recognized this and as a result, the Fidelio B97 soundbar is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can use either of them to control the media streaming through the soundbar. Now, if you are an Apple user and you simply prefer Siri for voice assistance, then do not fear, the B97 soundbar also supports Apple Airplay 2. So, no matter which of these voice assistants you prefer, they all work perfectly with the Philips Fidelio B97 soundbar. We actually put this to the test and so far everything has checked out just fine.
For music, Spotify Connect lets you stream Spotify’s best-quality signal over Wi-Fi. You can also stream hi-res playlists from your mobile device via Apple AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth. For movies and gaming, a 4K pass-through lets you connect 4K HDR video sources with no loss of resolution.
Conclusion
When it comes to soundbars that come with a hefty price tag, the expectations are sky-high. We are absolutely pleased with the performance and features that come bundled in the PHILIPS FIDELIO B977.1.2 CHANNEL SOUNDBAR. The design is modern and very sleek, the build is robust, and definitely deserves special credit. When it comes to the connectivity options, we are really spoilt for choice. The inclusion of new standards like the DTS Play-Fi and IMAX enhanced to ensure that the soundbar stays relevant for years to come, which is critical in a device that costs as much as this.
So, if you love streaming content or listening to music at the highest level possible, and you want that theatre-like experience in the comfort of your home, then the PHILIPS FIDELIO B97 7.1.2 CHANNEL SOUNDBAR is the soundbar that you absolutely need to have.
