Sound quality: Philips's TAB8905/37 has Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Music EQ mode with the simulated surround sound feature (Dolby Digital function) set to off, the bass has good impact, but is a touch prominent and a bit boomy and doesn't go deep. The midrange has a strong plastic resonance, is somewhat telephone like, grainy, and a bit hazy. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit subdued and smeared, and somewhat sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering the actual room ambience from the recording and the overall sound is somewhat congested. When playing back stereo program material the sound field extends somewhat above but not much beyond the width of the speaker array and there is no sense of depth. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Music EQ mode with the simulated surround sound feature set to off, the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends well beyond the height and width of the soundbar enclosure. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. When Dolby Atmos material is played back in the Music EQ mode with the simulated surround sound feature set to off the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, Aux, USB, Bluetooth and WiFi inputs. Dolby Atmos program material can only be played when the soundbar is directly connected to video player via an HDMI connection, or when it is used with a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV setup and ease of use: good overall.
Features setup and ease of use: Good overall.
