Sound quality:
Sennheiser's AMBEO Soundbar Plus has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. In the Neutral sound mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance and the Ambeo effect turned off the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit boomy. The midrange is fairly even, but is a bit grainy and hazy, and a touch plasticky. The treble is extended, but a touch smeared. This model does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but is a bit congested. The two channel sound extends a bit above and to the sides of the speaker array and lacks depth; the Ambeo feature expanded the sound field width and height somewhat beyond the sides and above the soundbar.
There was no significant difference between HDMI, optical, aux, WiFi, and Bluetooth sound quality.
Multichannel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends somewhat beyond the height and width of the soundbar enclosure; the Ambeo feature expanded the sound field width and height somewhat more.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material with the Ambeo feature engaged the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; the sound stage can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
DTS:X
When playing DTS:X material with the Ambeo feature engaged the width and height of the sound field is about the same as heard with multi-channel program material. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance regardless of the type of material that was being played.
TV ease of use: Acceptable overall. This model can work seamlessly with most TVs - The soundbar's volume and mute functions can be controlled by a HDMI CEC compatible TV's remote when connected via an HDMI cable. The soundbar's own physical remote is mediocre - The source and volume controls are grouped together and are the same size and shape which makes them easy to confuse. The mute control is a multi-function button with a vague marking that doesn't clearly indicate its function; when unmuting the HDMI, optical, or aux sources the response to the remote is sluggish. The soundbar's console was not user friendly either - The input source display consists of a momentary unlabeled light that changed positions and/or color to indicate the input selected. The volume mute indicator is persistent, but the graphical volume display is momentary and can't be recalled without changing the volume level. All of the display indicators are positioned on top of the sound bar and are fairly easy to see as long as the top of the soundbar is at or below eye level. There are no indicators for DSP status, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X program playback. The console lacks a power button but automatically turns on when it receives an audio signal and goes into standby mode when not in use. It has volume and input source controls that are adequately identified; it also has a vaguely marked multi-function button that can act as a mute or /play/pause control. All controls are easy to access.
Features ease of use: Mediocre overall. The soundbar's physical remote is not impressive - The source and volume controls are grouped together and are the same size and shape which makes them easy to confuse. The mute control is a multi-function button with a vague marking that doesn't clearly indicate its function; when unmuting the HDMI, optical, or aux sources the response to the remote is sluggish. The soundbar's console was not user friendly either - The input source display consists of a momentary unlabeled light that changed positions and/or color to indicate the input selected. The volume mute indicator is persistent, but the graphical volume display is momentary and can't be recalled without changing the volume level. All of the display indicators are positioned on top of the sound bar and are fairly easy to see as long as the top of the soundbar is at or below eye level. There are no indicators for DSP status, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X program playback. The console lacks a power button but automatically turns on when it receives an audio signal and goes into standby mode when not in use. It has volume and input source controls that are adequately identified; it also has a vaguely marked multi-function button that can act as a mute or /play/pause control. All controls are easy to access.
