Philips Fidelio FB1

This Atmos soundbar might be the best choice for anyone looking for a single unit that offers maximum bass with minimum fuss

The Philips Fidelio FB1 is a single-box soundbar that supports the main object-based spatial audio formats of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X using its upfiring drivers. It includes a pair of built-in woofers designed to generate deeper bass, despite lacking a separate subwoofer. But how deep is that bass, and does it do enough to stand out in a crowded market?

The Philips Fidelio FB1 sports an attractive design and elegant finish befitting of its premium status. The cabinet is fairly large, but the sleek styling doesn't dominate the front of the room, while the build quality is excellent, with a robust metal construction that weighs a solid 7.2kg.

The cabinet has rounded corners and a Muirhead leather trim that separates the top, front and side panels, adding a degree of class. The speakers are located behind mesh metal grilles, as is the display on the front right, although because of this it can be difficult to clearly read at times.

There are ring lights around the up-firing drivers that illuminate when the FB1 is decoding an object-based audio format. This looks very cool, but can get distracting in the dark; luckily you can turn it off.

The Philips Fidelio FB1's headline feature is its ability to decode the Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced spatial audio formats, and deliver them using a 5.1.2-channel speaker system. More importantly, this entire system is crammed into a single, relatively svelte soundbar, no extra boxes required.

That channel layout is based around front left, right and centre channels, side-firing width channels, and a pair of up-firing overhead channels. These speakers are full-range and comprise 13 drivers and tweeters combined, while a pair of 3.5-inch woofers lay down a solid foundation of bass.