As a premium German audio brand, Sennheiser needs no introduction for audiophiles. Since 1945, their ingeniously engineered headphones, mics, and pro equipment have earned global acclaim.
In recent years, Sennheiser has turned their attention towards revolutionizing the home theater soundscape. Launching their Ambeo line of soundbars aims to pack the immersiveness of a surround system into a simple, compact form factor.
But can their technology truly replace an intricate multi-speaker setup? And is the new Ambeo Plus model worth its lofty $1499 price tag? We‘ll uncover whether its performance matches its ambitious promises.
Overview of the Ambeo Plus Soundbar
This 2021 released Ambeo Plus model joins the existing $2499 Ambeo Max flagship unit launched in 2020. Though 25% cheaper, Sennheiser maintains that the Plus loses negligible ground in enveloping buyers in a bubble of 3D sound.
Let‘s analyze the Plus‘s driver configuration, amplification power, and other key specs feeding this audacious single-Enclosure virtualization technology:
- 7 channel sound via 5 front-facing drivers plus 2 side-firing drivers
- 4 top-mounted tweeters for overhead audio projection
- Proprietary 500Hz – 7000Hz upfiring transducer design
- 2 built-in 4-inch long-throw subwoofers
- 1x 130W bass amplifier for subs, 8x 25W amps for mids/highs
- 4 integrated microphones for auto room calibration
- 5.0 Bluetooth, WiSA TV/multi-room audio standard
With the hardware covered, how does this translate to real-world acoustic performance?
Unmatched Sound Quality from a Single Soundbar
Simply put, no rival soundbar combining 7.1 channel surround and Dolby Atmos height effects with compact integrated subs reaches the sublime immersiveness of the Ambeo Plus.
Let‘s examine the audio engineering marvel that is the Plus:
Enveloping 3D Surround Soundstage
- 180W total speaker amplification power
- 6 optimized midwoofers x 4 AMT tweeters
- Up to 113 dB max loudness capacity
- 42Hz – 20kHz frequency response range
- Imperceptible 0.05% total harmonic distortion
Thanks to these impressive specs, the Ambeo Plus develops an astonishingly wide, borderline holographic staging absolutely cavernous for a single bar.
Sweeping effects truly travel from left to right and front to back with pinpoint accuracy. The four angled top-firing drivers bounce audio off walls and ceilings to complete the bubble-like atmosphere.
Creating such a soundscape typically requires wireless satellite surround units or bouncing speakers meticulously planned via projection mapping software.
Yet Sennheiser pulls it off automatically after a few quick calibration test tones. Their virgin version of wave field synthesis harnesses advanced delay and amplification calculations to mimic genuine rear channel sources.
Authoritative Integrated Subwoofer Performance
With dual long-throw subwoofers builtin, producers feel each rumble, explosion, and kick drum hit in their chest cavity thanks to the mighty 130W bass amplifier.
Many soundbars in this class rely on a single compact sub which fails to reach deep subterranean notes or splits left/right duties thinly. But the Plus‘s subs leverage the entire enclosure to summon seismic, foundation-shaking power down to 42Hz rivaling standalone units.
Ethereal Music Reproduction
While excelling at blockbuster movie playback, the Plus reveals its German heritage reproducing subtle acoustic instrumentation with haunting reality.
Notes decay smoothly without harsh sibilance thanks to the AMT tweeter‘s lightning response and wide dispersion. Densely-arranged classical and jazz compositions maintain airy separation as various sections interplay dynamically.
Vocals sound almost supernaturally present and lifelike – as if performers are in the room serenading you personally.
Connectivity Options Galore
With rock-solid Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, Apple Airplay 2 multiroom streaming, and HDMI eARC support, enjoying your entire digital library is a cinch with the Plus.
Set it atop your media console, plug in the lone HDMI cable, and you‘re set. eARC ensures lossless transfer of Dolby Atmos/TrueHD soundtracks from 4K Blu-Ray players and streaming boxes.
It also simplifies connections by carrying video to the TV alongside audio return. CEC functionality even automatically switches TV input and controls volume.
Here are just some of the audio technologies and streaming functions enabled:
| Format/Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | Lossy or TrueHD via eARC passthru |
| DTS:X | Up to DTS-HD Master Audio |
| MPEG-H | For Youtube 360 Reality Audio |
| WiSA | Wireless multi-room/home theater standard |
| Apple Airplay 2 | Multi-room iOS/MacOS streaming |
| Chromecast Built-in | Cast from Android/Chromebooks |
| Spotify Connect | Direct from Spotify apps |
| Alexa Voice | Built-in mics for Alexa control |
This diversity of streaming sources and surround formats means you‘ll never find an audio codec the Ambeo Plus can‘t handle.
Unreal Value Amongst Leading Soundbars
Here‘s how the Ambeo Plus stacks up to Sennheiser‘s premium Max model:
| Metric | Ambeo Plus | Ambeo Max |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1499 | $2499 |
| # of drivers | 13 | 13 |
| Amplifier power | 536W | 785W |
| Integrated subs | Yes | No |
| Surround channels | 7.1.4 | 7.1.6 |
| Room correction | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming features | Identical | Identical |
| Dimensions | Smaller | Larger |
Given the Plus costs a full $1000 less while only sacrificing two height channels and some power, it clearly provides superior value. The built-in subs are actually an upgrade over the Max‘s single external one in many homes.
Considering the small performance disparity, Ambeo Plus buyers enjoy 60% of the Max‘s surround capabilities at just 25% higher cost than most 7.1 systems without height or 3D audio. That‘s seriously impressive ROI!
Conclusion – A Must-Audition Soundbar Powerhouse
If you seek singular, astonishingly immersive surround sound rather than complexity, the Sennheiser Ambeo Plus is an unrivaled sonic powerhouse. No other model with integrated subwoofers touches its sphere-like, borderline physical soundstage.
Factor in the smart ergonomic design, intuitive calibration mics, extensive streaming abilities, and pricing thousands below dedicated surround builds, and the Plus earns our highest recommendation. Spring for this and you may never feel the need to shop soundbars again thanks to Sennheiser‘s software and hardware wizardry.
