What do you do when you want to have a personal audio experience at home? What if you think that soundbars are a little too much? What if you do not want to have a headphone weighing down your head? You have the Sony SRS-NS7 wearable wireless speaker.
The SRS-NS7 wearable speaker is a unique way of enjoying entertainment at home though. It is pretty much a sound bar you wear around your neck. With its wireless transmitter, you simply connect it to your TV or whatever media source you would like to experience with the SRS-NS7.
The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter that comes with the SRS-NS7 does not only work with the speaker though. It also works with select headphones to achieve the same experience you would get from the SRS-NS7.
The SRS-NS7 is in a class of its own though paired to the WLA-NS7 and paired to Sony’s BRAVIA XR TVs. With Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, the SRS-NS7 can deliver Dolby Atmos experience to your ears from the neck. The combination of the Sony BRAVIA TV, wireless transmitter, and SRS-NS7 neck speaker you get access to Sony’s 360 Reality audio for some Spatial awareness, virtual surround sound if you haven’t understood yet. Of course, 360 Reality Audio also works with music form Deezer, and TIDAL when connected to your smartphone.
While it is not a headphone unit, the neck speaker unit allows you the immersive experience comparable to Sony’s soundbars without disturbing anyone else at home or filling the entire room with noise. The upward facing speaker is optimised to deliver rich immersive audio without the frills of disturbing your neighbours or even your loved ones in the other room.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The wireless nature of the SRS-NS7 also allows you to enjoy immersive audio experience around the house without needing bulky and complex speaker set ups. At the same time, with IPX4 splash-proof design, you can take the Sony neck speakers anywhere around the house or out of it without worrying about water damage.
The Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7 in Malaysia January 2021 onward. The SRS-NS7 will be available for MYR 1,249. The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter will be available at MYR 269. To know more about the Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7, you can check out Sony’s website.
Sonos has made a name for itself over the years with its offerings when it comes to wireless sound. The company has one of the largest portfolios when it comes to wireless audio products. Having only just released their new Sonos Roam not too long ago, the company is announcing their new, updated second-generation Sonos Beam.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a step forward when it comes to home entertainment and soundbars. The second-generation Beam shares some of the hallmark features of the first generation Sonos Beam including its compact size and iconic design. The minimalist design that has become the signature for any Sonos product is also along for the ride. However, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 brings an updated grille design to allow it to stand out in simplicity.
However, while the outsides remain iconic and about the same, the insides bring a leap forward when it comes to the sound experience. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the first to come equipped with Dolby Atmos support. It will bring a more immersive sound experience that puts viewers in the middle of their content with object-centered sound. This will allow viewers to immerse themselves as they listen to the sound as is intended by sound designers. Blasts from behind as they escape an explosion in their favorite game or whisper in the corner as danger approaches in the dark.
The soundbar also packs a faster, more capable processor which allows the soundbar to produce more realistic sound. It’s also equipped with upgraded speaker arrays which allows more complex interactions between the transducers allowing for a more spacious sound space and dialogue clarity.
The new generation Sonos Beam also supports a wider range of audio types with enhancements already in place for high-definition audio. It will be able to support Amazon Music’s Ultra High-Definition audio which will be launching later this year. With this support, the Sonos Beam will be one of the first in the market to support lossless audio with bitrates of up to 48kHz or 24-bit audio.
Together with higher fidelity audio, the Beam is also able to support more audio formats. It has HDMI eARC support and even supports DTS:X. Controlling and interacting with the Beam will be as easy as touching your phone to the soundbar with its NFC support. You will be able to seamlessly add it to your Sonos groups on the S2 platform. However, daisy-chaining multiple Beam units isn’t an option – yet.
Pricing & Availability
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) will be in stores in Malaysia starting October 6, 2021. It will be available in white and black and will cost MYR2,699.
If you can’t wait to get your own, it’s available for pre-order starting 14 September 2021 on the official Sonos Malaysia website starting at 9 pm.
Lenovo has been one of the only manufacturers actively releasing tablets in the Android space. This year, the company is updating and diversifying their offerings with a slew of new tablets. Each line up addresses a unique niche with features that not not only address the need but also up their design ante.
Entertain, Create and Be Productive with the New Lenovo Yoga Tab Lineup
The Lenovo Yoga Tab series has always been Lenovo’s go to when it comes to pushing the boundaries of entertainment. The new lineup of the Yoga Tab series continues to inherit the sleek design and curves of the Yoga Tabs of the past. However, this year, the new entries: the Yoga Tab 11 and Yoga Tab 13 come with the lineup’s signature design which resembles a folded magazine or book. This year it’s paired with a large display and specifications which gear the tablets to be one of the most versatile tablets in the Yoga Tab lineup.
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 comes packed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 mobile platform paired with 8GB of RAM. The Octa-core processor is able to process data at up to 3.2GHz of speed. It also has 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. It comes with a Dolby Vision certified 13-inch LTPS display with a WQHD resolution of 2160×1350 pixels. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate with 400 nits peak brightness. The screen is complemented with Quad JBL speakers with a 5cc audio chamber and Dolby Atmos certification and Lenovo’s Premium Audio Solution. It has 3 microphones for video calling and recording audio. The Tab is powered with a 10,000mAh battery with up to 12 hours of video playback at 1080p. Topping up charge shouldn’t be a problem with 30W quick charge.
The smaller Yoga Tab 11 comes with a smaller 11-inch LCD display with a WUXGA resolution of 2000×1200 pixels. It comes in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard memory and 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard memory. Both run on the MediaTek Helio G90T processor. Similar to its larger sibling, the Yoga Tab 11 comes with Quad JBL speakers and all the extras. However, it comes with a dual-mic configuration. It also comes with a 7,500mAh battery with up to 15 hours of video playback and support for 20W quick charge. Both support the Lenovo Precision Pen 2. You’ll be able to use the built-in kickstand to get the tablets in the best orientation for your artistic endeavours.
Versatility with the New Lenovo Tab P11 Plus & 3rd Generation Tab M series
Lenovo is buffing up its Tab portfolio with the new Lenovo Tab P11 which is powered by the same MediaTek Helio G90T which powered the smaller Yoga Tab 11. It comes paired with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal memory. The front is emblazoned by an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a 2K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. It has a dual microphone array with Smart Voice DSP with Dolby Atmos optimised speakers. It also comes with up to 12 hours of video playback powered by a 7,500mAh battery with 20W quick charge support.
Together with the Pad 11 Plus, Lenovo is introducing the third generation of the Lenovo Tab M7 and Tab M8. The two new entries into Lenovo’s mainstream tablet lineup bring a new, empowered approach to their tablets. They make one of the best entertainment experience on a tablet available at a more affordable price. They come with a 7- and 8-inch IPS screen respectively. The smaller M7 comes with an resolution of 1024×600 pixels while the M8 HD resolution of 1280×800 pixels. Both are powered by MediaTek processors.
Pricing & Availability
MalaysiaAvailability
MalaysiaPrice starting from
Global Availability
Global Price from (VAT included)
Yoga Tab 13
TBC
TBC
June 2021
€799
Yoga Tab 11
TBC
TBC
July 2021
€349
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Sept 2021
RM1,799
July 2021
€299
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Google Assistant
TBC
TBC
August 2021
€89.99
Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen)
July 2021
RM549
June 2021
€119
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
January 2022
TBC
January 2022
TBC
Official Specifications
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
Processor
Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform, Octa-Core, up to 3.2GHz
We are still reeling from LG’s big announcement with their mobile business unit. Yesterday they told the world that they are backing out from the smartphone market. They are still active in other areas though. For example, they are still a strong player in the home audio market.
They have just introduced their new line-up of soundbars for 2021. Of course, they come with even more features and before to really complete your audio experience. They also still come with everything that made the older soundbars great too. For one, you still get Meridian technology.
LG’s new 2021 soundbars introduces Meridian’s Horizon technology though. The technology cleverly mixes regular dual channel to virtually create a multichannel experience for true immersion when it comes to music and even movies regardless of their position. Meridian’s technology and tuning also shines in the soundbar’s Music Mode.
The LG soundbars for 2021 now supports Dolby Atmos and DRS:X audio. That also means you get more dynamic audio and immersion from the soundbars. If you have a Dolby Vision certified 4K TV, the soundbars adjust themselves to optimise audio and picture experience. Your Netflix set-up at home just got even better.
What is a modern soundbar without its smart features? The 2021 soundbars is compatible with Google Asisstant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. With support for Apple AirPlay 2, the soundbars can now control their favourite contents directly from their Apple iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
To make your audio experience even more immersive and even better is LG’s clever AI features on the soundbar. The new 2021 soundbars packs their own clever Room Calibration tool that utilises its AI to optimise your audio experience no matter the kind of room you work with. Using a combination of its multiple mics and speaker units, the AI measures it own space and adjusts itself according to the room. In combination with the AI Sound Pro feature, the soundbar cleverly adjusts its frequency range and field extensions depending on contents to optimise your audio experience even more.
The 2021 LG soundbars are Hi-Res Audio certified supporting 24-bit/96kHz audio playback. The soundbars get HDMI eARC compatibility as well for high bitrate, high-resolution content playback and of course, Dolby Atmos audio. There is also USB playback as well as Bluetooth connectivity for a wider flexibility in terms of audio sources.
The new 2021 LG soundbar line-up will be available in Europe and North American market this month onward. There is no official pricing announced just yet even for the key markets. There are also no local (Malaysia) availability information yet for the soundbars. We are looking at a third quarter availability in Malaysia though. The new product line-up includes SP11RA (7.1.4), SP9WA (5.1.2), SP8YA (3.1.2), SP7Y (5.1), and SPD7Y (3.1.2). For more information on LG’s 2021 line-up of soundbars, you can head over to their website.
Sound plays a humongous part in how immersive content can be. When the quality is below par, we tend to be pulled out from the content we’re viewing. On the other hand, when the sound we experience is rich, bold and warm, we’re immersed even more. That said, when it comes to stock speakers on our TVs, there can be a lot to make up for when it comes to sound – that’s where soundbars come in.
Samsung’s Q800T soundbar is one of the latest soundbars from the big blue. Initially announced at CES 2020, the sound bar brings along with it a slew of features that is aimed at creating a more immersive experience. That said, we’re taking a deep dive into the new offering from Samsung and breaking down the experience to see if it’s truly worth your hard earned money.
Design
When it comes to items like the TV and Soundbar, the first thing that we tend to look for is something that can blend seamlessly with our existing setup and enhance the look of our living space or room. We never want to see an item which disrupts our zen in a space we spend so much of our time in.
The Samsung Q800T is one of the more discreet options you can have when it comes to a soundbar. The sleek, black finish of the soundbar allows it to blend into your setup seamlessly. It’s got a minimalist feel with an industrial finish but you wouldn’t be able to tell from a distance thanks to the black colour.
You can tell that Samsung’s design team has put some thought into the aesthetics of the whole living space when it comes to the Q800T Soundbar. It is able to fit under newer QLED and Smart TVs but, more importantly, it has a small enough footprint that you’ll be able to integrate it into your living space effortlessly. You also have the option of mounting the soundbar on the wall if you so please.
The only design cue that felt a little dated is the wire mesh design that has become somewhat of a signature for Samsung’s soundbar design. It’s a very retro feel which hearkens back to the radios and boom boxes of yesteryear. While it does seem a little dated, it does lend itself to a much sturdier feel overall.
Samsung also bundles a wireless sub-woofer which brings the lows to complement the highs and mids of the main soundbar. While it can seem a little tedious to have an extra component to maneuver and assimilate, into your decor, the sleek black design allows you to place it just out of sight and still get the full benefit of theatrical sound.
Performance
The Q800T packs quite the punch when it comes to sound. In smaller living spaces and rooms, the soundbar is bound to provide a really immersive experience. It was able to flood our studio space of about 1,300sqft with good sound. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was able to accommodate a larger room of about 2,000sqft.
When it comes to the sound quality, the Q800T was pretty impressive. It had very warm mids and highs which made watching cinematic movies enjoyable. The bass on the system was able to carry the explosions in action flicks pretty well too. Overall, it gave a deeper level of immersion when it came to enjoying movies and series.
The soundbar was able to produce really clear audio even when it came to audio. In fact, in its “Voice” mode, the soundbar was able to detect and enhance the audio of news readers which made it a lot easier to hear. This was also true for movies; dialogue was crisp and even whispers were more audible. You rarely miss anything said during movies even when there’s explosions happening.
Our highlight with soundbar came when we were using the PlayStation 4, the sound really brought Horizon Zero Dawn to live. The Dolby Atmos calibration made it so the sounds that we heard felt like we were in the game itself. Objects and creatures behind us in game actually sounded like they were behind us when we were gaming.
Features
The Samsung Q800T soundbar is one of the most feature rich soundbars available. It comes with Dolby Atmos certification as well as DTS:X certification. This means that the tweeters, subs and DSP on the soundbar has been uniquely tuned to be able to reproduce high quality audio to the standards set by Dolby and DTS.
In addition to that, the soundbar is also equipped with an equalizer. You’ll be able to control it manually and cycle through the presets on the controller which comes with the soundbar. However, if you want more granular control, you’ll have to adjust the levels on the SmartThings App.
The hallmark feature on the Q800T is Q-Symphony which synchronises the TV’s built-in speakers to create even more sound depth. It effective adds another two channels to the overall sound setup allowing for better immersion.
Compatibility
The Samsung Q800T soundbar runs on Samsung’s SmartThings platform which is a good thing. All you have to do to set it up on your phone is download the app on your phone and let it do it’s magic – which includes setting up the WiFi on the Q800T as well. Of course, you can manually connect to the speaker through Bluetooth as well and do the setup step by step. However, SmartThings really makes setup a once click step. In addition, the app is universally available – even on the iOS AppStore.
In fact, Samsung’s SmartThings platform also makes it so you can use Bixby to control and play music on your soundbar from your Samsung phone. If your on your Samsung device, you can also connect seamlessly via the SmartThings apps and set your system to automatically connect to the device and playback audio when its in range.
However, be that as it may, the Samsung centric nature of the Q800T is also its biggest handicap. You can’t get the most from the device or the SmartThings platform unless you’re in the Samsung ecosystem; this includes a Samsung QLED TV and a Samsung tablet or smartphone. In fact, one of the hallmark features, Q-Symphony, of the soundbar isn’t readily available unless you have a compatible Samsung QLED TV.
The Q-Symphony feature is actually one of the best features on the soundbar. Thankfully, we got to test it during a technical seminar. In a nutsell, you get an even more immersive sound experience as the speakers on the TV itself sync with the soundbar as front firing speakers complementing the 3.1.2 setup of the soundbar. However, if you’re not using a compatible Samsung QLED TV, you’ll miss out on the extra level of immersion.
A Feature Rich Sound Experience for a Relatively Affordable Price
Overall, the Samsung Q800T soundbar delivers one of the most immersive experiences you can get at it’s MYR3,999 (USD$987.64) price point. In fact, we can say that it’s one of the more complete offering on the market at this time. The unique, feature rich approach Samsung is taking to the soundbar makes a compelling package let down by one handicap – over reliance on a Samsung QLED TV. Other than the lack of Q-Symphony support on every other smart TV, the universality of SmartThings and the quality of the sound produced by the soundbar leaves users wanting little more.
Lenovo’s Carbon line up has long been reserved for its premium ThinkPad line up which the company gears for corporations. However, this year, Lenovo is trying something new by bringing the Carbon’s signature thin and light form factor to its Yoga line up. Joining the recently announced Yoga Slim 7i and Slim 7i Duet, the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon enhances Lenovo’s portfolio with an even more premium laptop focusing on the thin and light form factor.
The new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon weighs only 966 grams but packs specifications to allow you to be productive on the go. The laptop brings the signature carbon fiber build of the ThinkPad Carbon to the Yoga line up bringing both durability and a lightweight build. The material boasts the company’s proprietary second generation Web-Core 2.0 Carbon Fiber with enhance rigidity and durability while reducing the material weight by up to 40%.
The chassis isn’t the only thing that the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon has going for it. It comes either an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 or a Core i501135G7 bringing capable performance complemented by Intel’s new IRIS Xe graphics. There are options for either 8GB or 16GB of dual channel DDR4 RAM with options of up to 1TB PCIe M.2 SDD storage.
The Yoga Slim 7i Carbon comes with a 13-inch Quad HD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The display panel has 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut and has been certified by TÜV-Rheinland to be low blue light emitting. The panel also has Dolby Vision and Atmos optimisations, according to Lenovo. The display comes with super slim, 3mm bezels which allow for a more immersive experience. The hinge has 180° of rotation.
On the connectivity end, the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon comes with 2 USB Type C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4, PD 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB 4; 1 USB Type C with support for PD3.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB3.2 and an audio combo jack. It also supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0. It also supports Windows Hello with its IR camera.
Pricing & Availability
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon will be available in Moon White for MYR4,399. Release date is to be confirmed.
Samsung’s QLED TV line up has been one of the first that have been pushing 8K and large form factor TVs. Last year, we saw the company push boundaries with a flagship series which capped at a whopping 98-inches. That said, Samsung’s line up isn’t just about size, they tend to also push the boundaries when it comes to technology. With the 2019 QLED TV line up, the company introduced a whole slew of features to help make content more immersive and also stand out. This year’s line up is no different.
Spearheaded by the new Q950TS, the new line up of Samsung QLED 8K TVs continue to bring more enhanced technologies. These technologies are focused at providing better picture quality, more immersive sound and a better, more well-rounded experience when it comes to content consumption.
Smarter AI Upscaling Augmented by Deep Learning
Samsung’s introduction of AI upscaling started with its 2019 line up of 8K UHD QLED TVs. The line up was the first to boast a dedicated Quantum processor to help with upscaling to help address the content gap. This year, Samsung ups the ante with an improved AI upscaling. While still backed by a Quantum Processor, the 2020 Samsung QLED 8K TVs will have better upscaling capabilities thanks to machine learning and deep learning algorithms.
The new machine learning and deep learning algorithms are supported by a new neural processing component in the Quantum processors. It is thanks to this neural processing that Samsung’s Quantum Processor is able to upscale content with machine learning and deep learning. The new two pronged approach to upscaling allows better, more natural upscaled content for the large factor QLED TVs.
The first prong of the two prong approach is Samsung’s Machine Learning Super Resolution. This upscaling technology focuses on upscaling content based on identified objects. The company has specified in an online briefing that the upscaling done by this technology preserves the characteristics and details of the objects or subjects of the scene or picture.
To ensure the natural detail of the shot is better preserved during upscaling, Samsung has introduced what they call Deep Learning Super Resolution. It enhances the details and fills in the pixel gaps when the image or video is upscaled. Accessing a neural network, the algorithm intelligently restores details which are lost during the upscaling process. It does this by upscaling the image pixel by pixel. Samsung’s engineers have assured us that the algorithm doesn’t introduce artificial details.
These AI technologies augment the enhancements Samsung has introduced physically in their displays. The new QLED displays come with Array Elite. This new technology allows finer control of the pixels which make up the TV. It allows finer contrast control and better power efficiency as pixels individually powered.
More Immersive Sound with Object Based Surround Sound
Samsung’s new line up of QLED 8K TVs also bring a refreshed approach to sound. In the past, sound seemed to be in the background when it came to TV development. However, Samsung is taking a more holistic approach with their 2020 QLED TVs.
It starts with a redesign of the integrated speakers. Samsung’s new line up comes with six speakers. It has two front firing speakers on the top corners of the screen. It’s placed behind the high resolution QLED panels. More significantly, Samsung has moved the tweeters to the side of the TV. In addition, Samsung is also using wider left and right channels for more complete sound experience.
The redesigned sound system has allowed Samsung to introduce a new, enhanced feature called Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+). This allows regular consumers, like you and I, to experience sound the way it was designed. OTS+ essentially allows sound to be tied to an object instead of the channels available. This approach allows sound to move as an object moved on and off screen. Dolby refers to this as “audio objects” and is an essential part of its Dolby Atmos certification.
These new technologies enhance old features that came with the 2019 line up as well as enable new ones. The 2020 QLED TVs from Samsung could be one of the most exciting tech that come from the company. This is thanks to the company’s focus on enhancing and augmenting the user experience in its line up with meaningful new features. The new line up is set for its debut soon in Malaysia and has already been introduced in select counties around the world.
