Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus Review: Powerful 7.1.4-Channel Sound Experience
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus Review: Powerful 7.1.4-Channel Sound Experience
Elevate your home theater with the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus delivering immersive 7.1.4 sound clarity and rich Dolby Atmos audio.
A Compact Powerhouse for Home Theater Sound
If you've ever dreamed of a home theater setup that doesn’t turn your living room into a maze of speakers and cables, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus might just be your new best friend. This sleek, all-in-one soundbar packs the punch and precision of a full 7.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos system — but without the clutter of multiple speakers scattered around your space.
Launching a couple of years after the somewhat bulky and pricey Ambeo Soundbar Max, this streamlined sibling keeps the signature dynamic sound alive in a more manageable size and price. It’s an impressive statement: a single soundbar that claims to deliver the vast, enveloping soundscape typical of large home cinema setups, thanks to Sennheiser’s smart virtualization technology.
The price tag? It’s a serious investment, but one that reflects the top-tier audio quality, accuracy, and control you get in return. While the user interface has its quirks (like buttons that don’t give a satisfying click), the Ambeo Soundbar Plus shines where it counts — in its sound performance.
You will want to pair it with dedicated Sennheiser subwoofers for a full home theater immersion, but even solo, it dramatically upgrades your TV’s audio with cinematic flair from a single elegant device.
Price and Availability
Released at the end of 2022, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus carries a premium price of $1,499. This places it among the higher-end soundbars, with only a few rivals like the Samsung HW-Q990B matching it in cost — though the Samsung model includes additional rear speakers and a subwoofer, meaning more components to place around your room.
This “all-in-one” premium model justifies its cost with impressive sound quality and well-rounded features, as you’ll soon see.
Features and Compatibility
The Ambeo Soundbar Plus sports a single HDMI 2.1 port with eARC for your TV, and two HDMI 2.0 ports for connecting media players or consoles, though it lacks 4K 120Hz pass-through — a slight downside for gamers who want the absolute latest console performance. However, it handles 4K HDR Dolby Vision flawlessly.
In terms of surround sound, it supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, ensuring you get a truly immersive audio experience, no matter your content choice.
Wireless connections are well covered: Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Chromecast are all onboard.
One standout feature is the option to wirelessly add up to four Sennheiser subwoofers to boost bass presence — a rarity in single-unit soundbars.
- Feature Rating: 4.5/5
A Sonic Performance That Wows
What really won me over was the sound quality. The Ambeo Soundbar Plus balances highs and lows seamlessly, avoiding that frustrating disconnect you often hear in cheaper soundbars where bass feels like it’s coming from a completely different source.
At low volumes, the bass can be quite subtle — almost too delicate to notice — but crank the volume and those upward-firing drivers kick in with a satisfying, room-filling rumble. This soundbar truly comes alive loud.
Watching HBO’s The Last of Us was an auditory revelation. The Ambeo Plus effortlessly rendered intricate guitar strings with delicate clarity, then shifted gears to thunderous truck crashes that shook the room. It glides between quiet and loud scenes with remarkable agility.
Sennheiser boasts a “thunderous bass” response down to 38 Hz, and it delivers — though some audiophiles might crave a bit more punch, which the pricier Ambeo Soundbar Max offers with a 30 Hz low-end. Still, considering the price difference and added features like voice assistant support, the Ambeo Plus strikes a great balance.
The soundbar also includes tailored audio modes for music, movies, sports, news, and more. The Voice Enhancement mode is a personal favorite — it brings dialogues right to the front, perfect for catching every word in those intense conversations. Meanwhile, the AMBEO mode simulates a four-channel height effect, adding a lush vertical dimension to sound that’s truly immersive.
Adding extra subwoofers (up to four!) is a game-changer for those craving a true home cinema shake — but that’s an optional upgrade beyond the base setup.
- Sound Quality Rating: 5/5
Design That Blends In
Measuring 1050 x 75 x 120 mm and weighing 6.3 kg, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus isn’t the tiniest on the block, but its matte black finish and subtle mesh grille make it a discreet companion to TVs 55 inches and larger.
The remote is a neat little device — a rectangular bar with a gentle top slope for comfort, and soft rubber buttons that feel pleasant under your fingertips. You get inputs for switching sources, adjusting volume, and toggling key audio modes like Cinema, Music, Voice Enhancement, and Night Mode. It’s a shame there’s no backlight for nighttime use, but following the initial battery setup instructions will get you going smoothly.
- Design Rating: 4/5
Setup and Everyday Use
Setting up the Ambeo Plus is a bit of an event — it runs an automated calibration process that emits loud test sounds to map your room’s acoustics. Heads up: not great timing if your pets or kids are around! But this step is key to tailoring the sound output to your unique space. Moving furniture or adding curtains means a fresh calibration for optimal results, which might get tedious but is well worth it.
The companion Smart Control app is a joy to use — simple, clear prompts guide you through connecting streaming services and voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. Between the remote, app, built-in controls, and voice commands, you have lots of ways to interact with the soundbar on your terms.
One small gripe: the top panel buttons don’t physically click down, so it’s a bit tricky to tell if your input registered right away.
- Ease of Setup & Use Rating: 4.5/5
Value for Money
Yes, the Ambeo Plus is pricey. But when you factor in the spacious, dynamic sound it delivers from a relatively compact package, the cost starts to feel justified. It beats premium competitors like the Sonos Arc by offering more features and notably richer spatial sound.
That said, there’s a clear miss: no 4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 pass-through. For gamers craving that specific feature, the slightly cheaper Sony HT-A7000 might be a better fit, offering the same all-in-one convenience plus that coveted HDMI 2.1 support.
- Value Rating: 4/5
Ratings Summary
| Category | Comment | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Great wireless connectivity and 3D sound; lacks HDMI 2.1 passthrough | 4.5/5 |
| Sound Quality | Fantastic Dolby Atmos performance with wide range and dynamic sound | 5/5 |
| Design | Thoughtful, sleek, and blends well with large TVs | 4/5 |
| Setup & Ease of Use | Loud but effective calibration; excellent app support | 4.5/5 |
| Value for Money | Expensive but worth it for sound quality | 4/5 |
Alternatives to Consider
Sonos Arc
A more budget-friendly all-in-one soundbar focusing on dynamic sound and audio accuracy. It lacks HDMI passthrough, DTS:X support, Bluetooth, and has fewer streaming options, but still offers solid performance for the price.
Sony HT-A7000
Another all-in-one contender with excellent Atmos effects and robust bass. This model includes HDMI 2.1 passthrough, making it a strong choice for gamers needing 4K 120fps support.
Samsung HW-Q990B
For roughly the same price as the Ambeo Plus, this setup offers full immersion with 11.1.4 channels, front and rear speakers, plus a subwoofer. It requires more space but delivers a true multi-speaker cinema experience.
Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a soundbar that expertly navigates between different acoustic demands continuously and dynamically.
– Reviewer experience
Feel like your home cinema could use a sonic upgrade? The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus brings powerful 7.1.4 sound in a sleek package that fits neatly in your living room. Whether you're binging your favorite series or hosting a movie night, the dynamic range and immersive audio make every scene pop.
- How many channels does the Ambeo Soundbar Plus simulate?
It delivers a 7.1.4-channel experience using virtualization technology. - Can I add external subwoofers to this soundbar?
Yes, you can wirelessly connect up to four Sennheiser subwoofers for enhanced bass. - Does it support the latest HDMI 2.1 features like 4K at 120Hz pass-through?
It has one HDMI 2.1 port with eARC but lacks 4K 120Hz pass-through; this may affect gamers wanting top console performance. - Which streaming services and wireless connections are supported?
It supports Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Chromecast. - Is the calibration process complicated?
The automatic calibration emits loud test sounds to map the room acoustics and is straightforward but can be disruptive if done frequently.
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