Following its fire-breathing debut at CES 2023, Nakamichi’s new Dragon Dolby Atmos soundbar is now out there for pre-order. The corporate is barely making 500 models out there on the outset, which is probably going a great name given the Dragon’s steep $3,500 / £2,800 / AU$5,300 pre-order value.
Nakamichi is pitching the Dragon not a lot as a soundbar however reasonably as a plug-and-play residence encompass sound system. And whereas it shares lots of the similar options present in one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars reminiscent of upfiring drivers and a central, horizontally arrayed enclosure for the principle audio system, this 11.4.6-channel system simply trounces the capabilities of many separate component-based residence theater audio techniques on specs alone.
Digging into these specs, the Dragon’s fundamental soundbar unit options 14 audio system, 4 of them up-firing, in a 58-inch huge stainless-steel casing. Complete system energy is specified at 3,000 watts and Nakamichi claims it might probably hit staggeringly loud 125 dB SPL peaks. There’s onboard assist for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Professional processing and it additionally options aptX HD Bluetooth for music streaming and Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ pass-through, together with VRR and ALLM, on its 4 HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC).
One function that actually makes the Dragon system stand out from the gang is its “Omni-Movement Reference” rear audio system, which have each side- and rear-facing drivers to create a extra immersive encompass sound expertise. These use a pair of 1.5-inch AMT tweeters – a design discovered in lots of high-end stereo audio system – together with 3.5-inch woofers and a 3-inch up-firing driver for Atmos peak results that may be rotated as much as 180° to greatest accommodate the listening atmosphere.
The Dragon system additionally options twin wi-fi subwoofers, each of which use two 8-inch drivers in a push-pull configuration that’s stated to equal the output of 4 separate subs
Nakamichi’s launch of the Dragon coincides with the audio model’s seventy fifth anniversary. To have a good time, consumers who pre-order the restricted version soundbar system will get a model with a gold plate on the entrance of the principle unit, an etched brand on the distant management, and a behind-the-scenes digital storybook.
Opinion: Soundbars might be ‘plug-and play encompass sound techniques’
Soundbars began out as a method to easily increase the audio efficiency of one of the best 4K TVs, a lot of which skimp on audio system out of necessity given their ultra-slim designs. However the soundbar class has since skyrocketed in reputation, with viewers choosing extra subtle designs just like the Sonos Arc and Bose Sensible Soundbar 600 that may be paired with wi-fi subwoofers and encompass audio system for a extra immersive, residence theater-style audio expertise.
Simply as vital, the most recent high-end soundbar designs include up-firing audio system to ship the peak results in Dolby Atmos soundtracks, one thing they do by bouncing the pontificate your room’s ceiling. With six whole up-firing audio system, Nakamichi’s Dragon system guarantees to not simply present a suggestion of peak results – one thing that extra primary soundbars do – however ship a full-bore Dolby Atmos audio expertise that may rival what you get from a separate speaker system with among the best A/V receivers.
Is the $3,500 restricted version Dragon system definitely worth the cash? I haven’t heard it, and probably by no means will for the reason that firm just isn’t making Dragons out there for overview. However I not too long ago examined the JBL 1300X soundbar, a $1,699 / £1,299 / (round AU$2,570) equally high-end 16-channel system with entrance and rear-channel up-firing audio system and a strong subwoofer with a 12-inch driver. The 1300X was the primary soundbar that I felt may function a passable alternative for my A/V receiver and audio system, and I anticipate the Dragon would carry out equally properly if not higher.
If you happen to’ve acquired a big room and cash to spare, Nakamichi’s new Dragon soundbar appears just like the soundbar to beat for 2023. I’ve not heard of something this formidable within the works from another speaker producer, so the Dragon for now sits alone atop its pile of sonic gold. There are solely 500 techniques being made, so that you’d higher act rapidly. However in case you’re searching for a extra modest and reasonably priced soundbar possibility, take a look at our information to one of the best soundbars.