Read Write Inc.: Set 2 & 3. Speed Sound Cards: small size (READ WRITE INC PHONICS)

Product Information

Manually move the Sound Set file to the physical location of the other Sound Set files. When Sound Set files are added to locations known to Studio One, they will be detected and shown in the Sound Set tab. The bundled remote is splendid, and for an out-of-the-box boost to TV audio and older sets’ smart features, the Roku Streambar is extremely low risk for this price. In that sense, it’s something we can wholeheartedly recommend. If high-quality 3D sound is important to you, then you'll want to make sure both your TV and potential soundbar support Dolby TrueHD and eARC. The ARC standard can handle Dolby Atmos, but only in its Dolby Digital Plus form, which is lossy, whereas Dolby TrueHD can deliver full-fat Dolby Atmos in all its lossless glory.

The company still has one or two adjacent products in its portfolio (like the ‘Port’ network audio streamer and ‘Amp’, um, amplifier), but it’s really speakers that have driven Sonos’ business for the last few years. The range is currently eight-strong, with the emphasis split between music and home cinema applications. And mostly they’ll happily form part of a multi-room system that will allow you to enjoy pain-free, wireless music all over your home. While the general audio performance of the Beam (Gen 2) was impressive, we weren't fully convinced by the virtual Dolby Atmos. As vending machines propelled soda cans over the heads of the characters on screen, the sound did provide a sense of height, but we didn't get the feeling that it was coming from above our heads. A Sound Set is a variant on the ZIP file format (as are Musicloops and Audioloops), and you could store just about any kind of data in one, but unless you're going to write an application to read your Sound Sets, it probably makes the most sense to store data that Studio One will recognise. Sound Sets can contain Musicloops and Audioloops, but also presets for plug-ins and virtual instruments from PreSonus and third-party developers, plus Groove Templates, FX Chains, Drum Maps, impulse responses, and more. Sound Set Builder The Ray marks something of a departure for Sonos. It can form part of a wireless multi-room system using Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and the Sonos S2 app (though users should note there’s no Bluetooth streaming onboard). Similarly, it can be partnered with other Sonos speakers for a complete 5.1 surround system.REX files are represented in such a way that you can use either the entire file or select only the slices you need.

Ideally, we would recommend going all in on an AV amplifier and matching home theatre speaker system, but in reality, we understand that not everyone has the space and/or the budget for something like this. That's why we recommend a soundbar as a great alternative. You're transported to the heart of the action. Surround effects are expertly placed, and there's great dynamism and good weight to the sound too. Tonally, it's nicely balanced if you just want to listen to music, although it could sound a tiny bit more direct. But, there's no doubt this is a hugely impressive TV soundbar for the money. Pros: wifi and Bluetooth, great sound, long battery life, IP56 weather resistance, durable, wide support for music services, long support life, can be paired up, good optional voice control, Alexa support, replaceable battery.

Nothing ends up being overridden, too shrill or sharp, which certainly can’t be said for most portable speakers. An equaliser in the Sonos app allows you to fine tune the bass, treble and “loudness” to your liking, though the speaker automatically tunes itself to your space as you move it around.

One new connectivity feature for the Sonos Beam is HDMI eARC compatibility, which the company says will bring a “richer, more immersive, and higher definition sound experience”. Compared to the HDMI ARC connectivity found on the original Beam, eARC can handle more advanced audio formats and deliver superior audio quality.Heard in isolation, the Five (which rather counterintuitively features six speaker drivers - three tweeters and three mid/bass drivers) has more than just sheer scale going for it. Although it goes without any hi-res audio capability, it’s a distinct, information-rich and implacably substantial listen, and can create a soundstage much wider than the box from which the sound emanates. With this simpler setup, you can pair two Sonos SLs with a second gen Sonos Beam. (Image credit: Sonos) Like the original Beam, the new Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact soundbar that can easily fit under most TVs on a cabinet or be mounted to a wall to keep your living room clutter-free. One key difference between the new Sonos Beam and its predecessor is the design of the grille, which is now made of plastic rather than a woven fabric. This design choice is more in keeping with the Sonos Arc, and as the company points out, it’s far easier to clean than dust-attracting fabric. We asked Sonos whether the new grille brings any acoustic benefits, but the company told us it’s purely an aesthetic choice.