First announced at IFA 2014 and then unveiled at CES 2015, the Philips Fidelio B5 Soundbar is one of the most innovative products we’ve ever seen come from Philips.
The $899 speaker system disguises itself as a sexy soundbar, but that look conceals the unit’s unique power – a pair of detachable speakers capable of being used as self optimizing surround speakers, or on their own as individual bluetooth portable speakers.
We had a chance to look the Fidelio B5 Soundbar over at CES, and we were blown away by the system’s beauty. The Fidelio would blend in on a shelf in a million dollar garage surrounded by exotic cars, or stand out in an upscale home mounted below a beautiful flat panel TV.
The sound quality we observed was excellent, given the surroundings, but we’ll reserve final judgement when we get one in for a proper review closer to the shipping date of sometime in the second quarter. Having said that, the Philips Fidelio B5 certainly deserves the Best of CES Award, as well as due consideration once it’s commercially available.
Press Release: The Philips Fidelio B5 wireless surround sound speaker
Stereo to surround sound in seconds
Berlin, Germany – The Philips Fidelio B5 wireless surround soundbar speaker is our smartest and most versatile soundbar ever. The latest addition to the premium Philips Fidelio range, it offers the perfect solution for those looking for a stylish and authentic cinema experience at home. A major new innovation in the Philips Fidelio range, the soundbar and its two wireless detachable speakers can also be used as independent Bluetooth speakers. The Fidelio B5 delivers a crystal clear sound performance for TV, movies and music.
From stereo to surround sound in seconds
Used in its standard configuration, the Fidelio B5 delivers great sound for TV shows and movies day-to-day. And when it comes to fully immersing yourself in the action, simply place the two wireless detachable speakers behind you for a real surround sound experience. Thanks to its advanced calibration algorithm, you don’t need to worry about the positioning of the detachable speakers. Once you’ve placed them where you want them, run the embedded calibration algorithm to ensure perfectly balanced surround sound, regardless of where the speakers are placed in the room.
Balanced, dynamic sound is delivered by the soundbar’s audiophile-grade 3-inch full range drivers and premium soft dome tweeters, with an immersive surround experienced provided by Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II technology. Thanks to the inclusion of proprietary wireless audio technology, there isn’t any risk of network interference between the wireless detachable speakers, no matter where you place them in the room. As well as sounding great, the Fidelio B5 also has great design, with a minimalist approach that includes a premium aluminum finish. Even the cloth covering the speaker is advanced: it’s treated with a special coating that ensures resistance to dust and any accidental spills of liquid, but at the same time it’s breathable, letting sound waves pass through freely.
Speakers that move with you
Every part of the soundbar, including the main bar and the two detachable speakers, can be used as independent Bluetooth speakers. Versatile and powerful, place the detachable speakers anywhere in your home or garden: their battery can last up to 5 hours for music and even up to 10 hours in movie mode with just one full charge, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite music and movies. The main bar also includes Bluetooth aptX® and AAC for high-fidelity streaming, as well as NFC for easy and intuitive pairing.
The Philips Fidelio B5 wireless surround soundbar speaker will be available from October in key markets across Europe for EUR 799.
